Enjoy the Week!

"Great people talk about ideas. Small people talk about others." Unknown

"If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." Unknown

This past week I was talking with a teacher in a building and then continued the conversation with a colleague in Idaho. I can sum up the conversation with the following: As we approach the spring weeks of the school year, it is easy for many teachers to get into that familiar habit of complaining and wishing that the year would end. I want to be the one who encourages you not to fall into that rut; if you already have, I want to be the one who encour­ages you to find a rope and climb out.

Each and every day our students need us. I often embrace the fact that I was and may be the only constant presence in many of my former students’ lives. I make a choice each day that I want that presence to be a positive, constant factor. I encourage you to do the same.

It is a great opportunity that we have to come to school and have an impact on students’ lives from day to day. If we look at teaching as what it is—a huge responsibility—we will realize that it is not to be taken lightly. Sure, there are days when some students grate on your nerves or are like fingernails on a chalkboard. Sure, there are some students that you wouldn’t necessarily want to take home with you. Sure, there are some students from whom you might want to run away if you saw them at Safeway. But we didn’t take on the enormous responsibility of teaching to avoid students. Instead, we became teachers because we care about kids.

Over the next few months, I encourage you to eat lunch with your stu­dents. I encourage you to do games with your students. To laugh with students and have a blast with kids. Wow! It is amazing how much you can learn from them when they feel that you are interested in their lives. I encourage you to give them an “attaboy” or an “attagirl” any time you can. I encourage you to avoid complaining and keep showing how much you really care. When students feel that their teachers care about them, when they feel safe in our classes, optimal learning will occur.

At this time of the school year, it is vitally important that we serve as a stable, con­structive factor in our students’ lives. Again, we may be the only con­stant factors they have—let us commit to being positive ones!

“One good teacher in a lifetime may sometimes change a delinquent into a solid citizen.” Philip Wylie

That “one good teacher” referred to in the quote above might just be you; have a positively wonderful week!

Videos to check out!:

What is a Learning Walk? Check it out here. If interested in participating please email Janet by weeks end.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Articles you might want to check out:

             Impact of Technology on curiosity

A quick read and ELA resource

Calendar of Events:

Feb 10--Learning Walk at Slater Elementary
Feb 13--Division 22 Standards Report Due--see EXECUTIVE NUMBERED MEMO: 
004-2014-15 DIVISION 22 ASSURANCES 2014-2015 
Feb 13--Alice Nine @ Harney ESD--register with J. Caldwell 541-573-4834
Feb 26-27 K and Early Literacy Summit
March 9-11 CCSS Regional Trainings
March 10--Jo Robinson
April 10--Harney County Tech Conference 2015 @ BHS
April 30-May 1--Kevin Feldman Learning Walk and Training info to come soon