Happy Thanksgiving!

Next week marks the beginning of a series of celebrations, starting with Thanksgiving and rolling into what we used to call Black Friday.  I guess Black Friday is not so much of a big deal now with the onset of deal shopping at all times of the year. Black Friday has been replaced by Amazon Deal Days or something like that. I’m not so upset about it, because in my younger days, I remember White Flower Days (I probably just dated myself). For those of you that don’t know this awesome event, it was the Black Friday deals of yesteryear in Macy’s. But I digress. The Saturday after Thanksgiving is Small Business Saturday, which I absolutely love. I really do. My wife and I usually head into town and shop all the little stores. Not so much a Black Friday sale day, but it is a healthy community day that adds to the events of the season. As a society, we’ve created an extended "holiday season" as many of you know. It starts with Halloween and doesn’t stop until the Super Bowl in February. That’s over four months of festivities and gatherings. Whatever your plans are, let us hope for rain, just not the troubles that accompany the rain. So, here’s my humble holiday wish this year: may everyone’s roof hold up against the elements. It might not be the flashiest or most exciting wish, but if your roof fails during a storm, you’ll quickly realize how critical it is. Having been there a few years ago when the roof leaked and warped the drywall ceiling in my house. It was not fun with tarps and buckets trying to save the flooring. For that, I’d hate to be the guy who didn’t send out well wishes in advance.  Most importantly, the holiday season is a time to take stock of what truly matters. While it’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of shopping, decorating, and planning, it’s equally important to pause and appreciate the simple things: a warm home, nice meal, family and friends, and the roof over your head…literally and figuratively. And since it’s Thanksgiving, why not start by reflecting on gratitude? This weekend, as you prepare for the whirlwind of holiday activities, take a moment to consider the things that bring meaning and joy to your life. Maybe it’s the laughter of loved ones gathered around the table, the satisfaction of a job well done, or the comfort of a familiar routine. Whatever it is, cherish it. As the holidays unfold, let’s hope for the best.  The best in all of us. Let us hope for laughter instead of leaks, for joy instead of storms, and for peace and warmth to fill our homes. After all, this season is about more than just celebrations; it’s about connection, resilience, and gratitude for the things we often take for granted. So, as Thanksgiving gives way to Black Friday and the holiday hustle, remember to pause and savor the moments that matter most. May your weekend be unbelievable, your spirits be high, and your roofs hold strong. Happy Thanksgiving!

Until next time...

10,000 Hours

Throughout my career in education, I have pushed the concept of incremental change. I believe in the power of small changes. I utilize it in my life. I teach it to my children. The true power of change is found in incremental change.  Look at erosion, plate tectonics, investment, and in my case, keeping the garage clean. Small changes over time will make a big difference. The evidence is all around us. This idea was much more pronounced in the book I recently read called ‘Outliers’ by Malcolm Gladwell. He presented several stories of success and boiled them down to the “10,000-hour rule”. His thesis is that mastery in any field requires about 10,000 hours of dedicated practice and that resonated with me. I know that meaningful growth is a product of consistent, focused effort over time. It doesn’t happen by chance and it cannot happen overnight. In education, that is why incremental change is so important. Success is the result of small, daily improvements that compound over time. Each lesson plan, classroom interaction, and professional development session contributes to the growth of teaching skills. Even the most seasoned teachers can refine their craft by embracing incremental change. Consider dedicating just 30 minutes each day to honing a specific skill. Whether it’s integrating technology, improving classroom management, or designing engaging lessons, it will add up to over 180 hours in a year. Over the course of a teaching career, these small investments yield significant dividends. The key is consistency. As I stated above, I not only utilize this approach professionally, I employ it in my private life. If our paths would have crossed two years ago, you would have seen me 80 pounds heavier. For health reasons, I decided to make a change. I had read an article in Runner’s World on ‘Streaking’ and it inspired me. So, on January 1st of 2023, I began streaking. No, not running around without clothes, (we will leave that action to the decade of the 70’s where it was born), but doing something with consistency and holding a streak. My streak was simple: run, walk, or jog a minimum of 2 miles a day. Today I am happy to say that I am at day 685 of my streak. Not only have I lost 80 pounds, but my blood pressure is lower and my resting heart rate is lower. These outcomes are a result of consistent, incremental change. As educators, our role is to guide students in breaking down large goals into manageable steps. For example, a student struggling with reading can benefit from 15 minutes of focused reading practice each day. Over time, this small effort leads to substantial progress. Similarly, in subjects like math, consistent practice with foundational concepts builds the skills necessary for tackling advanced problems later. In sport, it is about learning the fundamentals so well that the performance of fundamentally sound movement becomes second nature. As a guitar player, I no longer have to think about where to put my fingers, I just do it. When I think about it, I get slower. Gladwell’s 10,000-hour rule aligns with the powerful truth that hard work over time can lead to significant success. This idea is often illustrated with the concept of compound interest. Just as small investments grow exponentially in a financial account, incremental improvements in education compound to create profound transformation. The progress may seem slow at first, but over months and years, the results are undeniable. By focusing on incremental change, we remind ourselves and our students that every small effort matters. Together, we can build a foundation for long-term success, one hour, one day, and one step at a time. Make tomorrow better than today and begin your own streak.

Until next time...