Change

Change is everywhere. Merriam-Webster's definition of change is "to become different." We choose on a daily basis to either remain the same and stay the course or make a change. It is not always easy to make a change and after the change is made you envision your life being better for it. Change is progress. Change is growth. Change is something that happens when you want to move forward from where you are right now.

I recently was hired on at South Tama Middle School to become their 7th grade Social Studies for the 2016-17 school year. I am very excited for the opportunity to teach a group of students that I am very passionate about and feel as though my best work is done with the middle school age students. South Tama is a bigger district where I will only be responsible for teaching 7th grade students, a big difference from having three different grade levels as well as some elective courses at English Valleys. I hope to also be able to do some coaching once the dust settles and I begin my new position.

Many people, especially students, have asked why I am making this change from EV to South Tama and the truth is that there is no simple answer as to why. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here at EV but I also realize that going to school that is bigger allows me to focus my time and energy on one subject and grade level instead of three or four. As it is a bigger school there may be more opportunities both in the community and in the school district. I have also decided to make this change as I believe it to be the best for me and my family. 

I picked the Merriam-Webster definition of change because I believe it to be a unique way to define it. When I see "to become different" I view it as something that is changing the way I am. In that regard, I do not see this move as a change because I will still be the same teacher with the same views and expectations. I will continue to be passionate and excited about education. I will continue to do goofy things like #CelebrateMonday as well as fun projects and culture-building activities in my classroom. Really the noticeable change will be in the location as it will be in South Tama instead of North English. 

Finally, the greatest change I believe will be the people that I am surrounded by on a daily basis. I have met some incredible students, colleagues, and community members over these last two years that have made my time here very enjoyable. Just yesterday my Junior High students threw a going away party of sorts where they brought a cake and drinks to celebrate these last two years. I have been given notes written by students as well as numerous thank you's and high-fives. You never realize how much of a difference you have made until after something like this happens. 

I am proud of everything I was able to accomplish over these past two years but also realize that I have plenty more growing and learning left to do. Change, to me, is the idea of never settling for anything other than excellence. I will continue to do that at my next stop in South Tama. 

Until next time...be a light!

-Derek

Appreciation

This last week was the annual Teacher Appreciation Week across the nation. Facebook and Twitter were filled with posts about how appreciative we are about the work that teachers, paraeducators, etc... do for the children in our society. Treats were given by PTOs, local businesses/organizations, and lunches were even provided by our JR/SR High principal on Friday. All in all a successful week of appreciating what educators do for kids. 

The idea of appreciation is an interesting one. Appreciation can be defined as "the recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something." We have many "appreciation" or "recognition" days throughout the year for different professions, jobs, etc... around the world including ones for the health fields, administrative professions, and the list goes on. 

What struck me as odd is that in all of the appreciation days that we celebrate throughout the year there is really nothing designated to celebrating those that we as educators serve on a daily basis, our students. Sure districts, buildings, teachers, and so on can choose to recognize and appreciate those students on a regular basis but how consistent is that really in our schools today. Are we recognizing and appreciating our students like we should for all of the wonderful things they do on a daily basis? This whole idea of appreciation allowed me time to reflect on my own practices of student appreciation and I have come to the conclusion that is an area I see that I need to grow in. 

With that being said I have decided to make it a personal goal of mine to personally recognize 1-2 students every day for something positive they have done to influence me. Wait...students can influence us as educators? The answer is most definitely yes. I've always known that my students have an impact on my life but never really have taken the time up until now to make it a priority to recognize it. Below I have taken the time to recognize a few students that have really impacted my life in a positive way over the past several weeks.

1. An 8th-grade boy in my US History class is typically a struggling learner and this year has been no different. We have been working on a Leadership project by looking at US Presidents and defining their leadership ability and students have had the choice to create a website to demonstrate their learning or they could create a 3D memorial using the 123D Design iPad app. This particular student decided to make a 3D memorial and while I was hesitant at first I have been amazed at his ability to really make the project his own. He has done so well that he has actually been asked by other classmates to help them with their 3D project. It is truly remarkable to see the light shine so bright on this student and it has been a humbling experience.

2. This week with my Guided Study group (GS is another term for our MTSS/RtI time) decided that we were going to do something special for our Spirit Assembly, a Teacher Appreciation awards ceremony. The students spearheaded the idea and made certificates as well as handed out 100 grand candy bars with a note that read "you work so hard every day, you deserve 100K." Probably the most humbling aspect of the experience was the fact that we sent out a survey at the beginning of the week through Google Forms asking students to nominate a teacher that had positively impacted their lives while here at EV and explain why. We were able to get 135 responses in this survey and some of the answers were truly amazing. During the ceremony, as teachers were called to the stage, my Guided Study group read some of the responses that students had posted about each teacher. I don't know about other teachers but it got me jacked up and reenergized to finish out the year strong.

