We often discuss character skills and their importance for success. When research shows us that the most successful companies have positive dialogue it makes you think about our every day exchanges. As this is a great time to reflect upon the last year, I thought I would pass on some questions from positive psychologist Jane McDonnigal.
Who are the people (or person) that makes you smile?
Who are the people that you can be yourself around?
Who are the people that are easy for you to talk with?
If you could pick any one person to be your mentor or coach who would that be?
Who is the person who energizes you?
Feel free to comment on the questions, questions that you would add?
Monday, December 29, 2014
Saturday, December 27, 2014
The importance of three good things
I was reminded the last day of break about the importance of three good things. During the last day I received a wonderful letter from a parent which was a perfect Christmas gift. A little later during the day I was stopped in the halls by a student so that they could read me a gratitude letter. The power of this letter was amazing as I honestly thought I would burst out in tears (I know I should just cry), Those two things combined were enough to make my year yet my day. Then during the day we had great discussions on how to make both my class and our school a better place for students to learn.
So why did I walk out of the school depressed? I became focused on students who did not do well on the unit test. Thinking about ways that I should have made sure they understood certain questions, beating myself up for not doing a better job, and focusing on the negative of my own performance.
As I entered my car, I started thinking about three good things that had happen to me at school. All of the good things brought a smile to my face and re-energized me to tackle the problems of school in a more positive light. I started reflecting on the scores in a more positive way, developed a better plan to prepare students for the midterm, and remembered that there is still plenty of time to make improvements for both me and my students.
So why did I walk out of the school depressed? I became focused on students who did not do well on the unit test. Thinking about ways that I should have made sure they understood certain questions, beating myself up for not doing a better job, and focusing on the negative of my own performance.
As I entered my car, I started thinking about three good things that had happen to me at school. All of the good things brought a smile to my face and re-energized me to tackle the problems of school in a more positive light. I started reflecting on the scores in a more positive way, developed a better plan to prepare students for the midterm, and remembered that there is still plenty of time to make improvements for both me and my students.
Friday, December 26, 2014
John A Speaks
This is a letter that John wrote to the Columbia University newsletter. I just thought I would share his thoughts.
Not even my Columbia University ID would save me from 6 bullets. With the recent non indictments of the police officers that killed Mike Brown and Eric Garner, it became shockingly apparent to me how meaningless black lives are becoming in America; however, I hesitate to use the word “becoming” because it implies that this is a new problem that our society is facing when in fact, the problem is much more deeply ingrained than we would like to acknowledge. As I took to the streets to protest in the name of what I felt was injustice, I had the scariest realization while shouting in the name of those that were killed. Even if I record a possible altercation with the police, it wouldn’t matter.
Now, the fact that someones life being taken away on camera isn’t probable cause for a grand jury to indict the person who killed him falls into two major problems that have yet to be addressed. On one hand there is the problem of white privilege, and on the other hand what can best be described as police power/privilege and the subsequent abuse of it. Both of these problems are social constructs that we have in place that benefit one portion of society at the expense of another and both contribute to the lack of empathy for black lives, but both do so in different ways.
“Eric Garner is just an isolated event.” “It’s not about race, it’s about brutish thugs.” “We don’t have all the facts” These are just a few of the comments made by people who have white privilege and they’re problematic in the way that they discredit the narratives of black people who are trying to speak to a larger problem in society. Yes, by their very nature Eric Garner/Mike Brown’s cases were isolated events, but they both speak to a larger dynamic about how race plays into the criminalization of minorities. Yes, it was about race and your refusal to acknowledge that as well as your racist tendency to profile someone as a thug are exactly what contribute to the subsequent prejudice that society has maintained. Lastly, we may not ever know exactly what happened in the case of Mike Brown, but can the same case be made for Tamir Rice or Eric Garner, both of whom had their deaths recorded for the world to see? When people say I don’t see race, this isn't some utopian novel. This isn't the giver. White privilege might allow people to ignore the fact that black men were killed in cold blood, but as a black male in today’s society, I can’t ignore the fact that one day I might be racially profiled and possibly shot for doing nothing more than walking through a convenience store.
In America, there is nothing more simple than getting an indictment. In fact, “New York State Chief Judge Sol Wachtler famously remarked that a prosecutor could persuade a grand jury to “indict a ham sandwich,” and the stats behind that hyperbole are even more ludicrous. “According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. attorneys prosecuted 162,000 federal cases in 2010, the most recent year for which we have data. Grand juries declined to return an indictment in 11 of them.”(Newsweek 1) However, within the last 10 years there have been 81 non-indictments, 80 of which have dealt with a police officer being accused. Now the first statistic by itself might be cause for alarm, but coupled with the second, it becomes apparent that there are deeper underlying advantages given to our officers in blue. The simple fact of the matter is things like police brutality are reinforced by the notion that cops have greater than a ninety five percent chance of getting off, while still being on paid leave. This in turn, allows those cops with ingrained racial bias to commit terrible crimes in the name of justice.
No, we don’t live in a post racial society. Yes, we have made racial progress in America, but that doesn’t stop certain talk show hosts and other prominent figures from using racial slurs against our half-black president. It also doesn’t stop our attorney general from being racially profiled, and almost arrested near his own home. It doesn’t stop a young twelve year old boy from being shot without thought, for having a toy gun (which would’ve been legal to carry had it been real).The sooner America acknowledges as a whole that there are systematic problems of privilege and oppression deeply ingrained in our justice system and society, then the sooner we can start to have a conversation to make some type of cohesive solution that benefits all people equally.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
education
Today in one of my classes we were engaged in a very spirited debate about education in the United States. It started with people discussing that they noticed that people from foreign countries know more about American History than we do. I told them about a story of an exchange student who was very nervous about taking American History since they were not from this country. They took notes during the review for the first test, and studied that night. The day of the test the exchange student was very surprised that the test was the same as the review. She scored 104% which amazed many of her American counterparts. They asked her, "how did you do so well" Her response was "how did you not do well"
This led us to a discussion about do we take school seriously in the United States? We had students who were very glad that they had a diverse well rounded education. That they had opportunity for sports, clubs etc. Others pointed out that you had these same opportunities exist in some of the stronger educational countries but they occurred outside of school hours.
Where we have a pep rally for our sports teams in the United States, in South Korea, all the lower classman stand outside the school and applaud the seniors as they walk in to school to take the equivalent of our SAT's. They build school pride around academics
We then discussed why teachers are not respected as much in the United States as they are in foreign countries. Which also led to a discussion of how different cultures view authority. It was the type of discussion that could have went on the entire period so I would like to see if we can get that same type of discussion going in the blog.
What are your thoughts about education in the United States?
This led us to a discussion about do we take school seriously in the United States? We had students who were very glad that they had a diverse well rounded education. That they had opportunity for sports, clubs etc. Others pointed out that you had these same opportunities exist in some of the stronger educational countries but they occurred outside of school hours.
Where we have a pep rally for our sports teams in the United States, in South Korea, all the lower classman stand outside the school and applaud the seniors as they walk in to school to take the equivalent of our SAT's. They build school pride around academics
We then discussed why teachers are not respected as much in the United States as they are in foreign countries. Which also led to a discussion of how different cultures view authority. It was the type of discussion that could have went on the entire period so I would like to see if we can get that same type of discussion going in the blog.
What are your thoughts about education in the United States?
failure
In the last blog there was a comment about how we will all fail and we should not be embarrassed about it. One of the things that we need to change is the word failure. It is not that we will all fail, it is that we all will meet obstacles along the way. Some of these obstacles will be difficult to overcome but they all present a chance for you to learn and grow.
One of the hardest things to do is be gritty all the time. When you are in high school you have developed those friends that when you feel like quitting they will not allow it. They are the ones who are sympathetic to your problems but in the end they push you forward and make sure that you do not quit. What is neat about technology is that even though you might go to different schools you can still lean on these old friends to help you keep pushing forward when you feel like quitting.
One of the things that I have started doing when I set goals is to think of all the obstacles that might prevent me from hitting my goals. Then I think of ways around these obstacles so when they appear I am prepared for them. Do I sometimes still lose to the obstacles, of course. I just remind myself I am human and will do a better job the next day.
One of the hardest things to do is be gritty all the time. When you are in high school you have developed those friends that when you feel like quitting they will not allow it. They are the ones who are sympathetic to your problems but in the end they push you forward and make sure that you do not quit. What is neat about technology is that even though you might go to different schools you can still lean on these old friends to help you keep pushing forward when you feel like quitting.
One of the things that I have started doing when I set goals is to think of all the obstacles that might prevent me from hitting my goals. Then I think of ways around these obstacles so when they appear I am prepared for them. Do I sometimes still lose to the obstacles, of course. I just remind myself I am human and will do a better job the next day.
Monday, December 15, 2014
College advice from Dr. Duckworth
Angela Duckworth, the worlds leading expert on grit, gives this advice to incoming freshman. It is easier to be an A student at an Ivy League college than a b- student. She discusses when you are a b- student at a school, you have a weak foundation, so when you go to the next level of classes it is now harder for you to perform. The A student however, has a strong foundation of knowledge which allows them to perform well as they increase the level class. So it really pays to master the material freshman year so that you have that strong foundation to work off.
