Moving On

I have been using the Weekly Bytes in my career for over 15 years. As said in the tag line above, it is “communication to keep us all connected”.  Whether it is through the opening musing, the review of the week, the list of future events, or the fun bits of trivia, the attempt is always to keep us connected. When I began pondering the idea of the end of my weekly newsletter, as I will be headed to the District Office, I realized I was incorrect in my assumption.  I began to think about how many times I do not know what is happening at the other secondary sites. We have very little knowledge of the other sites, their events, their announcements, or anything.  We simply know those sites exist. It shouldn’t be that way therefore, as I embark upon my new role as Director of Secondary Education, I will continue to send out my Weekly Bytes. Truly it will be communication meant to keep us ALL connected.  All means ALL. I will continue to bore you with my weekly musing or deep thoughts.  I will continue to challenge you with my trivia and my hope is that the three of you that play along will continue. I will continue to try and inspire a smile or a warm thought or two. I will, I will, I will. Blah, Blah, Blah. Enough said. With this being my last of the 2022-23 school year, I simply want to wish you a wonderful and safe summer break.  May you rest and recharge ready for your return in August. See you in 2023-24. Have an outstanding summer break…RiseUP! (cue Summer  — the Cars).

Until next time...

Crazy Train

With the end of every academic year, I always take a moment of personal inventory. It helps me to slow the pace down. Many times, my mind lands on the incredible impact we make in the lives of our students. Whether you are in the classroom where the rubber meets the road, or in a supportive role, you have made an impact. In the classroom, you have poured your heart into lessons and graded some less than adequate work along the way. Frustrations aside, you showed up daily and served as an inspiration to students in ways you will not know. You have given inspiration and guidance for students that are sometimes not the most accepting. By reaching under the chin of each student and clicking on the light bulb in their head, you ignited the potential within them to continue a journey of lifelong learning. Later in life as our students reflect on their time in school, they will understand the pivotal role you played in shaping their lives. A school year is like a roller coaster. It is fast paced with some ups and downs.  There may even be a loop-de-loop on the track, but you stay the course with students and hope you don’t lose anything along the way. They may not remember the details of the subject taught, but they will remember the impact you made as you helped them grow not only academically, but emotionally and socially. Just as we can all remember roller coasters that were a blast to ride, we compartmentalize by not thinking about the long line before the ride.  Students will do the same. They will remember the ride. So as we approach the end of the ride, take pride in the fact that you have conquered this one. As every roller coaster car pulls into the start house, the riders have plenty of mixed emotions. Some are jacked and can’t wait to go again, in fact, they are begging the operator to stay in the car.  Some are terrified, want out, and will never return. Most however, had a fun ride, are relieved it is over, and after their stomach settles, will stand in line to do it again. As this car pulls into the start house, take some time to settle, rest, and reflect on the year. This is a time when we can celebrate the finish.  The end justifies the means. May you find fulfillment and pride in the impact you have made this year. Hang in there, we have one week to go. Have a tremendous weekend. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Crazy Train — Ozzy Osbourne).

Until next time...

I am rubber...

Never let it be said that we should, “Grow Up”.  Some of the best things in life, I learned on the playground when I was a kid.  We all remember the playground. Every now and then, it was rough out there emotionally because kids can be mean. With my last name, I learned to roll with the chatter of those that tried to be creative.  Some days it wasn’t good enough to “keep to yourself” or “turn the other cheek”. Those days you needed to be armed with something greater like, “I am rubber, you are glue…”.  You all remember it and it was motivating. In life, we often face criticism and negativity from those around us. These words have the potential to shape our self-perception, limit our potential, and impede our progress. However, we possess an incredible ability to deflect the impact of these words and turn them into catalysts for growth. Just as rubber bounces back when struck, we too can rebound from the words thrown at us. By internalizing the truth that we are not defined by the opinions of others, we build an unbreakable shield against negativity. "I am rubber" signifies our resilience and ability to withstand the impact of hurtful words. It speaks to our capacity to bounce back from adversity, to spring forward with renewed determination. We must believe in our inherent worth and recognize that our potential is not determined by the limitations others impose upon us. Through self-belief and a steadfast mindset, we can defy expectations, shatter barriers, and achieve what once seemed impossible. Rather than internalizing their words, we can choose to let them bounce off us. In doing so, we diminish their power and allow their negativity to remain with its source. "Whatever you say, bounces off me and sticks to you" serves as a reminder that we have the power to transform criticism into motivation. Rather than being burdened by hurtful comments, we can use them as fuel to ignite our inner fire. Each negative word can be channeled into an opportunity for growth and self-improvement. By focusing on our goals and aspirations, we can leverage the negative energy and turn it into positive momentum. Remember, the path to success is not without its share of challenges and naysayers. Nobody ‘makes it’ without having a few arrows pointed in their general direction. The key lies in cultivating resilience and using it to our advantage. The power to deflect negativity lies within each of us. By embodying the essence of the phrase "I am rubber, you are glue, whatever you say, bounces off me and sticks to you," we harness our resilience, transcend limitations, and transform words into triumph. Let us embrace our inner strength, rise above adversity, and emerge as the architects of our destiny. May all of us remember the simplicity of our childhood and when you need to use it, just say it to yourself with a smile, “I am rubber…”  Have a wonderful restful weekend. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Hall of Fame — The Script). 

