Gratitude Is My Attitude!

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday I want you to know how grateful I am for each of YOU! Thanks for swimming in this first year O-CEAN with me and 9 times out of 10 finding SOMETHING to laugh about! That is a great example of having an attitude of gratitude! We can always find something that is wrong...and complain about. (see the reality of that in the picture above) But have you ever thought about how many things are going RIGHT? There are so many. I know they may not always jump out at you...but they are there! The time and effort many of you are putting into forming those relationships with our kids...this act will cause them to work "THAT" much harder for you in the future, because they don't want to disappoint you. (yes, even the stubborn ones...that don't always show it) and for that...I am grateful! The extra time you are putting into planning out stations and small groups...for that...I am grateful! The willingness to tweak your current plans to add technology and more hands-on activities ...for that...I am grateful! Giving up your conference time to meet, plan, and learn new ways we can engage our kids...for that...I am grateful! Reading your emails....for that...well it's a work in progress...but I will definitely be grateful! :) ha-ha! This Thanksgiving break I want you to practice having an attitude of gratitude! Did you know that grateful people are happier and more likely to maintain good friendships! A state of gratitude, according to research by the Institute of HeartMath, also improves the heart's rhythmic functioning, which helps reduce stress and helps you heal physically. Gratitude is simply great medicine for our heart, mind and body. And like anything in life, the more you practice gratitude the more natural it becomes. Gratitude is like muscle. The more you do with it, the stronger it gets. So flex your gratitude muscles by practicing the following 5 ways to give thanks during this Thanksgiving Break! These tips came from my "other" man...Jon Gordon...some really good stuff! These are all things that we can practice right here at RMS...give it a try! BTW...they say it is physically impossible to be BLESSED and STRESSED at the same time...so I'm definitely willing to give it a shot! :) Have a marvelous Monday team!

5 Ways to Show Thanks by Jon Gordon

1. Thank You Walk - Simply take a 10-minute walk each day and say out loud what you are thankful for. It doesn't have to be complicated. Simply start with the things that you are blessed with each day... the ability to take a walk, to talk, to breathe. As you walk, shift your thankful thoughts to those you love, your job (even if it drives you nuts), your kids, your garden, etc. This one walk will shift your energy for the entire day by not only placing your mind in a state of gratitude but by also adding a boost of physical exercise to energize your body.

2. Meal Time Thank You's - On Thanksgiving, or just at dinner with your friends and family, go around the table and have each person, including the kids at the little table, say what they are thankful for. Try this for Thanksgiving!

3. Gratitude Visit - Martin Seligman, Ph.D., the father of positive psychology, suggests that we write a letter expressing our gratitude to someone. Then we visit this person and read them the letter. His research shows that people who do this are measurably happier and less depressed a month later.

4. Thank You Prayers - I was recently talking to my Grandfather who is 89. He sounded so upbeat and happy. I asked him what his secret was. He said 95% of the time he prays two simple words, "Thank You." And only 5% of the time does he say "Give me a break, God."

5. Every Day Thanks - Sometimes we forget to thank the people closest to us. It's easy to take people for granted. Just start thanking the people closest to you on a daily basis. Thank your children. Thank your spouse for the little things they do. Thank your co-workers and employees. Thank the security officer in your building. Thank the employees you interact with at the grocery store, the post office, the bank, etc

Be Different...Be BOLD...Go For It...Live With NO Fear!

"EVERYTHING we do is personal! How we talk to each other...how we work together...how we prepare for the day (for lessons/meetings)..It’s all personal! As you surely realized I was MIA the last three days of last week. I had an amazing opportunity to rekindle that "fire" I have deep in me by the one and only Ron Clark in his "house" at the Ron Clark Academy. I was asked during the summer if I wanted to tag along with another principal and one of her amazingly talented teachers to visit the RCA once again. Of course I jumped at the opportunity and asked Cindy to jump right in with me, along with the other 3 LCISD 6th grade principals. Since the Essential 55 and Ron Clark himself are such a huge part of our culture and vision at RMS, the training itself was paid for, but that was it. Everything else (food/hotel/transportation to and from Atlanta was all out of pocket for each of us). So not a cheap trip by any means....but one that will change EVERYTHING about you and truly rekindle that love for education that we all once had! How you look at education, how your teach kids, how you build the relationships with them (yes especially the tough ones), how to engage at the highest levels, how to effectively use the time you have each day for bell to bell teaching, and especially how to push kids to levels you never knew they could reach because YOU pushed YOUSELF to those levels and you truly BELIEVED in them! That's what my man Ron is all about...high expectations...for the kids, staff, and most importantly...HIMSELF! If you don't have those...you have nothing and you will never find success! He reminded me that we must continue to push ourselves to discover new things and always...BELIEVE even more than is wise! Everyday...make that every period in your rooms.... our longhorns are learning something more valuable that they can get in some book! We are teaching them...and most importantly...they are teaching US! (Are you open letting them? We can't let pride get in our way of doing what's right for kids). If we are..then together we will learn to "LOVE TO LEARN"! If we are pulling out all the stops and giving 110% every day...then they are going to walk out of our school realizing that they can do ANYTHING they choose with their lives...because of the positive "imprint" we have made on their life! Here is a little reminder of what I was just talking about! :)  I am full of energy and fired up about what I saw! Have a marvelous Monday team and don’t forget to BE BOLD!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHMmvD47rX8&sns=em

