Author: 4ckn8

Disagreeing appropriately – it’s an important social skill, but at times, one that seems on the verge of extinction. Adults and kids alike struggle to master the concept. Fortunately, I had a great discussion with strangers earlier this week and was given a glimmer of hope. After a long flight I sat down in a crammed airport restaurant. With one man on my left, another on my right, and a TV...

Apparently, I’m getting old – or at least that’s what one former student told her younger brother this week. “I remember Mr. St. Romain. Has he gone to your class to read a story? He did that when I was in kindergarten, but that was a long time ago. He must be really old now!” Of course, I laughed when her mother told me this. I wasn’t surprised that her daughter remembered me. We had quite a...

“He does not play well with others.” This was the phrase I overheard a teacher utter to a colleague in a staff development session this week. She was talking about one of her new students. I’m guessing many teachers can relate to this concern. With the start of school comes a lot of students being dropped into classrooms with less than stellar social skills. I understand this problem,...

It’s time.  Students arrive tomorrow and the clock starts back up for another exciting school year. In preparation, I pulled out my favorite puzzle to work.  Though it represents the school of a different time, it helps me mentally prepare for what is to come.  As I worked the puzzle, I was reminded of a show I watched many years ago – Little House on the Prairie.  Set in the late 1800s, the...

I leave an impression – or at least that is what I hear. My wife tells me, “Don’t ever rob a bank. You’d never get away with it. People remember you.” “Is that a good thing?” I ask. “Why ascribe a value to it?” she replies. “Just leave it at that. You’re memorable.” Her thought was confirmed this morning at church.   In the middle of the service I turned to exchange the peace with...

This week while cleaning our garage I found an old watering basin from Juan Pablo’s cage and was immediately reminded of a blog posted quite a few years back. Perfect timing, if you ask me: ———————————————————— It seems as if Juan Pablo the Chameleon is Movin’ on Up....

Do you know any odd birds? Individuals in your life who you love, despite the fact that some of their behaviors can be unique and very challenging? Or are you like me, the person who at times can relate to being that odd bird? Either way, or both, there are lessons to be learned from this.   Today marks the official close of my summer having spent the last week with family and friends...

This week my boys and I went Wendy’s to get a bite to eat and were treated to a behavioral lesson which unfolded over the course of about a ten-minute period. The restaurant was empty when we got there, but right after we placed our order a busload of teens and chaperones filed in.   “Look at the board and decide which dessert you want before you get to the register.” It sounded like a...

Today I’m feeling thankful for the bucket fillers in my life who motivate me to be a better person.  You know the people I’m talking about.  They’re positive and encouraging.  They live their best lives and help you do the same just by being around them.  My bucket was filled several times this week as I got to spend time reconnecting with colleagues and friends at two different annual...

I’ll admit – I struggled on the Fourth of July. I’m a “matcher”. I like it when things work, when they fit together, when all makes sense in the universe. And for the life of me, right now some things aren’t matching up – specifically, basic concepts I teach kids with the reality of our societal behaviors. Before I go any further, let me clarify – this rant is not directed at...