Balance

So, the other night, Matt was getting ready to pour me a glass of wine, and as he tipped the bottle I said, "Now, don't go overboard!" He began to pour and it became obvious that whomever (I'm positive it wasn't me) had the last glass clearly only left enough in the bottle so as not to feel guilty, because there were just a few drops left. I quickly added, "well don't go 'underboard' either!"

As I was trying to fall asleep that night, I began to think more about that wine. I really wanted a glass, but I also didn't want too much. This is sort of how I feel about my teaching life right now...

I began to reflect about the learning and teaching I have done over the past few weeks. I attended an amazing conference (CCIRA 2018), began to read some newly purchased 'teacher' books, signed up for a Blended Learning technology class, and joined the Innovation Team at school.  I'm excited, invigorated, energized...and exhausted all at the same time. How do I (we) find that sweet spot...balance?

I don't know the answer. I'm still searching. I'm sure most teachers are, probably most everyone is.

In the meantime, I'm going to go ahead and fill up that glass.

~Cab Lover (sipping a glass of So This Happened 2012 Red Wine Blend ~ California)

  

Either you evolve, or you die!

CCIRA 2018

"Teaching is hard, it's complex, and you don't have to do it alone!" Meenoo Rami

Hallelujah! Teaching is messy; learning is messy! Why would anyone want to venture out on this journey alone? Yet, that is what I think most of us do, at some point in our career. We get complacent, or just tired, and we shut our doors and put our heads down, and trudge on. Alone. It's unnecessary, and it's ineffective. 

Meenoo Rami-Keynote 02/09/18

I had the opportunity to attend the 51st annual CCIRA conference this week, and I'm so grateful. I was in the company of hundreds and hundreds of fellow educators and some of the most brilliant literacy minds in the country. I heard inspiring words from Ralph Fletcher and Meenoo Rami.  And I conversed and collaborated with teachers from all over the country. Ahhh, if only we could do this every week! 

I'm not sure, but I'd venture to guess that holding this amazing literacy conference in February is not by accident, but rather brilliant design. For educators, at least for me, February is a difficult month. I'm beginning to lose steam, and focus. If I'm not careful, the thought that 'it's already February, it's too late for this, or that' resides in the back of my mind. I have to fight to keep it from creeping up on me. So HALLELUJAH for some mid-year inspiration, conviction, and challenge! 

To adequately share what I took away from CCIRA 2018 would require multiple posts, and while I may dedicate future posts to this, for now, I just want to share a quick glimpse into what I took away.

One of the books I bought at the conference!

In our district, our Superintendent has charged us with coming up with a sort of 'brand' for our schools. He asked that we think like entrepreneurs, and be innovative in what our schools could look like.  This is a daunting task. But as luck would have it, one of the most innovative minds in education, Meenoo Rami, was the keynote speaker on Friday morning.

Meenoo was a teacher at the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, and a teaching fellow with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Currently, she is a Manger for Minecraft Education at Microsoft (I shared this with my kids and they were ecstatic that I met someone 'from' Minecraft). 

Meenoo inspires and challenges teachers to think outside the box and imagine what could be in education. She asks us how we can bring joy and relevance to the classroom. Furthermore, she asks, "what does an empowered learner look like in your classroom?"

Of course, while sitting in the keynote, it's easy to get excited, to laugh and cheer alongside fellow educators. But what do you do on Monday morning? When you are alone again in your classroom, facing 20+ students? How do you maintain the mid-conference energy?

                                       "Either you evolve, or  you die" Meenoo Rami

Action Plan

First, I am going to make visible the gems I got while listening to Meenoo. I have captured several of Meenoo's quotes on sticky notes that I plan to put around my classroom, bathroom, car...reminders of what can be and what I can be a part of. Second, I purchased her book, THRIVE-5 Ways to (Re)Invigorate Your TEACHING, and I am going to ask our innovation team members to participate in a book study with me. Third, I'm going to see if we can invite Meenoo to our school. I was fortunate enough to meet with her after her keynote and I inquired about what our next steps might be as a school. She gave me some tips, as well as her card and said she would be happy to help, even offered to come do some PD with us! I was overjoyed and inundated my principal with emails! Fingers crossed that this is something we can make happen. And, finally, I'm going to keep my head in the game! It's already February, but yet, it's ONLY February. There is time to (Re)Invigorate!

