One year later, and I'm finally satisfying that writing itch that has bugging me for months. I didn't even realize until I looked back on my last entry today -- it has been ONE YEAR since my last blog.
While I could ponder why I disappeared from something that I looked forward to so readily my first two years in this career, the answer is easy: I have been BUSY!
My endeavor at Maureen Joy Charter School turned my career around in the most incredible way. I finally learned what it meant to work smart and not just hard. So where have I been the last year? Learning, observing, conferencing, putting good practice techniques into practice. I have been taking in as much as I can and I am finally in place where I am ready to share, outwardly reflect, and generate my own ideas about the craft and passion that has taken over my life.
This return entry is inspired by my current group of inspiring scholars. I have to admit, I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about my new group this year. It wasn't anything personal, but my class last year simply took my breath away. They inspired me daily with their support of one another and their incorruptible enthusiasm for learning. You could say I half-expected to have had the class of a lifetime and unsure anything could match.
Thank goodness this year's crop deterred those fears and kept the reality of dream-teaching alive and strong. My scholars this year have a totally different personality than my kids from last year or my kids from St. Louis before that, and this is what makes teaching amazing. Every year is different, every scholar is different, but the idea of hope connects them all.
Every Friday, my school dedicates one hour of our day to what we call Community Time. It's a time we have committed to character development and community outreach. Last year we focused primarily and particular character traits and classroom development. This year, I want to push the bar higher.
Our school has developed this year's focus around six Characteristics of a JOY Scholar: self-control, curiosity, consideration, bravery, optimism, and (my favorite) GRIT. Each week, we can focus on one of these traits, focus on a specific habit or challenge within those umbrellas, or really take it where we want. Blame the hopeless romantic and English major within me, but I like the open-ended style.
This Friday, I wanted my scholars to dig deep within themselves and be vulnerable. I wanted them to really open up to one another and dip their toes into the scary place of reaching out for their dreams.
I asked my Gamecocks at what age they pictured themselves achieving or being able to achieve success, their ultimate goal.
"18, because that's when you're an adult" they said.
I played the following documentary about a 9-year-old boy named Cain. I asked my scholars to consider what character traits he had to demonstrate and really commit to in order to achieve this dream.
While I could ponder why I disappeared from something that I looked forward to so readily my first two years in this career, the answer is easy: I have been BUSY!
My endeavor at Maureen Joy Charter School turned my career around in the most incredible way. I finally learned what it meant to work smart and not just hard. So where have I been the last year? Learning, observing, conferencing, putting good practice techniques into practice. I have been taking in as much as I can and I am finally in place where I am ready to share, outwardly reflect, and generate my own ideas about the craft and passion that has taken over my life.
This return entry is inspired by my current group of inspiring scholars. I have to admit, I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about my new group this year. It wasn't anything personal, but my class last year simply took my breath away. They inspired me daily with their support of one another and their incorruptible enthusiasm for learning. You could say I half-expected to have had the class of a lifetime and unsure anything could match.
Thank goodness this year's crop deterred those fears and kept the reality of dream-teaching alive and strong. My scholars this year have a totally different personality than my kids from last year or my kids from St. Louis before that, and this is what makes teaching amazing. Every year is different, every scholar is different, but the idea of hope connects them all.
Every Friday, my school dedicates one hour of our day to what we call Community Time. It's a time we have committed to character development and community outreach. Last year we focused primarily and particular character traits and classroom development. This year, I want to push the bar higher.
Our school has developed this year's focus around six Characteristics of a JOY Scholar: self-control, curiosity, consideration, bravery, optimism, and (my favorite) GRIT. Each week, we can focus on one of these traits, focus on a specific habit or challenge within those umbrellas, or really take it where we want. Blame the hopeless romantic and English major within me, but I like the open-ended style.
This Friday, I wanted my scholars to dig deep within themselves and be vulnerable. I wanted them to really open up to one another and dip their toes into the scary place of reaching out for their dreams.
