Who anticipates the end of the school year more; the teachers or the students? I can tell you that as a student way back when (i guess just 15 years ago), that I certainly anticipated the summer more than the teachers did? Or did I? The end of the school year has come from three different spectrums for me. First as a student, then as a teacher, and now as a Principal. So here is my answer to the question.
As a student I really anticipated the end of the school year. As a teacher I really really anticipated the end of the school year. Finally, as a Principal I really really really anticipate the end of the school year :). It sounds pretty negative, but I must tell you that when August 1st rolls around - I will be really really really anticipating the start of the school year as well. So it does go both ways. Everyone needs a break. I find that sometimes the most rewarding thing to do is...nothing.
As much as I anticipate the students leaving for summer break, I anticipate the time I will get to spend with my own kids. I feel like a guilty father sometimes. I get home from school, and I'm extremely exhausted and all I want to do is sit and relax on the couch, and my poor kids just want me to entertain them. The summer gives me the opportunity to live life to the fullest with my children and I'm looking forward to each and every day I can spend with them.
So no matter who anticipates the end of the school year more - I believe that the break is good for everyone. I wish everybody a safe and happy summer.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
A 16 Year Old Journal Entry.
My last post entitled a "New Era," is going to be challenged by this post. My wife came across my English Journal from when I was a Sophomore in High School. I've always said that kids are different today then they were when I was in school. After reading my journal entry I'm not so sure anymore. The following is exactly what I wrote back in 1996 (August I believe), while a Sophomore in High School.
"To whom it may concern,
As you know school can be boring. I think that if we are here, school should be more sufficient. Well lets start with the lunch, the lunch period is long enough, but the food is just rotten. It's pretty bad when we have the same thing for like three days straight. Some of the kids in this school are just soo stupid. We need to have better discipline. For instance, you beat the crap out of someone and you only get inschool suspension. You should be kicked out for the rest of the year. In this school we get too much work, that is not right. Challenging us is one thing, but when they pile on 17 worksheets at a time, thats going way to far. I think that on hot days, we should be able to have class outside. This school smells because of everyone sweating to death sitting in an oven, oh I mean classroom. Its time this school starts to change. I'm sick of the way its is being run. Well I now have a page, I could write forever though."
So that was what I wrote about 16 years ago. Obviously I now know why I'm a Principal - I had it in me long ago. I wonder how accurate my statements are to kids now days. I'm guessing pretty darn close. In any event it was very interesting to read what I wrote back then. My wife thinks I was a huge nerd, however my studliness speaks for itself.
"To whom it may concern,
As you know school can be boring. I think that if we are here, school should be more sufficient. Well lets start with the lunch, the lunch period is long enough, but the food is just rotten. It's pretty bad when we have the same thing for like three days straight. Some of the kids in this school are just soo stupid. We need to have better discipline. For instance, you beat the crap out of someone and you only get inschool suspension. You should be kicked out for the rest of the year. In this school we get too much work, that is not right. Challenging us is one thing, but when they pile on 17 worksheets at a time, thats going way to far. I think that on hot days, we should be able to have class outside. This school smells because of everyone sweating to death sitting in an oven, oh I mean classroom. Its time this school starts to change. I'm sick of the way its is being run. Well I now have a page, I could write forever though."
So that was what I wrote about 16 years ago. Obviously I now know why I'm a Principal - I had it in me long ago. I wonder how accurate my statements are to kids now days. I'm guessing pretty darn close. In any event it was very interesting to read what I wrote back then. My wife thinks I was a huge nerd, however my studliness speaks for itself.
Monday, May 14, 2012
A New Era.
We definitely live in a different era. I applaud my parents for my upbringing. I was not an easy child to raise, but my parents did a great job. I only wish that I will be able to mimic their parenthood.
If I was in trouble at school, I would be in worse trouble at home. This just doesn't seem like the case anymore. Why are parents now days so quick to judge the school rather than their child? Why do we live in this new era? Will society ever change back? If society doesn't change, how can we make the system better? I think about this all the time.
When No Child Left Behind was passed, it totally took accountability away from the parent and the student and put it in the hands of the educator. If a student does not perform to high standards, then ultimately the school system failed. I do not agree with this. How is the students life outside of school? What if a student does not get a meal three times a day? What if the child's parents are separating? What if there was a death in the family? Don't all of these factors play into a child's educational success? Why then does accountability only rest on the school?
If I failed a test at school, you can bet that my parents made me study harder. If I talked back to a teacher, you can bet that it never happened again, because my parents made darn sure it wouldn't. If I didn't do my chores, I didn't get my weekly allowance of 10 dollars. Yes, I said 10 dollars, and this was only 15 years ago. It didn't take me long to learn values. It didn't take me long to learn how life worked. I got out what I put in. This continues today. I pay the consequences for my mistakes, and failures do make me a better person. It seems like failure is no longer an option now days. Losing a basketball game, dropping a touchdown pass, or getting an "F" on an assignment or test. If failure is no longer an option, how can one move forward?