Until next time...

Everybody is a genius

As an educator, I am often reminded how important it is to remember that every student has their own unique strengths and weaknesses. One of the biggest mistakes we can make is to judge students based on a narrow set of abilities or skills, ignoring their potential in other areas. Albert Einstein once said, "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." This quote perfectly encapsulates the danger of labeling and limiting students based on arbitrary measures of success. In our education system, we often place a heavy emphasis on certain subjects, such as Math and English, and prioritize the skills required to excel in those areas. However, this narrow focus ignores the fact that students have diverse talents and abilities that should be celebrated and nurtured. For example, a student who struggles with math may excel in the arts or have a natural talent for writing. By solely focusing on their shortcomings in one area, we risk limiting their potential and stifling their creativity. That is why it is crucial for all of us to adopt a growth mindset and encourage students to do the same. Instead of simply evaluating students based on their current abilities, we should be emphasizing the importance of effort and growth. We should be teaching our students that their abilities are not fixed, and that with hard work and determination, they can improve and excel in any area they choose. One way to foster a growth mindset is to focus on individual progress and development, rather than comparing students to each other. By setting achievable goals and celebrating progress, we can help our students build confidence and develop a lifelong love of learning. Another important aspect of this approach is providing opportunities for students to explore their passions and interests. By allowing students to pursue their own areas of curiosity, we can help them discover their unique strengths and develop a sense of purpose. Incorporating project-based learning and inquiry-based approaches can also help students develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter and encourage creativity and critical thinking. By giving students the opportunity to apply what they are learning in a hands-on way, we can help them see the relevance and value of their education. When we provide a variety of learning opportunities and resources, we can help each student reach their full potential. All of this is important but most important is that we must remember that every student learns in their own way and at their own pace. It is our responsibility to recognize and celebrate the unique talents and abilities of each of our students. As Einstein reminds us, "Everybody is a genius." Therefore, it is up to us as educators to help our students discover and unleash their own genius.  Have a wonderful restful weekend. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Don’t Stop Believin’— Journey).

Until next time...

King for a Day

The other day while listening to the radio, a song from the Thompson Twins called ‘King for a Day’ began playing.  As I listened to the song, I began to ponder the concept as I often do. If I was asked to be king for just one day, what would I do? What if the decision I could make would have lasting effect, instead of being merely a ceremonial day? Could I make real decisions for the world?  Would it make a difference if the decisions could be managed with different timeframes?  Boy oh boy did my mind begin to wander!  What would I do?  I know I have very specific things that would be my focus. Just think, king of the world for just one day, having a time frame that could be set. With the resources of the world at my disposal, I would make some decisions for the benefit of humanity.  In the Thompson Twins song, they ‘give it all away’ to be with a girl. WOW!  That is one option however not my first choice, though I do sing along with the catchy tune. I would prefer to do something lasting like end all wars forever. The money saved could then be retasked to end world hunger. In both cases, I could end senseless death.  Next, I would retask the vast resources and bring it to bear on ending forever, all cancer and cardiovascular disease. These two diseases are responsible for the first and second most deaths worldwide at a total of 26.58 million people per year. Next, I would make medicine available to millions worldwide, to once and for all eradicate diseases that should have been gone long ago but are still killing people such as Tuberculosis, Polio, Malaria, Scarlet fever, Mumps, and Measles. Yes this would come at a cost, but small compared to the riches of the world. I would then mobilize funding for education for all, forever.  I would send funds to public schools and public universities to improve their facilities and employee pay making them iconic places to work or study.  I could probably go on and on but should stop there and move on to lesser items. Although of lesser impact worldwide, these next two are certainly for the benefit of all humanity. I would for 30 years place a salary cap on the Los Angeles Dodgers that was just below the lowest paying Major League Baseball team. Just for the fun of it, I would make the Dallas Cowboys pick last in the draft and not allow concessions sold at their stadium for 20 years. Those last two alone are enough to cause a war, so thankfully, I did away with war with my first decree. That's what happens when a San Francisco 49er and Giant fan becomes king for a day! Then, I would once and for all, excavate Oak Island to find out what is truly buried there. Lastly, I would gain access to the Presidential Book of Secrets they talked about in the movie National Treasure. If there isn’t one, then I would make one because the concept is so cool. All kidding aside, if given the chance to make those kinds of decisions, I would truly focus on trying to make our world a better place. I think that we will find that there’s more than enough riches in our world for all of us if we could just focus on the goodness of humanity. Have a wonderful weekend. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue "King for a Day” — Thompson Twins).

