Kids Are the REASON!

During the previous school year, our district introduced a web-based professional development program whose underlining objective was to encourage us, the educators and leaders of the district, to better understand our students by better understanding ourselves. The PD refreshed many ideas that seasoned educators knew and had possibly placed on a back burner. Numerous lessons focused on building relationships with kids and finding balance in our lives. Through interactive lessons, we were reminded to refresh our personal batteries in order to bring our “best selves” to school. The PD referred to this refreshing process as “finding your sunshine.” As the school year progressed, “I’m going to find my sunshine!” became the spoken mantra among my teachers. While I was not actively seeking my sunshine during the school year, I am certainly an explorer now! As part of my exploration, I have committed myself to a daily fast-paced walk through my subdivision. My route encompasses 4 miles and allows me to do some detective work. I find detective work to be an accurate description of my keen observation of details. I am not a snooper; everything is in clear view! One might refer to me as “Sharon Sherlock.”

On this morning, my eyes focused on our community park. The park is well maintained and provides an engaging play area for children. The activity center features swings, covered sliding boards, and a climbing wall. The manicured grass and an assortment of bountiful flowers accentuate the area. There’s even a newly installed picnic table. As my roaming eyes continued to scan the area, I realized what was missing! The bench that had provided a beeline view of the activity center was gone! I stood there a little puzzled, wondering why the bench had been removed. I knew that I hadn’t visited the park in maybe 3 years, but I loved that bench! I had sat on the bench while my son, nieces, and nephews had swung, climbed, and taunted each other! From my family alone, there were 2 generations of little ones who had enjoyed our community park. Now the park had changed, the bench was gone! I wondered if I had missed an important Association Meeting to discuss removal of the park bench! After all, I have a voice and the residents of my subdivision have spent numerous hours discussing seasonal decorations! At that moment, I couldn’t comprehend why anyone would remove the park bench and replaced it with a cold steel picnic table!

While walking, I continued to think about the removal of the park bench. When I passed the park on the return route, I stopped and paused. With a clearer mind I considered some possible reasons for removing the park bench. Had the park bench served its time and simply needed replacing? Was purchasing a steel picnic table more feasible than purchasing a park bench? The population of my subdivision had substantially grown, with the population increase, were there more preteens and teens who visited the park? Had the park bench become a gathering place? Were the surrounding residents being disturbed? Lastly, did I even have a voice regarding the removal of the park bench? The park is maintained by our local park district. As I looked at the new steel picnic table, I realized that it provided a beeline view of the activity center. I saw that the picnic table was sturdy and securely installed. I also noticed that it had been installed in area that was very visible to the public. In summary, replacing the park bench with a picnic table may be the better alternative!

In the field of education, mandates, policies, curriculum, and instructional practices are always changing. Some changes are initiated at the state level, some at the district level, and some at the building level. In some cases, we have a voice and a choice; in others we have neither. We are faced with directives and requests that cause us to pause, regroup, and move forward. As educators, we must adapt to meet the needs of the children we have been entrusted to educate. The expectations are great, but we are Winners because we are Educators!

Oh No…Not My 10Se!

Here’s the disclaimer: ” I am not a loon, but I do find teachable moments in the oddest of circumstances!” Today’s blog is inspired by a personal mishap that could have turned into a major pitfall if I hadn’t weighted my options before reacting. The incident isn’t fatal.  As is with most unplanned occurrences, first impacts may appear devastating.

As the title indicates, I have a new cellphone. Mind you, I am not a cellphone stalker waiting for the latest trending cellphone to hit the market. In fact, this is the first time that I have purchased a cellphone that is currently featured in a major marketing campaign. I typically keep my cellphones until they retire themselves! Such is the case that caused my recent purchase. While visiting the store of my cellphone service provider, I was amazed with the upgrades to these handheld minicomputers. I was equally flabbergasted by their prices! As timing would have it, my provider was marketing a BOGO deal. I left with 2 cellphones, 1 wireless charging dock, 1 black phone case, 1 glittery phone case, and 2 screen protectors. I was pleased with my purchase and received several compliments stemming from the upgrade.

Now, let’s fast forward, 3 weeks after the purchase. I was driving with my cellphone lying in my lap. Unexpectedly, my S10e, in its glittery case, slid off my lap and landed between the driver’s seat and console. The minicomputer was retrieved; all functions worked as expected. My rapid heart palpitations started the next evening at exactly 5:50 p.m.  I noticed 2 major fault lines on the screen of my prized acquisition! Of course, I did the usual. I held the phone to the light and imagined that I was seeing a glare. Next, I wiped the screen with the softest cloth and slowly ran my finger over the fault lines. Reality quickly settled, the unmentionable had happened, my S10e had suffered a severe injury! My reaction was to quickly solve the problem. I searched the internet to find someone qualified to perform surgery on my S10e! I was dismayed when my first called ended with, “Sorry, we are not fixing that phone yet!”  I continued to hound the internet until I found a cellphone repair guru who promised to replace the screen for $199.00.  At 10:00 a.m. the following morning, I was at the guru’s shop. I had digested that I would have to forgo a couple pairs of new sandals in lieu of repairing my cellphone. I was so thrilled to find someone who could repair my S10e that seeing a sign that read, ” Cash Only! Sorry, our internet is down.”, didn’t faze me. I handed my cellphone over to the only person who could perform the delicate surgery. I quickly described the incident that caused the fatal injury and asked if the screen could be replaced. After a few sighs and grunts, the cellphone surgeon said, “You don’t need a screen. You need a new screen protector.” I asked him to remove the screen protector. He was correct! My cellphone screen was in perfect condition! I was thrilled! My first response was, “Thank you!” My second response was, “This is a good day!” He smiled and recommended that I purchase a new screen protector.

So, here’s the epiphany! Sometimes as educators, we think and feel that things are downhill. We lean more towards the negative than the positive, and we spend too much time contemplating things beyond our control. Then suddenly a strong gust of wind propels us to the top of the mountain. While standing on the mountain’s peak, we proclaim, “Today is a Great Day!” As educators, we must build relationships with our kids, celebrate our successes, and always give 100 % of ourselves.

With the opportunity to impact the lives of children; Every Day is a Great Day!

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