Sneak Peek TW Lip Dub

Power = Influence

Power/Influence and Leadership!  Below are some pictures of a great lesson on how leadership is directly related to our ability to positively influence others.  (In the pictures...the word Complie is suppose to be Comply.  Sorry...spell-check on the white board doesn't always work...hahaha)!

If the pictures are hard to read or you would like more information about this lesson...feel free to leave a comment or facebook me and I will get back to you.  Thanks!

Tulare Western's Day of Dancing...

Shaq goin nuts...great job!

Initiative Ladder and Initiative Development PowerPoint Design

Two PowerPoint Presentations that deal with helping others understand and develop the importance of taking the initiative.

• The Initiative Ladder
• Developing Initiative

Keys to Leadership - Inward and Outward Qualities

Check out the following PowerPoint / PDF file that discusses the Keys to Leadership - Inward and Outward Qualities.

Keys to Leadership - Inward and Outward Qualities

Be Passionate!

Below are 5 characteristics of PASSIONATE teachers according the Robert L. Friend author of the book "The Passionate Teacher".

1. Passionate teachers love to work with young people, but they also care deeply about knowledge and ideas, so they try never to let their compassion for a student serve as a reason for excusing that student's ignorance or lack of skill. 
2. Passionate teachers are alive to events both in the classroom and in the world outside school, and they bring those perspectives together in their work with students.
3. Passionate teachers have the capacity for spontaneity and humor and for great seriousness, often at almost the same time.
4. Passionate teachers are always taking risks, and they make at least as many mistakes as anybody else.  What's different is how they react to their mistakes...
5. Passionate teachers take their mission seriously and communicate their beliefs.  They truly are passionate teachers, not just intense people who hide their passions behind a workday mask and allow only the rare student to connect with them.

Be passionate!

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Must be earned...

We can no longer simply assume, as many of our own teachers did, that students will come to school ready to respect us and the knowledge we offer them.  We must earn the respect of young people. (pg. 43 The Passionate Teacher) 

Many times students struggle in the classroom not because the subject matter is too difficult, but because of the lack of mutual respect between themselves and their teacher. 

Real learning cannot take place in an environment where respect does not exist!  Just consider your own life...how well do you learn from someone who doesn't respect you or whom you don't respect?  The answer:  NOT MUCH!

In order for real learning to take place each classroom must have a certain level of mutual respect:

• Classrooms need to be a place where students can feel safe from put-downs, unwarranted criticism, and judgment from peers and teachers alike.
• Teachers and students MUST take the extra moment to consider the other person's point of view.
• Teachers MUST be the adult in these situations and realize that every moment is a "teachable moment".

What are you thoughts?  Do you learn better in classrooms where mutual respect exists or does it even matter to you?  How can teachers or students be more respectful in the classroom?  Your feedback or comments are encouraged!

Relationships that Reveal God vs. sin, heartbreak, or chaos!

Using this diagram for my True Love Waits breakout session!  This diagram is based on Matthew 5:41 and 2 Corinthians 6:14-16.  Enjoy!

Life After Death PowerPoint!

Hilarious little video about how NOT to use PowerPoint!  I will definitely be using this in my COS class this Wednesday Night!


Life After Death PowerPoint from EMT Media on Vimeo.

Refresh Others!

Life is interesting!  The key to being and feeling refreshed is to refresh others!  It's not enough to go through life living and pleasing our SELF...true fulfillment comes from living for something greater than our self!  (Inspired by Proverbs 11:25)

IT'S ALL DOWNHILL AFTER KINDERGARTEN!

Walk into any Kindergarten classroom in America and you will see some unbelievable examples of creativity, positive communication, discovery, and freedom!  But something very drastic changes as these students proceed through each consecutive grade level.  By the time they reach high school creativity will be replaced with conformity, positive communication becomes dangerously negative, discovery becomes a distraction, and freedom is forgotten!

