tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13550529185349618992024-03-08T05:02:08.320-08:00Once Upon a School DayKimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887353172838020041noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355052918534961899.post-79125162255306450872015-05-04T20:15:00.001-07:002015-05-04T20:15:21.324-07:00With Brave Wings....She FliesOver a year ago, a Facebook page impacted my life on a level I still have not been able to wrap my mind around. Random Acts of Kindness--a passion, a strong belief that I wanted to share with the world, evolved into something larger than I ever imagined. The story of one lady helping a mother was shared, liked, and liked some more. Hundreds of people from all over the nation were liking the page, sharing their experiences with Random Acts of Kindness that they hoped would impact their communities in a positive way.<br />
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Fast forward.....many months.....the joy that I have received from one connection will last me a lifetime. Cody and Breanna N. were on a journey of their own, praying for guidance and hope. Through their story and their hopes and dreams, they continue to inspire so many. This spring they were united with their adopted child in Africa and seeing their lives evolve with this gift of a child has been so amazing. Each time they post an update or a struggle, it truly fills me with a sense of joy that parenting, motherhood....that is the ultimate expression of God's love for us. Even the struggles, which may seem so frustrating and awkward to work through--they are also blessings.<br />
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As I think back on my experiences with motherhood and watch Breanna's from a distance, I have come to realize that motherhood is not for the faint of heart! And while we continue our 'family dance' and learn the ebb and flow of our homes, it is important to remember ourselves.....to not get lost in the daily routines, but to enjoy each moment and thankful for each moment we are given. Thank you, Breanna, for being an inspiration to many of us. For reminding us all that although parenthood is not always sunshine and lollipops, it can also be discipline and structure. Continue to 'love more' and fly with brave wings.....<br />
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Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it."<br />
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Train
up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not
depart from it. - See more at:
http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Parents-Duty-To-Children#sthash.3eyIYCA8.dpuf</div>
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Train
up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not
depart from it. - See more at:
http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Parents-Duty-To-Children#sthash.3eyIYCA8.dpuf</div>
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<span class="exdous">Proverbs 22:6</span>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" title="Proverbs 22:6 Verse Concepts">Verse Concepts</a>
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Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.<br />
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Parents-Duty-To-Children#sthash.3eyIYCA8.dpuf</div>
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<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887353172838020041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355052918534961899.post-51040288299677365792014-10-08T19:59:00.003-07:002014-10-08T19:59:46.609-07:00Mr. Andy, Not Just a CustodianFrom the day Mr. Andy was hired, I was amazed. He was always so.....happy. This past week, not only was he the 'happy' custodian, he was my transition person. A transition person models positive behavior and passes on effective habits that strengthen and build others in positive ways. <br />
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We just found out our second custodian would be leaving us for another job. I knew it was coming, in fact, I was not the least bit surprised. Unfortunately, the second custodial position is not full time and doesn't have benefits. It happens. However, in my mind, <i>the administrative mind</i>, I had to make sure this job was covered! I couldn't have overflowing garbage cans or toilets that were dirty. So when I asked Mr. Andy if he had heard the news, my lens shifted 180 degrees. <br />
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Mr. Andy and I chatted and his response went something like, "Yeah, I'm happy for him. I hope this helps him and his personal life. We'll take care of things around here, not a problem." Wow. I was stunned. Mr. Andy was looking through a lens that I had pushed aside. I questioned myself a bit--I knew I cared about my staff, I knew that I was happy for him, deep down. But was that at the top of my list? Shouldn't it be at the top of my list?!<br />
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Thanks, Mr. Andy. You truly helped me see things through the lens that I needed to see. It's not always about making sure our floors are spic-n-span, but that our people are taken care of. And we need to make sure we take care of our own.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887353172838020041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355052918534961899.post-62702305965172286462014-04-04T11:39:00.001-07:002014-04-04T11:39:28.068-07:00Trust, Not HopeLately, I came across an interesting quotation:<br />
'God doesn't need our hope, he needs our trust.'<br />
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As a Christian this makes complete sense. As a parent and educator it makes complete sense as well. Do kids need our hope? Or do they need our trust? I recall being a careful observer with our past school counselor. A student was making poor choices in his treatment towards a classmate. Before she finished her conversation with him, her words have never left me: 'Can I DEPEND on you to make the right choices in the future.' It wasn't: 'Can I hope' or 'Can you do this' but it was a level of trust she was seeking out.<br />
