Everyday, I write “No complaining, criticizing, or gossiping,” as part of a larger daily journal entry. Staying true to this phrase, inspired by Will Bowen’s A Complaint Free World, can be a daily battle. I am embarrassed to admit to that daily battle, especially as a 51-year-old who should know better. Let’s face it: there … [Read more…]
Recently, my sister, Jenny, and I have had several long conversations about mindfulness. Jenny offered many words of wisdom, including strengthening the practice of objective observation and reflection of interactions with others. The practice does not involve ignoring or tamping down emotions, but rather being deeply aware of the emotions one is feeling as a … [Read more…]
The human brain, the most complex organ in the human body, is amazing in more ways than we could ever imagine. I am used to spending time learning about the reading brain. Reading Rockets has put together an excellent resource for understanding the reading brain: What We Know About Reading and the Brain, including this … [Read more…]
There’s nothing better than spending time with people who make you feel good about life. You know the type: they are always smiling, they make you feel like you’re the most important person in the world, and they have a way of talking about others that shines a light on everybody. These folks have it … [Read more…]
Spring break is right around the corner for Fort Madison Community School District. We have one week until we get that much-needed week away from school. This is the time of year when our “windows of tolerance” can be nearly closed. We are frustrated with escalating student behaviors, data that is not moving in the … [Read more…]
I have been working on this post for about two weeks. As I’ve wrestled with it… and it has felt like a wrestling match, I’ve had to remind myself over and over again about the purpose of maintaining this blog: it is about my own learning. When I write, I am processing my own learning … [Read more…]
I found myself in tears several times this past week. Thankfully, each time involved tears of joy and of pride. Despite all of the turmoil in education today, I’m going to remain firm in my belief that the future is bright. Monday afternoon brought the first round of tears as I sat in on a … [Read more…]
As the end of the year dwindles down, I’m witnessing and experiencing the typical May “chaos.” Students are full of renewed, and perhaps irritating, energy. Teachers are lacking renewed energy, and in fact are short on energy, patience, and tolerance. Last May, I wrote about rethinking the end-of year countdown. My reflections in that post … [Read more…]