Lisa Michelle Dabbs

Today is the day! May 8th, 2012: National Teacher Appreciation Day

The day when we take a moment to recognize the amazing contributions of teachers.

Teachers who supported us, taught us, loved us.

Monday May 7 through Friday May 11, 2012 is National Teacher Appreciation Week; a time to pay tribute to teachers and, as shared by NEA, a time to “honor local educators and acknowledge the crucial role teachers play in making sure every student receives a quality education.”

A time to recognize the many teachers in our past who have given their hearts, minds and souls to nurture in us the things that they saw as vital to our education, critical to our success, and important for our future.

On this #TeacherTuesday I share with you a great little video that salutes teachers around the world who make a difference in the lives of children and adult learners.

Enjoy!

Now…take the time to Thank A Teacher Today! Thank a Teacher for:

• Nudging you on when you didn’t want to be nudged.
• Seeing the best in you, when you didn’t see it in yourself.
• Showing you that your passion, could be your life’s work.
• Reassuring you that there could be a better tomorrow.
• Helping you to ask the right questions.
• Inspiring your curiosity.
• Sharing with you the idea that with hard work anything is possible.
• Believing in you.
• Shaking loose your DREAMS.

YES! Thank A Teacher for that and so much more!

How will you Thank A Teacher today?

I recently participated in the Simple K12 Online Education Conference: An international conference that was 100% FREE!

This PD event was sponsored by SimpleK12, one of the leading providers of 21^st century teacher professional development.

Last week, I was deeply touched by the news that Pat Summit, the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history, is stepping down as the head coach of the  Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team.

The reason that was shared for this difficult decision is that Summitt announced last year that she had early-onset dementia and that now the pace of head coaching is taking a toll on her work and that she has to look to her health as a primary focus. Fortunately, she will remain on board as “head coach emeritus,” a role that will have her continuing to serve the team, reporting to the university’s athletic director, remaining “involved in on-campus recruiting” and acting as a “personal mentor to players, including life skills coaching,”according to a press release.

Pat Summit has been an amazing coach and mentor! Building relationships with her players to guide them, and staying in touch with many of these young women long after they’ve graduated. What a gift she must be to her players.

(Here are a few tweets caught by Storify on this announcement: Pat Summit)

Last week, during this announcement there was a great interview done by CBS News of her son, Tyler. Take a minute to watch his interview…here is the link to the video. (Photo of video, below.)

One of the great comments in the interview that Tyler shares is a quote from his Mom. He tells the CBS interviewer who asks how they are going to move forward that his Mom has always said, “Left Foot, Right Foot…Breathe.”

I was really caught in that moment, with emotion, as he shared that phrase. My first thought was that it was a great analogy for the dance of a new teacher and a mentor. The second was that it had to be shared!

As a new or pre-service teacher, in or preparing to enter the classroom, you are going to have some great potential opportunities to be guided and supported by a mentor. If you’re fortunate you will have a good mentor partner who will do a great job of “dancing” with you. I want to remind you today, on this Mentoring Monday to step boldly into this partnership and be sure to “Left Foot, Right Foot…Breathe.” I also want to encourage you to immerse yourself in the dance with your mentor, as often as you can.

Every good player needs or has a coach! So to must a good teacher have a trusted mentor to guide them through the dance of educational instruction, curriculum and pedagogy.

As I write this post today, I hope that you have a great mentor that you rely on for support. If not, I have a great resource for you here that you need to take advantage of.

So…are you open to doing the “dance”? What are you doing to keep the “dance” vibrant and supportive? How will you pay it forward as you work with your students?

Attention Education friends – You’re invited to a one-of-a-kind PD event that’s going to be a lot of fun … and best of all, it won’t cost you a dime!

Come learn with educators from around the world at the Online Education Conference: An international conference that’s 100% FREE!

This PD event has been sponsored by SimpleK12, one of the leading providers of 21^st century teacher professional development. Join the Blue Bunnies as they camp out in the SimpleK12 offices for 24 hours straight, bringing you the best-of-the-best conference sessions with presenters from around the world. (Thanks for organizing such an incredible FREE event, SimpleK12!)

Online Education Conference – Details

What:  A 24-hour training extravaganza for educators around the world!
When:  Wednesday, April 25^th, 2012 – Thursday, April 26^th, 2012
Where:  Online – Join LIVE from your computer or mobile device
Cost:  100% FREE!
Register:  http://simplek12.com/tlc/webinars/#OEC

What sessions can you attend?
Sessions will be running all day and night … so pick and choose whatever works best with your schedule.  There’s something for everyone!  Take a look at this fun video!

