Appreciation and resilience...
This last bit of reading was really hard for me to comment on. I know that telling you all that we appreicate all the tremendous hard work that you do doesn't get it done. In life it is the actions, not the words, that truly tell the story. I didn't get on here to try to give everyone a venue to tell Vickie or I how fantastic we are. We all have our strengths and our weaknesses. I don't want people to tell me what they think I want to hear and so trying to put something together for the appreciation chapter was very difficult. Because of that I'm pretty much going to try to let the actions of the past several years hopefully speak louder than the words that I can peck out here as I sit at the computer.
I didn't post this on time because I didn't post last week's on time, so I wasn't sure if anyone would try to "knock out" their responses to two of my posts if they were back to back, but then a funny thing happened. Sometimes my procrastination works in ways that are enlightening to even me. Hopefully my procrastination doesn't hurt me in that people think it's over and there won't be any responses to my post.
I'm going to take a chance by trying to address the resilience topic when all the waters aren't totally calm. I love the quote at the begining of that chapter by Martin Luther King, Jr.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
There are going to be times in life, and in this little microcosm that we all live in called the education profession, where things get rough, either directly personally or indirectly as the whole educational profession seems to come under fire. Know that when you persevere through the thick and the thin, an ultimately do what we do - put kids first - that things have a way of working out. The rough patches smooth over. Sometimes decisions are made that are bigger than any one of us, and it may be difficult to see from all perspectives on a single issue. If any of you get the Columbus Dispatch you probably have a good idea of some of what I'm talking about. Right now, education is getting hammered in the press.
See some of the articles from today's paper:
http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/02/13/copy/gop-proposal-means-big-changes-for-teacher-contracts.html?adsec=politics&sid=101
If you really want to get fired up, read some of the posts that people responded to that article:
http://www.topix.net/forum/source/dispatch-politics/T7IM5252KBM97776E
or this article...
http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/02/13/copy/columbus-must-fix-worst-schools-or-lose-millions.html?adsec=politics&sid=101
The point is, education is changing at a very fast pace, and I'm not sure that all of it is being done with a whole lot of careful thought by those who are forcing these issues about the actions and consequences of what they are trying to do to the profession. Our governer has some very interesting ideas about what he would like to do regarding collective bargaining and education as a whole, but my point is, when things get tough we need to band together and be resiliant.
Know that you have the support of your peers to work through the tough times. You are encouraged to take risks that are for the benefit of our students. Be creative. Be responsive to your kids needs. Be engaging. Be enthusiastic. Feed off of the kids energy and they will feed off of yours.
I challenge you in this last post to offer one bit of advice for each other. The last two posts of mine have had a twinge of negativity to them to point out that in the darkness it is always easiest to see the light. Offer up one or two suggestions to your peers to lift them up. These can be cliche' or straight from the heart, elloquently spoken, or straight shootin'
I want to thank you all for perseveing with me through my "timeliness" and for giving me reason after reason to come back to see what the next person said. Talk about lifting each other up, as Ron Clark says. I have once again learned from this blogging experience - in differently ways than what I thougth I might - but the one unchanging piece through all of this is that I get to work with amazing people every day. I know I don't let you know how much I appreciate you nearly as often as I should. Through all of the gunk in our lives together, You are what makes the education field the very best there is.
Thanks for letting me be a part of what you do on a daily basis.
Dave
WOW! I am the first to post on this! I am excited! I know that I work with a wonderful team and it has been said before by most of us, I think. But as I have reflected on the appreciation shown both to me and by me, I should appreciate my team first and foremost! We are able to share our personal ups and downs as well as our professional ones. I went to a meeting the other night and the speaker spoke about having a servant's heart. I felt bad about that because it has been difficult to have 2 members of our team gone for part of this year celebrating motherhood. I wanted to get out there and plan and do and help and just pick up all the pieces and never let Danae or Ashley see me sweat because I wanted to do it so they could feel comfortable with their time. Well, I failed because I complained about it in the process...not my proudest moments! Well, that time is coming to a close and I vow to do better at that part! I have worked hard, but sometimes with the wrong kind of heart!
ReplyDeleteHaving been through a lot of personal pain and issues in the last several years, I simply offer that we all need to take time for ourselves to make sure we are taking care of ourselves. We don't do those around us much good if we aren't at our best and taking care of ourselves. We need to lean on each other to help us along life's way. We are in a very underappreciated profession and we need to lift each other up. Sometimes, just a note or spoken word from someone else, (and it doesn't have to be Dave or Vickie)let's us know that we are appreciated by others. Just like our kids need that, we do too. Danae is good at this with a little note and some token, even a bite sized bar that costs little, or a picture of the beach in the middle of winter, and I appreciate that each time. It makes me laugh and that relieves stress! Sometimes we need to go that extra mile, without complaining about it, and that means the world. So, send those late thank yous to parents! Send the Wildcat Grams to kids, teachers, parents! It's only a piece of paper and a few words, but you never know when they are needed the most! We need to build, not tear down, each other. The world does enough of that for us! I am glad to be a part of our staff, as many have said on other posts, as well. Thanks to all!