Dr. Duckworth than goes on to speak about racing your strengths but working on your weaknesses. That if you hate math you should not become a math major. Once you have picked your major however you should work on specific weaknesses so that they now can become a strength. She discusses how you need to be really specific, not I am going to get better in economics. You need to say I am going to master the monopoly graph. When you pick these specific points it allows you to really focus on your skill.
Thirdly, from one of her associates, the warning that most students will struggle their first year in college. It might be academically, socially or both. That we tend to look around and think that everyone else has made this easy adjustment. The truth is that some people are just better at hiding it than others, and that some of the people you think have adjusted well are going through tough times.
Realize that the admissions examined your application and you are definitely academically qualified. The social part sometimes takes a little longer. We tend to remember the end of high school where you had many friends some that went back to elementary school. So give yourself some time and both the academics and the friends will work out.
Dr. Duckworth than goes on to speak about racing your strengths but working on your weaknesses. That if you hate math you should not become a math major. Once you have picked your major however you should work on specific weaknesses so that they now can become a strength. She discusses how you need to be really specific, not I am going to get better in economics. You need to say I am going to master the monopoly graph. When you pick these specific points it allows you to really focus on your skill.
Thirdly, from one of her associates, the warning that most students will struggle their first year in college. It might be academically, socially or both. That we tend to look around and think that everyone else has made this easy adjustment. The truth is that some people are just better at hiding it than others, and that some of the people you think have adjusted well are going through tough times.
Realize that the admissions examined your application and you are definitely academically qualified. The social part sometimes takes a little longer. We tend to remember the end of high school where you had many friends some that went back to elementary school. So give yourself some time and both the academics and the friends will work out.
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Dinner with the Superintendent
One of my professional development goals this year was to conduct three dinners that with my fellow teachers to discuss educational issues. In trying to get good guests to spur the discussion, I sent an e-mail to the Superintendent of my school district. I was amazed within hours he replied back that one of his staff members would be in touch with me to set up the dinner. Wow, I was impressed that he would take the time to sit down with us.
On Dec. 9th a group of us met with the Superintendent to discuss issues that were important to all of us. We started the discussion with each teacher picking one thing that they would do if they were in charge of education. When a teacher hesitated, becoming scared that they might offend our Superintendent, his quote was "bring it on". There was no holding back just a truthful back and forth about what makes education work. He did not want to duck questions but really wanted to hear our feedback.
When I asked him about some of the mandates that are being made on teachers his reply was " I do not care about hanging student work I care about what the student are working on" He made me realize that his only goal or edict was to make kids better each and everyday. It was just a pleasure to watch him engage with my fellow teachers who you could tell were inspired in the same manner that I was.
At 7:00 I told him that he needed to leave for his next appointment, he looked at his watch, told me to remind him in another 10 minutes. It was great to see how much he enjoyed the discussion sharing with us his vision for the next five years and the next ten years. At 7:10 he told me that he had five more minutes to give us.
At the end one of our teachers asked him would he take a group picture. When she snapped the picture a couple of teachers offered to take one so that she could be in it. She told us that it did not matter. He left the room in a hurry because we all knew he was late. However, one minute later he appeared with a waiter to make sure that we could get everyone in the picture. He was late but he realized that it was important to get us all in the picture. In a field which can not offer people money incentives he made a teachers night.
While I am sure that I will disagree with some of his decisions, it really lifted my spirits to realize that he understands the problems that our school system faces. We still as a system need to execute our game plan better, but his inspiration gives us a chance to be successful.
On Dec. 9th a group of us met with the Superintendent to discuss issues that were important to all of us. We started the discussion with each teacher picking one thing that they would do if they were in charge of education. When a teacher hesitated, becoming scared that they might offend our Superintendent, his quote was "bring it on". There was no holding back just a truthful back and forth about what makes education work. He did not want to duck questions but really wanted to hear our feedback.
When I asked him about some of the mandates that are being made on teachers his reply was " I do not care about hanging student work I care about what the student are working on" He made me realize that his only goal or edict was to make kids better each and everyday. It was just a pleasure to watch him engage with my fellow teachers who you could tell were inspired in the same manner that I was.
At 7:00 I told him that he needed to leave for his next appointment, he looked at his watch, told me to remind him in another 10 minutes. It was great to see how much he enjoyed the discussion sharing with us his vision for the next five years and the next ten years. At 7:10 he told me that he had five more minutes to give us.
At the end one of our teachers asked him would he take a group picture. When she snapped the picture a couple of teachers offered to take one so that she could be in it. She told us that it did not matter. He left the room in a hurry because we all knew he was late. However, one minute later he appeared with a waiter to make sure that we could get everyone in the picture. He was late but he realized that it was important to get us all in the picture. In a field which can not offer people money incentives he made a teachers night.
While I am sure that I will disagree with some of his decisions, it really lifted my spirits to realize that he understands the problems that our school system faces. We still as a system need to execute our game plan better, but his inspiration gives us a chance to be successful.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Class discussion
The other day in one of my economics classes we had an interesting conversation about gender, and racial prejudice. In many cases students believed that these issues were things that went on in my generation (60's generation) but have since disappeared due to a more educated society.
Here are a couple of statistics that I took from an article written by Paul Thomas.
Drawing on the report Closing the Race Gap by the nonprofit advocacy group Young Invincibles, Forbes’ Susan Adams explains: “African-Americans college students are about as likely to get hired as whites who have dropped out of high school.” Therefore, inequities of opportunity based on race, like class, trump effort.
Via Demos, Bruenig also notes: “Black families with college degrees have a mean wealth of $162.8k, which is effectively the same as the mean wealth of white families with less than a high school education.”
Just to add to this in our class we looked at the top 500 companies in the world and they have 25 women. Which makes you wonder why women are not better represented. You look at leadership positions in high school and women are at least equally represented. When you exam GPA's women do at least as good as men, so why the difference when it comes to running the top companies in the world?
If the playing field is level, as people claim it is, how do these inequities happen? If the playing field is not level, why are we made to believe that they are? I am very curious to hear what people have to say about this issue. Should this be a topic that we discuss in our classrooms?
Here are a couple of statistics that I took from an article written by Paul Thomas.
Just to add to this in our class we looked at the top 500 companies in the world and they have 25 women. Which makes you wonder why women are not better represented. You look at leadership positions in high school and women are at least equally represented. When you exam GPA's women do at least as good as men, so why the difference when it comes to running the top companies in the world?
If the playing field is level, as people claim it is, how do these inequities happen? If the playing field is not level, why are we made to believe that they are? I am very curious to hear what people have to say about this issue. Should this be a topic that we discuss in our classrooms?
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Monday, Monday
I just received a clip from a fellow teacher that really hit home with me. It made me remember how important it is to keep a positive attitude. The combination of watching this clip and reading the suggestions that students have made to make our (notice the use of our) class better has made me so productive today. Take three minutes to watch this clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8liVjJTMw80#t=13
I am really looking forward to Monday, for the chance to start to implement some great ideas from students that day and during the course of the next few weeks. What I also am looking forward to is being a much more positive leader in our building. Yes, do we have problems (see BCPS One) but are we still lucky to have the ability each and everyday to help each other grow as students, teachers and most importantly people.
There is a lot of research that talks about that successful places have three positive comments for every negative comment. That having a good mental frame of mind is as important to our personal success as it is to our success in our careers. So with that in mind I want to challenge all of us to think of ways to make our school are more positive place for all of us.
The truth is that we all decide to come to school on Mondays. So please take the time to comment on some ideas that you would have to make this a more positive place
I am really looking forward to Monday, for the chance to start to implement some great ideas from students that day and during the course of the next few weeks. What I also am looking forward to is being a much more positive leader in our building. Yes, do we have problems (see BCPS One) but are we still lucky to have the ability each and everyday to help each other grow as students, teachers and most importantly people.
There is a lot of research that talks about that successful places have three positive comments for every negative comment. That having a good mental frame of mind is as important to our personal success as it is to our success in our careers. So with that in mind I want to challenge all of us to think of ways to make our school are more positive place for all of us.
The truth is that we all decide to come to school on Mondays. So please take the time to comment on some ideas that you would have to make this a more positive place
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
election day
It is election day, and we see ads that remind us to do our civic duty. I have heard numerous people state that if you do not vote you do not deserve to complain. I am sure people are taking selfies of themselves voting today. What all this enthusiasm has triggered in my mind is why are we not encouraged to act with great civic pride each and everyday.
Many students are not of the age to vote, yet they can make a huge difference in the world. It can be a simple smile to cheer someone up, volunteering to teach a young child how to read, coaching a rec. team, or just picking up some garbage off the street. All these kind acts are ways to make the world better each and everyday.
Sometimes we need these big days to remind us of our civic pride, so I will cast my vote today. What I really need to focus on however, is how each day until the next election day I can contribute in some way to make it a better day for someone else.
What always encourages me is that I work with such great role models. Teachers who work so hard to make a difference in students lives, and students who make such a great contribution not only to our school but to our community.
