Behavioral Exchanges
Ever find yourself surrounded by people who are tired, hungry and a little grumpy? This seemed to be the emotional climate in the airport on my last trip. I was in a sea of individuals all shuffling through the line…
The Waiting Game
“Dad, can we stop by Old Navy? I need some nice clothes.” This might seem like a normal request to some, but not for my second born son, who, according to our neighbors, regularly sat on our roof last year…
Hefty or Wimpy? You Choose.
Hefty! Hefty! Hefty! Wimpy! Wimpy! Wimpy! It’s a 1984 TV commercial reference, but it conjures up a nice visual for the blog. Of course, the tag line refers to the strength of garbage bags. Do they hold in the trash…
Routine
Stop the bus. I want to get off. Every have that discombobulating sense when you are bouncing from one thing to another? Welcome to my summer. Please understand – I’m not complaining. I have been beyond blessed to have a…
Make the Connection
School’s out for summer. (Woo hoo!) “Step away”, I always say. Now is the time for educators to step away from school, paperwork, students, and administrative duties that often overwhelm and consume. Summer affords us the opportunity to take a…
Be Present
Did you know the brain remembers beginnings and endings? The start and end of something capitalizes on novelty, which the brain attends to and better retains. If you have yet to finish the school year, you may want to use…
Mayday!
Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! Did you know this is an international distress signal? (the origin of which comes from the French word m’aider, which means, “Help me.”) How serendipitous for teachers, as it seems every day in May warrants the use…
Teacher-Moms Rock
When a teacher becomes a mom, she is forever changed. Being a teacher-mom is a beautiful gift in that she plays the dual role of seeing her students through the eyes of parent and teacher. As with any change in…
Stormy Weather
Happy May. What is that adage? April showers bring May flowers? As an educator, flowers aren’t the first things that come to mind when you say the word May. Hectic schedules…yes. Long days…yes. Crazy behaviors…yes. Tepid showers and peaceful flowers…not…
Future Returns
“Past performance is not indicative of future returns.” Hmmm. Though this is a business finance quote; I wonder… I actually think it is important to look at the past to inform the future. However, we do need to keep in…