Accentuate the Positive

Work has begun again, and school is in full swing. We have officially made it through six weeks of school, and my grades are due soon! Ah!

The only way to achieve goals is to keep them in sight. Today’s post is a goal reflection.

 

1. I am bringing my fun with me. Being a teacher is stressful, especially in the current climate. However, I am bringing my fun with me. I am focusing on the positives of my job àstudents learning, ignoring (mostly) the negatives à BS, and having a good attitude. Before you think I am Mary Poppins, let me reassure you. I struggle with maintaining a good attitude. Some days/moments are harder than others. I am working on dealing with the negatives by venting or ignoring them. Sometimes Coach has to jump in there and shake me.
2. I start my mornings off with a devotional. Faithfully I start my day off with a devotional. It is enough to start the day off right. However, I need to spend more time in God’s word. Five minutes is just not enough.
3. Ninjasizing! I have made it to the three month mark of regular exercise. I am moving into month four. I am feeling a little discouraged, because one of the classes is difficult and I struggle. However, my gym colleagues assured me they can see growth, and that encourages me. I am seeing new muscle tone, but my weight is still the same. =( One of these days I will learn to love my body. Additionally, I feel stronger and more determined.
4. Being the best teacher I can be. I am improving current units and trying to meet students where they are. However, I am falling down on grading.
5. Maintaining life and work balance. As there are additional demands at work, it is easy to want to ditch home life. During the week Coach helps me keep my exercise commitments, I only stay at work until 5pm at the latest, and we are spending the evenings together. Unfortunately, I am spending at least half my Saturdays planning and grading. At least we carve out time for ourselves, so Saturday is not all work. 

Overall, I know things are going well. Life is good. Cheers!  

Letter to Self

Letters to Self

At the beginning of the school year students write a letter to themselves that is returned on the last day of school. This was an activity done specifically for Communication Skills students. When the district eliminated Communication Skills as required elective for 10^th graders, I was saddened. However, “Letter to Self” is so valuable and fun, I now do it with all my classes.

Students write a four paragraph letter about whatever they want. They seal their letters, and I keep them secure until the last day of school. Some of the topic suggestions are:

• Who do you admire most?
• What would you want to change in your life?
• What is your biggest fear?
• List your feelings about the future, work during the next five years, retirement, graduation, marriage, or divorce.
• $$$Money$$$...send yourself a buck…just in case you need it.

As I am involved in many sequels, I typically write about book sequels. I predict what the next book will be about. What will happen to Character X? What will the next title be? Is this the end?

This year I am reminding myself of my goals. When I read my letter at the end I can reflect if I have met my goals. I also left summer goals for myself too.

Dear Reader join us in writing a letter to yourself. In May I will read mine and remind you to find and read yours. I am attaching the full directions at the bottom of this post. Happy Writing!

A Letter to Yourself Write a letter to yourself, at least four paragraphs long.  Think carefully about what you want to include in this letter.  Fold it in half, seal it with tape or by stapling, and put your name, class period, and date on the outside.  I will save this letter until the end of the year when I will return it to you.  It should be interesting to you to see if and how you have changed over this school year. Some Suggested Contents: What would you want to change in your life? List your feelings about the future, work during the next five years, retirement, graduation, marriage, or divorce. List the names of two people you love or loved.  Discuss the relationships you have or had with these individuals. Tell yourself to keep in touch with a friend(s) . . . name them, and describe them and your relationship. Describe your personality and physical appearance. What song that you listen to now makes you feel relaxed, at peace, or energetic and excited.  Talk about the artist/group and why you like them. $$$$$MONEY$$$$$ send yourself a buck . . . just in case you need it. Make a list of enjoyable recreational activities that you are currently engaged in. Whom do you most admire?  Describe this person and give reasons why you admire him/her. What has happened to you this summer, this year, this week that seems very important to you now? What is your favorite expression(s)?  How do these give some clue about who you are and what you think about your world? What is your biggest fear?  Why? Make a list of items you would like to acquire or experiences you would like to have and give reasons why. Make a list of people whom you know now that you think will have drifted away.  Tell why your friendships may fade away. Make a list of people who you feel will still be close friends of yours in five years.  Why are these people extra close to you?