So know selfies, for me today. Instead I will take the time to reflect on how I can model great civic pride in our school community. Any suggestions?
Many students are not of the age to vote, yet they can make a huge difference in the world. It can be a simple smile to cheer someone up, volunteering to teach a young child how to read, coaching a rec. team, or just picking up some garbage off the street. All these kind acts are ways to make the world better each and everyday.
Sometimes we need these big days to remind us of our civic pride, so I will cast my vote today. What I really need to focus on however, is how each day until the next election day I can contribute in some way to make it a better day for someone else.
What always encourages me is that I work with such great role models. Teachers who work so hard to make a difference in students lives, and students who make such a great contribution not only to our school but to our community.
So know selfies, for me today. Instead I will take the time to reflect on how I can model great civic pride in our school community. Any suggestions?
Monday, November 3, 2014
Willie Mays
When I was a young boy my favorite baseball player was Willie Mays. I clearly remember when he went from 1st to third on a single, his hat flying off as he rounded second. He played the game with the passion and love of a young child which made it so much fun to watch. He tracked fly balls with such grace and ease.
I then remember Willie at the end of his career. The graceful stride that allowed him to take the extra base was now replaced by him stumbling around the base paths. The fear he put into opponents pitchers were no longer there. Did he not realize that he was no longer the player he once was? Was it the love of the game that kept him playing even though the game had passed him by.
In no way have I ever been a teacher as good as Willie Mays was a player. I try to bring the same passion to my job each day as he did to the field but I have never come close to accomplishing what he did on the field. So where am I going with this blog.
In the past few weeks I have been made to feel the same way Willie must have felt when he stumbled rounding the bases. In listening to what my bosses want me to do I am wondering has the game truly passed me by. Do students want to discuss points in class via edmodo? Do they want to use their electronic devices to discuss issues instead of words? Do they want to use groups to do their work instead of having the accomplishment of doing it themselves? Do all these fancy activities really help kids to learn more?
I continue to leave my school feeling sad, torn about has the game passed me by. Can all these people possibly be wrong. Do I need to leave before students are talking about me the way I talked about Willie? Who would come up to me and tell me the truth that I needed to hear?
It should not be like this, somehow you should know when you are done. However, if Willie was faked out, as was Johnny U, I am sure it can happen to me.
I then remember Willie at the end of his career. The graceful stride that allowed him to take the extra base was now replaced by him stumbling around the base paths. The fear he put into opponents pitchers were no longer there. Did he not realize that he was no longer the player he once was? Was it the love of the game that kept him playing even though the game had passed him by.
In no way have I ever been a teacher as good as Willie Mays was a player. I try to bring the same passion to my job each day as he did to the field but I have never come close to accomplishing what he did on the field. So where am I going with this blog.
In the past few weeks I have been made to feel the same way Willie must have felt when he stumbled rounding the bases. In listening to what my bosses want me to do I am wondering has the game truly passed me by. Do students want to discuss points in class via edmodo? Do they want to use their electronic devices to discuss issues instead of words? Do they want to use groups to do their work instead of having the accomplishment of doing it themselves? Do all these fancy activities really help kids to learn more?
I continue to leave my school feeling sad, torn about has the game passed me by. Can all these people possibly be wrong. Do I need to leave before students are talking about me the way I talked about Willie? Who would come up to me and tell me the truth that I needed to hear?
It should not be like this, somehow you should know when you are done. However, if Willie was faked out, as was Johnny U, I am sure it can happen to me.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
guest blogger
Here is a post from a former student about his first year of college life
The Struggle is VERY real
The Struggle is VERY real
I just wanted to take this time to address some of the questions that
people typically have when thinking about college and the atmosphere involved.
Now while I can shed light from my personal experience, I do recognize that my
experience is not the "common college life" nor is it reflective of what you'll
find at every single institution, but there are moments that are attributable to
just about every freshmen. For starters, as a kid who was taken and plopped in a
new environment several times over the course of his life, I know how hard it
can be to find your place in a new atmosphere, but you should know that
everything WILL be okay. You'll attend those mandatory meetings with the same
annoyance and frustration as your fellow classmates, but you'll also bond with
people who you normally never would've considered talking to in the past. After
a week you might or might not be tired of introducing yourself by name, place of
origin, major, and favorite hobby, but you'll also come to the realization that
everyone else has been doing the same. And when classes start, things will seem
difficult because it's different from what you're used to. But remember that at
the end of the day, that's all it is. Different. Nobody expected you to be
Michael Jordan after picking up a basketball for the first time. No one expected
you to be the next Picasso after your first art class and nobody can expect for
you to pick up the swing of things as if you had been doing it all your life.
College isn't easy, and high school as an institution can't prepare you for the
type of work that you'll face, but regardless of where you are, you need to
remember that there are people who are in the same collective struggle. Talk to
them. Find commonalities in work ethic and in the social sphere as well because
when you do, things become a lot easier.
Monday, October 27, 2014
four period day part 2
One of the problems of the four period day is the fact that you are sitting for 80minutes straight at a time. While truthfully the sitting for seven 45 minute periods is not much better the 80/85 minute block schedule is tough for most people. When you add all of the time up students are sitting quite a bit during the course of the day. Many students have told me that the sitting itself exhausts them.
Today, I tried to point out something that I thought I mentioned before that it was fine with me if you stand up anytime during the class. During one period we stood during the drill, another I had two students standing and taking notes during the class. All of this is fine.
In an effort to get students to learn while they are active I tried to have human monopoly graphs today which I enjoyed watching. It was the first time we did it and both classes used a different strategy but ended up with a good monopoly graph. I am interested to see does this improve as we go on doing it.
WHAT I REALLY WANT from this blog is ideas that students have to get you out of your seats while learning still takes place. So use the comments to the blog to help me think of better ways to get you up and about in the class.
Today, I tried to point out something that I thought I mentioned before that it was fine with me if you stand up anytime during the class. During one period we stood during the drill, another I had two students standing and taking notes during the class. All of this is fine.
In an effort to get students to learn while they are active I tried to have human monopoly graphs today which I enjoyed watching. It was the first time we did it and both classes used a different strategy but ended up with a good monopoly graph. I am interested to see does this improve as we go on doing it.
WHAT I REALLY WANT from this blog is ideas that students have to get you out of your seats while learning still takes place. So use the comments to the blog to help me think of better ways to get you up and about in the class.
Saturday, October 25, 2014
The four period day
As we approach the first quarter of the year it is a good time to evaluate our new schedule. From a teaching standpoint I see both positives and negatives to the new schedule. There is a positive of teaching the same class on an A day then being able to modify it based on how it worked for the B day. The time of the period also allows you to cover more in one session of 80/85 minutes than it would it the old 45 minute segment.
The biggest problem that I see is that I do not see students everyday. I think it is extremely hard to build continuity this way. I remember one winter when we did not have any snow the test scores for that unit were my highest of all time. I was comparing test scores of students who had class everyday to the past where we often had snow breaks. While I have a longer time each period over the course of the year you lose two weeks in the 85 minute day and four weeks in the 80 minute day. So while we have longer time periods I always feel rushed to cover content and sometimes pass over or shorten discussions on certain topics.
While I have thought about having student do work for me, due on the day that they do not have class it seemed a bit unfair. If every teacher did that then students would have eight periods of homework each day besides the 80/85 minutes they had to sit. Which leads to another problem that the brain is not designed to sit that long in one place. We humor ourselves by thinking if we put them in groups that they have moved around for (ten seconds) to then sit together for another ten minutes. While this is better than not moving we still need a way to get the blood flowing.
So what do people think about the new schedule? If you had a choice would you switch back or would you stay with this one? Why
The biggest problem that I see is that I do not see students everyday. I think it is extremely hard to build continuity this way. I remember one winter when we did not have any snow the test scores for that unit were my highest of all time. I was comparing test scores of students who had class everyday to the past where we often had snow breaks. While I have a longer time each period over the course of the year you lose two weeks in the 85 minute day and four weeks in the 80 minute day. So while we have longer time periods I always feel rushed to cover content and sometimes pass over or shorten discussions on certain topics.
While I have thought about having student do work for me, due on the day that they do not have class it seemed a bit unfair. If every teacher did that then students would have eight periods of homework each day besides the 80/85 minutes they had to sit. Which leads to another problem that the brain is not designed to sit that long in one place. We humor ourselves by thinking if we put them in groups that they have moved around for (ten seconds) to then sit together for another ten minutes. While this is better than not moving we still need a way to get the blood flowing.
So what do people think about the new schedule? If you had a choice would you switch back or would you stay with this one? Why
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Let's make the world a better place
Just recently I finished talking to one of the best educators I have ever met. One of the things he commonly asks his students are "How did you make the world a better place' He wants his students to explain to him each day how they made the world a better place.
One of the reasons I like to encourage students to get into teaching is that gives you the opportunity to make the world a better place each and everyday you come to work. It is a rare profession in which you can have a tremendous influence on people.
I would like to ask our community to take a couple of minutes and write down how you think you will make the world a better place in the future? How you make the world a better place right now.
