perpetual beta 2

cc photo by J. Delp On Monday, our students return to school at Willis Junior High in Chandler, Arizona. Each year I try to share something encouraging with our staff to consider as they approach the first week of school. For what it is worth, here is this year's message. As we begin our first week of school, we are provided with an incredible opportunity. For each of us, and for each of our students, it is a new beginning--a chance to get a fresh start. As you prepare to meet our kids, please consider these five essentials (one for each day of the week) for our educational community. 1. Kindness Guard within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, and how to acquire without meanness. - George Sands The majority of our students will come to school on the first day a bit anxious. They will be focused on each interaction with an adult, listening to our tone and seeking reassurance. Let’s be certain that every student...

cc photo and quote by J. Delp It has been a challenging week in America. Recent events in Baton Rouge, Minnesota, and Dallas have been deeply disturbing and these tragedies have me reflecting on the role that our education system plays in preparing young people to interact with others with respect, appropriate consideration, and empathy.  First, let me say that I am FAR from being an expert on racial issues, or diversity. I grew up in a very small town with limited exposure to other races and cultures. It wasn't until I began my career in education that I really began to consider how our unique experiences (based upon race, culture, family-life, and socioeconomic status) impact our perceptions, education, and daily lives. We all bring our own "experience" bias to our work, socialization, and interactions with others. It is important that we each recognize that our reality is likely much different than that of others we encounter. Based upon my observations ...

  cc photo by J. Delp Coming to school each day can become a hopeless task for some children unless they succeed at what they do. We teachers are the sentries against that hopelessness. — Robert DeBruyn As educators, we all bring our own memories and school experiences to our work and into our classrooms. Undoubtedly, those experiences are a wide variation of success, enthusiasm, trepidation, motivation, disdain, inspiration, and indifference. It is important to remember that our students are no different. They come to us with a wide array of feelings about school, based upon their individual personalities, home life, and past experiences. Not all kids will see the value in what they are asked to do. Many will lack motivation, or enthusiasm, and some will even be anxious, ambivalent, or even angry about school. There is no lack of emphasis given to differentiation in the classroom. Much of this discussion revolves around meeting the individual academic needs of students,...