This school year, Horizon Enterprises will donate the entire "Strategies of Success" leadership/success curriculum with mentoring to one high school.
Included are the following:
*Teacher Edition
*Student Journal book with copy ready pages
*Student Journal Book on CD ready for the teacher to personalize the handouts to the class. Also includes additional resources
*One year mentoring by email
*Three hours mentoring by phone
* A teleconference with entire school staff if desired to help set optimistic tone for the school year and to pre-frame how this course will impact the whole school in a positive manner.
If you'd like to enter the contest for the chance to have this award winning program in your school, enter here. Drawing will be held December 27, 2007.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Secrets of Success for Teachers: What's happening to common sense?
What’s happening to common sense in education?
I had a conversation this week with Sean, the man who visits my house quarterly to spray for carpenter ants. We always talk about education because he knows I was a teacher and he is an involved parent.
He told me about a playground at his son’s school that cost $30,000 to build a few years ago that was recently bulldozed over. Why? Because someone had gotten a splinter. And now they need to raise money to build a new one at a cost of $60,000. Huh? Couldn’t there have been a less expensive solution? He and the other fathers offered to give up their weekends to sand the wooden parts of the playground and cover it with a plastic coating so that no child would get a splinter. They were told they couldn’t because it conflicted with the custodian’s union. The custodians couldn’t do that work because they didn’t have the time. So instead, they knocked the playground down.
He also talked about this great program they had each morning where all the students in the school (an elementary school) gathered together in the morning to discuss the issues of the day for twenty minutes. Then they went off and began their day. Students absorbed all sorts of information in this less traditional part of the day, as he said “the knowledge sneaked.” The principal just cancelled the morning meeting because it was taking away from the regular curriculum. The kids are devastated because they really enjoyed the morning meeting. Parents protested, students wrote letters but the principal decreed that she was the boss of the school and she made a decision she didn’t want to change. Again I ask, “Huh?” I understand the pressures on education but please, let’s use some common sense and see that if something is working, keep it!!
When is common sense coming back to education? Our politically correct, litigious society is taking more and more away from the education of our students. School districts are taking body mass indices (is that really their business?) while taking exercise away from the kids at recess because they don’t want anyone hurt. My school went from physical education every other day to PE just one semester a year. Only need physical activity for half a year? Where’s the common sense???
I’ll admit, coming from the world of business as well as education, I find this extra frustrating. In business, if we need something, we get it. In my school, if there was no paper in the classroom, we had to requisition it through the department chair. Not sure how that helps the class that’s about to happen. Life happens and even though you might have had paper there that morning, it might be gone due to whatever other class met in that room besides you. I always created a good relationship with the custodial staff and they never hesitated to help me out if I needed it. Common sense.
I don’t have an answer here for this lack of common sense. I do know that we as educators have to overcome a great lack of it around us. All I can say is that I understand
I had a conversation this week with Sean, the man who visits my house quarterly to spray for carpenter ants. We always talk about education because he knows I was a teacher and he is an involved parent.
He told me about a playground at his son’s school that cost $30,000 to build a few years ago that was recently bulldozed over. Why? Because someone had gotten a splinter. And now they need to raise money to build a new one at a cost of $60,000. Huh? Couldn’t there have been a less expensive solution? He and the other fathers offered to give up their weekends to sand the wooden parts of the playground and cover it with a plastic coating so that no child would get a splinter. They were told they couldn’t because it conflicted with the custodian’s union. The custodians couldn’t do that work because they didn’t have the time. So instead, they knocked the playground down.
He also talked about this great program they had each morning where all the students in the school (an elementary school) gathered together in the morning to discuss the issues of the day for twenty minutes. Then they went off and began their day. Students absorbed all sorts of information in this less traditional part of the day, as he said “the knowledge sneaked.” The principal just cancelled the morning meeting because it was taking away from the regular curriculum. The kids are devastated because they really enjoyed the morning meeting. Parents protested, students wrote letters but the principal decreed that she was the boss of the school and she made a decision she didn’t want to change. Again I ask, “Huh?” I understand the pressures on education but please, let’s use some common sense and see that if something is working, keep it!!