This is a time to dream, not be modest. Share how your future goals will make this world a better place for all of us to live in
One of the reasons I like to encourage students to get into teaching is that gives you the opportunity to make the world a better place each and everyday you come to work. It is a rare profession in which you can have a tremendous influence on people.
I would like to ask our community to take a couple of minutes and write down how you think you will make the world a better place in the future? How you make the world a better place right now.
This is a time to dream, not be modest. Share how your future goals will make this world a better place for all of us to live in
Monday, October 20, 2014
I have hired a coach
What is the role of any coach? The role is to make there players better in what they do. In listening to Anders Erickson the leading authority on what makes people great at something he mentions two things. First of all he talks about deliberate practice. Deliberate practice is practicing a specific skill which you are not very good at. You would practice this skill enough until you master the skill. Secondly he talks about getting feedback about what you are doing. You need that feedback to make sure that you are working on the right things and doing the right things to make the skill better.
As a teacher I get formal feedback from the administration maybe twice a year. Hardly the amount of feedback that you would need to really improve your craft. So in an attempt to provide a better product for my students I have asked someone to coach me. Yes, you read that correctly, I am getting a coach.
Today, my coach is observing my teaching techniques. Tomorrow we will sit down for our first discussion on what I am good at (hope they can find something) and more importantly what I can improve on to make my lessons better for students. After this discussion I will try to implement the suggestions in upcoming lessons so that I can improve these skills. I am sure at first I will be frustrated (a true sign of learning) but with the help of my coach I will hopefully master this skill and be able to move on to the next one.
I am truly excited to start this process because I can only imagine how beneficial this can be for all the students that I teach. If I can provide them with more engaging lessons, which helps them learn the material better than it is a win for all of them. I can not wait for my meeting tomorrow morning and it really has energized me.
Despite having this new coach I will continue to use my old coach also to mentor me. The old coach is students who I will continue to use as a source of feedback to help me grow in my profession. H
As a teacher I get formal feedback from the administration maybe twice a year. Hardly the amount of feedback that you would need to really improve your craft. So in an attempt to provide a better product for my students I have asked someone to coach me. Yes, you read that correctly, I am getting a coach.
Today, my coach is observing my teaching techniques. Tomorrow we will sit down for our first discussion on what I am good at (hope they can find something) and more importantly what I can improve on to make my lessons better for students. After this discussion I will try to implement the suggestions in upcoming lessons so that I can improve these skills. I am sure at first I will be frustrated (a true sign of learning) but with the help of my coach I will hopefully master this skill and be able to move on to the next one.
I am truly excited to start this process because I can only imagine how beneficial this can be for all the students that I teach. If I can provide them with more engaging lessons, which helps them learn the material better than it is a win for all of them. I can not wait for my meeting tomorrow morning and it really has energized me.
Despite having this new coach I will continue to use my old coach also to mentor me. The old coach is students who I will continue to use as a source of feedback to help me grow in my profession. H
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Is more always better
As we are approaching the first quarter of the school year it seems like a good time to evaluate the new eight period day system. There are a couple of different factors that come into play in this system that we have extended time periods, less time with students, teachers teach more time, students have more classes, and we do not see students everyday.
Let us start off with teachers who now are teaching 25 minutes more a day than the year before without a pay increase to offset that additional time. It has amazed me how few people understand that we are teaching more time and how fewer people can comprehend this simple fact. Last year I taught 45*5 period for 225 minutes a day. This year I teach 80,85,85, for 250 minutes a day. So my workload has went up 25 minutes a day.
Now the figure up there would not be that bad, if somehow this increased workload would benefit students but just the opposite is happening. I am now seeing students in my 85 minute classes approximately two weeks less time than last year and my students in the 80 minute periods four weeks less than last year. So loser, loser, on both accounts.
Now on the student end to make up for lost time it seems that teachers have to give homework everyday. I will be the first to admit that I do this and it can mean that some students are getting more homework. Also now students have an extra class to attend to. This can mean more homework, more exams or just more time focusing on an 8th subject that they do not really need to graduate.
In fairness to all, some students now have some flexibility in their schedule so that they can take some classes that they might not have the ability to take. Also there are some students taking various AP classes which will allow them to enter college with many more credits.
What concerns me is the lack of continuity from day to day. While we might hope that students will work each day on your subject the reality is that they can not. They just do not have the time. For our weaker students, the fact that they do not have class each day sometimes might make it harder for them to grasp complicated material.
So, why do we need an 8th period? Does it really benefit anyone or the school system as a whole? What do you think after one quarter of the new system?
Let us start off with teachers who now are teaching 25 minutes more a day than the year before without a pay increase to offset that additional time. It has amazed me how few people understand that we are teaching more time and how fewer people can comprehend this simple fact. Last year I taught 45*5 period for 225 minutes a day. This year I teach 80,85,85, for 250 minutes a day. So my workload has went up 25 minutes a day.
Now the figure up there would not be that bad, if somehow this increased workload would benefit students but just the opposite is happening. I am now seeing students in my 85 minute classes approximately two weeks less time than last year and my students in the 80 minute periods four weeks less than last year. So loser, loser, on both accounts.
Now on the student end to make up for lost time it seems that teachers have to give homework everyday. I will be the first to admit that I do this and it can mean that some students are getting more homework. Also now students have an extra class to attend to. This can mean more homework, more exams or just more time focusing on an 8th subject that they do not really need to graduate.
In fairness to all, some students now have some flexibility in their schedule so that they can take some classes that they might not have the ability to take. Also there are some students taking various AP classes which will allow them to enter college with many more credits.
What concerns me is the lack of continuity from day to day. While we might hope that students will work each day on your subject the reality is that they can not. They just do not have the time. For our weaker students, the fact that they do not have class each day sometimes might make it harder for them to grasp complicated material.
So, why do we need an 8th period? Does it really benefit anyone or the school system as a whole? What do you think after one quarter of the new system?
Friday, October 10, 2014
Do you still love teaching
One of my former students who has now become an excellent math teacher wrote me an e-mail the other day. He asked, "do you still love teaching, with the observations, SLO's, meetings etc."
I knew immediately that my response was going to be yes!!!! What I did not realize was the analogy that I was going to use right away. I had not spoken to him in a while so I did not know if he had a serious girlfriend which would enable him to relate to my analogy even better. What i told him was that I love my wife but that does not mean we do not argue. That even though we love each other we still have differences of opinion on how to go about certain things.
Education is a great field, that while it does not draw people into it because of the money, it allows teachers the unique opportunity to make a difference in a persons life. I have seen on a daily basis how some of the best teachers in our building truly make a difference. The impact that they have on their students inspires me to become a better teacher. That when you peak into their rooms these teachers put aside all the other bs and just make students better each and everyday.
We all fall into the Woh me, this life is just too tough but the truth is that it is easy to be gritty when things are good. Now we are in some tough times in education which is testing the grit of all the really good educators in the system. It is also the time where we can not afford to lose any of our great teachers. If we expect our students to be gritty we must model that GRIT for them.
I continue to advocate that our best and brightest students need to join the field of education. We need to have bright people who bring about education reform that really fixes many of our problems. Again, while education does not pay well, it is very important to the future of our country. Ask the best teachers in your school the feeling that they get when they make a difference and you will realize that getting involved in education makes you rich.
I knew immediately that my response was going to be yes!!!! What I did not realize was the analogy that I was going to use right away. I had not spoken to him in a while so I did not know if he had a serious girlfriend which would enable him to relate to my analogy even better. What i told him was that I love my wife but that does not mean we do not argue. That even though we love each other we still have differences of opinion on how to go about certain things.
Education is a great field, that while it does not draw people into it because of the money, it allows teachers the unique opportunity to make a difference in a persons life. I have seen on a daily basis how some of the best teachers in our building truly make a difference. The impact that they have on their students inspires me to become a better teacher. That when you peak into their rooms these teachers put aside all the other bs and just make students better each and everyday.
We all fall into the Woh me, this life is just too tough but the truth is that it is easy to be gritty when things are good. Now we are in some tough times in education which is testing the grit of all the really good educators in the system. It is also the time where we can not afford to lose any of our great teachers. If we expect our students to be gritty we must model that GRIT for them.
I continue to advocate that our best and brightest students need to join the field of education. We need to have bright people who bring about education reform that really fixes many of our problems. Again, while education does not pay well, it is very important to the future of our country. Ask the best teachers in your school the feeling that they get when they make a difference and you will realize that getting involved in education makes you rich.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Are we robots or teachers
It seems that the movement in education is to get everyone to do the same thing. My boss this morning sent me an e-mail detailing the preparation needed as the assistant area superintendent was coming to visit. So many things cross my mind with this e-mail and I will share a few.
Why would we teach any different on a day that the superintendent came to visit? It would seem to me that the most important visitors to my classroom are the students who are there each and everyday. Should I not being doing my best for them and not the area superintendent?
Which leads me to the first thing on the list which is to clean our rooms. Okay, our custodial staff has been cut back in recent years, our school is old, so there is really no way to make it look clean. Is it my job to clean the rooms for the area supt? It should be clean for her but who cares the rest of the year when just teachers and students are in the room? Um, there also seems no concern about when it is 90 degrees and we are given no fans or air conditioning. That is okay the area super. is in her air conditioned office on those days.
