Today I am having a 'bad day.' About 3 and a half years ago I started having lots of different symptoms. One of the main symptoms is pain. On my bad days, I feel like I have the flu but I don't. I went to all kinds of doctors and none of them helped me at all.
I am at the place where I simply try to have a good attitude about it... because it could always be worse.
I am physically sensitive to my emotions. This means that when I have strong emotions about something, I usually get sick. As a result, I try to guard my thought life. Negative emotions do the most harm to me.
I have so much to be thankful for. I am not writing this hoping for sympathy. I am simply giving you more facts about who I am and where I am coming from.
The best thing for all of us to do is to get our eyes off of ourselves and put them on God and others. The worst thing to do is keep your eyes on yourself.
Day 100
Friday, March 14, 2014
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Challenges
I recently had a meeting after school with the parents of a struggling student of mine. We first met without the student present. I talked about the importance of their student being more and more responsible and respectful. They both smiled and agreed. I talked about the importance of their student honoring them, and using that desire to honor, to steer the decisions and choices that will be made. They smiled and agreed. I talked about the importance of them being united in the decisions they make as parents. They agreed. I talked about the importance of their student growing in looking for ways to succeed and turning from looking for reasons to fail. They totally agreed.
Then we had their student come in and I was so disappointed to watch their student argue, interrupt, refuse to take responsibility, and even say harsh words. The student eventually got up and walked out of the meeting.
I turned to the parents and told them they needed to be united and start punishing disrespectful and irresponsible behaviors. I told them that that was the worst demonstration of respect I've ever seen in a meeting by a student.
I am praying for them.
I want to love, encourage, exhort, challenge and motivate all of my students relentlessly and unconditionally. I do not want to judge. I want to speak the truth in love. I kept asking the parents if what I was saying was OK with them. I was simply giving Biblical advice. I tried to share Biblical principles with them throughout our meeting.
One of the most loving things we can do as parents and teachers is discipline our children/students when they need it. One of the most hateful things we can do is ignore and/or even encourage poor behavior.
I have to work with the students I have. I have little to no control over their parents and the most challenging student often come from homes where there are challenges.
Day 99
Then we had their student come in and I was so disappointed to watch their student argue, interrupt, refuse to take responsibility, and even say harsh words. The student eventually got up and walked out of the meeting.
I turned to the parents and told them they needed to be united and start punishing disrespectful and irresponsible behaviors. I told them that that was the worst demonstration of respect I've ever seen in a meeting by a student.
I am praying for them.
I want to love, encourage, exhort, challenge and motivate all of my students relentlessly and unconditionally. I do not want to judge. I want to speak the truth in love. I kept asking the parents if what I was saying was OK with them. I was simply giving Biblical advice. I tried to share Biblical principles with them throughout our meeting.
One of the most loving things we can do as parents and teachers is discipline our children/students when they need it. One of the most hateful things we can do is ignore and/or even encourage poor behavior.
I have to work with the students I have. I have little to no control over their parents and the most challenging student often come from homes where there are challenges.
Day 99
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
No small problems
I have been frustrated with the behavior of several students in the hallway... no, what really has frustrated me is how we as a staff have handled poor behavior in the hallway.
I've expressed my concerns and frustrations with every administrator and even our security person, but none of them have done anything to fix the problem. Quite to the opposite, what they have done has only made the problem worse. Asking a student to move along or stop blocking the hallway is not effective when they are still blocking the hallway in March.
I recently talked with a person of authority at our school and expressed my concern about this problem. He told me that 'In the big picture, this was really a pretty small problem.'
I SAW RED.
I told him that when small problems are not handled correctly they become big problems. Anyways, are meeting was unfruitful in my opinion. I saw him today and apologized for venting my frustration to him. He forgave me and then we had a great conversation.
I told him that if we handled this problem correctly, we would not still have this problem. We have been training our worst students to brake school rules. It was our responsibility to train all students to respect themselves and others. We have not been doing this. We have to expect all students to be able to follow rules and be respectful. We can not have rules we beg students to follow and never give consequences for when some don't. When a student knowingly brakes a rule, it is now open defiance.
Anyways, today he listened to me, heard me and agreed with me. I told him I would go out in the hall and give consequences for braking rules if I wasn't the only one doing that. I told him that it was important for all of us to give out consequences... no more warnings.
We need to train and expect all students to demonstrate respect for others. It is time to act like there is a new sheriff in town!!
Day 97
I've expressed my concerns and frustrations with every administrator and even our security person, but none of them have done anything to fix the problem. Quite to the opposite, what they have done has only made the problem worse. Asking a student to move along or stop blocking the hallway is not effective when they are still blocking the hallway in March.
I recently talked with a person of authority at our school and expressed my concern about this problem. He told me that 'In the big picture, this was really a pretty small problem.'
