Caught or Taught?

Here, our students have assembled their thumbprints in an expression of support to one of our staff members. 

THE IDEA
It all began in the hallway during a chat about the impending assembly.  A MATH teacher mentioned in front of the ART teacher an idea about all of us contributing something together.  All we needed was a winterized tree on canvas.  The ART teacher addressed that situation and brought in the tree, painted on a canvas, 22x28 inches framed, the very next day!
THE EXECUTION
The students were next!  During their health and PE classes, they traveled to the ART Room where palettes of various shades of purple were ready to sample.  Each student's thumb was moistened with paint, then blotted on a page, then imprinted in any location on the tree.  Care was taken to have all the leaves attached and successfully filling out every branch.  (Parenthetic note:  Every student acted on their best behavior while they had a potentially messy hand!  Well done, students!)
In addition to all the staff in the current building, other district staff were invited to participate by sharing their thumb print as well.  The final project was presented at a school wide assembly. 
THE MOTIVE BEHIND
The middle school setting can be a place of great extremes.  Emotions can run high or low, peeks and valleys, all before breakfast.  The adventure of the middle school makes it so exciting.  Yet alone with the adventure is the drama that sometimes follows.  Our intent in a school-wide project like this was to broaden students' perspective.  This collaborative piece shows how we can altogether become bigger than just ourselves individually.  By looking at others, we take the focus off ourselves.   Watching how others battle situations, working through stress and displaying healthy choices shows how many things are caught and not taught!
The lessons range from narcissism and self-centeredness to the differences between empathy and sympathy; not to take advantage of a situation but to learn life lessons in every situation.
CONCLUSION
Working through the little distractions at school is preparation for the real challenges of life.  At school, there are supportive adults to guide and offer coaching.  After school, many begin playing without the safety net of their teachers and parents.  At our middle school, we strive to guide them towards success, one issue at a time!

After vacation???

Great place to visit but who would want to live here?

Live in the city, vacation in the country.

Live in the country, vacation in the city?

The thing about vacation destinations everywhere is the solitude, beauty and removal of all the distractions of "work" life.  Of course, everyone else is there as a seasonal visitor as well.  There is plenty of traffic during rush hours.  But it is still seasonal. It is not permanent.  The mountains.  Lakes. Beaches. Tourist "Traps" all have attractive features, great photo and adventure opportunities but atypical full time employment opportunities.  Typical business is tourist centered, therefore cyclical and often temporary.  After pondering a life style at a vacation destination, take extra time to self-reflect, help advance yourself and make yourself a better person...  then prepare to take care of others.  Consider annual goals.  Consider adjustments with the students in mind.  Consider adjustments personally. 
Annual Goals
For instance, every year, a few of us consider our annual goals.  We break them into categories and how they fit in our current settings.  We quantify them, attach rubrics and use data to establish desired outcomes.  At the end of the period, we examine, adjust and celebrate the successes.  Is it scientific or just helping steer our vision and direction?
Professional Goals
Some of our professional goals are established for us.  We must continue with training or education.  To ensure development and high standards, ongoing exposure to current thought and trends as a profession evolves.  Yet our own goals often are the ones we address.  When these goals overlap, our own and the ones mandated, the students will benefit.
Personal Goals
Goals that have little do do with our profession but often motivate us in our profession are often the first sacrificed.  Shifting priorities to balance both a personal and professional life is often the solution to career burn-out on one hand and relationship issues on the other. "all work and no play..."
Student/Classroom Goals
Finally, classroom norms, student behaviors, and how students engage in class is always at the front of every teachers mind.  Even during vacation, a teacher considers using everything as a learning lesson.  One of my favorite stories was about a teacher that went to the beach and brought back a small rock for each student.  Upon her return, she made a big deal and gave a rock to each student while affirming that student in front of the entire class.  Nothing too big but a paragraph about each person!  Amazingly, the students all listened to hear what she would say about even "Johnie."  But she found and spoke positive truth into his life, in front of everyone.  This solidified the impact and influence she had on all her students!  They really believed she liked them!  She believed it too!
Suggestion:
Write some goals.  Some personal, professional and student centered goals.  Make them as detailed as necessary for personal peace.  Share them with another and post them.  Even ask for feedback.

Games you can't win...

What games can't you win?

"Games you can't win, because you'll play against you."

Maybe you'll be trapped in a box, stuck in a rut, bound by real or imaginary borders?

 

This quote is hidden in Oh, The Places You'll Go, by the birthday boy.
A book written to motivate us to action and often read at commencements, has a nugget addressing confidence, affirmations and positive attitude. 
When we work against ourselves, we become the most formidable opponent.  Nobody else knows as much about us. Nobody else knows our struggles, inmost worries and deepest fears.  These three obstacles, Dr Seuss wants us to master!
"...you'll play lonely games too.  Games you can't win because you'll play against you."
The Dr admonishes us to recognize, train and discipline our own internal dialogue.  This language is not the norm but must be learned and received from another that possesses a similar champion perspective. A master teacher knows this and builds on the slightest feature to accentuate positive and diminish the negative.
Well done, wms!
#onthemap #seussquote