FOCUS on Your Potential....Instead of Your Limitations!

Wow, what a rough two weeks it has been! The bright side...we've made it 1/4 of the way through our first year together...and we are still standing...or swimming, depending on how you look at it! At our meeting on Wednesday we discussed TBU... “True But Useless” information. So this article by Jon fits perfectly in with where we are headed! We are starting a brand new nine weeks...and we must tune into our "zoom focus" to reach our goals! Zoom Focus helps us turn our ideas and goals into reality and results. Zoom Focus helps us focus on our priorities, execute, and create success while leaving the TBU info behind. Zoom Focus helps us take daily steps towards our big picture vision.

There are several steps for us to get there…

1. Creating our BIG picture vision…These are our teams goals…our hills to die on…it takes actions on everyone’s part to achieve this. Every RMS team member must contribute equally for this to happen.

2. Ask One Question…”what are the 3 most important things I need to do today? Now, commit to getting it done everyday before you leave.

3. Tune out Distractions…execute and accomplish you daily goals…then embrace the distractions (sometimes these distractors are what keep us sane) J

4. Busy….we are ALL busy…ask anyone what they need and they will most always mention...they need more hours in the day. We ALL need more time…but that's TBU...we can't increase the hours in a day but we can utilize the "zoom focus" method so we can achieve our goals and priorities within each 24 hour period.

5. Improve Daily! None os us are perfect...we can all improve! We must be “process” focused...take the necessary action steps…allow the data to drive our decisions and the results and growth will take care of itself!

 

Zoom Focus by Jon Gordon

“Vision without Execution is hallucination” – Einstein

I believe every one of us has a desire to accomplish great things, to do something meaningful, to have an impact. Yet, so many of us don’t take the actions necessary to create the success we desire. Then there are others who are very busy taking actions but the actions have nothing to do with their vision and goals. They’ve become lost in the busyness of life.

I have found that the key to individual and team success is to Zoom Focus. Zoom Focus helps you turn ideas and goals into reality and results. Zoom Focus helps you focus on your priorities, execute, and create success. Zoom Focus helps you take daily steps towards your big picture vision.

Now more than ever it is a time for action. It is a time for getting things done. It is a time to tune out the distractions and the noise from the doomsdayers and the naysayers and focus on what truly matters and what truly will help us create success. In this spirit here are a few ways to put Zoom Focus to work for you and your team.

Create your Big Picture Vision – This might be a goal or a dream. It might be a project that needs to be completed or a sale you are trying to close. It might be a company objective or a team mission. It might be a book you want to write, an initiative to improve your community, or a championship you want to win. Identify your vision and then you’ll be ready to Zoom Focus and take the necessary actions to get you there.

Ask One Question – Each day when you wake up in the morning ask the question, “What are the three most important things I need to do today that will help me create the success I desire?” Then each day take action on those three things.

Tune out the Distractions – Turn off the television. Stop answering the phone. Don’t answer the email right now. Talk to your friend later. First, get things done. Execute, accomplish and then feel free to embrace the distractions.

Say No and Yes – My friend once told me, “If the devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.” He reminded me that we need to stop scattering our energy and wasting our time on trivial things that have nothing to do with our vision and goals and start saying yes to our priorities and to what truly matters. Each day we must make choices and those choices including saying “no” to people and opportunities so we can say “yes” to the work we are meant to do and the success we are meant to create.

Focus on Daily Improvement – I see it in sports all the time. Teams focus too much on winning the championship and forget to Zoom Focus each day in practice. They are outcome focused not process focused. The key is to focus on improving each day and take the necessary action steps. If you incrementally improve each day, each week, each month, each quarter by the end of the year you’ll see remarkable results and growth. When you Zoom Focus on the process the outcome takes care of itself.

The POWER of Connection!

