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.