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As we work with students day in, day out, are we creating environments of trust? Or are we just hoping that they will fulfill expectations? Do we set them up for success by setting the bar where it needs to be? Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887353172838020041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355052918534961899.post-85063795250623525242012-08-02T10:34:00.001-07:002012-08-02T10:34:38.977-07:00Can You Force Passion?<style>
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The month of July flew by WAY to fast and I find myself not
only missing my kids, but also missing my treadmill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weird, huh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am by no means an exercise lover—in fact, I am the type that needs
motivation to exercise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Motivation such
as a monster chasing me, or a chocolaty dessert to look forward to. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, this summer I was determined to make
time each day for a quick workout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
meant devotion, I had to give up an afternoon snooze and my scrapbooking habits
to actually do something that made me sweat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ick.</div>
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So as I sit in my office and diligently prepare for students
and teachers, I find my mind wandering now and then to my newly admired
treadmill…..and I find myself yearning to take a quick run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How did that happen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did I
finally figure out a way to take something I despise and make it more of a
passion?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or did I just find my
motivation?</div>
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As educators, we know passion is why we do what we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who else (besides the average 7 year old)
gets excited about school supply sales and new books?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So in order to do our jobs well, do we need
that passion every day?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can we force
passion within ourselves when there are areas we know need to be improved?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And how can we help others find their passion
or rekindle a passion that was once there?</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887353172838020041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355052918534961899.post-34014763982053028232012-07-28T05:23:00.001-07:002012-07-28T05:23:10.989-07:00It's About Time!
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I could just kick myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Where have I been?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not even
close to being done reading ‘The 7 Habits of Effective People’ and I cannot
believe that I did not pick up that book years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a parent and educator, Covey’s habits are
irrefutable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I read through the first
three habits, I started to wonder how many people could truly be impacted if
they only had the knowledge and exposure to this perspective?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if everyone had a mission statement?</div>
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As the last few days of July wind down, I find myself
reflecting on a personal mission statement as well as one for our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A sense of urgency runs through me as I read
what Covey states, “. . .other people begin to sense that you’re not being driven
by everything that happens to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
have a sense of mission about what you’re trying to do and you are excited
about it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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What is your mission statement?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can others sense you have a mission?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And have you taken the time to create a
family mission statement?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If so, what
are the key pieces you have found?</div>
Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887353172838020041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355052918534961899.post-80678029194640316202012-03-20T17:29:00.000-07:002012-03-20T17:29:26.204-07:00Dog DaysDog lovers know that when the loss of a dog occurs, it's like losing a member of the family. While I have had this experience as a child growing up, I never realized how much harder it is when you are the parent. Today our loyal dog of 11+ years, Annie, went to the Rainbow Bridge.....a place where she can run and play and wait for us to meet her some day.<br />
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As I reflect on the impact she had on our lives, I think of the loyalty for which dogs are typically known. It is a loyalty that has 'automatic-trust' built in. A loyalty that is unquestioning, unshakeable. When discipline is given to our dogs, they tend to love us more and depend on us more. And when we spend time together, it is a bond like none other. I recall the loyalty of our dog towards our growing children--from putting up with their toddler 'grabs' to protecting them as they run from the front to back yard on a windy spring day. She had a job to do and she took it VERY seriously.<br />