What can you learn about?
Perhaps the better question is, “What WON’T you learn about?”  Conference sessions cover ALL of the latest educational trends and topics, such as:

• Google Earth
•  iPads for Education
• Free Web Tools
• 21st Century Student Projects
• Blogging
• Google Maps, just to name a few!

What are you waiting for?
Registration is free … but space is limited.  Don’t wait – Reserve your seat now before it’s too late!  Sign Up Here:  http://simplek12.com/tlc/webinars/#OEC

What’s not to love?!
No Travel.  No Registration Fees.  Lots of Fun. A Great Learning Opportunity. Need I say more?!

Help spread the word about this FREE, international online conference.  Tell as many educator friends and colleagues as you can!  Don’t let anyone miss out on this incredible learning opportunity!

See you there!

Are you a Storyteller?

When I was a classroom teacher I was constantly telling stories and I loved it!

Sharing the stories written by many others with my students, with passion.

Fictional stories, funny stories, favorite stories. Stories that rhymed and some that were sublime. (smile)

I also shared the stories of others that were true. Stories from the past and present. Stories that I worked at presenting in a way that brought history alive so that my students could have an opportunity to experience them on a very vibrant level.

When I moved into administration, I continued to tell stories. Some were stories of success. Still others were stories of angst. Stories that were not always easy to tell.

The story of a child from a foster home who was struggling. The story of a child living with a troubled parent who had to be forcibly removed from their home due to neglect and abuse. The story of a family who were going to be torn apart due to deportation.

Difficult to do at times, this storytelling piece. Yet all along, I kept telling stories.

Little did I know then, that during those times of storytelling, I was being prepared, all along, to tell my OWN story.

Storytelling

Most of you who read my blog, know that I’m really invested in the One Little Word project. These past few weeks, the project got me thinking that I need to make a commitment to use my word “create” to consistently tell my story through my work. I want to stay focused on the things that matter in my work and I want to help support others to do the same.

I love the idea of harnessing the power of Storytelling in my work. When I present, blog or tweet, I want to tell my story. I want to be sure that as I support others in the educational groups and social media venues that I work in, that “my story” and passion are clear. I want to choose stories that inspire others, lift them up, get them thinking and maybe even make them smile, as often as I can. I want to tell the story (crafted from my years of service) of my passion to support and mentor teachers, globally, to reach beyond the classroom walls, and “teach with soul.”

How will you tell your story?

New teachers are under a tremendous amount of pressure. So many new things heaped on the plate, daily. But…what if you began to think of those “things” as parts of a story that are being crafted for you. What if you began to see the struggling student, challenging content, and late night lesson planning as chapters in YOUR story? What if you began to tell that story with a blog, journal , YouTube channel or a presentation at a conference?

I love the concepts that have been developed on telling our stories by Michael Margolis. Michael and his team have put together this amazing project Get Storied, which supports people in all walks of life to nurture their lives and tell their story. Get Storied is committed to sharing how storytelling is key to our daily work. Whether you’re trying to redefine your cause, work with a parent or teach a concept to a student, storytelling helps the world understand where you’re coming from.

So how can you put the concept of storytelling to work?

Telling a Story that People can Believe In 

Take a minute to listen to Michael share a little about Storytelling…

So what do you think?

The next time you get working on a rubric, report card or parent conference piece…can you smile and know that you are in the process of crafting your story? During those times, working with colleagues, creating that lesson, or struggling with a tech tool, can you challenge yourself to view it as another chapter to your own, amazing, personal story? A story that someday, somewhere, someone will want to hear?

I like the idea of waking up every morning knowing that I have a new opportunity to tell my story. Maybe in a blog post, or a photograph or a tweet. Maybe in a workshop, or in a vlog. Whatever it is, I want to hold fast to the idea that I have an important story to tell and share with other educators. I want to consistently push myself in my work now (as a consultant), just as I did as a teacher, to think big thoughts, and tell my story!

So will you join me? Will you choose to tell your story? I’d love to hear it!

Storytelling links http://goo.gl/XkjCs

It’s International Women’s Day! A time to honor Women Around the World!

Annually on March 8th, thousands of events are held throughout the world to bring to the forefront what women have accomplished in all the diverse fields and passions and celebrate those achievements. The web will be rich today with information about Global and local activities that will connect women from all around the world!

10 Women who Rock…and Teach!

Today, though, I want to celebrate and share with you ten women in my personal learning network (PLN). These are ten women (pictured above) who inspire, who pour their hearts out and give of their time to this great profession we call teaching. These are women who rock their work, teach many and support new teachers! I want you to get to know them better as you do YOUR work this month to share activities with your students that will help them learn about inspiring women and events in women’s history.

Join me at Edutopia.org and read the full post here.

Share with me…I’d love to know? Who is a woman who has made a difference in your life as an educator? How have they inspired you?