Love the quote from RIta....she was such an amazing woman..that left a ripple affect of GREATNESS! We have all had "that one kid" that in hindsight we would have handled the situation much differently...if only we had known the circumstances. We wouldn't have been so quick to judge...so sharp with our tone...so short with our patience...if we had "only known" what that kid/family was going through. Well the lesson in that is...we may NEVER know what that child is going (or gone) through...but if we treat each student daily with respect, dignity, and always keep an "eye" for what they are doing right vs what is going wrong...then we are "doing right by kids". We must continue communicating the high expectations we have here at RMS with our kids and parents. A very wise woman, once asked me...would you want Sydney Kate (who is my oldest daughter) in "that" teachers classroom...why or why not? Have you ever thought about it? Would you want a teacher to talk to YOUR kid "just like you do?" If the answer is no...then NOW is the time to change it...you are hurting the kids. If the answer is yes...then you are a better person than me...I made plenty of mistakes like this when I was teaching and even when I became an AP. My tone would get the best of me, until I was shown another way to lead. It's not the yelling and condemeing that makes kids (and adults for that matter) follow the rules. It's actually the relationships you build with those people...the trust that forms..that's the "golden ticket". People (and especially kids)don't like to disappoint people that love and care about...and this is very important with our students. So tommorow...find that kid that you have almost lost hope in...and rekindle that flame in him/her...and most importantly be their CHAMPION...and NEVER, EVER, EVER GIVE UP on them!. Thanks for all you are doing..we have almost made it through the first 9 weeks....keep paddling friends...the current is strong! Have a marvelous Monday and enjoy this story that I borrowed from a good friend...hope it speaks to you as much as it spoke to me! :)

HP

Just Trying to Get Through...

Ryan Kennelly. There is always a reason why you remember their names, even when you've known thousands, tens of thousands of names. Ryan Kennelly. Football player. Second row. Third seat back. This is all I knew about him after the first six weeks of school.

I didn't know the color of his eyes. I didn't know that he loved to read. I didn't know his mom wasn't around. I just knew if he didn't care enough about language arts to stay awake in class, then I didn't care enough to wake him up. He had an F at midterm. That happens when you never complete any work. The afternoon after midterm reports went home, I flicked off my classroom light and turned to find a man standing in the classroom doorway. Ryan Kennelly stood behind him, his head down.

"Mrs. Ayres? I'm Ryan's dad." The work boots on his feet,along with his jeans and shirt were coated with dirt that can only come from hard work. He shook my hand. His hands were rough, but his fingernails were clean. "I wanted to talk to you about Ryan's grade."  His eyes were kind. He reached behind him and put his hand behind Ryan's shoulder, gently moving him up to the conversation. I noticed Ryan's eyes were the same warm brown as his dad's.

He wasn't the parent I expected for a kid who sleeps in class. I stumbled through explaining that Ryan didn't complete any work, so he was failing. Mr. Kennelly nodded. He squeezed Ryan's shoulder and looked me straight in the eyes. "Why didn't you call me?" I didn't know five words could be filled with such disappointment. I couldn't answer him because the truth was so wrong:I didn't think you'd care.  He spoke again, "Now he can't play football. It's the one good thing in his life right now.We're just trying to get through. If I knew, then I would have helped Ryan get his work completed. I just didn't know."

My stomach twisted, knowing the mistake I made was because of my own misjudgment. "I'm sorry," I said. Then I gave him the work which Ryan brought to school complete the following day. I went to the principal and admitted my mistake, showing Ryan's current grade now that the work was turned in. I wrote a letter, asking for Ryan to be allowed to return to the football team.

It's a mistake I didn't make again.We're just trying to get through, Mr. Kennelly's voice haunts me from time to time. Now, fifteen years later and a mother to four, I know what he meant.
Tonight I had a meeting with one of my kids' teachers. She's a first year teacher and, like every first year teacher, is making some mistakes. I'm on the other side of the table this time. I hope my eyes are kind.  For the entire meeting I can't shake Ryan Kennelly from my mind.
I extend grace.

"Tomorrow is a new day," I said. "Let's just be glad we're not brain surgeons. They don't usually get a second chance."  The new teacher smiles, even laughs a little.It's going to be okay.This is education at its finest -- learning and growing from our mistakes.

http://www.ruthayreswrites.com/2013/09/the-one-who-haunts-you-learning-to-work.html?m=1

My Favorite Teacher....What Teacher Changed Your Life?