These are just two examples of many ways that my students influence me on a daily basis. I challenge everyone who reads this blog to take time out of your next school day to reflect on how the students you are inspiring are also positively impacting you. I also challenge you to let those students know how they have impacted you and how much they matter to you. I think it will be a truly amazing experience.

I hope everyone has a great week and as the late, great Rita Pierson stated..."every child deserves a champion."

Until next time...be a light!
Derek

Why do you want to be a leader?

I have made it a personal goal to blog about my experiences in the classroom, Ed leadership program, etc... at least once a week and so far I'm 2 for 2 in the last two weeks! 

It was another refreshing and inspiring weekend of learning and growing with my fellow cohort members at Grant Wood AEA. I think one of the things I have noticed in the 4 short months we have been together is how amazing it is to get together and discuss the positive and challenging aspects of our daily lives. The 13 other members of my cohort are truly amazing people and have all inspired me to continue trying to be the best version of myself that I can be. 

Throughout the weekend, we discussed a lot about leadership and during an online interview with Joe Mazza (University of Penn Graduate Program) he challenged us to answer the question "why do you want to be a leader?" It donned on me a little bit that while I feel as though I have attempted to answer this I really haven't answered it to its fullest extent at least at this point in my career. I am going to attempt to do that in the lines below.

I really truly believe that I can make a difference in the lives of everyone I come in contact with. I have never been one to settle and instead always constantly challenging the status quo, even when the status quo is working. While interviewing an administrator and friend who works at Central Intermediate School in Monmouth, IL she discussed the concept of continuous improvement that while we should celebrate the small successes "there is always something that we can get better at." This is really where my personal and professional philosophy exists on a daily basis. How can I continue to reflect and grow myself and my knowledge on a daily basis?

I was able to read a blog today where the post was titled "Why Would Anyone Want to be a School Leader" and it really put it into perspective some reasons why we are doing what we are doing. A couple of takeaways that I got from the post was that you must be willing to have tough conversations with your students and faculty but you also must be willing to fill your day with laughter. You need to be able to surround yourself with good people, those that will challenge you to continue to grow. 

As we move forward to another week of school I continue to challenge myself to seek new ways to reach and impact the students I am surrounded with on a daily basis. I also hope to continue to impact and inspire the faculty and staff around me to build a capacity for having a students-first mentality. A wise man once said that without students we would all be out of a job so doesn't it make sense to base all of our decisions around what is best for them? I also hope to be a light for our students even in their darkest times because everyone needs someone in their corner being their biggest cheerleader!

Thank you for all that you do to better yourself and the profession by reading blogs, actively engaging on twitter or any social media platform, and by growing your PLN. I have realized quickly in the two years I have been teaching that it is truly important to be the "lead learner" in my classroom and model to my students that learning and growing are important regardless the age or skill level you are. I hope to be able to model effectively as a future leader and admin in the future.

Until next time...Be A Light!

Refill Your Cup

It has definitely been a while since I lasted posted on this website. Sometimes even the best intentions go awry when life gets in the way. Since I last blogged September 2014 I have become engaged to my best friend Kristie and are getting married July 2016. The closer the day comes the more I feel how real all of it is becoming. 

The reason for the title of my blog post relates to a blog post I read today in my Ed Leadership class on Leadership & the Profession. The class is taught by Bettendorf HS Principal Jimmy Casas and I'm pretty sure our cohort could not be any more blessed to have such a passionate and inspiring educational leader to learn and grow from. The blog post was about the "4 Ways to Refill Your Cup" and it talked about how it's easy to get sucked into the daily grind of day to day things throughout the school day. Instead of getting stuck in a rut he said that you should "empty your cup, shift your focus, and dedicate your time and energy to filling the cup of those who you were relegated to serve- your students, your staff, and your community. When you fill the cup of others, your cup is filled."

This last statement is really the one that struck me throughout the entire post. Many of the things we talked about this weekend, our first of a three-weekend course, was about modeling excellence and I believe that when you fill the cup of others that is modeling excellence. If I am striving every day to serve those around me, my students, colleagues, admins, etc... then my cup will be overflowing with positives rather than the negative, pessimistic mindset that comes with only focusing on "the daily grind." Since starting my Master's Program through Drake University in ED Leadership in January I have become much more of a reflective learner and really believe that this program will set me up to having a mindset of always being the lead learner. It is my responsibility to model excellence in my classroom so that way my students clearly know the expectations I have for them.

I am going to make it a personal goal to blog once a week, either about something happening in my classroom, in our building, or just something that I read or heard in the education world throughout the week. It's been said that we are all geniuses, and the world needs our contribution. I wouldn't say I'm a genius in anything yet but I will continue to strive to contribute as much as I can.

Until next time,

Derek

The Juggling Act

It is hard to believe that I am beginning week 4 of my teaching career tomorrow. It seems like just yesterday that I was walking into the halls of EV for the first time and now I've (almost) got down the names of all 120 kids in my classes. It has been quite the first three weeks with many late nights at the school and early morning back at the school. I have been joking with my principal that we are going to have a contest to see who is at the school for the longest amount of hours total this year. Needless to say it has been quite the start.