When is common sense coming back to education? Our politically correct, litigious society is taking more and more away from the education of our students. School districts are taking body mass indices (is that really their business?) while taking exercise away from the kids at recess because they don’t want anyone hurt. My school went from physical education every other day to PE just one semester a year. Only need physical activity for half a year? Where’s the common sense???
I’ll admit, coming from the world of business as well as education, I find this extra frustrating. In business, if we need something, we get it. In my school, if there was no paper in the classroom, we had to requisition it through the department chair. Not sure how that helps the class that’s about to happen. Life happens and even though you might have had paper there that morning, it might be gone due to whatever other class met in that room besides you. I always created a good relationship with the custodial staff and they never hesitated to help me out if I needed it. Common sense.
I don’t have an answer here for this lack of common sense. I do know that we as educators have to overcome a great lack of it around us. All I can say is that I understand
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Secrets of Success for Teachers: Should teachers entertain?
"Good teaching is one fourth preparation and three fourths theatre." Gail Godwin
Hello fellow educators!
Should we as teachers entertain our students?
After all, it's not what we hired to do and we certainly didn't receive any training for it.
But in this day and age, this media driven, celebrity obsessed, entertainment age- it's certainly something to think about. Why?
Because our students' attentions spans (as well as our own) have shrunken precipitously. Because as one of my education mentors revealed, many students in our classes are experiencing media (TV, iPod, internet) withdrawal while inour classrooms. Because even presidential candidates know that we are more reachable (as Americans) through our entertainment venues (Fred Thompson on the "Tonight Show") than in a more traditional, serious manner.
I come from an entertainment background having spent years as an actress in a professional children's theatre company. I was able to incorporate the techniques I used to hold the my audience (my students') attention, first in my math classroom and even more in the'Strategies for Success" classroom. The moreI used entertainment strategies, the more connected,engaged and focused my students were.
Not all teachers, of course, have my background.We all bring unique talents to the table. But we may want to incorporate some aspects of'entertainment into our every day lessons. I've shared a variety of the strategies I've used that have been so successful in my classes with my audiences at the national education conferences I've been honored to speak at and will do so with you over the next several of these newsletters.
Check out one of my favorite tips at: www.strategiesofsuccess.com/entertain.htm
Hello fellow educators!
Should we as teachers entertain our students?
After all, it's not what we hired to do and we certainly didn't receive any training for it.
But in this day and age, this media driven, celebrity obsessed, entertainment age- it's certainly something to think about. Why?
Because our students' attentions spans (as well as our own) have shrunken precipitously. Because as one of my education mentors revealed, many students in our classes are experiencing media (TV, iPod, internet) withdrawal while inour classrooms. Because even presidential candidates know that we are more reachable (as Americans) through our entertainment venues (Fred Thompson on the "Tonight Show") than in a more traditional, serious manner.
I come from an entertainment background having spent years as an actress in a professional children's theatre company. I was able to incorporate the techniques I used to hold the my audience (my students') attention, first in my math classroom and even more in the'Strategies for Success" classroom. The moreI used entertainment strategies, the more connected,engaged and focused my students were.
Not all teachers, of course, have my background.We all bring unique talents to the table. But we may want to incorporate some aspects of'entertainment into our every day lessons. I've shared a variety of the strategies I've used that have been so successful in my classes with my audiences at the national education conferences I've been honored to speak at and will do so with you over the next several of these newsletters.
Check out one of my favorite tips at: www.strategiesofsuccess.com/entertain.htm
Secrets of Success for Teachers: A new school year
"Teaching was the hardest work I had ever done, and it remains the hardest work I hve done to date." Ann Richards
Dear Fellow Educators,
It's the first week of school in the district I used toteach in. Ah, the first week...
For the students there's the uncertainty of what their teachers will be like, whether they will have any friendsin their classes, what this school year hold for them.
Teachers face similar thoughts, wondering what challengesface them with this year's roster of students, uncertainhow they'll implement the inevitable changes that have beenenacted since last school year. What about all the ramifications of technology? Teachers not only have to dealwith new classroom technology but they must also cope withthe problems caused by the latest tech device in the handsof their students. Hard to believe but teens are nowvideotaping teachers without their knowledge and posting those same videos on YouTube!!
