LAUGH...it's good for you!

Three blogs in three weeks…I think I am meeting my goal!  I must say it is fun to think about what I want to put on my blogs and it has caused me to reflect more and really think about things that are important to me.  This brings me to today’s topic…Let’s Laugh!

Sense of Humor…how important is it?  Today, I was at a school for professional development training and I noticed that this was on the wall:

How cool is that?  Sense of humor is a lifeskill.  I agree!  We all need laughter.  It heals, it refreshes, and it really does help us get rid of tension. J It is important that we all have people in our lives that can make us laugh.  My dad, my husband @beent12, and my friend @brandyhannah do that for me on a regular basis, but I am blessed with lots of funny people around me.  My Granny (grandmother) was a lady that laughed more than anyone I know!  And better than that, she could make everyone around her laugh.  The best part was that she could laugh at herself…which I think says a lot about a person.  Granny was able to build a relationship with complete strangers in minutes…I think it was possible because of her sense of humor.  She was able to make everyone laugh.  I was reading a blog by @howe_principal this week about rigor, relevance and relationships.  http://howeprincipal.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/consider-rigor-but-focus-on-relevancy-and-relationships/

I agree with him that it does all start with relationships.  I also think that a sense of humor can help build those relationships.  When you can laugh with someone, you create an instant bond.  I saw my Granny do this over and over throughout her life.  If we can laugh and have fun with our students, we are sure to build relationships.  The bottom line…LAUGH…it’s good for the body, the soul, and building relationships!

Time...Is There Ever Enough?

Time…it is a tricky subject these days.  It seems like there is never enough. 

A couple of weeks ago, ten children (ages 1-17) lost their father unexpectedly.  Yesterday, a colleague of mine lost her husband unexpectedly.  One thing these terrible accidents have reminded me  of is that time is precious and we really never know when our time on earth may end.  So, we must use our time wisely. 

In school today, I think there are so many things vying for our time…but ultimately what we choose to do with our time is our decision.  As teachers, some of our day is dictated to us and we may not have choice in every minute of our day.  However, there are a lot of hours that are ours to choose.  I believe that we choose to spend that time on what we value.  We fill our time with the things that are important to us!  So, my question today is…what do you value? 

The other day, I found myself saying I wish I had just one more hour in my day.  My awesome friend reminded me…”Lyndsi, you would just fill it up too.”  She’s right, I would. So, maybe I do not want more time.  I just need to make sure I spend the time I have wisely!  

Here I Go

Yikes!  I am doing it...I promised my Personal Learning Network (PLN) I would try out this blog thing...and I am @philgriffins and @robertdrb!  Thanks to the #educoach Twitter chat for making me step out of my box! Wahoo!

My first challenge began with deciding on a name for the blog.  I decided on When I Grow Up because I remember wanting to be a teacher from a pretty young age.  Of course, I changed my mind a few times in the middle, but I ended up back at teacher before college started.  Another reason behind my name is that I really think I am continuing to learn new things and grow as a professional all the time.  So, When I Grow Up seemed appropriate.  Enough procrastinating...here it goes:

My husband and I went on a double date with some friends of ours this weekend.  We went out to a new Japanese restaurant in town and then went to a movie. The movie was a standout for me...Here Comes the Boom.  It is about a teacher who decides to start competing in a mixed martial arts boxing-like sport to raise money to save the music program in the school.  While being a really funny movie...it actually had some moments that really stood out to me and may have inspired me.  So, here are my thoughts... 

The movie starts out with the main character, Kevin James, acting like one of those teachers that give us all a bad name.  He was late, he didn't teach anything to the students, his classroom looked sterile, and he was overall lethargic in his job.  Needless to say, I was cringing in my seat.  UGH...I hate it when we see teachers portrayed so horribly in movies.  But, of course, it was hilarious...so I stayed (plus I paid $9 to see this...I wasn't about to leave, I am too cheap for that).  Somewhere in the movie you learn that this same teacher actually had won teacher of the year several years in a row.  So...he used to be good?!?  Well, that interested me.  What changed?  What could possibly cause a good teacher to become so poor?  The answer wasn't exactly given, but he did give a speech to his students about regenerative cells (he was a biology teacher) that gave some insight.  These regenerative cells help restore the cells and help it all come back together, reconnect and get back to work (okay, that was clearly not as scientific as it was even said in the movie, but you get the point).  This teacher played by Kevin James had given up...he had decided that what he did really didn't matter and it was easier to be like others he worked with and not care.  How sad!  But, I do think this can happen.  Maybe we need to spend more time supporting our good teachers and help prevent them from feeling like this teacher.  Because, what we do DOES MATTER!

Toward the end of the movie, one of the main characters played by Henry Winkler said to Kevin James' character, "That's all we're supposed to do as teachers.  Inspire."  THAT is what I want to do...I want to INSPIRE!