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!

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!

I know that most of my committed followers are most likely asleep, but I know for sure that there’s one who is wide-eyed and waiting for the next post. I have affectionately named her my “Blog Stalker.” My “Blog Stalker” is my personal cheerleader. When I say “go” she has already “gone.” Sometimes, she tells me things that I don’t want to hear. Sometimes, I tell her things that she doesn’t want to hear. When the words have ceased, we give each other a half smile and say, “You’re Right!” We are both Aries, which make us a dueling pair! This blog isn’t specifically about her, but her ghost is lurking around. This blog is specifically written about our school’s secretary and instructional aide; let’s call them Ms. L and Ms. J. I am telling “their” story because they deserve “orange frogs!”

The quote, “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!” was coined by John C. Maxwell. The complete quote includes, “You Need a Team to make the Dream Work!” I know that teamwork happens every day in education, there is absolutely no way that we could survive without it. I also know that we sometimes forget to give “orange frogs” to those who make the dream work.

Today was an awesome day at McCord School! Yes, I am using our school’s name. I am wearing my “role model hat” because I have consistently said to my teachers, “Tell your Own Story!” Back to the blog at hand; that’s a blog for a different day!  Today was an awesome day because we had a special event planned for our kids. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as we had planned. As I made my morning rounds, shared comments indicated that I was not the only disappointed person in the school! A whimsical comment shared by a teacher got my wheels turning; PLAN B was hatched. As Maxwell proclaimed, “You Need a Team to Make the Dream Work!” Well, Ms. L and Ms. J Made  the Dream Work! In less than an hour we had a school-wide activity planned! In 2 hours, we had games, prizes, and balloons! After lunch, our kids were playing hockey in the corridors! I saw a few teachers swinging hockey sticks. I got in on the fun too! It was a great afternoon; our kids were happy!

Hooves Up to Ms. L and Ms. J! Thanks for Making the Dream Work!

My Bouquet of Flowers

I like flowers, all kinds. I like flowers because they come in vibrant colors and add pop to any decor. I like to arrange them so that they look perfect, balanced, and complimentary. Each spring, I line the path of my walkway with an array of deep purple petunias. I accent two large Grecian urns perched at the entrance to my home with a brilliant hue of purple flowers. Some flowers are lavender, some are violet, and some have a tinge of pink. I add greenery that hangs beyond the lips of the urns and spikes in the middle, to add height. I care for my planters daily, ensuring that they are watered and removing frail foliage. When the newly planted flowers are comfortable in their soil beds, I give them a sampling of phosphorous and potassium to ensure that their soil beds are nourishing to maximize blooming. On extremely hot days, I often move the planters to avoid beams from the west sun. As I enter my driveway, I catch a glimpse of the urns.   I smile, they accent my home perfectly.

I have a stunning bouquet of flowers at school. My kids, teachers, and staff form a radiant bouquet of happiness and success; they accent our school perfectly!

My kids are typical kids; they love to talk and play. They are unique individuals filled with wonder and curiosity.  Their blunt comments fill our hearts with laughter.  I still hear the jubilant voice of an animated kindergartner who exclaimed, “You’re old!” while his teacher read a story about a dying tree.     My kids have distinct ways of letting us know that we are special too! Their pre-adolescent drawings, sentimental writings, and personal stories indicate that we have positively impacted their lives.  There’s nothing like receiving a note proclaiming, “You’re the Best!” written in a child’s handwriting. Whether you are a “green or red apple,” you are sure to smile!  

My teachers are confident, talented, risk-takers. They have different personalities; some of them sing for no reason at all, some of them make silly jokes, and some of them tell stories of the past while encouraging others to embrace the future. They have varying levels of experience and different skillsets, but they share the love of teaching!  They are “doers!”  They embrace change as the means to moving our kids forward! They are “explorers!”  They are expanding their skillsets so that our kids are receiving enriching instruction.

My staff is efficient, thorough, and awesome. They set the tone for the day and close the day with a smile! They are “polishers”; they make everything shine!  They are the delicate “baby’s breath” that accents our assortment of vibrant flowers.  They ensure that our bouquet is ready for display.  They distinguish us from the $19.99 bouquet and ensure that we are the $219.99 arrangement of orange roses, chrysanthemums, gerberas, lilies, and baby’s breath!

My school is my Grecian urn away from home! I am responsible for providing the guidance and support that will make my flowers blossom.  It is a tedious job, but I got IT!

Words Speak Volumes

We’ve all heard the cliché “words speak volumes.” I’d like to extend the cliché a few notches by adding “they can inflate or deflate, choose your words wisely.” There are trillions of words floating around in the limitless universe. The impact of a few words differs depending on how they are linked together and the tone by which they are presented. Words, spoken or written, can deliver powerful punches! They can make a person feel like an overblown balloon or a flat tire! Picture the kid who receives a “B” on a math test after studying every day for 2-weeks and the teacher says, “If you had studied a little harder, you could have gotten an A.”  Imagine the teacher who has spent endless hours planning engaging lessons and is hearing, “the mark hasn’t been met.” Envision the supportive colleague who has listened to “whoa” and provided guidance suddenly being confronted with, “nobody likes you.” Digest receiving constructive criticism and hearing the conversation close with, “I don’t think you can do that.”  

In our bustling world of “move forward”, “meet the mark”, “surpass the mark”, and “don’t be last”, it is sometimes forgotten that words can deliver “knockout punches.” If the goal is to “move forward”, “meet the mark”, “surpass the mark”, and “don’t be last”, words must be chosen meticulously. It is an arduous task to find the perfect words that convey, “I know you are committed.”;  “I know that you have worked hard.”;  “I value what you have done.”; and “I know that you’ve been a supportive colleague.”when there is a “BUT” that follows. When there are difficult conversations that must be communicated, before sharing, stand in the other person’s shoes. There are very few people who would proudly wear a heavy weight belt that says “Unmotivated”, “Loser”, “Unlikeable”, or “Who Cares.”  Recognizing commitment and dedication softens the impact of a heavy blow and leaves the other person standing.

In the previous weeks, I’ve delivered a few upper cuts but no knockout punches.  When speaking to my team, I’ve chosen my words carefully because I know that they are committed.  I know that they have worked hard.  I know that they want our kids to be SUCCESSFUL! I’ve contemplated numerous hours; it is time for us to move in a different direction. Knowing my awesome team, I am confident that they will embrace the challenge, and be SUCCESSFUL.

My team and I are in the Heavy Weight Championship of Education! There’s a Blue Ribbon calling OUR NAME!

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