Author: Bret Olson

CAISSA for the Win

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This week/end we’ve been busy hosting the CAISSA regional sports tournament.  With visiting schools from Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Trinidad & Tobago, and Cayman Islands it’s been a great experience for everyone involved.  

As the days rolled on I took a few moments to sit back and reflect on everything that I’ve seen and heard during CAISSA, it’s been interesting.  I want to share some of the observations I’ve made and how they are a positive for not only our community but all of those who’ve been involved.

  1. School isn’t exclusively about textbooks and exams!  The lessons that have been learned during this event have been incredible.  There have been lessons on sportsmanship (with examples of the good as well as, unfortunately, the bad).  We’ve seen our AC students come out and support their classmates (or older role models) and cheer positively for the efforts of all the athletes, the positive experience of enjoying a sporting event is not to be under-appreciated!  While all of this excitement has been happening we’ve also seen the discipline of many of our students to attend classes and, in some cases, take tests despite the energy of these athletic contests happening just steps away.  
  2. Bonds created by hosting students from other schools last for a long time!  As the week progressed I saw more and more of our students walking around, chatting, and just hanging out with kids from the other schools.  Many times the connections between these students were formed when one student-athlete played the role of host to the other.  Initially, hosting guest student-athletes was a cost saving measure but now it’s grown to so much more than that.  Living under the same roof, if only for a couple days, creates a bond between these young adults that is stronger than the competition.  It’s a unique experience, one that helps these kids realize that it’s not all about the numbers on the scoreboard at the end of the game.  
  3. Hard work prevailing isn’t just something from Hollywood, it actually happens!  Watching some of the games over the course of the tournament, it became very obvious as to who “should” win particular matchups.  However, in a number of cases, the “underdog” showed that hard work and perseverance can win out over a more “talented” opponent.  Teamwork, effort, and fundamentals became more than buzz-words, they became rallying cries and motivation!   As educators, how can we transfer that attitude into the classroom?
  4. Attitude is everything!  The last time we hosted CAISSA I was blown away by the effort and dedication of our JV girls Volleyball team as they battled against all the varsity squads.  Once again, the JV teams have impressed beyond my imagination. The girls soccer team has been competitive and fought hard against every opponent they’ve faced, never hanging their heads or giving up despite facing tough varsity level competition.  Our JV boys on the basketball court have faced, whether fairly or not, the best that each of the varsity teams have had to offer.  Whether a tough opponent, a bad shooting day, or injured teammates, our JV athletes have fought through and left every ounce of energy on the court/field.

CAISSA has been a nice interlude for our community.  The positive atmosphere of support and hard work from our athletes and community has been wonderful to see.  It’s not all about academics when it comes to school, CAISSA  was a nice reminder of that fact.  We’re helping transform young adults into adults, that extends well beyond the books!!

Mindfulness: Getting Started

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I began my personal experience with Mindfulness by researching the concept of Mindfulness and, to be honest, it was a bit overwhelming!  Type in “mindfulness” on Google and you’ll find enough to read for a million lifetimes.  I, needless to say, don’t have that kind of time on my hands.  In fact, I was struggling to find any time for researching Mindfulness.  I think I was having a hard time prioritizing this pursuit because I was so overwhelmed with everything that was out there.  Finally, I decided that it was time to just do something and commit to the journey.  

Having previously reached out to my PLN on Twitter about “good mindfulness apps” I had a place to start and headed to the app store.  What I found in the app store was once again overwhelming.  I found the app I went for but I also ended up downloading 10 other free mindfulness apps, yikes!  Mindfulness is certainly a hot topic these days and it shows in the amount of material available to download for free.  Despite downloading all these apps I decided that I needed one place to start, not 11!

The recommendations I received all pointed me toward Headspace, so this was going to be my starting point.  I had no idea what to expect when I opened the app.  My research led me to believe there would be some element of meditation but also that there were different types, three or four popular varieties, associated with Mindfulness.  Thankfully, Headspace has been super user friendly.  In fact, they have a 10-day starter series for people like me (well, for everyone really.)  This series includes a short two-minute introduction animation that walks you through some helpful tips for getting started, exactly what I needed!  

Tips for getting started:

  1. Find a place to be undisturbed for 10 minutes (silence isn’t required but to start out, peace and quiet might be helpful.)
  2. Research has shown that creating a new habit is easier when we do it at the same time each day, so find a good place in your schedule to plan this exercise (also doing it in the same place each day is even better.)
  3. Time of day isn’t important but Headspace strongly recommends trying to complete this exercise at the beginning of the day (more on this later).
  4. Some days this exercise will feel easy and other days it will be hard but sticking with it is important!
  5. Sit comfortably before you begin (you don’t have to sit cross-legged on the floor unless that’s what you’d prefer!)  