I don't have the answers, but what I do have is a set of morals and values that my parents passed on to me. I only hope that I can pass these on to my children.
If I was in trouble at school, I would be in worse trouble at home. This just doesn't seem like the case anymore. Why are parents now days so quick to judge the school rather than their child? Why do we live in this new era? Will society ever change back? If society doesn't change, how can we make the system better? I think about this all the time.
When No Child Left Behind was passed, it totally took accountability away from the parent and the student and put it in the hands of the educator. If a student does not perform to high standards, then ultimately the school system failed. I do not agree with this. How is the students life outside of school? What if a student does not get a meal three times a day? What if the child's parents are separating? What if there was a death in the family? Don't all of these factors play into a child's educational success? Why then does accountability only rest on the school?
If I failed a test at school, you can bet that my parents made me study harder. If I talked back to a teacher, you can bet that it never happened again, because my parents made darn sure it wouldn't. If I didn't do my chores, I didn't get my weekly allowance of 10 dollars. Yes, I said 10 dollars, and this was only 15 years ago. It didn't take me long to learn values. It didn't take me long to learn how life worked. I got out what I put in. This continues today. I pay the consequences for my mistakes, and failures do make me a better person. It seems like failure is no longer an option now days. Losing a basketball game, dropping a touchdown pass, or getting an "F" on an assignment or test. If failure is no longer an option, how can one move forward?
I don't have the answers, but what I do have is a set of morals and values that my parents passed on to me. I only hope that I can pass these on to my children.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Common Cents
My biggest worry in life seems to be money. It seems like everyone has a worry. Some people worry about there jobs, others maybe about there appearance, either way we all have something that worries us. Even the so called "Worry Free" vacations bring about worries. Worrying is like a car payment - you will most likely always have one.
In any event, mine is money. If we were rich, I would still worry about money. I wish I had an easy button for this, but I don't. Common Sense tells me that I shouldn't worry, but I do anyways. I'm a victim of impulse shopping, and then obviously a victim of buyers remorse. I don't like to take the time to think about it. This is a fault (one of many).
Kids obviously cost money. Of course they are worth every penny. But common sense now tells me that when we go out to eat that my children can just share a meal. You know how it works though. You get them there own meal and they don't eat, but if you get them one to share - there's not enough food to go around. It happens all the time. Common Sense tells me to use coupons - I don't. Common Sense tells me to walk to school - to save on gas - I don't. Common Sense tells tells me that my golf clubs can last another year - they won't. Common Sense tells me to stop drinking pop (which would save money) - I can't. Common sense tells me to eat at home instead of going out - we don't. However now days, maybe it is cheaper to eat out.
There is a common theme in all of this, and the list just grows and grows. If I used some common sense I could save some money.
So I think we all have worries, mine is most likely similar to many, however what if I wasn't worried about money? Would I have a bigger issue? What is your biggest worry?
In any event, mine is money. If we were rich, I would still worry about money. I wish I had an easy button for this, but I don't. Common Sense tells me that I shouldn't worry, but I do anyways. I'm a victim of impulse shopping, and then obviously a victim of buyers remorse. I don't like to take the time to think about it. This is a fault (one of many).
Kids obviously cost money. Of course they are worth every penny. But common sense now tells me that when we go out to eat that my children can just share a meal. You know how it works though. You get them there own meal and they don't eat, but if you get them one to share - there's not enough food to go around. It happens all the time. Common Sense tells me to use coupons - I don't. Common Sense tells me to walk to school - to save on gas - I don't. Common Sense tells tells me that my golf clubs can last another year - they won't. Common Sense tells me to stop drinking pop (which would save money) - I can't. Common sense tells me to eat at home instead of going out - we don't. However now days, maybe it is cheaper to eat out.
There is a common theme in all of this, and the list just grows and grows. If I used some common sense I could save some money.
So I think we all have worries, mine is most likely similar to many, however what if I wasn't worried about money? Would I have a bigger issue? What is your biggest worry?
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Welcome
Welcome to my blog. I'm new at this so please bare with me as I begin my blogging. My blogs will deal with mainly my educational insights. These are my insights, and in no way shape or form does my opinion matter more than anybody else's. I just like to talk :). I'm just and ordinary guy with some extra-ordinary ideas. My blogs will also cover my experiences and thoughts on life. I certainly hope you will enjoy, and please provide feedback to my posts.
As a Principal, I certainly come across many different experiences (this is what I love about the job). I have a passion for helping people and when that passion leaves me - I will then leave the job. I do not see that happening anytime soon. My blogs will cover my educational insights, my thoughts on many different education issues, and hopefully reflect the passion that I have spoken of. I hope you enjoy my posts, and again feel free to comment at any time.
As a Principal, I certainly come across many different experiences (this is what I love about the job). I have a passion for helping people and when that passion leaves me - I will then leave the job. I do not see that happening anytime soon. My blogs will cover my educational insights, my thoughts on many different education issues, and hopefully reflect the passion that I have spoken of. I hope you enjoy my posts, and again feel free to comment at any time.
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