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How do we foster loyalty in our school community? How can we help others trust in our leadership and decisions to a level of being 'unshakeable?' Are we showing others that we can be dependable? Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887353172838020041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355052918534961899.post-66435312171647100922012-02-21T19:25:00.000-08:002012-02-21T19:28:01.147-08:00Up to Your Neck in......Oobleck?!'You may be a mighty king, but you're sitting in oobleck up to your chin.'<br />
Dr. Seuss sure knows how to paint a vivid picture in his classic <u>Bartholomew and the Oobleck</u>. Not only do we know the 'stickiness' of the situation King of Didd was caught up in, many of us can relate to that feeling. The overwhelming 'to do' list, the piles of paperwork that need to be filed and the calendar that keeps moving us forward, regardless of our pace. When we are 'up to our chin' in our quandaries, we can become selfish in nature, feeling like we are all alone in our frustrations. Nobody understands our stress! Calgon, take me away!<br />
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Last week, thankfully, I was forgiven by a teacher that caught me in my own pile of oobleck. A simple request was made and I felt I didn't have the time. I responded hastily, selfishly, and then by the next morning, realized the selfishness of my choice. I had become the king stuck in oobleck. And when we become the king stuck in oobleck, it affects more than just the person in the mirror......<br />
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'And so is everyone else in your land.'<br />
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What else could I do? I had to apologize, I had to reconsider the request. After fulfilling the duty, I felt good about my decision to back up and do the right thing. I realized that even though I felt stuck in the muck, I had to power to get myself out and to hopefully affect those around me in a more positive light.<br />
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What happens when you get stuck in the oobleck? What thoughts do you have and how do you get yourself 'unstuck'?Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887353172838020041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355052918534961899.post-71614475744400119512011-12-31T17:15:00.000-08:002011-12-31T17:15:41.332-08:00'Tis the Season?!Giving is one of the most important things we do.....and as educators, we know the spirit of giving without seeing immediate results is ongoing. So how can we impact others during other times of the year, not just during the holidays? How can we spread the word and encourage others to 'pay it forward' as we try to do daily? At a recent holiday party, I was lucky enough to be in a discussion with two very intelligent ladies. One is a grandmother and the other an educator as well as a mother. We talked about Random Acts of Kindness and how we want our kids and grandkids to be a part of doing things for others. A list of suggestions was then shared and from there......<br />
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We will see what 2012 brings! My daughter is so excited as we read through the list of suggestions. She likes the thought of a family renting a movie and finding microwave popcorn taped to the machine. And what will that librarian say when our books are returned with a surprise $1 bill inside? I am even more excited about our future works than I was on Christmas morning! Our plan is to do at least one random act of kindness each week--that makes 52 in the upcoming year. Doable? You bet! Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887353172838020041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355052918534961899.post-83988836904275783562011-12-07T05:00:00.000-08:002011-12-07T05:02:26.056-08:00What are you making? What are you giving?<div style="text-align: right;">“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” </div><div style="text-align: right;"> ― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14033.Winston_S_Churchill">Winston S. Churchill</a></div><br />
Each Christmas season, our school nurse takes on the burdens of others and sends out letters to needy families, inquiring if they need help with gifts. Many of our school staff members choose to participate in helping others as well as our local churches and community members. It always amazes me how people 'step up' and want so much to make sure that all kids have a merry holiday season.<br />
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This year, I sought out one student that I knew would need an outfit for the upcoming winter concert. So, along with another teacher, we found a typical outfit that we would purchase for our own kids. The shoes, tights, even the little hair bows and shoes that make an outfit complete. We gave it to her teacher and at the end of the school day, the student happened to stop by the office on the way out the door. If I hadn't been in the doorway, I'm not sure I would have experienced such a wonderful opportunity.<br />
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"Mrs Nelson," she sternly directed towards me, "Did you let Santa Claus into the building this morning?!" I looked at her with wide eyes and assured her that I had not seen anyone in the building. She went on, "Well he brought me a special outfit for the concert and it is so pretty!" I told her I could not wait to see her all dressed up for the concert and encouraged her to go home and try it on for her mom to see. She had a HUGE smile on her face and bounded down the steps, on a mission to get home.<br />