Couple that with the early hours, the heavy work load thatonly another teacher can comprehend, getting the vocal chords back in shape (not to mention getting used to standing all day again!) and all the negative PR that'scirculating by unsettled teachercontracts and it's easy to
see why September is often a very stressful time.
This was the time of year when I used one of my favoritestrategies (from my Strategies of Success leadership/success course). Try it yourself and see if it helps make
this a less stressful year.
Take a 3X5 index card and write theten top things that instantly change how you feel (andare good for you.) The top item on my list was to go to the water. Lucky for me, I live near a beautiful bay.
As a teacher, I went there daily - sometimes for 5 minutes, other times for hours with papers to correct.It gave methe mental breathing space that helped balance the incredibly difficult job that teaching has become.
What works for you? A certain song? A band? A bikeride, significant other, a good book? Take a few minutesto make your card. Keep that card handy. Even more
important, take a few minutes just for you.
Have a great school year!
Dear Fellow Educators,
It's the first week of school in the district I used toteach in. Ah, the first week...
For the students there's the uncertainty of what their teachers will be like, whether they will have any friendsin their classes, what this school year hold for them.
Teachers face similar thoughts, wondering what challengesface them with this year's roster of students, uncertainhow they'll implement the inevitable changes that have beenenacted since last school year. What about all the ramifications of technology? Teachers not only have to dealwith new classroom technology but they must also cope withthe problems caused by the latest tech device in the handsof their students. Hard to believe but teens are nowvideotaping teachers without their knowledge and posting those same videos on YouTube!!
Couple that with the early hours, the heavy work load thatonly another teacher can comprehend, getting the vocal chords back in shape (not to mention getting used to standing all day again!) and all the negative PR that'scirculating by unsettled teachercontracts and it's easy to
see why September is often a very stressful time.
This was the time of year when I used one of my favoritestrategies (from my Strategies of Success leadership/success course). Try it yourself and see if it helps make
this a less stressful year.
Take a 3X5 index card and write theten top things that instantly change how you feel (andare good for you.) The top item on my list was to go to the water. Lucky for me, I live near a beautiful bay.
As a teacher, I went there daily - sometimes for 5 minutes, other times for hours with papers to correct.It gave methe mental breathing space that helped balance the incredibly difficult job that teaching has become.
What works for you? A certain song? A band? A bikeride, significant other, a good book? Take a few minutesto make your card. Keep that card handy. Even more
important, take a few minutes just for you.
Have a great school year!
Friday, July 13, 2007
Top 10 Things that are too easy to forget
Quote of the day:
“Most of us end up with no more than five or six people who remember us. Teachers have thousands of people who remember them for the rest of their lives.” Andy Rooney
If we could only remember, and act upon, all the things that we know, then how wise, successful and happy we would be. Some things are entirely obvious... yet we still forget them in the heat of the moment. Here are a few reminders:
1. The other person has a point of view, and so do you.
You are both entitled, and you may both have good reason to believe as you do.
2. Your internal horror at any embarrassing situation is far more memorable to you than your plight is to others.
Most of the time, they hardly notice it, let alone remember it, so relax.
3. The fact that someone else says that you have to do something does not mean that you have to do it, provided you are prepared to accept the alternatives.
The word NO, with its many more tactful variants, can be extremely freeing.
4. Yes you DO have a choice!
Again, if you think you do not, it probably means you are not willing to accept the alternatives. Try asking yourself what those alternatives are. See how many you can think of.
5. The behavior is not the person.
We can dislike the behavior without needing to dislike the person. This is crucial for parents to remember and to verbalize. It is also useful in other relationships.
6. The time and energy we put into complaining about the problem are probably more than we would need to solve the problem.
So the solution would be...
7. Full eye contact and a smile are the best beginning to most, though not quite all, encounters.
8. When someone else tells you what someone else said, they are actually telling you what they think they heard.
The words have been translated both in their hearing, their speaking, and your hearing. The result may not be what was originally intended, so check with the original source before reacting.
9. Tomorrow IS another day.
10. There is a difference between wanting what YOU think is best for someone, and wanting what THEY want for themselves.
Do not be surprised if they fail to thank you for the former.