Join me and blog this month, on the accomplishments of Women!

Women’s History Month is upon us!

Time to break out of the winter doldrums and take this opportunity to share this great news with your student’s or with your classmates and colleagues. It’s also a time to pay tribute to the contributions women have made over the centuries. Contributions to Art, Music, Theater, Science, Math, Literature and of course, Education.

All this month on my blog, I will be sharing some great links here, that have ideas and activities for Women’s History Month. Ideas that I hope will inspire you to make a point of incorporating them into your daily, weekly lesson plans.

Today though, I want to focus your attention on the power of women. On the power that a woman, who is present in your life now, has had in supporting and mentoring you through your career, up to this point in time. Even though it may be in the very early stages…

Take 30 sec to watch a short tribute to some of my current mentors…Do you recognize a few?

Each of these women, from Angela Maiers in Iowa to Shelly Terrell in Texas has supported  and mentored me in a special way as I have begun my work as an Educational Consultant. Each of them have a special gift that they have been able to share with me, that strengthened my ability to be a better teacher, educator, and mentor.

In a world that is, frankly, still dominated by men (sorry guys), where women sometimes struggle to do their best, it’s important to hold hands with another woman who is a colleague, a sister, a mentor and walk that road to your personal and professional best…together. A woman who can lift you up, and come along side you, and support you in a way that no man can.

Share with me…who is one woman who has made a difference in your life and/or career up to this point? How have they done that? How did they make a difference?

Photo:whsimages CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

“Have you ever felt that You were supposed to do something amazing, important, outstanding?

That only you can do and that you were destined for greatness?

Remember when you thought…anything was possible? It is!”

A few years back I found this amazing video on the website of Naomi Harm. Although designed to encourage building a small business, it spoke to me in another way. I saw in it the encouragement I needed to keep pressing forward, no matter what!

It reminded me that I’m on this planet to make a difference, and…I never want to lose that passion.

Take 2 minutes…and be Inspired!

The work we choose to do as teachers demands a tremendous amount of our time and energy. We are working in incredibly challenging times. And yet…there are still pre-service students around the world in our universities, preparing to enter the teaching profession. That says something about the hearts of people.

“There will be moments in your life when an opportunity is presented to you.” An opportunity to work on a challenging project, work with a challenging colleague or teach a challenging student. Instead of shying away from these challenges…embrace them! This will be your opportunity to do something brilliant, extraordinary, remarkable! “That fits your talents, abilities, experiences…changing your life forever.”

“As difficult, frustrating and fearful as these times are…they also bring change.” This is where the turning point comes.  This is where YOU can be the instrument of change on that project, for that colleague, with that student.

“We do face an uncertain and unsettling future. But…not one without VISION-HOPE-OPPORTUNITY. So…what are you going to do? For what might be your finest hour. To make your mark, make a difference, leave your legacy.”

As a teacher, you have the personal power to “Reach out, look inward, and step forward.” You can do this for yourselves, your work, your students. Often times though, as we give, give and give we can get beat down and discouraged. Sometimes we don’t even feel that we CAN make a difference. Believe me, I’ve been there. But here is something in my journey as an educator, that has been a rough road at times, that I still believe: “There is no chance, no fate, no destiny that can hinder or control the firm resolve of the human soul.”

“So…don’t settle for less. Do something that matters…and Do what you Do, with all your heart.”

The message?

On this day in March 2012…“Embrace your future with an enthusiastic WELCOME!”

You ARE here to make a difference.

No matter how tough things get, in your classroom (or even in your personal life) don’t lose your dreams, your hope, and never lose your passion.

Be present in all you do with your students, Be a Leader, Be Remarkable!

Don’t waste or squander one more minute!  Because…They are counting on YOU.

“Have you ever felt that you are supposed to DO something special? You Are!”

Share with me… what do you do to keep your enthusiasm? What can I do to support you?

Photo:fotofortimbras CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Photo:emerycophoto CC BY-SA 2.0

Video by  mannatecheurope uploaded to YouTube on July 31, 2009

Original post shared at http://www.the-teachers-lounge.com/blog/

What inspires you?

What moves you?

What do you seek to do more of in your everyday life?

Take a minute to watch and Be Inspired to do less and feel more…

As a new or pre-service teacher, preparing to enter the classroom, or if you are already in the classroom you have a list of To Do’s a gazillion miles long. I know…we all do. But I want to encourage you now, while you are still formulating the patterns of teacher planning, to take time to breathe. This. Is. Important.

Start making the time to do less listing and more loving. Less “pinning” and more walking. Less texting and more calling. Less tweeting and more face-to-face talking.

I want to remind you today, on this Mentoring Monday that it’s too easy to get stuck in the rut of planning or tethered to your tech tool, to extent that all else in this great big beautiful world is lost. And yes…I said Beautiful! I see the glass half full, everyday. Don’t you?