Until next time...

Hope Remains

Have you ever lost your passion for an activity then rediscovered it? What a wonderful feeling. For me, it is my love of the outdoors and outdoor activities. With the young kids and my career, many times my desire to participate in outdoor endeavors such as skiing, cycling, or kayaking was always postponed ‘until another day’.  Soon, even my equipment became outdated or dare I say, old. Then came COVID. I was taken down by the virus and for weeks, I suffered thinking every difficult breath was my last. I pondered every detail of my life as I battled the sickness. When I knew I was turning the corner, and getting better, all I wanted to do was put COVID in the rear view mirror. When I was released from the hospital, I wanted to go on long walks with my family, but I could only muster a shuffle across the room. With every day, I worked to build back my strength yet my hope of participating in cardiovascular activities was limited.  I wanted to run, yet I could barely walk across the street without getting winded. Hope remained. Today, I still want to run, however, I have only built my cardio fitness to a point that I can vigorously walk.  The more I try to press it, the scar tissue in my lungs that was a gift of COVID gives me a vehement ‘NO’.  It doesn’t change my desire to involve myself in outdoor activities, which was a promise I made to myself in the ‘dark days’. I walk every morning and each day, jog a bit more. Hope is not my only strategy. Every weekend, I find something to do with my family that is outdoors, pending the weather, and this is the perfect time of year. As I build my cardiovascular strength, I build back the equipment that is needed to participate. I want to run, and someday I will, but until then, I will walk. With every step, COVID is under my shoe, and I am stomping on it. COVID took so much from all of us, but I will not let it take anymore from me. I am done. Have a wonderful weekend. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue "Never Surrender” — Corey Hart). 

Until next time...

Lost Notes

Usually on my way to work, I dictate notes to myself and this morning was no different. The reason I dictate is that commuting is just a waste of time.  I try my best to remain productive during that time in the car. Unfortunately, this morning, my dictated notes were lost in cyberworld.  When I arrived at the office, the file was sent but never received in my email. I’m sure all of us have had a similar situation and I’m certain I will find a way to recover the information sometime in the future when I no longer need it.  The reason I bring it up is because this morning I had a few good notes that I wanted to draw upon to write this opening. You see, my mornings begin at 4:30am when I give thanks that I have been granted another day to get it right. I stumble to grab a cup of coffee then sit in a quiet room to reflect and be mindful of my day, my obligations, and my life. This morning, I reflected on my writing and how much I enjoy the practice.  I find it cathartic to write from the heart.  It is no secret that I have done a bit of writing, but that has not always been the case.  I was not the best student in my high school years and I have written about my Senior English teacher Mr. Rose. I am certain that Mr. Rose hated my arrival to his class just as much as I hate going, yet I can recall quite a bit. The class was British Literature and I would almost get hives walking into the building. I did everything but the work, and Mr. Rose knew it. He rode me everyday and grinded my gears about every little thing that I did in that class. Back then, I had a strong dislike for the man. Now, as you may know, I have a tribute to him in my office in the form of a statue of Sisyphus getting help. I think about Mr. Rose everytime I look at that sculpture and I know, he is upstairs wagging his finger at me saying, “I told you so”. He used to drive me crazy with that! I can still picture him in front of the class reading a passage from some book then closing his eyes to let the literature wash over him. In my immaturity, I could never figure it out. Now I get it.  Today, I have a love of reading and writing. I enjoy the art of words and the specific use of aphorisms and euphemism to flavor the work. Mr. Rose is getting the last laugh, and I can hear it. The very long point I am trying to make is that there are students in your classes that you are impacting. You may never know, just as Mr. Rose impacted me, but your impact is registering. Mr. Rose never gave up on me, even though I sometimes gave up on my own abilities. In spite of my horrible petulant classroom behavior, Mr. Rose persevered. As an author, I may own the title of best seller, but Mr. Rose should get the credit. All I can do is look up and apologize for my young self with a thank you in my heart. Every student should be lucky enough to have a Mr. Rose. Have a wonderful weekend. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue "In My Dreams” — REO Speedwagon). 

Until next time...