About the Submitter
This piece was originally submitted by Diana Robinson, Ph.D., Success Strategies Coach, who can be reached at Diana@ChoiceCoach.com, or visited on the web. Diana Robinson wants you to know: Coaching can help you to find the success strategies that work best for you. For a free half-hour coaching call and/or to request free e-zines, please visit me at www.ChoiceCoach.com. Category: Success, Smart Choices, Wisdom (BD385) Originally Submitted on 7/3/2001.
“Most of us end up with no more than five or six people who remember us. Teachers have thousands of people who remember them for the rest of their lives.” Andy Rooney
If we could only remember, and act upon, all the things that we know, then how wise, successful and happy we would be. Some things are entirely obvious... yet we still forget them in the heat of the moment. Here are a few reminders:
1. The other person has a point of view, and so do you.
You are both entitled, and you may both have good reason to believe as you do.
2. Your internal horror at any embarrassing situation is far more memorable to you than your plight is to others.
Most of the time, they hardly notice it, let alone remember it, so relax.
3. The fact that someone else says that you have to do something does not mean that you have to do it, provided you are prepared to accept the alternatives.
The word NO, with its many more tactful variants, can be extremely freeing.
4. Yes you DO have a choice!
Again, if you think you do not, it probably means you are not willing to accept the alternatives. Try asking yourself what those alternatives are. See how many you can think of.
5. The behavior is not the person.
We can dislike the behavior without needing to dislike the person. This is crucial for parents to remember and to verbalize. It is also useful in other relationships.
6. The time and energy we put into complaining about the problem are probably more than we would need to solve the problem.
So the solution would be...
7. Full eye contact and a smile are the best beginning to most, though not quite all, encounters.
8. When someone else tells you what someone else said, they are actually telling you what they think they heard.
The words have been translated both in their hearing, their speaking, and your hearing. The result may not be what was originally intended, so check with the original source before reacting.
9. Tomorrow IS another day.
10. There is a difference between wanting what YOU think is best for someone, and wanting what THEY want for themselves.
Do not be surprised if they fail to thank you for the former.
About the Submitter
This piece was originally submitted by Diana Robinson, Ph.D., Success Strategies Coach, who can be reached at Diana@ChoiceCoach.com, or visited on the web. Diana Robinson wants you to know: Coaching can help you to find the success strategies that work best for you. For a free half-hour coaching call and/or to request free e-zines, please visit me at www.ChoiceCoach.com. Category: Success, Smart Choices, Wisdom (BD385) Originally Submitted on 7/3/2001.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Secrets of Success for Teachers: The Inverse Power of Praise
There's a very interesting article about whether praise is beneficial for kids. Click on the title of this blog to go the full article at New York Magazine.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Secrets of Success for Teachers: Valentine's Day
Dear Fellow Educators,
This is a copy of the daily sheet I gave to my Strategies of Success students on Valentine's Day. I thought I'd share it here should you be interested in using all or part of it with your students.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
“If I could give you one gift, I would give you the ability to see yourself as I see you so that you could see how truly special you are.”
Some thoughts on Valentine’s Day
For those of you that have a special Valentine, be sure to use their best style to show them you care. If they’re visual – make sure you give them something they can see – a gift and a card. If they’re auditory – make sure you tell them how you feel about them. If they’re kinesthetic – make sure you hug them or hold their hand so they’ll feel how you care for them.
For those of you who don’t currently have a special someone, Valentine’s day can seem difficult. Just because you don’t currently have a special Valentine does not mean someone special doesn’t care about you. You might not have found out yet. Maybe they’re too shy to let you know. This might be a good time to imagine what you want that special person to be like. Many people have found the person of their dreams by writing their vision. Maybe you could use this Valentine’s Day to describe in detail all the qualities you’d like and wouldn’t like in the person who will someday share your life. Another thing to consider. It might be better being on your own than being in a bad relationship. Spend the day focusing on who you have in your life rather than who you don’t have.
This might be a good time to remember how strong we really are and how much we appreciate all the people in our lives, not just our sweetheart. Take a minute today to tell the people in your life how much you care about them and how lucky you are that they are in your life. This might include your parents, your brothers and sisters, your grandparents, your friends, maybe even your teachers? How about the people in the military? Maybe it’s a good day to write a letter to soldier. Give it a try…I can promise you it will change your life in ways you can’t even imagine!