I SAW RED.
I told him that when small problems are not handled correctly they become big problems. Anyways, are meeting was unfruitful in my opinion. I saw him today and apologized for venting my frustration to him. He forgave me and then we had a great conversation.
I told him that if we handled this problem correctly, we would not still have this problem. We have been training our worst students to brake school rules. It was our responsibility to train all students to respect themselves and others. We have not been doing this. We have to expect all students to be able to follow rules and be respectful. We can not have rules we beg students to follow and never give consequences for when some don't. When a student knowingly brakes a rule, it is now open defiance.
Anyways, today he listened to me, heard me and agreed with me. I told him I would go out in the hall and give consequences for braking rules if I wasn't the only one doing that. I told him that it was important for all of us to give out consequences... no more warnings.
We need to train and expect all students to demonstrate respect for others. It is time to act like there is a new sheriff in town!!
Day 97
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Everyone!
Today my last student in Algebra passed my perfect test on Linear Functions. We were all encouraging her on as she was taking her test. I will be bringing in donuts tomorrow for the class. I am so proud of them all.
100% of my students got 100% on a test that 100% failed in November.
I am very excited! I told my principal about it and he was very happy for me and my students. I am going to ask him to come in and congratulate each of my classes.
Day 97
100% of my students got 100% on a test that 100% failed in November.
I am very excited! I told my principal about it and he was very happy for me and my students. I am going to ask him to come in and congratulate each of my classes.
Day 97
Monday, March 10, 2014
Confession and celebration
There was a student in my first period class I was rude to last Friday. I started off class today by apologizing to her. She was surprised and quickly forgave me saying, "It was no big deal." I told her that I was wrong and there was no excuse for my being rude to her. I thanked her for forgiving me and reminded the entire class that my goal is to 'Love, encourage, exhort, challenge and motivate all of my students relentlessly and unconditionally.' I told them that I was probably going to fail at this every day. But when I did, I want to be responsible and confess my mistake and ask for forgiveness. I think a great way to teach confession and forgiveness is through example.
Also, today I brought in donuts for 2 of my classes. They all are perfect on their linear functions test. They were very happy and grateful. Students kept telling me thank you throughout the period. I told them I was very proud of their amazing accomplishment. I reminded them that in November, 100% of them failed the test. Now, 100% of them earned 100% on the test!! Pretty cool!!
I have one student still left to pass. She was at school today and we went over the concepts on the test. She will pass it soon and I can't wait for that.
Day 96
Also, today I brought in donuts for 2 of my classes. They all are perfect on their linear functions test. They were very happy and grateful. Students kept telling me thank you throughout the period. I told them I was very proud of their amazing accomplishment. I reminded them that in November, 100% of them failed the test. Now, 100% of them earned 100% on the test!! Pretty cool!!
I have one student still left to pass. She was at school today and we went over the concepts on the test. She will pass it soon and I can't wait for that.
Day 96
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Slave
I tell stories to my students once in a while. They really like them... or maybe they just like the break from math. Anyways... here is one of their favorites.
The summer before my 10th grade year, my brother and I were out at our parents beach place and we each had a friend out for the weekend. We loved water skiing. My brother was driving the boat and his friend was in the boat with him being the observer. We were skiing down at this place we call The Point, which is out in Longbranch at the mouth of Filucy Bay. Our parents were back at the cabin. We had long since gained the trust of them with the boat. We were a long ways out of their sight.
My friend was trying to get up on one ski(deep water start). He had learn to get up on 2 skis and then drop one, but he hadn't learn yet how to get up on one. Salt water around here is usually cold. After several tries he had to give up. My brother and his friend pulled him into the boat and then my brother punch the throttle full down and headed back towards the point, where I was waiting for my turn.
Before I go any further I want to ask a question of the reader. 'Have you ever walked on the beach and been overcome by the fear of being hit by a boat?' Everybody I ask that question to always says, "No." and looks at me with a weird expression on their face like what kind of stupid question is that? OK then... back to my story.
Meanwhile, I was standing ankle deep in the water so as to stop the boat from grinding against the beach when they get there. I was looking out to my right and about 50 yards off shore a bunch of seagulls started diving into the water. Herring were jumping out of the water. I saw the tail fin of a large salmon flash out of the water throwing up a spray. I even saw the head of a seal, pop up out of the water for a bit before it disappeared back under the water. I was totally engrossed with what was going on.
Meanwhile...
My brother, who was trying to be cool and was not looking where he was going, and was counting on the reaction of his friend, who was looking, to determine when he should start slowing down. Well... his friend had never been in a boat and come to find out later, he thought boats had brakes. My brother's friend finally started looking anxious and my brother turned to see how close he was to shore. At the same time I got this creepy feeling that something was terribly wrong and the hair on the back of my neck stood up as I suddenly heard the sound of a ski boat approaching. My adrenaline kicked in and I turned in slow motion to see my brother turn toward me. I saw the look of horror on his face and I could read his lips as he reached for the throttle to pull it back, he said, "Oh no."