As educators it should be our main objective to remain "child-like" in our approach to teaching!  A child's mind is optimistic, enthusiastic, and open to numerous possibilities (Presentation Zen).  Mike McCarthy a principal at King High School and an educator for more than 30 years said it perfectly,

• "When my son was little, I was going through a lot of turmoil at King HS, and I did not feel like doing much of anything when I got home. One day, I just decided that whatever he wanted to do, I would do -- play ball, eat ice cream, and so on. I realized the power of yes. It changed our relationship. The only progress you will ever make involves risk: Ideas that teachers have may seem a little unsafe and crazy. Try to think, "How can I make this request into a yes?" (http://www.edutopia.org/maine-project-learning-ideas-school-leadership)

It doesn't matter if you are an adminstrator or a classroom teacher, all educators can be challenged by Mr. McCarthy's words:  How can I make this request into a YES!

Be child-like!

What are students saying about school...

Most students are motivated to do well in school because of pressure placed on them from their parents or themselves.  However, some students are also motivated to do well because of the teacher.

Over sixty students responded to the two questions list below.  I think we as educators/parents can learn a lot from their answers.  I encourage you to read through the two list and see your strengths and identify areas for improvement.  (Students I encourage you to also read through the two list and I challenge you to show your appreciation to those teachers you identify on list #1 and encourage those teachers you see on list #2)

1) What words would you use to describe a teacher who inspires you to do your best in the classroom?

List for question #1:

• Caring
• Respectful
• Patient
• Helpful
• Enthusiastic
• Positive Attitude
• Funny
• Takes time to get to know their students
• Fun activities in class, not just lecture
• Passionate
• Inspiring
• Motivated
• Connects with their students
• Encouraging
• Relates well to students
• Entertaining
• Energetic
• Understands where students are coming from
• Likes their job
• Listens
• Gets to know their students

2) What words would you use to describe the teacher who DOES NOT inspire you to do your best? (If you say boring, please tell me what makes them boring.)

List for question #2:

• Impatient
• Reveals their dislikes
• Monotone
• Does the same thing everyday
• Does not care for their students
• Rude
• Negative
• Yells
• Unorganized
• Not Passionate
• No Connection with students
• Uninvolved in students lives outside the classroom
• Sarcastic
• Grouchy
• Not helpful
• Does not want to be bothered
• Repetitive
• Knows nothing about their students
• Does not know students on a personal level
• No personality
• Lazy
• Only cares about the subject being taught

School Sucks! Why?

Rigor, Relevance, and Relationship formed today's new three R's of education.

Most people understand and agree that students should be exposed to rigorous curriculum that challenges and prepares them for society.  Likewise, most people understand the importance of making the curriculum relevant to the student and their educational needs.

The third R...the Relationship part of the equation is a bit more subtle.  However, I believe the relationship component is what makes this whole thing work.  I truly believe that without an established relationship, it becomes very challenging to get students to perform at their very best.  Presenting rigorous curriculum and trying to make it relevant to the students becomes increasingly more difficult when no relationship is formed.

There are three relationships that need to be established in the classroom:
(http://www.eht.k12.nj.us/~jonesj/Differentiated%20Instruction/Three%20R's.htm)

1. The first relationship is between teacher and subject matter.  The teachers have a special relationship with the subjects they teach.  It is this love of subject matter that makes them want to share it with their students in ways that are rigorous and relevant.  
2. Second is the relationship between student and subject matter.  Students who feel a connection to subject matter will understand its relevance and the necessity of the rigor involved in it mastery.
3. The third relationship, that between teacher and student, is arguably the most important.  By building and nurturing student-teacher relationships, the teacher's passion for the subject matter is imparted to the student, and the teacher finds that the rewards of the teaching profession are multiplied as the student builds a relationship with the rigor and relevance of the subject matter. 

So why does school suck?  NO RELATIONSHIPS!  Build relationships and connect with others...and watch what happens...students will perform better, they will try harder, and teachers will find more enjoyment in their job!

Respect Me!

Picture this:  An absent father returns home after being gone for much of his kids life!  He now demands respect from the children he has abandoned for several years.  However, his children do not show him nearly the amount of respect that he feels he is entitled to...especially since they feel they don't even "really" know him!

This example serves as a reminder that its very difficult to have respect without relationship.  I believe this also holds true in the classroom.  Often times educators expect students to respect them, apart from having an established relationship.  It has been my experience that if we as educators first take the time to develop a relationship with our students, then respect will soon follow.