One other thing, sorry! When someone is off on leave for some reason, surgery, new babies, loss of a parent or sibling, a simple text, email, or note goes a long way. Nothing like feeling like you are out there all alone! It costs us nothing to make life better for others!
ReplyDeleteWell Patti you are only first again because neither question was here earlier today. Oh, wait, I was supposed to be lifting up... LOL Patti knows I am only teasing!
ReplyDeletePatti brought up something that I try to live and of course often fail at and that is having a servants heart each and every day. It is hard to serve and be humble in a profession that often gets beat down. I think because of that it is so very important to make sure as a staff we are lifting up! Patti you are so right it doesn't cost anything to give someone a little lift or encouragement for the day. There are so many advices or examples I could offer up here but I would like to comment on two things this school year that have really been an encouragement to me and terrific examples of lifting up! The first is the way the staff pulled together to rally for Barb K. and all she has been going through. I could only hope to be as strong as she has been through everything she has been handed to deal with. The staff coming together and making sure Barb had great trips to see DMB, the tshirts and pictures, and raising money for cancer. If this isn't a great testimony to lifting up then I don't know what is. I also again witnessed this at school during Christmas when we decided to support a wonderful school volunteer and her family. The staff pulled together and went way beyond for someone else. It is the little things you can do for others and doing them not to get recognition but because you know the receiver needs them. Being a lifter is not something that comes naturally for most of us- it is something you have to work at. I have learned time and time again that when I work at being the lifter I always in turn get lifted myself!
Just as despair can come to one only from other human beings, hope, too, can be given to one only by other human beings.
ReplyDeleteElie Weisel
We should always pray for help, but we should always listen for inspiration and impression to proceed in ways different from those we may have thought of.
ReplyDeleteJohn H. Groberg
I have always held on to the thought that not matter what I face in my own life...someone else has been through worse things and if they can make it through, then I will, too. I lean on pray and my faith to get me through tough things. I agree with Patti, a little note or kind word really does make the difference for people. Smile and hang in there...it always works out the way it is suppose to in the end. Have faith to get you through. Have a good day everyone.
ReplyDeleteThose comments always get me extremely fired up. I get angry and want to post rebuttals and knock down the bad parents that hurt their children that I see every day at school and try to make their lives happy if even for a moment. Then I remember, while most of those people sit at home all day solving the world’s problems over coffee and soap operas, I’m out actually making a difference. It doesn’t matter what is posted on a blog. What matters at the end of each day and the end of my time is that I put a smile on a normally frowning kids face. I helped a child feel like he or she was worth something.
ReplyDeleteI hate to get too negative but to change up an old quote…
Those who can, Teach. Those who can’t, sit at home and blog about how terrible everyone else is!
Since I started working at North Union, one thing that I have found is that I often feel "lifted up" by the staff members in this building. I don't have educators in my family, so sometimes when I am feeling defeated, it is hard to know who to turn to in order to feel lifted up! Most of the people in my life don't understand. They just think that we all have an easy job because we get summers off! When I share frustrations of feelings of defeat with other staff members, it seems like I almost always leave the conversation feeling much better about myself and my teaching ability. The 4th grade team is very encouraging and uplifting as is the special education team! I love working with both of these groups of people so much! We all make a difference in the lives of children each and every day, and to me, that means we all have a servant's heart in some way. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Patti about taking care of ourselves, and about sending notes home to parents and students. I know I get very excited to receive little notes from people, it can be very empowering! Also, I love Danae's examples of uplifting things that the staff has done this year! It gives me chills just thinking about what great staff members I have the pleasure of working with!
ReplyDeleteI liked that Ron Clark gave the example of a time when he gave so much of himself to his teaching, he burned himself out and realized he needed to take some time for himself to re-energize. I thought of that when I was reading Patti's post and I totally agree. If we are worn out and frazzled, we can't do our best or give our best to our students or to our families. I also loved Danae's examples of times we have lifted up people this year. There are so many ways we can lift up each other every day: a smile, a good morning greeting, a compliment, a pat on the back. Most things that mean the most don't cost anything and can make a person's day.
ReplyDeleteI am blown away every time someone in our NU family needs help. Our staff has gone over and beyond in so many different situations. Like Belinda mentioned, I try to remind myself that no matter what it is I am stressed over, someone...somewhere is dealing with something else way beyond what I have ever experienced. I have also tried to remember that if God brings me to it, He will help bring me through it. Having this mentality has made me a much more laid back and relaxed person. (I wasn't this way my first year of teaching at my other school. HAHA!). This mentality had to be learned and luckily I have had some wonderful teacher friends that have helped me realize this!