As I look back on these first three weeks of teaching one key thing really sticks out. How in the world can someone juggle so many things in their life and still have time to fit everything they want to do? I am an assistant football coach for the district as well as the head boys basketball coach so I know that I'm already juggling a lot of roles here at EV. Add on top of that being the adviser for Model UN and attempting to start up a Running Club again here at the school and it equals very very little time to just relax and contemplate. I absolutely love what I am doing and wouldn't trade it for anything but I sometimes wonder what life would be like if we had more hours in the day. It would be so nice to have about 12 extra hours in a day just so that I can get all of the grading, lesson planning, scouting, game planning, and so on done. I find my mind thinking about school 24/7. Many people have told me to "make sure to find some time for yourself" but honestly what do I need time to myself for? I've got everything I could need right now in front of me. I've got my dream job at 23 . I've got a great staff and administration to work with that allows me to be a risk taker in the classroom. I've got great students that are willing to be pushed to new levels that they have not been before in the classroom. I've got a great supporting cast in Kristie and my family. 

I guess to close my question to anyone is: Is there ever a point when you say "this is too much?" Are there moments where you wish you could turn around and go back down another path? Have I had struggles these past few weeks...absolutely. Have I grown as an educator...absolutely. It's been a great three weeks and I can't wait to begin week 4 in a few short hours.

GO BEARS!

First Day Jitters

Whew! I survived my first day of teaching! It was quite an experience knowing that I did not have that person beside me to walk me through things but it was also exciting to know that I was fully in control of my own classroom. It was great meeting the students and getting to know them a little bit. It was quite the hectic day with basically 2 assemblies, installing/communicating a new LMS (Learning Management System) to the students, and so on. We are using a LMS called Canvas by Instructure which is fairly new to the LMS world. It is new this year to all staff, students, etc... and will be fun to do some trial and error with that. If you are looking for more information on Canvas just click the word and it should take you to a website. 

As I was going through each class I wanted to focus on communicating to the students one thing: I am here to help them succeed. I wanted them to know that failing is not something to be afraid of and that it will be a sign of growth and learning in my classroom. I created an acronym for FAIL and it stands for First Attempts In Learning. I want my students to be risk-takers and be willing to fall down a bit before reaching their full potential. 

We went through the syllabus stuff and talked about Canvas and I actually lost my voice halfway through 4th period (woops!). The greatest part about today was knowing that I have the opportunity to help these 120 kids of mine grow over the next semester/year. It really is going to be a fantastic year and I can't wait to get started.

Below I have included a video from one of my favorite individuals on YouTube, Kid President. This "peptalk" goes out to teachers and students. I hope you all enjoy and have a fantastic year! 

-Derek

Who Do You Want to Be?

The signature I created for my school email is the main basic stuff you would see on any teachers' email. It comprises of my name, title, sports I coach, and so on. I have also included a well known quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson that I look to as kind of my shining beacon of hope. "The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." This quote speaks to me in a way that most others do not.(Which is really saying something considering my infatuation of quote finding/usage!)

Who are you really? What is your purpose in life? Where are you heading? Do you have a goal, a vision? Who do you want to be?


Every minute of every day people are making the impossible happen. Dreams are becoming reality and records are being broken. Individuals who never thought they could have suddenly realized their wishes are coming true. Technological advances have made it easier to drive a car, study for classes, converse with others, and so on. We have become engulfed in the 21st century society and what it has to offer. Who do you want to be?

Every minute of every day people are struggling to get by. Dreams are becoming nightmares and lives are shattering like glass. Children are starving, wars are raging, people are dying, and civilization as we know it is crumbling in many parts of the world. Disease is ravaging parts of Africa and other 3rd World countries are struggling to provide for their citizens. Who do you want to be?

We all have a goal for our lives even if we do not think we do. Some may set a goal to become a doctor while others may just set a goal to make it safely through another night alive. While some dream of going to college and making names for themselves others dream of having enough food to eat on a day to day basis and having a safe comfortable place to lay their head down at night. We all want to be something. Who do you want to be?

Who do you want to be? I have thought a lot about that question. As I begin my first year as an educator I want to be a champion for my students. I want my students to feel safe, secure, and welcomed in my classroom. I want them to feel comfortable enough to be risk takers and establish risk-taking as the norm instead of the exception. I want to be a leader and an innovator in the way we relate to our students and establish relationships that foster growth and success. I want to be an individual that students can come to for hope and encouragement not just for help with an assignment. I want to be my students biggest fan and a role model for future generations. What I lack in experience I believe I make up for with passion, enthusiasm, compassion, and energy. I want to be the positive light in every students' lives and make sure that all of them succeed not only in the classroom but outside of it as well. 

We all want to be something. I choose to be a molder of young minds. I choose to empower individuals to choose excellence in everything they do. I choose to foster creativity, "outside the box" thinking, and risk-taking. I choose to be a champion for every child I come in contact with. I choose to be an educator.

"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." Who do you want to be?