And have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
This is a copy of the daily sheet I gave to my Strategies of Success students on Valentine's Day. I thought I'd share it here should you be interested in using all or part of it with your students.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
“If I could give you one gift, I would give you the ability to see yourself as I see you so that you could see how truly special you are.”
Some thoughts on Valentine’s Day
For those of you that have a special Valentine, be sure to use their best style to show them you care. If they’re visual – make sure you give them something they can see – a gift and a card. If they’re auditory – make sure you tell them how you feel about them. If they’re kinesthetic – make sure you hug them or hold their hand so they’ll feel how you care for them.
For those of you who don’t currently have a special someone, Valentine’s day can seem difficult. Just because you don’t currently have a special Valentine does not mean someone special doesn’t care about you. You might not have found out yet. Maybe they’re too shy to let you know. This might be a good time to imagine what you want that special person to be like. Many people have found the person of their dreams by writing their vision. Maybe you could use this Valentine’s Day to describe in detail all the qualities you’d like and wouldn’t like in the person who will someday share your life. Another thing to consider. It might be better being on your own than being in a bad relationship. Spend the day focusing on who you have in your life rather than who you don’t have.
This might be a good time to remember how strong we really are and how much we appreciate all the people in our lives, not just our sweetheart. Take a minute today to tell the people in your life how much you care about them and how lucky you are that they are in your life. This might include your parents, your brothers and sisters, your grandparents, your friends, maybe even your teachers? How about the people in the military? Maybe it’s a good day to write a letter to soldier. Give it a try…I can promise you it will change your life in ways you can’t even imagine!
And have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Secrets of Success for Teachers: Our Effect on Students
I live close to the town that I taught in for 28 years. Because of that proximity, I get to see many former students on a regular basis who are now established in their new lives. While grocery shopping two days ago I ran into two students - one a former math student who is now herself a teacher. She reminded me how much her class admired me and what an influence I had been on here. A wonderful visit.
Then I ran into a young man who had been in my home room and in my Strategies of Success class. I was glad to see him and asked him what he was doing. He said rather sheepishly that he was cutting lawns for a local college. He said he enjoyed it because it allowed him to be outdoors which he loved. I told him that I was happy for him and that not everyone has to go to college. I truly believe that and have always tried to make my students feel that there are many paths ahead of them and that college is only one.
He still felt badly about his choice...I'm not sure why. His girlfriend tried to pump him up so he'd feel better about himself. Did she think that somehow I was not proud of him for creating a life he enjoyed? Quite the contrary.
Is this one of the reasons that teachers create such bad memories for students? Do we make them feel less valuable because we push education and college at everyone? I probably do that less than most because I am a business owner as well as an educator and the very nature of my Strategies course is that we define our own success. Even this former student felt that from me...what is he feeling from everyone else?
I firmly believe we need to honor our students interest and talents even if they're not 'college material' what ever that truly means. Most of them are not educators...and we need them to be what's best for them.
Something to think about...I know I have since I saw him...
Then I ran into a young man who had been in my home room and in my Strategies of Success class. I was glad to see him and asked him what he was doing. He said rather sheepishly that he was cutting lawns for a local college. He said he enjoyed it because it allowed him to be outdoors which he loved. I told him that I was happy for him and that not everyone has to go to college. I truly believe that and have always tried to make my students feel that there are many paths ahead of them and that college is only one.
He still felt badly about his choice...I'm not sure why. His girlfriend tried to pump him up so he'd feel better about himself. Did she think that somehow I was not proud of him for creating a life he enjoyed? Quite the contrary.
Is this one of the reasons that teachers create such bad memories for students? Do we make them feel less valuable because we push education and college at everyone? I probably do that less than most because I am a business owner as well as an educator and the very nature of my Strategies course is that we define our own success. Even this former student felt that from me...what is he feeling from everyone else?
I firmly believe we need to honor our students interest and talents even if they're not 'college material' what ever that truly means. Most of them are not educators...and we need them to be what's best for them.
Something to think about...I know I have since I saw him...
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