ReplyDeleteI often find myself making sure things in my life are perfect, and when things don't turn our so perfect I often let it ruin my day. I love this particular quote written in The Excellent 11:
ReplyDeleteThe most wasted of all days is one without laughter. - E.E. Cummings
I agree, Jen! We have to make sure we find time to laugh. We need it!! :)
ReplyDeleteI know that for myself knowing that nothing is as bad as it seems, and like Belinda said someone else has had it much worse. I just remind myself of the good, and it always outweighs the bad. I love seeing all the staff members work together to uplift each other is amazing. This group here at NU does a great job of lifting each other up, and this is what makes it all worth it. I love putting a smile on a student’s face or a friend’s face; it makes it all worth the while. I agree as well that just giving a little note of thanks or saying hey nice job, goes along way.
ReplyDeleteI can't agree with you all enough. When someone is hitting a rough patch- this staff comes together to help you out! I agree with Danae- coming together as a school and helping out those who take care of us is so inspiring. The smiles that I see in the hallways each day make me feel so at home in this school.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that we should all remember when times get tough, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Here in this school, there is so much support and shoulders to cry on, it makes life easier to know that you are surrounded by a great staff!
What a post for me to answer to! Talk about benig lifted up by this terrific staff! WowW is about all I can say. This staff has done more to to lift me up not just by words but actions too. No words that I can say can explain what an emotional high I was brought to by the thoughtfulness of this staff. I really attribute the fact that my tumors were reduced by an amazing 50% to all the positives vibes sent to me by this staff. All I can say is a happy rearful thank you to all. What's terrific about this staff is that stick together and are always ready to support you in any way they can. I know there are times I just need to vent about a student, parent, another teacher, and uh oh an administrator, but I always know there is someone who will listen to me vent, offer some suggestions or sympathy and then just let it go back into oblivion where it needs to go. No one else needs to know or get their feelings hurt, and my vent is over and closed for the duration.
ReplyDeleteAgain my thanks to the most tefrrific peers anyone could ask for! You all knew how to make a girl feel special in a time most needed! Sorry about any typos the chemo wrecks havoc with my eyes.
I so agree with Jen and Ron Clark about laughter. There have even been studies about how humor can help with illnesses. Even though it is very important to be thoughtful, encourage, and commend each other for a job well done I think we can help each other the most by having an upbeat attitude and staying very positive. If one person in our group is down or discouraged we can work to help lift them up as Ron Clark says. I know that it is so easy to empathize and that is okay, but we can’t let it drag us down we have to work to get that person or persons back up. We can do this by dwelling on the positives and adding some humor.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the negative things about education on blogs like this one it is like a foreign language to me. I don’t see the negative things they talk about, instead I see hard working caring educators.
I agree with everyone about laughter. Anytime I have had a bad day, there at least one person who helps to put a smile on my face. I am so thankful to work with such great people!
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ReplyDeleteAfter reading these posts, it is clear that we like, appreciate and respect each other. So my advice to my colleagues is to relax and be confident in what you do. We know we are all doing the absolute best we can. When we have confidence in each other our entire team will achieve excellence.
ReplyDeleteWhen the middle school living skills program was cut I considered retiring. The thought of teaching elementary after 29 years with 7th and 8th graders and 1 year at high school was scary. Also, I didn't relish going back to intervention. I can honestly say I am happy I stayed. Otherwise, I would never have gotten to know this amazing NUEL staff. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. We had been told for years that the dissension in the district was at the elementary and I believed the staff here didn't get along. WRONG!!! (By the way Dave I looked up the spelling of the word dissension because it didn't look right. LOL!!! Remember our conversation about that?)
ReplyDeleteAs far as advice, like I said before I used to send home 5 Wildcat Grams a week. I found my attitude improved with this because I was focusing on the positive things and the "good kids" instead of devoting time to the kids that were causing trouble.
ReplyDelete(By the way, I did get my thank you's sent home to the parents that helped with the party.)
Some day I'm gonna write a book too. I've got the notes for it covering my refrigerator now. Teaching is definitely a profession where you can receive as much as you give, but you have to open yourself up to it. Sometimes it works wonderfully & sometimes you get the tar beat out of you. It is so nice when you have a colleague down the hall who will listen & support you through good & bad. I guess my advice is that when things get bad, focus on what's going right. Years ago, I had a student who would hit anything or anyone who moved. It was so depressing! But then I realized that I had 26 other kids who were doing the right things & I could perservere through this one's acting out. So, I agree with Ron Clark about the importance of focus.
ReplyDeleteMy advice-- Stay positive and focused! Keep working hard, laugh with your students and colleagues, focus on what's going well,and have fun. My favorite quote- If you want the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain... Things will get better, so in the mean time, don't stress yourself out!
ReplyDeleteSo I am responding extremely late to Dave’s post, so clearly Dave, no complaints from me that you weren’t on time! In the church bulletin today, our “Thought for the Day” was: The best exercise for the heart is to bend down several times a day to help someone else. Our team is great at this, and it makes a difference. We have sat together to grade papers, yes-each others, made copies for each other, listened when it was needed, gave advice when it was asked for, and so much more. Helping others makes a big difference. We are all in this amazing, yet challenging task, of educating young minds together.
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