Count the Things That Matter

As we close down August, we are facing the dawn of September and a semester of activities planned.  As we all do, the schedule will drive our day and before we know it, we will reach Winter break.  Take a moment during the hustle and bustle to count the things that matter most to you.  When we pause to reflect, difficult moments will seem not so significant.  Just remember, you are the custodian bestowed the task of turning on the light bulbs in the minds of your students.  That task is not dull or boring but exhilarating beyond belief.  Have a great 3-day weekend.  You’ve earned it.  Go Pups! (cue Chic - Le Freak) 

Pulling Together

Pulling together, we had an excellent start to school.  We have now sailed through the first complete week and have settled in to our routines.  Just remember, parents send us all they have.  They don’t keep the good ones home and send us the ‘others’.  They send us their best.  I often ask myself, “Are we preparing our students for our past or their future?  I guess that will always be a question that is open for debate. At this point, it is just a questions to ponder…enjoy your weekend. Have an outstanding Friday and an even better Dog Bowl.  Go Pups! (cue Styx – Come Sail Away) 

Greek Stories and Mr. Rose

We are now in the final push to the end of the semester and with it comes all the craziness that December brings.  Sometimes, what the students will remember most about school, are the times their teacher gave them compassion, consideration, or even the figurative swift kick in the pants.  Thinking back to my days in high school, I had many teachers that did the latter, but none more than Mr. Rose.  Mr. Rose was my 12th grade English teacher and is the reason I have a representation of Sisyphus in my office.  You see, Mr. Rose taught the mythological Greek story in class and for me, it was far from engaging.  About 4 years ago, I was notified by my parents of the passing of Mr. Rose.  On the same day, I saw the statue in a Home Goods store.  I immediately thought of Mr. Rose and how difficult he made my life as Senior in high school. I still don’t know why, but I was compelled to make the purchase. There is one difference between Sisyphus in Greek mythology and the statue on the table.  The statue has someone helping Sisyphus roll the boulder up the hill. My interpretation is that we all have our own boulder to roll and help, in whatever form, is appreciated.  Thank you Mr. Rose, lesson learned.  Job well done.  Enjoy your weekend. Go Pups! (cue Beatles: Here Comes The Sun) 

Piers Plowman

There is nothing like the crisp mornings of Fall. We all know that when the cooler weather arrives, the vacation times are not too far off. With that anticipation comes students that get a bit rambunctious. It is for this reason, I am almost certain William Langland, author of Piers Plowman, had to be a teacher. In that narrative poem, written between 1360 and 1387, Langland is credited for having said “maxima enim, patientia virtus” (patience is the greatest virtue). Chaucer, between 1387 and 1400, later wrote in Canterbury Tales that "Patience is a high virtue... but virtue can hurt you." No doubt that the sentiment of these two gentlemen were correct. Patience is important. Have an awesome weekend. Go Pups! (cue Kenny Loggins: This Is It)

November is Here

November is here!  If you are anything like me, you welcome the cooler weather.  These days of crisp mornings and nice afternoons are the best.  (Much better than the breezy allergy filled Spring). Optimism fills the air as our students get the college applications done.  We should notice the little things around us during these times.  Take the time to acknowledge the hard work of a colleague.  Reach out to a student that works quietly to say, “Nice job.”.  We all know the big things we need to do to make our school function, but it is the little things that give us the smooth waters to sail. Have an awesome weekend. Go Pups! (cue Phil Collins:  In The Air Tonight) 

Senior Nights

What a week!  I always like to watch the Senior nights.  It always gives me an opportunity to reflect on what we do. Some students only participate in one extracurricular activity during their time in high school and Senior Night may be the last time they participate in their home venue.  Many try to trick themselves into believing they will never have to say goodbye to the activity, the camaraderie, or even the difficult practices, but they do. Very few continue at a collegiate level and they know it.  The feelings and emotions the kids feel are real and something they have never experienced before. For them, it is difficult to explain and only truly understood by others who have been in the same position. I am humbled by the hours and hours our students, coaches, and parents log during a season.  The relationships and bonds that are built during a season of performance have the power to change lives.  It is truly amazing! Have an extraordinary weekend. Go Pups! (cue Bon Jovi:  It’s My Life) 

This Is Me

The middle of October is here and with it some cooler weather.  This is the time to build a movie watching list and I have a recommendation:  The Greatest Showman.  After having seen it several times, it is still captivating.  The song ‘This Is Me’ from the movie makes me think about high school students. Sometimes teenagers are mean and they attack other teens that are a bit awkward.  As adults, we see all teens as a bit awkward at times.  The song makes reference to people who attack others and offers an appropriate response:  When the sharpest words wanna cut me down; I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out; I am brave, I am bruised; I am who I'm meant to be, this is me. What a message!  Of course words hurt, but be brave and larger than those that say them.  We should encourage our students to be who they are.  Have an exceptional weekend. Go Pups! (cue Keala Settle, Greatest Showman Ensemble: This Is Me)