Secondly, was to put the objective on the board. I have probably received 3500 student feedback forms over the last ten years and never once has a student asked me to post the objective on the board. Who again cares what students want we are here to please the area supt. The crazy thing is lately I have been suing the objective to start class off. As a starting place I have been asking students is the objective worth learning and will it be relevant to their lives? Even so to mandate we all have to do something that kids do not care about seems absurd to me.
Thirdly, we have to post student work. I am a big fan of this concept even though I do not use it in my classroom. I tend to post the names of students who excel as well as improve on the board that stays up until the next class. Again there are teachers who post the work and get a lot out of it. My point is that we should be able to do things that fit our style and are not dictated by those above.
In reality, I know they are just testing my GRIT.
Why would we teach any different on a day that the superintendent came to visit? It would seem to me that the most important visitors to my classroom are the students who are there each and everyday. Should I not being doing my best for them and not the area superintendent?
Which leads me to the first thing on the list which is to clean our rooms. Okay, our custodial staff has been cut back in recent years, our school is old, so there is really no way to make it look clean. Is it my job to clean the rooms for the area supt? It should be clean for her but who cares the rest of the year when just teachers and students are in the room? Um, there also seems no concern about when it is 90 degrees and we are given no fans or air conditioning. That is okay the area super. is in her air conditioned office on those days.
Secondly, was to put the objective on the board. I have probably received 3500 student feedback forms over the last ten years and never once has a student asked me to post the objective on the board. Who again cares what students want we are here to please the area supt. The crazy thing is lately I have been suing the objective to start class off. As a starting place I have been asking students is the objective worth learning and will it be relevant to their lives? Even so to mandate we all have to do something that kids do not care about seems absurd to me.
Thirdly, we have to post student work. I am a big fan of this concept even though I do not use it in my classroom. I tend to post the names of students who excel as well as improve on the board that stays up until the next class. Again there are teachers who post the work and get a lot out of it. My point is that we should be able to do things that fit our style and are not dictated by those above.
In reality, I know they are just testing my GRIT.
Monday, October 6, 2014
School spirit
So I should start by saying that I think that school spirit can enhance the high school experience. At our school we have many students and teachers who work hard during the course of the year to improve school spirit. My question however, is what is school spirit? Do things like PEP rally's and spirit week help our school spirit?
When I am thinking about school spirit, I start to think about what makes me the most proud of my school. My first thought is always the quality of the students. We have students who work extremely hard at their academics and those who achieve tremendously in school. What however, impresses me the most is those students who are so caring for each other. I am amazed at the students who are willing to help others learn, who take time out of their day to help other achieve and finally those students who just bring a smile to other people's face.
Secondly, I am extremely proud of the efforts of SGO during the can food drive. While I wish we did not offer any incentive for bringing in the most cans and students were just doing it for the right reasons. It still does not detract from the amazing effort of our school in helping people less fortunate than us. Year after year we are one of the top schools in the county in bringing food to those who need. Last year, our top class brought in more cans than some entire schools.
Our school publications also make me proud of my school. The ability to allow our students to express themselves freely with very little if any censoring is unique to most high schools. Our school newspaper often runs articles that investigate or question decisions made by both school and district leaders. This is a great forum for debate among both students and faculty members
Now does something like spirit week enhance the feeling that one has about their school. Does dressing up in similar themes enhance the feeling of community? Does all the hard work that is done by the faculty members and students pay off in a more spirited school? That is what I wonder when I see these students and teachers working beyond the call of duty to make these events the best that they can be.
When you actually research things you see that things do not always work out the way you would think they would. There was a program called 'Scared Straight" that took at risk students to a prison where they heard horror stories about these prisoners life. The theory was that you were going to be so scared to go to prison that you would not break the law. When researchers started to compare people who went to this program, to those who did not, they found that the 'Scared Straight" program increased crime. NOT THAT WE ARE DOING ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN SCHOOLS, but I often wonder do our best intentions create opposite results.
Can we dictate school spirit by mandating that our athletes have to go to games? Or can we cultivate this feeling of support? How do we get a school where the student body wants to attend games to support each other? How do we cultivate pride in our non-athletic success?
So I will end with these questions. What is school spirit to you? How can we best cultivate this among our students and faculty? Is what we are doing now improving our school spirit? Do you think your feeling about our school has improved through the four years you have been here?
When I am thinking about school spirit, I start to think about what makes me the most proud of my school. My first thought is always the quality of the students. We have students who work extremely hard at their academics and those who achieve tremendously in school. What however, impresses me the most is those students who are so caring for each other. I am amazed at the students who are willing to help others learn, who take time out of their day to help other achieve and finally those students who just bring a smile to other people's face.
Secondly, I am extremely proud of the efforts of SGO during the can food drive. While I wish we did not offer any incentive for bringing in the most cans and students were just doing it for the right reasons. It still does not detract from the amazing effort of our school in helping people less fortunate than us. Year after year we are one of the top schools in the county in bringing food to those who need. Last year, our top class brought in more cans than some entire schools.
Our school publications also make me proud of my school. The ability to allow our students to express themselves freely with very little if any censoring is unique to most high schools. Our school newspaper often runs articles that investigate or question decisions made by both school and district leaders. This is a great forum for debate among both students and faculty members
Now does something like spirit week enhance the feeling that one has about their school. Does dressing up in similar themes enhance the feeling of community? Does all the hard work that is done by the faculty members and students pay off in a more spirited school? That is what I wonder when I see these students and teachers working beyond the call of duty to make these events the best that they can be.
When you actually research things you see that things do not always work out the way you would think they would. There was a program called 'Scared Straight" that took at risk students to a prison where they heard horror stories about these prisoners life. The theory was that you were going to be so scared to go to prison that you would not break the law. When researchers started to compare people who went to this program, to those who did not, they found that the 'Scared Straight" program increased crime. NOT THAT WE ARE DOING ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN SCHOOLS, but I often wonder do our best intentions create opposite results.
Can we dictate school spirit by mandating that our athletes have to go to games? Or can we cultivate this feeling of support? How do we get a school where the student body wants to attend games to support each other? How do we cultivate pride in our non-athletic success?
So I will end with these questions. What is school spirit to you? How can we best cultivate this among our students and faculty? Is what we are doing now improving our school spirit? Do you think your feeling about our school has improved through the four years you have been here?
Sunday, October 5, 2014
College process
I have noticed again this year the anxiety that comes about with the college process. From how will I find the time to do my application to will I get into my dream school these are very anxious times for seniors.
So my advice is to take the application process with a growth mindset. Enjoy the process and think about it as a way to reflect on your four years at the high school level. Some of this reflection will be of joy that you did well, other parts of the reflection will allow you to grow from maybe some of the mistakes that you made during the course of your high school career. Remember that is what high school is about a learning process that allows you to grow.
Secondly, we need to start asking ourselves more about our well-being than about our GPA. While people are worried about the application I wish they had the same concern about their own happiness. I truly believe that if you are happy you will be successful at any college that you attend. That the person is more important than the college. All colleges have students and professors, it is the job of each student to get the most out of the experience. I have heard students and parents tell me that this will define who they are for the rest of their life. I have trouble believing that. I look at people like Steve Bisciotti, Ravens owner, who went to a state school. He is definitely successful in the financial sense. I also realize that I do not even know the colleges most of my friends, or doctors attended.
The big questions we need to ask after our happiness is do you have a passion for something. If students have a passion they will be able to find success at any school that they are at. The technology that we now have allows people to find information easier and allow you to pursue your passion. Once you also find this passion it makes learning much more enjoyable and allows you to become much more gritty. Do you love learning? Again if the answer is yes, you will do great at any college that you attend. There are professors in all schools that want to nurture and help students learn.
In conclusion, realize you the individual is more important than the college you attend. Use the application process to grow so that you make the college experience better than your high school experience. Remember your well-being, curiosity and passion will allow your next four years to be great.
So can we be a little less anxious about the college process?
So my advice is to take the application process with a growth mindset. Enjoy the process and think about it as a way to reflect on your four years at the high school level. Some of this reflection will be of joy that you did well, other parts of the reflection will allow you to grow from maybe some of the mistakes that you made during the course of your high school career. Remember that is what high school is about a learning process that allows you to grow.
Secondly, we need to start asking ourselves more about our well-being than about our GPA. While people are worried about the application I wish they had the same concern about their own happiness. I truly believe that if you are happy you will be successful at any college that you attend. That the person is more important than the college. All colleges have students and professors, it is the job of each student to get the most out of the experience. I have heard students and parents tell me that this will define who they are for the rest of their life. I have trouble believing that. I look at people like Steve Bisciotti, Ravens owner, who went to a state school. He is definitely successful in the financial sense. I also realize that I do not even know the colleges most of my friends, or doctors attended.
The big questions we need to ask after our happiness is do you have a passion for something. If students have a passion they will be able to find success at any school that they are at. The technology that we now have allows people to find information easier and allow you to pursue your passion. Once you also find this passion it makes learning much more enjoyable and allows you to become much more gritty. Do you love learning? Again if the answer is yes, you will do great at any college that you attend. There are professors in all schools that want to nurture and help students learn.