Now that I’ve started I’m happy to report that the overwhelming feeling of “where do I begin?” has finally subsided and I’m able to sit back and reflect a bit.  I’m three days into my 10-day series, and wouldn’t you know it I received a supportive email from Headspace today reminding me that “three is the magic number.”  I’m not exactly sure what their point was with that title to the email but I think they’re encouraging me to keep going 🙂  I was going to do that anyway but it sure feels nice to get the reminder!!  Although, to be perfectly honest it’s not as easy as it sounds!

I’ll leave it there for this post, I’m off to a good start and I’m already starting to see changes but I will wait to complete the first week before I say too much about that.  Next time I’ll share my challenges in the early days of my meditation cycle as well as some of those changes I’m beginning to see.

Prioritizing What’s Important

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It’s easy to let time get away from us, to get bogged down and spin our wheels on something that isn’t worth our time.  We are all human, we set goals and priorities and we lose track of them when something more appealing (if less important) comes around.  Problem is, we work in education and everything is important, especially if it is something that directly affects the kids!  

I’ve said this before to many people, usually teachers who are struggling with “fitting it all in” – we can’t do everything all the time, we need to draw a line in the sand.  If you start thinking about how you use your (very) limited time it can lead to a certain amount of anxiety.  “How will I get to all this content?” “When am I supposed to teach this unit?” or “I planned to do all of this but I’m not even half way and it’s already January!”  I’m with you, I get it, there’s just not enough time for everything when it comes to education.  We want the best for our students but we also have constraints to work with, what do we do?

At some point we have to stop and make some tough choices.  What is most important?  More content or deeper understanding?  Ensuring everyone understands or moving on and trying to help those who don’t catch up later?  All of those things you planned for the year or the glaring needs that have arisen since August?  What IS really important?  The questions and internal struggles never end, just when you think you’ve gotten it all figured out something else comes up that throws a wrench in your perfect plans!

It comes down to prioritizing what is before us.  Whether professional or personal we have a finite amount of time to get things done in our life (and maintain balance as well!)  For most of us there are things that we want to do that we just can’t find the time for…that’s okay!

As part of the Mid-Year Reset Opportunity I’ve taken the time to do just that for myself, reset and re-prioritize.  Some how in the first semester I got blown off course, the things that were occupying my time, while important, were not the most important things for me or our students.  In reflecting I realized that there were a few obstacles preventing me from sticking to my most pressing priorities.  I’ve worked over the course of the last few weeks to clear these obstacles and get back to where I want to be in terms of priority focus.  As time moves forward I plan to take more of these opportunities to reflect and “reset” in order to ensure that I’m not blowing off course again.  Setting priorities is important, sticking to them is the hard part…but not impossible.  

Whether the second semester has already started or has yet to begin, this is an ideal time to reevaluate your priorities and potentially reset your path toward completing them.  As we often say at this time of the year, “it’s a downhill run to June.”  Time is going to fly by during this second semester and the end of the year crush will be upon us before you know it.  Take a breath, step back, reflect, and re-prioritize if you need to.

We can all do it, there is time and space for all that is important!

2017: Mindfulness: Research, Practice, Reflect

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Last year around this time I wrote about my first ever New Year’s Resolution.  I’m pleased to say that I actually followed through on this resolution, which required action from me each day, for the whole year!  It was the first time I decided to set a resolution and I didn’t know if I would be able to endure, but I did 🙂  The goal of last year’s resolution was to focus on the moment and remember those small occurrences each day that bring joy and happiness, it was successful! So, I’ve decided to try again this year.  

Stemming from the same idea of being present and focusing on what is important, I’ve decided to explore the concept of Mindfulness.  To get started with explaining what Mindfulness is, I wanted to give a definition and since my understanding of Mindfulness is still limited I’m using the words of one of my favorite resources, the Greater Good Science Center.

“Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment.

Mindfulness also involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them—without believing, for instance, that there’s a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune into what we’re sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future.”

Sounds intense!  I’ve done lots of reading about Mindfulness and it’s benefits in a school community.  My plan is to explore Mindfulness for myself; learning, practicing, and reflecting along the way.  My hope is that as I learn more I will, not only help improve myself, but also discover potential applications in the school environment.

To get started I’ve watched a few videos, taken a Mindfulness quiz, and clicked a few links…all from this article.  Have a look if you are at all interested in Mindfulness, it’s an interesting and exciting concept.  