Here are a few ways to develop healthy relationships with students:

1)  Get to know what your students like.  What are their interests?
2)  Get to know your students living situation.  What is their family life like?
3)  Play.  Take a few minutes to do an activity or game.
4)  Support your students the best you can outside of the classroom.  Attend games, plays, performances, etc...
5)  Be available to them.  Have an open door policy.

Family Fun!

Big Christmas Race of 2010!

HAVE YOU EVER HAD TO RE-GIFT?

Have you ever opened a present and thought to yourself..."RE-GIFT"?  We have all received a gift or two that has forced us to consider the art of re-gifting it to someone else in "need"!

As I think about this wonderful time of gift giving I cannot help but to think of James 1:17 that says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father..."  (James 1:17).

God the Father, through his Son Jesus, has given us the best gift of ALL.  A gift that we would never consider "re-gifting", a good gift, a perfect gift, the gift of SALVATION!

Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Praise be to God for sending us HIS one and only SON!  The good and perfect gift!  The one who saves us from our sins and offers us the gift of LIFE!

Merry CHRISTmas!

ASK YOURSELF WHY, NOT HOW?

COMMUNICATION AND MOTIVATION

The power of words are often used as a source of motivation.  Motivational speakers, coaches, leaders, and mentors, all use the art of communication to motivate others.  Words spoken at the right time...by the right person...have the ability to inspire others in a meaningful way!

However, we cannot always rely on others to motivate us.  We need to be able to use communication to motivate our self.  One of the best ways to accomplish this is to ask yourself "WHY" instead of "HOW"!  For example, the answer to the question "HOW" decreases motivation, whereas the answer to the question "WHY" increases motivation.

Let's say you want to lose 15 pounds!  If you ask yourself, "HOW am I going to lose 15 pounds?" you may feel overwhelmed or stressed out about the pressure of reaching your goal.  Asking yourself "HOW" makes you focus on all the obstacles...i.e. how can I fit my workouts into my schedule, how can I eat health, how am I going to make time, etc...Focusing on the obstacles of HOW becomes decreasingly less motivating!

Instead of asking yourself how, try asking yourself, "WHY"!  When you ask yourself WHY, your answers become very motivational.  WHY do I want to lose 15 pounds will lead to answers such as...I will be healthier, I will feel better, I will have more self-confidence, etc...Focusing on the benefits of WHY becomes increasingly more motivating!

For more information regarding this concept I recommend the following two books:

         

     

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?

Often times conflict arises when people do not reach the expectations of others.  Unmet expectations are often the source of the conflict we experience in our lives.  For example, people expect others to behave a certain way (expectation line) and when they don't meet these expectations (performance line) conflict typically occurs.

Much of the conflict that takes place between people could be eliminated if expectations were clearly communicated with one another.  Here are a  few ways to help communicate expectations:

• Communicate your expectations early on in the relationship
• Communicate your expectations often
• Communicate your expectations with clarity (make sure everyone is on the same page)
• Communicate your rationale behind your expectations

ARE YOU LISTENING?

Below are five distinctly different ways people naturally listen, called listening approaches.  Read through the following descriptions to determine your listen style:

-From the book:  Engagement is Not Enough by Keith E. Ayers pg. 132

#1:  Appreciative Listening:  Listening to appreciate what you're hearing to enjoy the experience and be entertained.

#2:  Empathic Listening:  Tuning into the feeling content of what the person is saying, showing that you care.

#3:  Comprehensive Listening:  Listening to understand the overall message, not necessarily the specific details.

#4:  Discerning Listening:  Listening to get all the facts and details and make sure you don't miss anything.

#5:  Evaluative Listening:  Listening in order to evaluate what is being said and make a decision.

MORE MOTIVATION, PLEASE!

One of the most important functions of a leader is their ability to motivate others! 

Here are five tips to help motivate those around you:

PURPOSE:  People are more motivated when they have a "sense of purpose".  People need to feel like they are important!

PREFERENCE:  People are more motivated when they have a "say".

PERFORMANCE:  People are more motivated when they perform well.  Successful performance is a great motivator!

PRAISE:  People are more motivated when they are appreciated, acknowledged, or recognized.

PROGRESS:  People are more motivated when they experience progress.