In conclusion, realize you the individual is more important than the college you attend. Use the application process to grow so that you make the college experience better than your high school experience. Remember your well-being, curiosity and passion will allow your next four years to be great.
So can we be a little less anxious about the college process?
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Why paint
It amazes me that in a place that is basically closed for the summer, we have decided to paint during the school year. It is one of those things that are not a big deal to the decision makers because it only impacts students and teachers.
Whenever you change classrooms it throws off instruction since students go to the wrong room first, which gets many of them their late. As a teacher you do not know the technology in the room that you get, and for the other teacher, you are now occupying their room that they used to prepare.
When you comeback you have to set up your room, hope that it does not smell of paint, which might impact some students, and then reset your stuff so that it can work the next day.
Typically the administrative response is that it is only one day. It amazes me how flippant they are with one day of instruction. I am often tempted to put my feet on my desk, tell the kids to take a nap, when the administrators come in. When they question this I can say only one day.
Whenever you change classrooms it throws off instruction since students go to the wrong room first, which gets many of them their late. As a teacher you do not know the technology in the room that you get, and for the other teacher, you are now occupying their room that they used to prepare.
When you comeback you have to set up your room, hope that it does not smell of paint, which might impact some students, and then reset your stuff so that it can work the next day.
Typically the administrative response is that it is only one day. It amazes me how flippant they are with one day of instruction. I am often tempted to put my feet on my desk, tell the kids to take a nap, when the administrators come in. When they question this I can say only one day.
Friday, September 26, 2014
three good things
The role of education is to invest in human capital so that each citizen is more productive. Economists would agree that if a country is more productive that country's standard of living will increase.
Now there is a lot of research showing increased productivity of people who are happy. Psychologist suggest that your brain is 31% more productive when you are happy. Think about how little you accomplish when you are angry. In studying successful companies research has shown that companies that are very profitable have a ratio of 3 positive statement to one negative.
When I walk around the room, I often see students struggling more with answering what three good things happened in the last 24 hours than the drill I that I gave them. Recently one students asked me to reduce it to one good thing so that they would not have to think so hard about it.
Walking through the halls of school, it seems that there are more negatives than positive conversations. From my boyfriend is a jerk, to how stupid are these nametags that we have to wear.
If our goal in education is to make our students more productive citizens than should one of our goals to also make sure of their mental well-being. So I ask should our schools be focusing on our mental well being as much as our mastery of content? Can we change our school so that we hear three positive statements for every negative?
Look forward to hearing your responses
Look forward to your reply
Now there is a lot of research showing increased productivity of people who are happy. Psychologist suggest that your brain is 31% more productive when you are happy. Think about how little you accomplish when you are angry. In studying successful companies research has shown that companies that are very profitable have a ratio of 3 positive statement to one negative.
When I walk around the room, I often see students struggling more with answering what three good things happened in the last 24 hours than the drill I that I gave them. Recently one students asked me to reduce it to one good thing so that they would not have to think so hard about it.
Walking through the halls of school, it seems that there are more negatives than positive conversations. From my boyfriend is a jerk, to how stupid are these nametags that we have to wear.
If our goal in education is to make our students more productive citizens than should one of our goals to also make sure of their mental well-being. So I ask should our schools be focusing on our mental well being as much as our mastery of content? Can we change our school so that we hear three positive statements for every negative?
Look forward to hearing your responses
Look forward to your reply
Sunday, September 14, 2014
GRIT
Dr. Angela Duckworth has done a lot of research that shows there is a high correlation between GRIT and future success in school and work. If one of the purposes of school is for us to make students successful than we should really spend time focusing on how to make them more gritty.
Recently, after giving a test, I had many students who came to me to tell me that they have never scored that low on any test in their four years of high school. Most of them however, were not excited about the challenge but threatened by it. The summer assignment in which we watched a video of mindset, was quickly forgotten, and instead of looking at this as an opportunity to learn they just went into the mode of economics is too hard for me.
True learning is a struggle, often frustrating and many times boring. When you find someone who excels at anything they have struggled at times, been frustrated and probably been bored with the field that they now excel. We often see the end product and do not see the work that has went on behind the scenes. With athletes we are not privy to the practices that force them to turn weaknesses into strengths, with students we do not see how many books they have read, problems that they have solved, places that they have visited, hours that they have studied, to get to the point where school seems easy.
Our system is not set up to help students get gritty. Many seniors are worried about their GPA's as they are thinking about the college process. Others are worried about parental pressure and then some are worried about what their peers will think of them. All of these lead to students becoming defensive about academic struggles instead of embracing them. Truthfully, what better time to struggle than in high school, where you still get teacher support, and parental support. When you go to college you are most often struggling on your own. I realize that students are struggling on their own since many e-mail me with questions instead of their own professors.
I know in previous years I have kids who have struggled in AP economics at the start. Last year many of them wrote me during the summer telling me how proud they were about their scores. While they admitted that they often doubted themselves they now went into college with a greater confidence in both their academic ability and their ability to preserver.
As educators, parents and students, we need to teach students to embrace challenges, not penalize them for it. They need to realize that the grade is not as important as learning to overcome the frustration. That colleges do not make their decisions on one grade, but want students who show an ability to overcome adversity. Colleges often ask teachers to respond to this on the recommendation letter.
It is tough being gritty, staying on the treadmill is a hard thing to do. The fact that you thought for a second to quit, that I never will be good at this, is natural. As teachers, parents and friends we need to support our students so that they realize that we will help them stay on the treadmill.
Thoughts and comments are always appreciated.
Recently, after giving a test, I had many students who came to me to tell me that they have never scored that low on any test in their four years of high school. Most of them however, were not excited about the challenge but threatened by it. The summer assignment in which we watched a video of mindset, was quickly forgotten, and instead of looking at this as an opportunity to learn they just went into the mode of economics is too hard for me.
True learning is a struggle, often frustrating and many times boring. When you find someone who excels at anything they have struggled at times, been frustrated and probably been bored with the field that they now excel. We often see the end product and do not see the work that has went on behind the scenes. With athletes we are not privy to the practices that force them to turn weaknesses into strengths, with students we do not see how many books they have read, problems that they have solved, places that they have visited, hours that they have studied, to get to the point where school seems easy.
Our system is not set up to help students get gritty. Many seniors are worried about their GPA's as they are thinking about the college process. Others are worried about parental pressure and then some are worried about what their peers will think of them. All of these lead to students becoming defensive about academic struggles instead of embracing them. Truthfully, what better time to struggle than in high school, where you still get teacher support, and parental support. When you go to college you are most often struggling on your own. I realize that students are struggling on their own since many e-mail me with questions instead of their own professors.
I know in previous years I have kids who have struggled in AP economics at the start. Last year many of them wrote me during the summer telling me how proud they were about their scores. While they admitted that they often doubted themselves they now went into college with a greater confidence in both their academic ability and their ability to preserver.
As educators, parents and students, we need to teach students to embrace challenges, not penalize them for it. They need to realize that the grade is not as important as learning to overcome the frustration. That colleges do not make their decisions on one grade, but want students who show an ability to overcome adversity. Colleges often ask teachers to respond to this on the recommendation letter.
It is tough being gritty, staying on the treadmill is a hard thing to do. The fact that you thought for a second to quit, that I never will be good at this, is natural. As teachers, parents and friends we need to support our students so that they realize that we will help them stay on the treadmill.
Thoughts and comments are always appreciated.
Monday, April 28, 2014
some advice from a student at Penn
I was at a conference Sunday at the University of Penn. Sitting near to me was a student at Penn. Realizing that one of my students was going to Penn, I asked her what advice she would give to Izzy. She then told me I would give her the same advice I was giving any person entering college. So I thought I would pass this along to all of you.
You are going to struggle at the start of college, just realize that most others are also struggling. They might hide it better than you but they are struggling just like you. That Universities have a lot of help, but you need to seek it out. So if you are struggling academically go find the writing, tutoring labs and take advantage of them. There are places to meet people if the struggle is social.
The key and she repeated it again, is that most people struggle. Do not think you are the only one and get help before you go to far under.
You are going to struggle at the start of college, just realize that most others are also struggling. They might hide it better than you but they are struggling just like you. That Universities have a lot of help, but you need to seek it out. So if you are struggling academically go find the writing, tutoring labs and take advantage of them. There are places to meet people if the struggle is social.
The key and she repeated it again, is that most people struggle. Do not think you are the only one and get help before you go to far under.
Friday, April 25, 2014
cheating, and cheating
Today our school newspaper printed their annual story about cheating. In my four years at Dulaney each year the newspaper prints a story about how cheating is increasing at Dulaney. Each year this edition makes me so mad, for so many different reasons. However, it has just occurred to me that cheating probably will not increase next year and if so not by much, as 99% of the seniors said they have cheated.
In full disclosure to the entire senior class, the questions probably need to be asked differently. It would probably be better if they asked students if they have cheated this year? Today a couple of students told me that they had stopped cheating this year but had to answer "yes" to the question that they had cheated once in their lifetime.