More to come…we shall see 🙂

Happy Mid-Year Reset Opportunity

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Happy New Year!!  

The return from winter break always brings with it a somewhat strange feeling.  There is a sense of the new year starting, clean slate and all.  On the other hand, unlike in August, the feeling of uncertainty doesn’t loom nearly as large.  In educational circles we move on a different calendar from the rest of the world, the “new year” just isn’t the same for us.  So instead of “Happy New Year” I think perhaps I should wish you all a “happy mid-year reset opportunity!”

The winter break was great, never seems long enough but it’s great nonetheless.  Perhaps the best thing to come from the winter break is the opportunity to sit back, reflect, and relax.  The chance to come back refreshed but with the same students and classes as the first semester gives us a chance to hit the proverbial reset button.  Most teachers can’t go all the way back to day one with new classes and new students but we can most definitely start fresh as re-energized teachers with equally recharged students.

The first week back is over and with it (hopefully) all of the late arrivals, students still in “vacation mode”, and readjusting to the daily grind of waking up early.  Now is the chance to start building the positive momentum for the second semester.  Whether it’s getting more organized, rearranging your classroom, building a stronger relationship with students, or another new year goal, now is the perfect time to act.  

New Year’s Resolutions are typical around this time of year but for educators perhaps the reality is that we’re really looking at, and reevaluating, our beginning of the year growth goals.  In my personal life I’ve set a resolution (more on that next week) but I’ve also taken some time over the holiday to reflect on my professional goals.  I’ve recommitted to my goals and looked at ways to extend in areas where I’ve seen success during the first half of the year.

As we build momentum for this downhill run toward summer, take a chance to reflect on the first half of the year and then think about where you want to focus your time and energies between now and June.  The 100th day of school is coming soon and we’ll be on summer vacation before we know it.  Be that as it may, this is the best time of year for growth both for our students and for ourselves!!

Welcome back and Happy Mid-Year Reset Opportunity!!

 

Finding a Place for the “Soft Skills”

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The “hard skills”.  Math, Language…the Sciences.  These are the things we teach our students, the things they “must” know to get to university, to pass the test, to graduate.  But what about the “soft skills”?  Compassion, perseverance, teamwork, confidence and other social-emotional skills; these are crucial to their success, not only in the long term, but in the short term (to get to university, to pass the test, to graduate!)  

Time.  Time is extremely valuable.  With only about 60-65 thousand minutes in the school year it feels like a bit of an indulgence (perhaps some would say a waste) to take class time to teach things that aren’t actually “on the test” or “in the book”.  I’m willing to challenge that theory though, I believe it is a valuable use of time to ensure that our students receive a balanced education that includes both “hard” and “soft” skills.  The imbalance, one without the other, will lead to imbalanced students who find success in the “hard”, academic skills as difficult.  

If you can take 5-10 minutes now to save you hours later, wouldn’t that be a time investment worth making?  That’s what I’m proposing.  Investing some time to teach students these “soft skills” within the context of your classroom will lead to payoffs down the line.  Less anxious students, organized teenagers, compassionate young adults, and “gritty” learners.  These are the results of teaching and learning the “soft skills”, these should be goals in all classrooms.  

Here are a few areas of focus that will pay dividends for you, should you invest the time:

Start with a Goal:  All of our students have set goals and will revisit these goals in the second semester.  But, how easy is it for these young minds to set their goal and forget it for four months?  Pretty easy.  Take a couple minutes to have students set a goal at the beginning of each class and write it down.  This goal should only be for the next hour or so, just until your class is over.  At the end of class, allow time for students to stop and reflect (and maybe share) on whether they achieved their goal.  I’d recommend having students write a goal on one side of a notecard, then reflecting on the back side.  You can collect these and gain valuable insight, while also holding kids accountable to the process.  

These goals might look like:  “I want to clarify my understanding of the Pythagorean Theorem.”  “Today I will help my classmate practice their scales on the saxophone.”  “Today I will receive feedback on my essay from two peers and my teacher.”

Organize (papers, thinking, lives!):  How do your students organize for your class…is it working?  Many of us use Edmodo.  It’s a great tool for some elements of our classes but does this tool work for everything or just parts of what you’re trying to accomplish.  Would your students benefit from a different organizational system for your class?  What about student thinking?  Graphic organizers, anchor posters, word walls…all of these things are easy and benefit all learners.  How can you help your students get organized?