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Wow. How cool is that? Sometimes we give and do not get to see the reaction. Other times we give and get a negative reaction. How can we help our students and kids understand that giving is one of the most important things we do as humans? How can we help students understand that as adults sometimes our way of giving is in the form of discipline or structure? And most importantly, what kind of life are you making?Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887353172838020041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355052918534961899.post-38460125641013180392011-11-09T19:11:00.000-08:002011-11-09T19:11:06.368-08:00What you DO speaks so loudly......I can still hear his voice, ringing loud and clear in the dank locker room as we sat nervously, ready to begin one of our games. He was famous for sharing quotations during practices and before games to get us motivated. This was one of his favorites. We heard it often. Coach Madson was passionate--about basketball, about education, about every word he chose so carefully. A sophomore girls basketball coach has little glory in this world; however, I contend it is coaching that has more influence and impact on teen kids than parents at times. Fortunately, we were lucky enough to be coached by some of the most caring, supportive people ever. I lived for basketball! I lived for the games, the smell of the leather basketball, the stinginess of our uniforms, and the feeling of running up and down that wooden floor in which we knew every dead spot and creak.<br />
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So how does that quote, that feeling of sitting in that locker room, ready and anxious for a new game affect me now? It affects me daily. I know every beat of our building, I know every inch of the hallways and can predict how the traffic flow will be in the hallways depending on the mood and atmosphere of the kids that fill them. I know that teachers are watching, cuing in on common behaviors and those that seem out of the ordinary. I also know the kids that might need a hug or thumbs-up, and those that have enough confidence to make it to Hollywood. As educators, we pick up on things others might not even notice.....we also can send messages we do not intend. We are human and we continue to learn.<br />
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As adults, our actions are what kids see and what impacts them the most. I can talk the talk, but if I don't walk it, they won't respect it. To them, trust can be a deal maker or breaker. How can we help our kids and educators keep in mind that it's not about what we say or do, it's what we choose to do and show others? How can we encourage those that continue to make positive choices and encourage those that are not to improve? Because until we show them that what we DO speaks loudly, they cannot hear what we say. Keep doing......keep improving.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887353172838020041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355052918534961899.post-8844368152016693182011-09-11T17:38:00.000-07:002011-09-11T17:38:00.834-07:00If You Don't Ask......you don't know, right? Communications are key in working as a team. I was a little leery when I started a Facebook page for our building. Would it become a place for complaints to be posted? Would parents even notice the announcements and messages? And would kids steer clear of joining the page?<br />
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Amazingly, it has become one of the best things I have ever done for communications in our building! Parents are asking questions, kids are joining the group and wanting to tag their photos even. And as for reading the announcements, parents are hitting the 'like' button for simple reminders like the potential for an early out due to heat. Wow! <br />
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So why, as educators, do we shy away from the new technology that is available to us? Why do we immediately think the worst-case scenario? For our school, it is working great--I am not alone in this new adventure as several teachers have Facebook pages as well. From reminders of math assignments to communications on how well students are doing, it is amazing to see how parents respond in such a positive light. Facebook, who knew?!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887353172838020041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1355052918534961899.post-50343698569183387192011-06-20T05:05:00.000-07:002011-06-20T05:05:06.436-07:00What do you see?<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">"It's not what you look at that matters it's what you see." - Henry David Thoreau</span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-weight: normal;">As a school administrator in an elementary building, it often crosses my mind what these kids will someday offer our community and our world. Do we have a future doctor and beautician? Maybe some educators or someone that will work at our local newspaper? Whatever path they choose, it is our job to see to it that they have the skills and abilities to be successful. How do we accomplish this overwhelming task with the time we have? </span></span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Our district has chosen AIW (Authentic Intellectual Work) as our professional development focus. Our staff is tuning into higher order thinking, rigor/relevance, and disciplined inquiry. Through our collaborative efforts, our goal is to challenge students to think 'outside the box' not just rote memorization of facts. Are we giving kids the opportunities to excel? Or are we limiting them by saying knowing the facts is 'good enough.' As a parent of a 6 year old and 2 year, that's not good enough for me or my kids. I want them to be problem solvers, collaborate with others to contribute to something bigger than themselves.</span></span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-weight: normal;">When you look at students and you challenge them to think on a higher level, what do you see? What is the potential you are giving kids by allowing them to exceed expectations? </span> </span></span></h6>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16887353172838020041noreply@blogger.com0