Part III: Building a Better Pirate
"Being your best possible self contributes to the school culture necessary to create the environment for greatness to flourish." (Reminds me of the 7 Habits training I am participating in now)
"I can think of no higher purpose or calling than teacher. We help shape the minds of future generations. We have the ability to literally change the world." (WOW)
"I like the coach who, during an end-of-season interview was asked if he thought his season was successful. He paused a moment and replied, 'I won't know for another twenty years.'" (Now, that coach gets it!)
"If people could only see what we do, they would realize we are modern day superheroes wearing the Clark Kent disguise of teacher." (FAVORITE QUOTE OF THE BOOK:)
photo credit: DC Comics
My hope is that these blog posts have intrigued you enough to pick up the book and read it for yourself. The world of education can be very daunting and we need to find inspiration and energy from wherever we can find it. This book has plenty of both! So let's work together as a pirate crew and set sail for new adventures in the classroom. Anchors Away!
PIRATE PEARLS OF WISDOM
"I not only use all the brains that I have, but all the brains that I can borrow." - Woodrow Wilson
"Do you want to be safe and good, or do you want to take a chance and be great?" - Jimmy Johnson
"A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil to learn is hammering on a cold iron." - Horace Mann
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, January 26: DATA DIVES in the LMC (Rotating Subs)
Tuesday, January 27: School Improvement Committee 8:15 am
Science of Music Assembly (all grades) 10:00 - 11:00 am
Thursday, January 29: Staff Meeting 8:00 am
7 Habits Training for Principals 12:00 pm
Friday, January 30: Student of the Month Assembly 3:00 pm (Begin with the end in Mind)
Report Cards Go Home
Skate Night at Riverside Arena 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Skate Night at Riverside Arena 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Wednesday, February 4: 7 Habits Training for Principals 12:00 pm
Thursday, February 5: Staff Meeting 8:00 am
PTA Meeting 6:30 pm
Friday, February 6: Daddy Daughter Dance 6:00-8:00 pm
Monday, February 16: No School for President's Day
Tuesday, February 17: No Students Building PD in the AM & District PD in the PM
I think it is great to talk about inspiration teachers. I think it is wonderful that many teachers work incredibly hard despite relatively poor pay and little chance for recognition or advancement. However I worry that it is not a good way to sustain the profession. It is not the way that we will attract the best and brightest to the teaching profession. This system still results in many teachers who do NOT work to be their best. Who are mediocre at best. I've heard the quote, "you can't base a sustainable business off of exceptional effort." I think this is why our country still does not have a world class educational system.
ReplyDeleteLogan,
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to read the post. I feel that those who are called to be in education have a desire in their hearts to make the world a better place and are not in the classrooms for pay or recognition. This blog post (and the book it refers to) is meant to share some ways to keep that passion strong and ways to create inspiring lessons for our students. Thanks again for reading and sharing.
Jon
I loved this quote you included -- "Do you want to be safe and good, or do you want to take a chance and be great?" - Jimmy Johnson
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of educators are satisfied with being "safe and good." It takes other, passionate, risk-taking teachers to encourage them to take the next step. Just think - do we want our students to just do good enough to pass, or do we expect them to keep pushing themselves to be great. Why wouldn't we? :)