So to this end…I want to urge you today to find ways to balance your early teaching life and immerse yourself in the things that truly inspire you! Practice it and share it with your colleagues, classmates, friends and family. Share it also with your students, so that they, too can learn now, to do more, list less and practice “unplugging”. Do everything you can to guard your time and in the midst of a stressful week…seek out at least one thing, in this great big beautiful world which will bring you joy. It will support you to be a more peace-filled, focused and passion driven teacher.

What are you going to do less of and what are you going to do MORE of this week? How will you stay inspired to have balance between tech, to-do’s and the joy of real-time interaction?

Be inspired!

Photo:fotofortimbras CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Photo:ashleyrosex CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Vimeo Created by
Yaniv Fridman : yanivfridman.com
Daniel Luna : danielluna.tv

Music and Sound Design by
WhiteNoise Lab / Roger Lima : whitenoiselab.com

It’s been a long time since I’ve been to elementary school. But I can remember it like it was yesterday. I wasn’t the cutest girl, the skinniest girl, or the best dressed girl. I wasn’t even a popular girl, but I had an advantage…I could sing like “nobody’s business“ and my teacher’s loved that about me. As a result, I was  spared the bullying that might have come from classmates due to the lack of the other criteria that did not apply to me.

Should any of those have been the necessary pre-requisite to be liked by teachers? Of course not. But times were tough in the late 60′s. Maybe not as bad as they are now in terms of the “mean-girl phenom“, but it was there…quiet, stealth, under the surface. The fact that my classmates knew how much I was liked by my teachers, made a BIG difference in how I was…for lack of a better word, protected from their aggressive belittling.

This was not true for all girls in my class.

I’ll never forget this one girl who was not spared the pain, the hurt and the bullying. She was easy prey. Short, over weight and not very attractive. She was tough and tried most days to take it in stride, even though I saw the tears that were privately shed. I did my best to defend her when I could. But my actions were rare. Most of the girls in our class, and boys too, were relentless in their pursuit of pain. Pain that was inflicted on this girl mostly though name calling, taunting and ridicule. This was especially true at recess time, when teachers were not as easily accessible. (Even though they all did recess duty, back in the day.) Or willing to defend, what they deemed to be simply “child’s play”. We were only 10 , 11 or 12 years old at the time, but the hatred for this girl, that was manifest in some of my classmates actions was horrifying. On many days it brought me to tears.

A few weeks ago, I ran across a post about Finding Kind and knew that I had to share it. It struck a chord, that memory of the pain that this girl in my class must have endured,  pain because no one was willing to take a stand to defend her…not even her own teachers.

Take a minute to watch an excerpt of the film…I was moved.

Here’s a bit of what Finding Kind is all about: 

In Finding Kind, filmmakers Lauren Parsekian and Molly Thompson, who met while in school at Pepperdine University, set out in a cross country journey of discovery and education.

Interviewing women and girls along the way about their lives and experiences, Parsekian and Thompson find, among all of the unique personal stories, some universal truths about growing up as girls.

Finding Kind is a document of that journey, and of the filmmakers’ quest to take these experiences and find a common ground of kindness and mutual respect.

In addition to all of the individual girls and women who share their personal experiences about girl on girl bullying with the filmmakers, Parsekian and Thompson include interviews with respected experts and authors in the fields of psychology, education, and the interrelationships of women and girls.

As a new or pre-service teacher, preparing to enter the classroom, you are going to encounter an even more potentially volatile situation between girls than I ever did as a teacher or site administrator. You are going to need to prepare yourself to work with it, work through it and get past it with your students. The issue of teaching kindness is not typically that which gets the attention of university professors or those that are added to practicum classes. They are however just as real as the need to teach reading and writing.

I want to remind you today, on this Mentoring Monday to immerse yourself in the issue of teaching kindness, as often as you can. Practice it with your colleagues, classmates, friends and of course family. Create lessons on it for your course work and incorporate journal writing, video production and pod-casting as part of the delivery of the ‘kindness” lesson. Find resources for both boys and girls that can promote the work of kindness in their lives at school. Do everything you can to be a warrior of kindness as you prepare to seek your passion to be the best teacher that you can be.

I love what these indie film makers LAUREN PARSEKIAN and MOLLY THOMPSON are doing to take the mission of kindness to schools across the US. Check out the opportunities available and schedule a screening of Finding Kind in your own neighborhood: Finding Kind Screenings

Does this issue strike a chord with you? What are you doing to teach kindness with your students? What strategies do you have in place to de-escalate the mean-girl phenom when it hits? How will you work to protect your students, such as, the girls in your class, from relentless gossip or bullying?