I have been in public education for a long time and I have had moments where I have questioned if I am making a difference anymore. I certainly have been re-energized lately and have seen the benefit of my school's work with our students.
But for those who are at a point of questioning their work, go back and read notes you have received over the years from your students and parents. Read the comments they have made about your work with them. Pat yourself on the back and recommit yourself by focusing your energy on the characteristics that students and parents pointed out in their notes; "You always made me try harder" or "you were always there when I needed you" or even "you offered my child a challenge and made all the difference in his/her school experience."
Remind yourself of these things and you will not question if you are making a difference.
Friday, November 25, 2016
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Reminder to myself
A reminder to myself...
I believe my responsibility is to be positive, supportive, loving, and forward thinking. All this in the face of divisiveness, hate and callousness.
I am in the unique position to positively affect many lives. I can make a difference in my position as a principal with teachers, parents and most importantly, students. As a parent, I have two children who I can help grow to be good people. As a community member, I can have an affect on my town, my state, and my country.
All this is an opportunity and a reminder to myself....
I believe my responsibility is to be positive, supportive, loving, and forward thinking. All this in the face of divisiveness, hate and callousness.
I am in the unique position to positively affect many lives. I can make a difference in my position as a principal with teachers, parents and most importantly, students. As a parent, I have two children who I can help grow to be good people. As a community member, I can have an affect on my town, my state, and my country.
All this is an opportunity and a reminder to myself....
Reminder to myself
A reminder to myself...
I believe my responsibility is to be positive, supportive, loving, and forward thinking. All this in the face of divisiveness, hate and callousness.
I am in the unique position to positively affect many lives. I can make a difference in my position as a principal with teachers, parents and most importantly, students. As a parent, I have two children who I can help grow to be good people. As a community member, I can have an affect on my town, my state, and my country.
All this is an opportunity and a reminder to myself....
I believe my responsibility is to be positive, supportive, loving, and forward thinking. All this in the face of divisiveness, hate and callousness.
I am in the unique position to positively affect many lives. I can make a difference in my position as a principal with teachers, parents and most importantly, students. As a parent, I have two children who I can help grow to be good people. As a community member, I can have an affect on my town, my state, and my country.
All this is an opportunity and a reminder to myself....
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
The Collected Writings
"Rock the boat. She won't sink. In fact, she sail farther. Complacency becalms and even endangers the casual sailor. Educators can't afford anything less than vigilant attention to progress, regular examinations of all we do." (Rick Wormeli, The Collected Writings, 2013)
If you aren't moving forward, you are falling behind. Teachers, administrators and parents have to help their students challenge themselves and keep moving forward. We have to rock the boat. Life for our children is moving forward around them and it can be rocky. We have to prepare them to adapt and adjust to this movement and rockiness. We cannot have them do as we did, because when it worked for us, it was a different time. However we support them, do it moving forward balancing ourselves through the rockiness.
If you aren't moving forward, you are falling behind. Teachers, administrators and parents have to help their students challenge themselves and keep moving forward. We have to rock the boat. Life for our children is moving forward around them and it can be rocky. We have to prepare them to adapt and adjust to this movement and rockiness. We cannot have them do as we did, because when it worked for us, it was a different time. However we support them, do it moving forward balancing ourselves through the rockiness.
Monday, October 3, 2016
Lunch time ponderings
I stood in the lunchroom for about an hour and a half today and watched my students interact with each other as only they can. The conversations were silly, spirited, and serious; all going on at the same time. Lunch time is when kids can be kids. That was my post on our Twitter account (@Tyngsmiddle) and it made once again made me realize that in this somewhat structured setting (the lunchroom) that students are themselves.
We spend so much time in schools controlling time, resources and movement that we stifle what comes naturally to middle school students; the desire to interact. Students are at their best when they are interacting with each other. They are inquisitive, challenging and engaged when given the opportunity to be with each other in a social setting. The need for a positive and social classroom is essential to get the most out of our students. I am not suggesting a "lunchroom" setting for your classroom (but healthy food is always a good thing, even in a classroom) but rather a setting where we release a little control and let the students be more like themselves.
For some further support to this idea I looked to some scholarly work and this caught my eye (by Katelyn Wendel:
https://prezi.com/fb-4gbyahpyd/importance-of-classroom-social-environment/
We spend so much time in schools controlling time, resources and movement that we stifle what comes naturally to middle school students; the desire to interact. Students are at their best when they are interacting with each other. They are inquisitive, challenging and engaged when given the opportunity to be with each other in a social setting. The need for a positive and social classroom is essential to get the most out of our students. I am not suggesting a "lunchroom" setting for your classroom (but healthy food is always a good thing, even in a classroom) but rather a setting where we release a little control and let the students be more like themselves.
For some further support to this idea I looked to some scholarly work and this caught my eye (by Katelyn Wendel:
https://prezi.com/fb-4gbyahpyd/importance-of-classroom-social-environment/
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Hello from Tyngsborough Middle School
Hello all as I start my time here in Tyngsborough at the middle school. Since starting as principal on July 1st, I have been able to get to know a little bit about the school, the town and a few staff members. People are busy at work setting up the school for the upcoming year but by and large it is very quiet here at TMS. I have been in Tuesday through Thursday each week and would love a visit if you happen this way. Looking forward to the new school year and meeting everyone.
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