I asked my Gamecocks at what age they pictured themselves achieving or being able to achieve success, their ultimate goal.
"18, because that's when you're an adult" they said.
I played the following documentary about a 9-year-old boy named Cain. I asked my scholars to consider what character traits he had to demonstrate and really commit to in order to achieve this dream.
My message for the next 20 minutes was simple: You don't have to wait to achieve your dreams. Success does not start at 18. Every moment, every choice, every step counts.
For the next few minutes my scholars were to write down their ultimate idea of success for them. What was their arcade?
We got into a circle, and one by one shared our dream. Before starting, we went over our Community Time Norms to remind us to be honest, be a listener, keep secrets safe, and care.
I heart the most amazing, specific dreams. These future leaders were not spouting "uh, a doctor or a lawyer or a teacher or a ... something" like many of us did at their age. They KNEW what they wanted and WHY.
Here are some of their future careers:
- music teacher
- astronomer
- storm chaser
- build the first successful model for the first flying car and develop a sport with them
- 3rd grade teacher
- fashion designer
- toy store owner
- restaurant owner
- design clothes for underprivileged kids
- optomologist
- professional singer
Looking at this list, it might look "cute" or "sweet", but you haven't met these scholars. Almost 100% of them could explain to me why this was a passion for them or have done something to work towards this goal.
My future singer participates in choir. We are working on getting her a solo for a school concert.
The future astronomer spends his free time checking out books about different space explorers, missions, and all things galactic. "What's my favorite apollo mission? Hmmm, I'd have to say 13, I think, because ...." was the start of our recess conversation that afternoon.
I may be gushing, but that morning rocked my world as much if not more than it did theirs. I spent my Friday night trying to come up with at least 1-2 things I could do for each of them this year to work them toward learning about their goals or putting them to practice.
That said, If anyone reading this knows any fashion designers, professional or collegiate sports players, scientists, engineers, doctors, business owners .... we would LOVE your help! College gear, contacts, videos - every little bit helps!
My goal is for each scholar to research, interview, or write a letter with at least one person with the career or in the field of their dreams. It's time for them to realize they can start now, and school is not a means to an end by the journey itself.
For the next few minutes my scholars were to write down their ultimate idea of success for them. What was their arcade?
We got into a circle, and one by one shared our dream. Before starting, we went over our Community Time Norms to remind us to be honest, be a listener, keep secrets safe, and care.
I heart the most amazing, specific dreams. These future leaders were not spouting "uh, a doctor or a lawyer or a teacher or a ... something" like many of us did at their age. They KNEW what they wanted and WHY.
Here are some of their future careers:
- music teacher
- astronomer
- storm chaser
- build the first successful model for the first flying car and develop a sport with them
- 3rd grade teacher
- fashion designer
- toy store owner
- restaurant owner
- design clothes for underprivileged kids
- optomologist
- professional singer
Looking at this list, it might look "cute" or "sweet", but you haven't met these scholars. Almost 100% of them could explain to me why this was a passion for them or have done something to work towards this goal.
My future singer participates in choir. We are working on getting her a solo for a school concert.
The future astronomer spends his free time checking out books about different space explorers, missions, and all things galactic. "What's my favorite apollo mission? Hmmm, I'd have to say 13, I think, because ...." was the start of our recess conversation that afternoon.
I may be gushing, but that morning rocked my world as much if not more than it did theirs. I spent my Friday night trying to come up with at least 1-2 things I could do for each of them this year to work them toward learning about their goals or putting them to practice.
That said, If anyone reading this knows any fashion designers, professional or collegiate sports players, scientists, engineers, doctors, business owners .... we would LOVE your help! College gear, contacts, videos - every little bit helps!
My goal is for each scholar to research, interview, or write a letter with at least one person with the career or in the field of their dreams. It's time for them to realize they can start now, and school is not a means to an end by the journey itself.
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