He was in a 16 feet ski boat with a 70HP motor on it. He was going about 33 mph. I know because that is the fastest it could go and my brother had it pegged.
All's I had time to do was say, "Mommy!" and start to hunker, because they were only about 15 feet away from me.
Then... impact, pain and darkness.
I believe in guardian angels... maybe we even get a few. Or maybe that get to trade with other angels. Anyways, my guardian angel sure took a beating that day. The boat was clear out of the water. In fact, it was about 10 ft from the shore line. I was about 10 ft from the boat. All this was up hill. So lets do the math. 10 + 16 + 10 = 36...I flew uphill about 36 feet and didn't break a bone in my body!
I remember lying on my back in darkness only because my eyes were closed. I could hear the whine of the motor and my brother quickly shutting it off. Then he shook me and I opened my eyes and he said, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Don't tell dad. Don't tell dad. Don't tell dad. I'll do anything. I'll do anything. I'll do anything. I'll be your slave." He kept repeating this.
Well I couldn't breath, as I had the wind knocked out of me and I didn't even know how much of me was still attached to me.
About the third or fourth time threw his little panicked begging my breath returned and I sucked in glorious air as he said the wonderful word again... SLAVE. You see, my brother was 2 years older than me... do I need to say anymore?
Now, I ignored him as I started my self-evaluation. Lying on my back, I raised my arms up so I could see my hands. The back of my right hand was bleeding a little. It had been cut from the bow light. I wiggled my fingers and moved my wrists and arms around and they worked!! I was so happy. Now for my legs. I didn't know if they were still their. I wiggled my toes, but I'd heard that amputees would 'wiggle' their toes. So I sat up and there they were. I WAS OK!!
My brother was still babbling, but now that I knew I was OK, I turned to him and said, "I am Ok. I will not tell dad. And YES, you are my slave!"
It was one of the best thing that had ever happened to me. To have your older brother as your slave?... it was great. I only had him do one thing. Every night we watched TV as a family and had a bowl of ice cream. I would wait for the best part of the best show and then 'ask' my brother for some ice cream, with Nestles Powdered Chocolate mix made into a thick syrup put over the top. And every night he would look back at me like 'dream on little brother.' I would raise my eye brows and tilt my head angelically and suddenly he would remember and off he would stomp to get me my ice cream. It was beautiful. It lasted for about 16 months until I did something wrong and that was the first thing he said was, "It is over! I am not your slave anymore!"
There is a verse in the Bible, Romans 8:28, "All things work together for good, to those who are called, according to His purpose." In this life, we will have difficult times. But God is always on His throne. He never stops loving us. He wants us to trust Him even in the midst of a difficult situation.
Day 95
The summer before my 10th grade year, my brother and I were out at our parents beach place and we each had a friend out for the weekend. We loved water skiing. My brother was driving the boat and his friend was in the boat with him being the observer. We were skiing down at this place we call The Point, which is out in Longbranch at the mouth of Filucy Bay. Our parents were back at the cabin. We had long since gained the trust of them with the boat. We were a long ways out of their sight.
My friend was trying to get up on one ski(deep water start). He had learn to get up on 2 skis and then drop one, but he hadn't learn yet how to get up on one. Salt water around here is usually cold. After several tries he had to give up. My brother and his friend pulled him into the boat and then my brother punch the throttle full down and headed back towards the point, where I was waiting for my turn.
Before I go any further I want to ask a question of the reader. 'Have you ever walked on the beach and been overcome by the fear of being hit by a boat?' Everybody I ask that question to always says, "No." and looks at me with a weird expression on their face like what kind of stupid question is that? OK then... back to my story.
Meanwhile, I was standing ankle deep in the water so as to stop the boat from grinding against the beach when they get there. I was looking out to my right and about 50 yards off shore a bunch of seagulls started diving into the water. Herring were jumping out of the water. I saw the tail fin of a large salmon flash out of the water throwing up a spray. I even saw the head of a seal, pop up out of the water for a bit before it disappeared back under the water. I was totally engrossed with what was going on.
Meanwhile...
My brother, who was trying to be cool and was not looking where he was going, and was counting on the reaction of his friend, who was looking, to determine when he should start slowing down. Well... his friend had never been in a boat and come to find out later, he thought boats had brakes. My brother's friend finally started looking anxious and my brother turned to see how close he was to shore. At the same time I got this creepy feeling that something was terribly wrong and the hair on the back of my neck stood up as I suddenly heard the sound of a ski boat approaching. My adrenaline kicked in and I turned in slow motion to see my brother turn toward me. I saw the look of horror on his face and I could read his lips as he reached for the throttle to pull it back, he said, "Oh no."
