Hakuna Matata2/5/2016 I think we can all agree that the ages of 12-15 are some of the most difficult and awkward years of one's life. Friends come and go...many times over...often with lots of drama. Acne may explode all over your face. Your parents somehow lose their minds, while becoming uncool at the same time. And you suddenly have this deep sense of attraction for others. Middle school, as we know it, is difficult and painful all at the same time.
This past January, the Milford Junior High Choir performed the musical "The Lion King" after many months of hard work and preparation. Nearly 50 students took the stage and performed masterfully in front of their parents, grandparents, peers, teachers, and other patrons in attendance. After the show concluded and the students took their rightfully earned applause I asked myself, "Who were these kids?" On a daily basis, some these same students can be shy, socially awkward, and afraid to show off their true selves. Yet, in front of nearly 400 people they were composed, confident, and able to carry a tune. One of the featured numbers during the performance is "Hakuna Matata" and as I listened to the words of the song many thoughts came racing through my mind. As the song states: Hakuna Matata, what a wonderful phrase Hakuna Matata, ain't no passing craze It means no worries for the rest of your days.... For many, if not all, junior high students we don't get to see their "true selves" as worrying is part of their daily vocabulary. Does my hair look good enough? Will he/she notice me at lunch today? What is that smell? How am I ever going to get this project done? Did I just get a SnapChat? Why won't [insert name] snap me back? And the list of worries goes on and on and on. However, for over an hour during the performance these same kids, while probably nervous and scared to be in the bright lights, were able to act as if they didn't have a worry in the world. They took the message of "Hakuna Matata" to heart and when the performance ended they were all smiles for ear to ear. Our jobs as educators is to help students get through the "worrying stage" of life. There is no doubt that being a middle level student is some of the toughest years in one's life. However, by providing students the opportunities to participate in activities such as musicals, sports, band, choir, FCCLA, FBLA, etc they can grow the confidence needed to perform and possibly just be themselves.
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Five for Friday 2.5.162/5/2016
Five for Friday this week focuses on technology...sort of. All articles are either tech specific or the impact that technology has on schools and society.
1. Looking for a good "Sci Fi" book that could/will become our reality? Check out "The Circle" by Dave Eggers.
2. A great article that was shared from @KarenHaase, "Dear Well-Meaning (But Ignorant) Parents: This Is What Your Teens Are Really Doing on the Internet"
3. "8 Technologies That Will Shape Future Classrooms" from Hongkiat.com
4. How important are lockers in schools? Interesting read about schools in Minnesota that have decided the space can be better used.
5. One last great read for the week. What happens when technology fails us and we have to live without it? "Station Eleven" will make you think about life without technology.
Five for Friday 1.29.161/29/2016 This weeks "Five for Friday" focuses on public education and the importance of telling our story. 1. January 27 was declared as "Public Schools Day of Action" by @NElovesPS. Check the ways you can help spread the message of the great public schools we have in Nebraska. 2. Dr. Mike Lucas of York Public Schools (@YorkDukePower) shared a very powerful blog post. Every public school educator in Nebraska should read and share his message. 3. Along with the "Public Schools Day of Action" #NElovesPS moderated the weekly #nebedchat on Wendesday night. Check out the archive and great ideas shared from educators from Nebraska and beyond! 4. Looking for a good book to inspire you to write a better story? Although not education related, it will challenge you to look at the story you (or your school) is writing and how can you make it better. 5. Last but not least, not a link or blog post but a philosophy engrained in everything we do at #milfordsoar. Thank you to everyone who makes Milford Public Schools home for me and my family!
Five For Friday 1.22.161/22/2016 If you haven't read any of Jon Gordon's books, I highly suggest that you do! They are powerful and mostly quick reads that you can always take something away from. This week's "Five for Friday" centers around his best work (in my opinion). 1. Building a great culture is imperative to any organizations success! 2. From his book "The Carpenter"--one must show they care. 3. From one of my favorite books "The Energy Bus"--10 Rules For The Ride of Your Life. 4. A great reminder for all educators. 5. And lastly, a link to a great blog post "Working for a Bigger Purpose."
Random Thoughts--January Edition1/20/2016 I find January to be one of the most interesting times of year. We are in the grips of winter with snow and blistering cold weather the norm on every 10 day forecast we read. Winter sports and activities are heading into the main stretch of their seasons with conference and district tournaments right around the corner. And for many students (and some staff) the fond memories of Christmas break are still running through their heads. For administrators, January poses a unique conundrum which can be exciting but difficult to grasp at times.
