We all have something to bring to the table.

As I wrap my head around the beginning of another school year, prepare my body for the change of pace, and renew my purpose as an educator, I think about what it is that I can bring to the table. All of the following come from a sense of hope and the desire to remain open minded in the upcoming year. These..., reminders so to speak, are what I hope I can bring to the table.

*Embrace your dreams. Allow others to pursue theirs.
*When you see yourself doing something badly and nobody says anything that’s a bad thing. —Nobody cares anymore.
*Experience is what you get when you don’t exactly get what you want.
*Most of what we learn, we learn indirectly. -We may not even know it until it's needed.
*The brick walls are there to show us how badly we want something.
*When you are angry and feel wronged by another, be patient, they will probably impress you at some point.
*It’s important to know when you’re in a pissing match.
*Embrace others excitement.
*If you don’t know where the bar is, than don’t set it. You may stunt creativity.
*One of the best things you can do is give others the chance to do something to make others happy.
*Group feedback can be a highly self-reflective task.
*The best way to teach them something is to have them think they’re learning something else. HAVING FUN WHILE LEARNING SOMETHING HARD!!
*Approach teaching as if telling a story.
*Loyalty is a 2 way street.
*Fashion and trend are short, sincerity is long.
*Apologize when you screw up.
*Don’t bail. Stick with it. -The best crap is always at the bottom of the pan.
*When and if you have someone who tells you what you need to hear. -Listen
*Show gratitude
*Find the best in everybody- nobody is all evil.
*Being a teacher is like having a job in PR and marketing, you have to sell your success and show off your students’.
*We are all capable of far more than we give ourselves credit. Find out what else you are capable of.
*Know your passion & never, never lose sight of it.

The co-teaching experience

As the school year closes in on us I have been reflecting and contemplating upon how to best utilize this blog. Well...so far I think I've found one way. As the year begins I will be joining a colleague of mine in a co-teaching endeavor. The formalized process of co-teaching will be new to both of us, at least in practice. We will be co-teaching a 6th grade math class, a class he has taught for many years. I look very much forward to this opportunity and the potential for personal and professional growth, as well as the opportunity to apply new strategies to increase student success.

Stay Tuned....