Mindfulness:  A huge trend in education these days, if you have a lot of Facebook teacher friends you’ve surely at least seen something about Mindfulness.  It can help adolescents more easily navigate the craziness of growing up.  Building skill sets in concentration and impulse control, cultivating empathy and generally helping students become more mindful will all lead to healthier students.  So what is “mindfulness”?  The short explanation is: purposeful and non judgmental awareness of the present, being in the now.  The second part here is key.  Especially with our teens.  They need to understand that they are not constantly being judged, that taking risks and making mistakes is not only okay but expected.  Anxiety is about the future, our worries about all the things that could go wrong if something happens.  Being mindful means that you’re in the moment, you’re in the present and aware.  Mindfulness meditation exercises help focus the mind on the present and get kids ready for the task at hand.

It doesn’t take much, 5 minutes at the beginning of class is all it takes.  Give it a try for yourself first, then give it a try with your students.  I think you’ll enjoy it in both contexts.

Try this basic mindfulness meditation (only 5 minutes).

Then, investigate HeadSpace a little bit.  They have a free trial that is worth the effort and if you see the value there are other options.  Beyond HeadSpace there are lots of other options, if you’re keen let me know and I can share.  

Trying these strategies with your kids is a time investment worth making.  Budget yourself 5-10 minutes over the next few classes to give them a try, you won’t regret it!

[Update] This article was shared with me today.  It’s a great piece from the Wall Street Journal called What Teens Need Most From Their Parents.  It’s all about the soft skills and how tweens/teens develop through the years.  A great read for parents and educators alike!

Look, Find, Enjoy…Smile

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At the risk of sounding too much like Martin Luther King Jr., I had a dream this week.  That’s not in and of itself too amazing but I don’t normally remember my dreams.  This one, however, I HAD to remember.  In fact, I woke up in the middle of the night and made a very concerted effort to remember what had happened in my dream:

I was walking around in a crowded area, where everyone was visibly down and depressed.  They were all telling “their story” but each and every story was a lamentation of all the hard and tough things in their life.  It was a sad place to be, no one was happy and I can remember having a feeling of being “sucked into” the sadness.  

But then…I’m not sure where he came from, but a man arrived.  He was playing music, basically a one man band.  I can’t visualize the details of what he looked like any more but I distinctly recall comparing him to Bert (Dick Van Dyke’s character in Mary Poppins).  Anyway, this man came into the crowded area and began to offer storytelling services to people.  When he started telling these people’s stories for them, however, the mood immediately began to change.  They weren’t sad stories any longer but rather positive, uplifting versions of “their story” that focused on the happy times instead of the sad.  People were happy and the overall mood of the crowd did a complete 180, it was now festive and positive.

And then I woke up.  It was the middle of the night but I forced myself to lay there and contemplate this dream for a while.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not much of a dream analyst, but this dream hit me hard for some reason.  As I lay there trying to remember this dream and figure out what it all might have meant, it struck me just how inspirational this man was.  He looked not at the sadness and despair but rather at the good and positive inside of people.  The same lives went from sad to happy just by changing the focus.

I don’t know where this dream came from and I can promise you I haven’t seen Mary Poppins in a very long time (although I think I need to go back and watch it now, classic!) so I don’t think this dream came from a subconscious desire to watch a movie from 1964.  

I do know this though, it’s been a very long first semester and we’ve certainly experienced some major ups and downs.  For many of us it is easier to focus on the negative, especially when we are tired and worn down.  I’ve got a feeling that something deep inside my mind was trying to remind me that focusing on the positive is the key to happiness and success.  

As our students hit a high stress period of deadlines, exams, and overall fatigue we need to remember that, not only for ourselves but for them too, positivity is powerful.  If you haven’t watched the video from the link above I recommend doing so now.  While you’re at it, if you have the time, perhaps the best part of the movie:  Step in Time. (A great reminder that ANYONE can have fun, even at their job!!)

Bring the positivity, look for it if it isn’t there, I promise in a room full of teenagers there is at least a little bit lying around…and when in doubt, smile 🙂

Practicing Gratitude

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This next week is American Thanksgiving.  In preparing for the week and starting to think about what Thanksgiving really means, I’ve been reading a lot about gratitude and why it is so important in our (and our students’) lives.  

“Having a sense of purpose in life gives youth a compass for creating a meaningful life. As adults, it’s our job to help kids discover their passions and to find a path to purpose that resonates with them— with their values, interests, and dreams. This starts with feeding their interests in the social issues they care about and pushing them to learn as much as they can about those issues and discover ways they can make a difference. The deepest sense of gratitude in life comes from connecting to a bigger picture, to an issue that matters to others and doing things that contribute to society down the road.