It bothers me that students cheat. As a teacher I understand the pressure, the amount of other things that students do besides my class. With this understanding I realize that sometimes students perform poorly on a test, do not have an assignment done on time etc. Those things happen, but that is no reason for the student to cheat. If you are unprepared you need to take the consequence, and no one paper, quiz or test is really going to make a huge difference in your year.
As a school, this needs to be an issue that we discuss more often and openly with our students and faculty. I hope (please respond honestly) that all students know that cheating is something that would really make me mad. As stated above I can understand why you perform poorly, I have had one of my best students tell me that they just did not have the time to prepare properly. However, cheating when you are asked not to is a violation of trust. As we try to move to valued partners we need to trust each other.
When discussing just for a brief time today, I was also amazed at how many students believe that cheating is okay. That some of the work is busy work, which makes it okay to cheat. Or that some of the timelines are unfair or the teacher is bad. What does any of this have to do with your own integrity? With knowing what is right or wrong?
I hope that I am not a person who thinks that everything was better in the past. A matter of fact I know that the students I teach are brighter than the students I went to school with. However, it seems to me that back in the day (yes post Civil War) we at least felt bad when we did things that were wrong.
Okay, students turn now to explain your side of the story. I hope you trust me enough to put your name to the response. If not, just do not sign. Most importantly, I would like to hear your views. AS A VALUED PARTNER YOUR VIEWS ARE IMPORTANT. I promise to read them with an open mind.
In full disclosure to the entire senior class, the questions probably need to be asked differently. It would probably be better if they asked students if they have cheated this year? Today a couple of students told me that they had stopped cheating this year but had to answer "yes" to the question that they had cheated once in their lifetime.
It bothers me that students cheat. As a teacher I understand the pressure, the amount of other things that students do besides my class. With this understanding I realize that sometimes students perform poorly on a test, do not have an assignment done on time etc. Those things happen, but that is no reason for the student to cheat. If you are unprepared you need to take the consequence, and no one paper, quiz or test is really going to make a huge difference in your year.
As a school, this needs to be an issue that we discuss more often and openly with our students and faculty. I hope (please respond honestly) that all students know that cheating is something that would really make me mad. As stated above I can understand why you perform poorly, I have had one of my best students tell me that they just did not have the time to prepare properly. However, cheating when you are asked not to is a violation of trust. As we try to move to valued partners we need to trust each other.
When discussing just for a brief time today, I was also amazed at how many students believe that cheating is okay. That some of the work is busy work, which makes it okay to cheat. Or that some of the timelines are unfair or the teacher is bad. What does any of this have to do with your own integrity? With knowing what is right or wrong?
I hope that I am not a person who thinks that everything was better in the past. A matter of fact I know that the students I teach are brighter than the students I went to school with. However, it seems to me that back in the day (yes post Civil War) we at least felt bad when we did things that were wrong.
Okay, students turn now to explain your side of the story. I hope you trust me enough to put your name to the response. If not, just do not sign. Most importantly, I would like to hear your views. AS A VALUED PARTNER YOUR VIEWS ARE IMPORTANT. I promise to read them with an open mind.
Monday, April 21, 2014
What is the purpose of spirit week
In the week vacation, I have read a lot of research that shows that what one thinks is common sense does not always work out. For example when you take troubled youths to a prison, to try to scare them (program is called Scared Straight) and have prisoners tell horrible stories about prison. What they have found out is that more people who go through this program commit crimes that at risk youths who do not use this program.
This type of research that goes against the grain made me think about spirit week. What is the purpose of spirit week? I would think to bring the community together, to feel a sense of belonging, and to have a greater appreciation for the school.
Now the question is does Spirit Week accomplish these goals? I would appreciate your response to this question. Do you feel better about our school after spirit week? Does it reach the goals I stated above? Are there goals besides the ones above that the week should be trying to accomplish.
This type of research that goes against the grain made me think about spirit week. What is the purpose of spirit week? I would think to bring the community together, to feel a sense of belonging, and to have a greater appreciation for the school.
Now the question is does Spirit Week accomplish these goals? I would appreciate your response to this question. Do you feel better about our school after spirit week? Does it reach the goals I stated above? Are there goals besides the ones above that the week should be trying to accomplish.
reflections of my four years
I recently asked students to write a reflection on their growth during their four years at Dulaney. Since I started Dulaney the same year that these students were Freshman I thought I could also do the activity. I remember my first week at Dulaney, I gave my psych class of 18 (that size will never occur again) a quiz. One student passed the quiz and the next day one person dropped the class. A couple of days later, two students passed the second quiz. I went to the Principal, and told him not to let anyone else drop the class, that someway I would make sure that everyone passed the AP exam.
Since the Principal brought me to Dulaney, he felt obligated to stand by me. However, at the end of the second week a nice young lady came up at the end of the class to tell me that everyone wished that they had the other psychology teacher. I thanked her for her honesty and took a deep breath.
It seems like such a long time ago, but during that time I realize what great support I had at a totally new school. The other psych teacher was amazingly helpful and we built a synergy that would benefit all of our students. I also started my journey which started with GRIT and has now brought me into the whole science of positive psychology.
As I continue to read, implement, and discuss character with my students and peers, I realized the change in myself. What used to drive me crazy does not bother me at all. Do I sometimes lose it, yes, it happened the week before we went on vacation. However, instead of being mad for a month it took a week to realize that while I disagreed with the decision, it is not worth getting that upset about.
What I most appreciate during my four years at Dulaney is the type of students that I have had a chance to work with. While on any given day 50% of my students are smarter than I am, what most impresses me is the type of people that they are. They are not only intelligent but most importantly, thoughtful, kind, and caring individuals which have helped me grow as both a teacher and a person.
As I continue to struggle with how to make students feel like Valued Partners and how best to implement character into the curriculum, I know that I will get plenty of help from my students. This years students have already given me a couple of ideas that will make next years AP economics better than ever.
So in looking back over the four years I think I have more GRIT and much more self control over my emotions. I think I have been tested this year and truthfully besides the one outburst I have done a good job and keeping perspective.
Since the Principal brought me to Dulaney, he felt obligated to stand by me. However, at the end of the second week a nice young lady came up at the end of the class to tell me that everyone wished that they had the other psychology teacher. I thanked her for her honesty and took a deep breath.
It seems like such a long time ago, but during that time I realize what great support I had at a totally new school. The other psych teacher was amazingly helpful and we built a synergy that would benefit all of our students. I also started my journey which started with GRIT and has now brought me into the whole science of positive psychology.
As I continue to read, implement, and discuss character with my students and peers, I realized the change in myself. What used to drive me crazy does not bother me at all. Do I sometimes lose it, yes, it happened the week before we went on vacation. However, instead of being mad for a month it took a week to realize that while I disagreed with the decision, it is not worth getting that upset about.
What I most appreciate during my four years at Dulaney is the type of students that I have had a chance to work with. While on any given day 50% of my students are smarter than I am, what most impresses me is the type of people that they are. They are not only intelligent but most importantly, thoughtful, kind, and caring individuals which have helped me grow as both a teacher and a person.
As I continue to struggle with how to make students feel like Valued Partners and how best to implement character into the curriculum, I know that I will get plenty of help from my students. This years students have already given me a couple of ideas that will make next years AP economics better than ever.
So in looking back over the four years I think I have more GRIT and much more self control over my emotions. I think I have been tested this year and truthfully besides the one outburst I have done a good job and keeping perspective.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Purpose of school
While there are many different reasons why education is not getting traction, one of the major obstacles in my opinion is defining the purpose of school. If you asked 100 teachers you might get 50 different answers. When this happens instead of building synergy you are getting opposing forces which bring progress to a slow grind.
So I thought I would open this discussion up for some debate. What do you think the purpose of school should be? What changes would we have to make to accomplish your purpose of schools.
So I thought I would open this discussion up for some debate. What do you think the purpose of school should be? What changes would we have to make to accomplish your purpose of schools.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Character and its place in school
For me, next year, is like starting over. For the first time in a decade I will not be teaching psychology. I also will have ninety minute periods to teach so that I need to throw out everything I do, rearrange the way and the style I teach. While I am doing that I am thinking about what is the role of character in our educational curriculum.
Here is a clip on character, watch the clip and then please let me know do you think this is something that I should incorporate more into the curriculum next year.
http://www.letitripple.org/
Here is a clip on character, watch the clip and then please let me know do you think this is something that I should incorporate more into the curriculum next year.
http://www.letitripple.org/
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Do we do a good job with our best and brightest
A student sent me this article and I thought it would be interesting to get some feedback on it. Take the time to read it and please reply.
http://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2014/03/15/the-poor-neglected-gifted-child/rJpv8G4oeawWBBvXVtZyFM/story.html
http://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2014/03/15/the-poor-neglected-gifted-child/rJpv8G4oeawWBBvXVtZyFM/story.html
Monday, February 17, 2014
Is this what we meant with "All-in"
Sometimes we lose why we have mandatory education. It is not to lead the world in test scores but to develop students who will help our society move forward. When I think about what we praise our school for it is usually high test scores, winning athletic teams, or scholarship winners.