"Conditions shape outcomes. It is up to us to cultivate those conditions." Meenoo Rami

For a bit more inspiration, check out this short YouTube:Rubik's Cube: A question, waiting to be answered

For those of you familiar with my blog, I'm adding a wine note (I've completed a round of the Whole30, and I'm choosing wine as the 'food group' to reintroduce to my diet~don't judge)!

~Cab Lover (sipping a glass of 2016 MATCHLOCK Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles)

Ready, (Re)set, Go!

January is a tough month. It is hard to go back to school after the holidays. My body was still in the 'it's noon and time for my nap' mode, I had several series on Netflix that I hadn't finished, and I wasn't ready to say goodbye to my yoga pants and well worn t-shirt. But, alas, here I am. It's nearing the end of January and I still feel as though I haven't regained my momentum.

The kids are 'off' too. They are antsy, unfocused, and are acting as though all of our well practiced structures and routines never existed. Over the past few days (OK, weeks) I have noticed that my patience is thin and my energy is low. I can't find my groove, and the kids can't find theirs either.

As I was driving home tonight, tired, frustrated with the kids, and really wanting a glass of wine (darn this Whole 30), it dawned on me. How can I possibly expect that the kids will come back from an almost three week vacation raring to go? They, too, were ripped from their holiday bliss; all day pj wearing, video gaming, play dating, no reading, writing, or math...bliss.

It's time for a RESET

Love these books! A great resource for establishing community.

This isn't my first rodeo...in fact it's my 18th. So how could I have forgotten how difficult it can be to get back into the groove? Old age? Stroke brain? Wishful thinking?  It is definitely time for a 'reset'. I need to spend some thoughtful time this weekend planning opportunities for the kids and I to reconnect, reestablish routines, and strengthen our classroom community and relationships. I need to allow them some space to breathe and get comfortable again. We need to find time to play and enjoy one another.

We have important work to do, I know. Testing is right around the corner. Stakes are high. There is so much the kids need to learn before they are ready for 4th grade. It's easy to stress, to panic. But, because this isn't my first rodeo, I know that sometimes what seems like the big stuff, really isn't. I'm reminded that sometimes when we feel like pushing full-steam ahead, it's better to slow down and take a nice stroll instead. So that's what we're going to do. I'm going to take next week to breathe with my kids. To play. To reconnect. To regain our momentum. Only then can we be our best selves...

Resurrection

1. 
   

Forgive me readers, as it has been 2,318 days since my last...

(post). 

Overlooking Sloans Lake (rehab center)

As you can imagine, much has transpired in that time, both in my personal life, and in my teaching life. Personally, I have experienced great loss and physical challenge beyond my wildest imagination. I lost my dear mother, my best childhood friend, and my first grandchild within months of each other. I suffered a stroke, forcing me to push myself harder than I ever thought possible.

My teaching life has changed dramatically as well. I have changed districts, schools, and many grade levels since I've been 'here' with you all. But here I am! 

My other 'babies'

My beautiful Mama and I

res·ur·rec·tion

   (rĕz′ə-rĕk′shən)

 n.

 1.a. The act of restoring a dead person, for example, to life.

    b. The condition of having been restored to life.

    Citation: https://www.thefreedictionary.com/resurrection

The condition of having been restored to life...

Omari- 14 days

I can say with certainty that these last few years have been trying, both personally and professionally. I can also say that with struggle and challenge, come strength, courage and, yes, even resurrection. 

So many good things have transpired in those 2,318 days. I have two new beautiful grand babies, a new home (an 'empty nest), a new 'glamper', a new school family, a not-so-new (but very awesome) husband, wonderful children, and to be very cliche, a new lease on life! I am back with renewed insight, understanding, and passion!

Aniyah

My hope going forward with this 'resurrected' blog is to continue to share (the good, the bad, and the ugly, 'cause we all know it can get ugly), learn, inspire, collaborate, and sometimes, commiserate.  

Matt and I in Cabo

If you have blessed me by being a reader in the past, I hope you continue to find this blog relevant. If you are new, hang out for a bit and check out past posts (a reader favorite is The Barometric Beast). I hope that you enjoy reading and find something here that speaks to you.

The 'Glamper'

Oh, and if you read the blog description, you'll have to wait a bit for the wine notes, as I am embarking on the Whole 30, and tragically (and I mean that with my entire being), wine is not Whole 30 compliant.