Trying to make grateful kids isn’t just an issue for families; it’s an issue for society as well. Society desperately needs to harness the power of gratitude. As our world becomes more culturally diverse and digitally connected, and as complex societal problems mount, gratitude may help catalyze the motivation and skills youth need to succeed not just academically but in the ‘life test’ too. We must all do our part to help kids develop into moral adults, who will contribute to a world of compassion and care. But, while there’s no quick fix for cultivating gratitude in young people, the more we remain committed to it, the more rewards we’ll reap. Indeed, by bringing out the best in our kids, we can only imagine what blessings Generation Grateful could bring. Anything worthwhile takes a lot of time and effort. It’s up to all of us to make it happen.”

I couldn’t have said it better myself, so I decided to let the Great Good Science Center say it for me.  This quote comes from an article on their site called Seven Ways to Foster Gratitude in Kids.  

As we come down the homestretch of this first half of the year it is easy to get caught up in rushing toward that December holiday; it’s understandable with High School exams coming up, end of the semester projects looming, and the beach, family, or other travels just four weeks away 🙂  

Take some time this week (and every week!) to stop and reflect for yourself.  Gratitude isn’t just something for the kids, it is important for everyone.  There is a lot of research that shows that “very happy people” are happy because of their ability to be grateful for what they have around them.  Whether it’s the relationships they build, through practicing “radical gratitude”, or just because they are happy at their job, gratitude surrounds each of us, we just need to stop and smell the flowers once in awhile!  

Enjoy the week and Thank You for all that you do!!!

Being Good for Each Other

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It has been a very busy couple of weeks and lots has happened, both here on campus and around the world, that has made many of us ask questions like, “where is the good in the world?”  

Whether in an assembly, at a Rainbow Club meeting or in America, many people (no matter which side of the debate they happen to be on) have been forced to question themselves, people the respect, and possibly even an entire country.  It’s not been easy.  

No matter whether you agree or not with the Rainbow Club, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, or off-color remarks in an assembly, there are people on the other side of the conversation.  Some of these people might be your friends and family, perhaps not.  In either case, they are people.  Kid President is a person too 🙂  Back in September he shared another of his many inspiring videos, this one was about How to Disagree with People.  I’m going to let you watch this one, it’s worth it!  

So we’ve disagreed, and that’s okay.  Everyone is different and that is a good thing.  One thing we can all focus on, no matter which side of the aisle we sit on during these disagreements, is how we make the world a better place.  No one is expected to change the entire world, but we can all have a positive impact in our small little corner of the world.  Since he’s on a roll (of more than four years now) let’s defer to Kid President one more time for a lesson on How Good Spreads.  

Be good for our kids, be good for each other, and be good for yourself!  

Burning Burnout

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This week I was inspired by a couple articles that I came across on social media.  I find articles all over the internet, sometimes on social media, sometimes by reading educational blogs, and other times from regular email lists I’ve subscribed to.  Both of the articles that have inspired me this week come at a very poignant time for me and many of our colleagues.  

The first article that caught my eye is from Harvard Business Review and is written with managers (aren’t all educators managers?) in mind, the topic is burnout and how to avoid it in a hectic and go-go work place.  We’ve been going full-steam ahead for the better part of the last three months and everyone is more than ready for the upcoming holiday.  I’ve written about balance and how important it is to achieve at least a semblance of equilibrium in our lives.  This article does a tremendous job of identifying some of the most important warning signs as well as prevention methods for burnout.  

 

  • Prioritize Self-Care:

 

      • Good sleep habits
      • Nutrition
      • Exercise
      • Social connections
      • “Practices that promote equanimity and well being”

 

  • Shift Your Perspective:

 

      • I believe that the second article this week really shares a very important and interesting perspective on teaching.  The article, “My Name Is Tom. I’ve Been a Teacher for 10 Years and I Still Get My Ass Kicked Nearly Every Day”, is an outstanding piece about maintaining a growth mindset perspective as a teacher.
      • As Tom (from the article above) says, “The struggle isn’t just inevitable, it’s important. It shows us where to get better, where to adapt, where to throw out the old answers and come up with some new ones.”

 

  • Reduce exposure to job-stressors:

 

      • Be a professional, not a servant.
      • Set reasonable boundaries for yourself.
      • Give yourself permission to stop.

 

  • Seek Out Connections:

 

    • This is perhaps the best antidote to burnout…
    • Find rich personal connections.
    • Pursue meaningful personal and professional development.
    • Remember:  You’re not the only one!  

As Tom mentions, the struggle is real!  Remember, one of the most important pieces from above, we’re all in a similar position.  Reach out to your colleagues, make those connections and be good for each other 🙂