Here is a short clip of what I think is an important outcome of any great school which is to develop great citizens. Watch the clip and let me know what you think?
http://www.upworthy.com/watch-an-entire-team-of-teenage-football-players-do-something-very-unexpected
Here is a short clip of what I think is an important outcome of any great school which is to develop great citizens. Watch the clip and let me know what you think?
http://www.upworthy.com/watch-an-entire-team-of-teenage-football-players-do-something-very-unexpected
Friday, February 14, 2014
How hard it is
It is snowing and we are missing two more days of school. I have used this time to reflect on how hard school is from a students perspective. You wake up earlier than your body wants to and then for the next 6 1/2 hours you are asked to do things mostly out of your control. At best it is frustrating and a struggle, at worst it is just totally boring. The reward for working hard all day is that we give you homework so that this process continues onto the night.
What this blog is really about is how appreciative I should be for the job students do on a day in and day out basis. Does everyone perform at a super level? Of course not, nor do I. What is rather amazing is how good students are at this most of the time. When you think how many hours students are at school, how little choice they have about what they need to learn, how tough it can be to sit still for 45 minutes yet six plus hours, it is amazing to me how great our students are.
So, the next time I get frustrated with a student, or I hear another teacher who gets frustrated with a student, I will remember how great students are most of the time. They have a difficult job in which some students make look rather easy.
What this blog is really about is how appreciative I should be for the job students do on a day in and day out basis. Does everyone perform at a super level? Of course not, nor do I. What is rather amazing is how good students are at this most of the time. When you think how many hours students are at school, how little choice they have about what they need to learn, how tough it can be to sit still for 45 minutes yet six plus hours, it is amazing to me how great our students are.
So, the next time I get frustrated with a student, or I hear another teacher who gets frustrated with a student, I will remember how great students are most of the time. They have a difficult job in which some students make look rather easy.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
outcomes
What should we be able to say about a student that graduates our high school. After spending four years in our school should there be somethings that everyone (okay most) of our students share. If we can identify the outcomes we want to see, it would make it easier to focus in on what we want to do each day.
For example when I worked for Domino's Pizza every manager could make a pepperoni pizza in 40 seconds, had taken certain classes, and had a mastery of customer service. So what does that diploma represent and more importantly what do you think it should represent.
For example when I worked for Domino's Pizza every manager could make a pepperoni pizza in 40 seconds, had taken certain classes, and had a mastery of customer service. So what does that diploma represent and more importantly what do you think it should represent.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Character in adverse times
It is easy to show character when things are going well. However, i think real character is shown when adversity hits. I was never a Peyton Manning fan, since he ruined many Sundays for me. I was impressed however last year after a heart breaking loss for him, that he waited to congratulate Ray Lewis on the victory. It showed me that while Manning is one of the great competitors of the game he is also a very classy man.
This year his team was crushed in the Super Bowl. You might enjoy this article on how this man handle adversity.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/peyton-manning-leaves-crushing-super-bowl-loss-with-reputation-intact-065205260.html;_ylt=A0LEVxZFyfBSIHIAj.NXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEycDQ0N3A1BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMgRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1FJMDQ5XzE-
This year his team was crushed in the Super Bowl. You might enjoy this article on how this man handle adversity.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/peyton-manning-leaves-crushing-super-bowl-loss-with-reputation-intact-065205260.html;_ylt=A0LEVxZFyfBSIHIAj.NXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEycDQ0N3A1BHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMgRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1FJMDQ5XzE-
Sunday, January 26, 2014
new idea
One of the things most teachers complain about is faculty meetings. They are usually held monthly and in my fifteen years there have been two of them that might have had any positive impact on me. Recently a colleague sent me a link to a high school, which is giving there teachers that hour free to work on something that interests them in education. It might be working with another teacher on lessons, discussing character or anything else that you are interested in but do not have the time to do. What it allows is the teacher the time to be in charge of their own professional development.
I thought that was a great idea, and then wondered if I am trying to make students valued partners in the educational process would this work in the classroom. What I am visioning next year with 85 minute periods is taking one day a month to allow students to discuss anything about economics that interests them. My vision would be that there might be a table of kids working on in class concepts that they do not understand, others might be discussing a book (freakonomics for example) that they decided to read, others might have watched a couple of interesting clips on youtube and now gather to discuss it.
If the conversation are great, we would spend the entire period on it and then have one member from each group blog about what they discussed so that the whole class can enjoy and take part in the learning. Maybe it sparks an interest so other kids discuss that topic next time. Or at the 70 minute mark we can stop and have one student in each group debrief the class.
I know at first this would probably not work since kids are not used to the format but I think it might be really good as the year goes on. What do you think?
I thought that was a great idea, and then wondered if I am trying to make students valued partners in the educational process would this work in the classroom. What I am visioning next year with 85 minute periods is taking one day a month to allow students to discuss anything about economics that interests them. My vision would be that there might be a table of kids working on in class concepts that they do not understand, others might be discussing a book (freakonomics for example) that they decided to read, others might have watched a couple of interesting clips on youtube and now gather to discuss it.
If the conversation are great, we would spend the entire period on it and then have one member from each group blog about what they discussed so that the whole class can enjoy and take part in the learning. Maybe it sparks an interest so other kids discuss that topic next time. Or at the 70 minute mark we can stop and have one student in each group debrief the class.
I know at first this would probably not work since kids are not used to the format but I think it might be really good as the year goes on. What do you think?
Monday, January 20, 2014
Lessons from Harvard
When Yilin Feng returned this year from Harvard I was very excited. First of all, she had a chance to attend a lecture from Mankiw whose textbook we use in AP Economics. More importantly she is just a tremendous young lady who demonstrates many of the character traits we are trying to instill in our students.
Last year, in the third quarter she struggled with economics. Now mind you, struggle for Yilin is getting a B in the class. At the time that I gave her a B, I did not realize she was tied for number one in our school. Four years of hardwork on the line and a B for her final grade could push her out of the number one spot. Never once did Yilin ever ask me what she could do to get an A. Never once did she ask for extra credit, put pressure on me or even hint to me that she needed an A in the class to be number one. To me it really demonstrates the type of character this young lady possesses.
I am sure she wanted to be number one in the class but not so much that she was going to ask for favors to get it. While I never asked her about it, my thoughts are that she was just going to continue to do her best and the grade would take care of itself.
I am sure she wanted to be number one in the class but not so much that she was going to ask for favors to get it. While I never asked her about it, my thoughts are that she was just going to continue to do her best and the grade would take care of itself.
When I called Harvard admissions office to find out why a couple of our other students were not accepted, the lady in admissions raved about Yilin. We know she is going to do great here (they were right she had a 4.0). When I told Yilin about these comments she thanked me, and said, "I thought I was the last person they picked. It is nice to know they really liked me" Humility is definitely one of Yilin's strengths and it shows from those remarks.
This year when she visited I asked her did her parents pressure her to get to an Ivy League School. She told me that the only pressure was to do her best. If Maryland was the best her parents would have been happy. The best way to end this blog is her comments about Harvard,"Many people think that Harvard students think they are Gods gift to the world, the truth is most of us think Harvard is Gods gift to us"
As a teacher I am so lucky to cross paths with some many great young people.
As a teacher I am so lucky to cross paths with some many great young people.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Effort vs Results
Today a group of teachers met to discuss issues evolving around character. The discussion turned to what should teachers base their grades on effort or results. So if someone is trying extremely hard but not doing well do you bump them up a grade. Should we be more worried about the process or the result? Do you think there is a strong correlation with time spent studying (reading, studying and even listening intensely in class) with the results.
As the discussion continued a teacher noticed that I post my top ten students, which is based on results only. It made me wonder does posting these results make people who work hard but do not get good results feel bad? Is it a board worth posting?
Also we discussed what is more exciting to a student the anticipation of the grade or the actual grade itself. So when you take a test are you more tense, anxious, excited about finding out your grade, then you feel happy when you do well.
The science of willpower is making me rethink alot of what I do as a teacher. Your thoughts
As the discussion continued a teacher noticed that I post my top ten students, which is based on results only. It made me wonder does posting these results make people who work hard but do not get good results feel bad? Is it a board worth posting?
Also we discussed what is more exciting to a student the anticipation of the grade or the actual grade itself. So when you take a test are you more tense, anxious, excited about finding out your grade, then you feel happy when you do well.
The science of willpower is making me rethink alot of what I do as a teacher. Your thoughts
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
What defines 2013 for you
When I look back at 2013, one of the most defining moments was getting involved in character education. This journey has allowed me to understand in much greater detail the impacts of positive psychology which have helped me turn from an angry old man into a mellowing old man. It has taken me on a new journey which really excites me in that I think it can have a great impact on our students in the future.
I think it is a great time for all of us to take a second to reflect on the important moments that we had in 2013. What are they? How did they help share us? If you care to share please reply.
Best wishes for a great new years
I think it is a great time for all of us to take a second to reflect on the important moments that we had in 2013. What are they? How did they help share us? If you care to share please reply.
Best wishes for a great new years
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