January means the school year is now half over. Graduation and the end of the year still seem like a distant date on the calendar, yet we all know it will be here before long. Planning for numerous banquets and spring activities are on our radar, but are still low on the priority list. Reflection on the past semester has caused us to make changes that may dictate our daily routines. All the while, we are still trying to maintain our laser like focus on the current school year, yet our calendars remind us that planning for next school year should have already begun. Class changes, new programs, ideal class sizes, teaching responsibilities, new staff, retirements, master schedules, new initiatives, etc. have been imbedded in my daily thoughts and conversations since we came back from break. While the 2016-17 school year is still over eight months from kicking off, it is imperative many of these ongoing discussions are wrapped up and decisions are made soon. Failure to properly prepare is not fatal, but it can be the difference between a great start to a school year or one of constant frustration and disruptions. Being an an educator is like very few professions out there. While balancing the important task of finishing up the current school year while planning for next may cause sleepless nights and a fair amount of stress, it also possesses an amazing opportunity to make a lasting impact of the lives of our students. Each school year allows for a clean slate to start anew. Teachers and staff have the ability to quit doing what may be no longer effective and take on a new approach that may have been difficult to implement midyear. But most importantly, staff has the opportunity to fulfill most schools’ missions statements by creating “lifelong learners and productive citizens.” Before we know it the sun will be shining, the birds will be chirping, our lawnmowers will be fired up, and this year’s seniors will be anxious to walk across the stage towards their next season in life. It is impossible to fully prepare for next school year as new students will arrive this summer, a staff member may decide to retire/leave late, or new programs or funding may fall through. However, take the time now, while it’s still bitterly cold, to begin to preparing for the next class of seniors who have been excitedly waiting their turn and the new class of seventh graders who will be nervously gracing our halls for the first time. A few sleepless nights now will pay dividends in the fall. Five For Friday: 1.15.161/15/2016
To say that there is a lot of great articles, blogs, and information on the web would be an understatement. Here are five great thoughts/resources from the past week.
1. Thank you to Dr. Mike Lucas, Superintendent from York Public Schools for writing the following blog post! Every public educator in Nebraska and beyond should take the time to read it. "When Did Public Schools Become the Enemy?"
3. From Omaha.com
"Coaches: Don't forget to remember the 'big picture' in youth sports"
4. From www.karikampakis.com
"10 Truths Middle Schoolers Should Know"
5. Looking for an inspirational, yet short read? I highly recommend "Steal Like An Artist" from Austin Kleon. Check out his website HERE.
Sportsmanship--How The WIAA Got It Right1/14/2016 “Sportsmanship” is defined differently at every school and at every level of athletics. What may be acceptable at one school would never be allowed at another. However, what I believe we can all agree upon is that the root of sportsmanship lies in RESPECT for all of those involved with the competition (the players, coaches, refs, fans, cheerleaders, bands, etc). As you hopefully continue reading, I want to preface my thought by saying I am talking about high school athletics; not college, not professional, not even the local Y-Ball Wednesday night men’s league. My point of view may not be popular with some (Jay Bilas included) but I feel as if it needs to be said. Tired or Tired, Which One are You?10/25/2015 Dear Educator,
I have no doubt that you have had more than one night of complete exhaustion over the past month. For a myriad of reasons; parent teacher conferences, sports supervision, college visits, FCCLA/FBLA/FFA conferences, state events, testing, etc, October seems like it is never ending, while flying by at the same time. You have probably been more than frustrated by the amount of days students have been out of the building for the same activities. It seems like you can never catch up and just when you think you are there, another group of students brings you a sign out sheet to attend another event. Instructional time is a valued and important resource we never seem to have enough of. However, all of these "other" activities that draw students away from our classroom or keep us at school until midnight have value as well. As educators, we have the enormous responsibility to not only prepare students for life, but help them write stories worth telling. And with this responsibility, comes long days and sometimes longer nights. You may be physically, emotionally, and/or mentally exhausted but you may also be "good tired." I recently came across the following passage in the book, "Man in the Mirror" by Patrick Morley: "Two kinds of tired make their way into my life. Sometimes when I go home, I'm "good tired." You know the feeling. You spent yourself in a worthy cause. Your tired--but you feel great! Theodore Roosevelt described "good tired" this way: It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again...who knows great enthusiasm, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at the least fails while daring greatly, so that his place will never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." Very few professions bring with it the responsibilities and rewards that being an educator does. We are preparing future generations to be leaders in whichever field they wisely choose. At times we are going to be tired, but hopefully when you lay your head down at night, completely exhausted, you can smile and know it was for the benefit of "our" kids. So while exhaustion, frustration, and weariness can be used to describe October, my hope is that your heart is ultimately filled with pride, excitement, and joy knowing you are spending yourself for a worthy cause. Thank you to all educators for doing what you do! Dear Seniors5/9/2015 Today marks the most important day in the educational lives of 51 students who will become alumni of Milford Public Schools. Each and every class that passes through this building is special and unique for their own reasons. This year's class is no exception. Maybe it's because 11 of the 51 are children of current or former staff members at MPS, or maybe it's because their first day of kindergarten happened to also be my very first day teaching. Regardless, I have a special bond with this class that I will carry with me. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your story.
My 3rd installment of "Dear Seniors." Same Ole Prom...NOPE!4/27/2015 Just as sometimes life can become mundane and predictable, year after year Proms follow the same format; arrive, eat, socialize, dance, take pictures, coronation, more pictures, dance some more, even more pictures, the end. In addition to the scheduled events, inevitably there will be some drama between boyfriend and girlfriend, a dress will rip, somebody won't feel good, and someone always forgets their photo order form and has to go back out to their car with an administrative escort. But #milfordsoar prom 2k15 wasn't mundane and will forever be etched in the minds of those that attended for all the right reasons! You only need to watch about 30 seconds of this video to get the point...Miami hat and all. You will want to watch the entire video as these boys are killin' it on the dance floor! Brandon MowinkelMilford Jr/Sr High Principal Archives
May 2023
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