How does change affect you?

As I read through John's email this week that listed all the changes that are happening within our walls, it made me reflect on how I address change.

This time of the school year is exciting. We are excited about finishing out another year, excited that that we can see the finish line, and we are already talking about next year and the new possibilities that another year brings. The excitement I feel within the building is contagious and it gives me the stamina I need to finish out the school year strong. However, with that excitement and the talk about "where everyone will be next year" I realize that my need to stop and think about the changes ahead is important. I truly believe that every event in our lives shapes the person we become. The decisions we make every day affect the lives of those around us. I always stop and wonder if the choices that I make each day leave a positive, lasting affect on the students whom I teach and the teachers with whom I work.

Every part of campus will be impacted by the changes that are coming. I am both excited and sad. Having worked on the same grade level, with the same coworkers for multiple years, I am sad to be leaving a team that works so well together. We have formed bonds, friendships, and understanding that enable us to strive for excellence with our students. I have been so blessed by the support from each of the teachers that I work with so closely each day; they are an amazing group of women.

Looking ahead, I am excited to be working with a new group of ladies that I have so much respect for. The work ethic, the care, the dedication I see from those ladies is something I admire. They show us all how hard work pays off and the ones who benefit most, are the students. It is exciting to think of the possibilities that lie ahead next year.

When I thought about change and how it would affect my work life and my personal life, it took me a while to digest how my reaction to those changes would affect those around me.  Change can be a bad thing, or change can be a great thing. How you react to that change propels you in the direction that you choose for it to go. How do you address change? For me, I address it full speed ahead, ready to change the world one day at a time!

-blog post by Nicole Young

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Fostering Classroom Management Success Through Forgiveness

I am not perfect. I make mistakes. I am grateful that I work in a place and with people that afford me grace.

Our students have been given our patience, our time, and our energy. While patience, time and energy can have limits... what is unconditional is our love.

Our students are not perfect. They make mistakes. We afford them grace.

Forgiveness gives way to freedom. Each day is the opportunity for a day of redemption.

I am thankful for the teachers, mentors, friends, family and colleagues that have let me learn and given me the forgiveness that allows me to learn and become better.

Our students need our forgiveness. The chance to begin anew, to learn and become better.

True forgiveness is freeing. It is a classroom management strategy that never fails.

The article "Why Forgiveness is a Powerful Classroom Management Strategy" refreshes my resolve and my approach as we take on the next two marking periods.

How do you plan to practice the art of forgiveness? Where do you find your freedom in this approach?

Moments that Make Change...

It is the time of year that there is a buzz in the air. Santa is coming, the hint of a chance of snow is every dropping degree, and it there is the mid-year testing. It can bring out the best and the worst in us all.

Many of you have had to dig deep into your behavior strategies, look up the notes from information shared earlier in the fall from our behavior interventionist, and problem solved with your team and the administration team. You all are working hard and we see it.

It idea hit this week in one particular conversation. The teacher was sharing how the student was always sharing out personal stories during openings or closings that did not pertain to the lesson. It was causing distractions and the rest of the students would get off course. It might even carry over, if that student didn't get to continue to share out, into other areas and behaviors would escalate. The comment that caused a light bulb to go off is when the teacher said, "He just is starving for my undivided attention." At that moment the article that was shared over a year ago came flooding back into my mind... the "2X10 Strategy." I shared the idea with the teacher to use in concert with an incentive/behavior chart.

Here is the article: http://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/2014/10/the-2x10-strategy-a-miraculous-solution-for-behavior-issues.html

Since that conversation earlier in the week, that student has had more success than set-backs. As we push forward with resolve... what can we do to continue to invest? Who is your 2X10 kid that you think of as you read this article? How can a plan be put in place now or start when you return in 2017 to create a positive shift in momentum for our students? Now is the perfect time to recharge and adjust.