He was in a 16 feet ski boat with a 70HP motor on it. He was going about 33 mph. I know because that is the fastest it could go and my brother had it pegged.
All's I had time to do was say, "Mommy!" and start to hunker, because they were only about 15 feet away from me.
Then... impact, pain and darkness.
I believe in guardian angels... maybe we even get a few. Or maybe that get to trade with other angels. Anyways, my guardian angel sure took a beating that day. The boat was clear out of the water. In fact, it was about 10 ft from the shore line. I was about 10 ft from the boat. All this was up hill. So lets do the math. 10 + 16 + 10 = 36...I flew uphill about 36 feet and didn't break a bone in my body!
I remember lying on my back in darkness only because my eyes were closed. I could hear the whine of the motor and my brother quickly shutting it off. Then he shook me and I opened my eyes and he said, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Don't tell dad. Don't tell dad. Don't tell dad. I'll do anything. I'll do anything. I'll do anything. I'll be your slave." He kept repeating this.
Well I couldn't breath, as I had the wind knocked out of me and I didn't even know how much of me was still attached to me.
About the third or fourth time threw his little panicked begging my breath returned and I sucked in glorious air as he said the wonderful word again... SLAVE. You see, my brother was 2 years older than me... do I need to say anymore?
Now, I ignored him as I started my self-evaluation. Lying on my back, I raised my arms up so I could see my hands. The back of my right hand was bleeding a little. It had been cut from the bow light. I wiggled my fingers and moved my wrists and arms around and they worked!! I was so happy. Now for my legs. I didn't know if they were still their. I wiggled my toes, but I'd heard that amputees would 'wiggle' their toes. So I sat up and there they were. I WAS OK!!
My brother was still babbling, but now that I knew I was OK, I turned to him and said, "I am Ok. I will not tell dad. And YES, you are my slave!"
It was one of the best thing that had ever happened to me. To have your older brother as your slave?... it was great. I only had him do one thing. Every night we watched TV as a family and had a bowl of ice cream. I would wait for the best part of the best show and then 'ask' my brother for some ice cream, with Nestles Powdered Chocolate mix made into a thick syrup put over the top. And every night he would look back at me like 'dream on little brother.' I would raise my eye brows and tilt my head angelically and suddenly he would remember and off he would stomp to get me my ice cream. It was beautiful. It lasted for about 16 months until I did something wrong and that was the first thing he said was, "It is over! I am not your slave anymore!"
There is a verse in the Bible, Romans 8:28, "All things work together for good, to those who are called, according to His purpose." In this life, we will have difficult times. But God is always on His throne. He never stops loving us. He wants us to trust Him even in the midst of a difficult situation.
Day 95
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Pick One
In Algebra we finished Ch. 7 on Thursday. We started Ch. 8 on Friday. Whenever we start a new chapter, I make it a habit of interviewing, in front of everyone, those students that did well or improved a lot. I ask them what were the two main reasons they did well. They tell me and everyone else, what they thought were the most important behavior things they did that helped them do well. I call these Learning Skills(see Poster). I have them listed up in the front of my class. I think it is way more powerful when students tell students what helps them learn... rather than me.
Then I asked them all to pick one Learning Skill, that they don't use very much or ever, that they think would be easy to start doing and would have the biggest impact on their learning. I let them think about this for a bit. Then I asked them to tell their neighbor what Learning Skill they want to start using regularly. I asked them to encourage each other about it and hold each other accountable.
There is so much room for improvement for all of my students. I encourage them to not get overwhelmed by all the Learning Skills they need to improve on and do nothing. It is best to pick the one they think will be the easiest to start doing and the most beneficial to their learning.
It is very empowering to them. It is important to be able to self-evaluate. As a Christian, I want to be good at knowing what I did well and what I need to change and/or avoid. I seek wisdom and the guidance on the Holy Spirit through God's Word.
Day 94
Then I asked them all to pick one Learning Skill, that they don't use very much or ever, that they think would be easy to start doing and would have the biggest impact on their learning. I let them think about this for a bit. Then I asked them to tell their neighbor what Learning Skill they want to start using regularly. I asked them to encourage each other about it and hold each other accountable.
There is so much room for improvement for all of my students. I encourage them to not get overwhelmed by all the Learning Skills they need to improve on and do nothing. It is best to pick the one they think will be the easiest to start doing and the most beneficial to their learning.
It is very empowering to them. It is important to be able to self-evaluate. As a Christian, I want to be good at knowing what I did well and what I need to change and/or avoid. I seek wisdom and the guidance on the Holy Spirit through God's Word.
Day 94
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