Whew!!!! So this past week was one of my toughest yet. I needed at least 5 clones of myself...I kept getting drug under by the "currents" of craziness! Sometimes, no matter how much you are trying to look at the glass as half FULL and stay positive...some days will just be tough! The lesson is...you have to BELIEVE that somedays...it's going to happen and REALIZE that a bad day...even week... doesn't mean it's a bad life! I love this job, and swimmming in this OCEAN with some of the best "scuba divers" in the world...makes it do-able on those tough days!! We have to lean on each other sometimes...and admit when we are struggling! We are in this together...and together is where the success is! As Annie said, "The sun will come out tomorrow"....and boy was she right! My "sun" was a weekend, some beautiful COOL fall weather, and a cup of pumpkin spice coffee! Sometimes, we have to walk away and know that tomorrow is a new day...a day FULL of life changing possibilities...a day that we WILL be that "person" that changed a student's life! I found this video on Soul Pancake about people talking about their favorite teacher and telling why they were. Was it the knowledge they gave? The rules they enforced? Nope, what they remembered was the ones that "cared"...ones that were "good men".... "let them be way too silly"...."let them do projects with things they loved...like drawing"..."pick and choose own assignments"...were "supportive and lifted them up"....was "personable"...was "imaginative with a deep heart"...one's that "care, cause you can't fake it" and lastly ones that "LOVE THE KIDS"! That's us....we HAVE to be here for these reasons! If you're here to collect a paycheck, you are in the wrong business...and on the wrong bus. This job is way too stressful and important to "coast"...we are changing lives just by showing up each day! So my expectation (and always will be) that we are doing the RIGHT thing and striving to get better everyday not because it is easier for us...but because it is RIGHT for kids! That being said, I want to say thank you for all the kid's lives you have touched in the past...all the kid's lives you are touching right now...and for those kids that will be lucky enough to have you in the future! I am proud to be your leader and promise to keep striving to be better at my job, (I am a huge work in progress) but maybe one day someone will say I made an impact on their life! My favorite teacher was Mrs. Burns in first grade, she was loving, supportive, taught me to love reading, and even gave me my FIRST spanking for chasing my friend Holly under the bathroom stalls! lol Oh, yes...I was "that kid"! Now, I have one question for you....who was your favorite teacher and why were they? I would love to hear about it! Shoot me an email! :) Have a marvelous Monday team...btw...I found some Pumpkin Spice creamer...so I can spread a little "sunshine" onto you in the morning too!! See ya in the coffee room for a cup of "pumpkin-shine"! :) Enjoy the video!

http://youtu.be/36QWcC0Y5rE

What DRIVES You To Carry On?

Hey team, I have a question for you! How do you make it it through your day? Make it from one place to another? One task to the next? What DRIVES you to go on? I hope when we are talking about our job...it's the kids! Everything we do is focused on ways to help them achieve and show them that the skys the limit! It's not the pay...or the hours of planning...or the paperwork...that keeps us coming back. The fact of the matter is, we are all here because we KNOW that we can make a difference. It is so important that we are building our kids UP...letting them know that their "DRIVE" can take them anywhere. Our tone, our body language, and our words...can make or break them...as Team RMS I choose to "MAKE" them! Make them feel that we expect them to give their best...everyday, and that we wholeheartedly BELIEVE in their talents and are here to do "whatever it takes" to ensure that we are setting them up for the "DRIVE" of their life! Check out this video...and share it with the kids...they need to FEEL Richie Parkers DRIVE. Too many times we allow our mind to take over our thoughts...when it should be our heart! Our BELIEFS must be greater than our DOUBTS! Kids will out perform their IQ everytime for a teacher that believes in them. So never, ever give up...even when the going gets tough. (that's when they need you the most ) We can do this...you are the right people for the job! Thanks for all you do!
http://www.youtube.com/embed/qiLDMBDPCEY?rel=0

Walk Your Talk!

So todays motivator was taken straight out of a few fantasy football draft videos! Since we are the RMS Longhorns (and as long as I am driving the bus) we will continue to PUSH hard and BELIEVE in ALL our kids...I think you will find some great messages in what these pro football players are saying. (I know I did) For example, they talk about finding balance (my word), trusting your strengths and instincts, you never know what you are capable of until you try, and my favorite (courtesy of Andre Johnson)...ACTIONS always speak louder than words! As educators we must play on our strengths (even admitting that other ideas might be better than ours, so we might need to talk less and listen more). We also, need to trust our instincts...you were born for this job so trust your gut...have no fear...and go for it!!! It is SO VERY important that we push our kids (and ourselves) to always try...no matter if it is new and we make mistakes...that's where the REAL learning takes place. In the end it's not about what's easiest...it's about the end product (our students success) that makes it totally worth it! Lastly, we need to remember that kids pay way more attention to what we DO than what we SAY! If we don't walk our talk...we lose credibility...and we work just too hard for that to happen! So make every moment count..and make it memorable!

http://youtu.be/FRLfWlC_3lQ