tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22901939698509211982024-03-05T01:03:52.729-06:00Beyond the Wild RosePetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-29207168408841367952024-02-14T11:48:00.005-06:002024-02-14T11:48:52.739-06:00Back in the Classroom Again<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Returning to the classroom on a full time basis was not on my list of priorities this winter, but a request to do so came forward around Thanksgiving when I was asked to act as a long-term sub in the local elementary school. During the months of January and February the Special Ed teacher in the school’s Intervention Room would be on maternity leave, so I decided to accept the invitation to step into that role.
Reflecting on my time as a new college student at UW-Madison in the fall of 1971, it was originally my intent to earn credentials as a 6th grade teacher. As that early journey in college fell short of that goal, my focus changed and took me into the world of business for the next 40 years. Spending two months in this role has provided a new perspective and sparked thought of what might have happened if I had continued in my original quest.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Nonetheless, I feel blessed to be working alongside two special teacher’s aides as we interact daily with sixteen different children from ages 5-11 with needs in the area of math, reading, writing, phonemic awareness, and social skills. During those years teaching high school students, my colleagues and I would often question why learning skills lagged in some individuals. I now sense it begins in those early grades when some fall behind others in specific areas of learning, much of it related to reading and an inability to sound out letters and words.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">In this specific setting I find there are renewed efforts to focus on phonics, something which was put on the back-burner of decision-makers in education many years ago. Whether working with a K5 student or someone in 5th grade, I see tremendous benefits in teaching letter sounds, then blending and segmenting syllables in daily interactions. Surprisingly, some teachers have come to me, asking for help with finding available resources which they can then use in their classroom.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">The <a href="https://ufli.education.ufl.edu/" target="_blank">Unversity of Florida Literacy Institute</a> (a/k/a/ UFLI) has an commendable toolbox of teaching resources available for both parents and educators alike. Their efforts over the past 25+ years are commendable, attempting to improve literacy outcomes for struggling students by addressing two key areas which should not be ignored: reader development and teacher development.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Although I still have two weeks remaining in this role, it’s been an enjoyable experience in every way and I’ll miss the kids once I’m back in ‘retirement mode’ once again. The learning never ceases regardless of how old we are….</span></span></p>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-59377937794467732162023-09-25T12:13:00.005-05:002023-12-14T09:22:12.006-06:00<p> It was fifty years ago this week when I made the life-changing decision to drop out of college and move to Wild Rose. Although it was intended to simply be a one year break from the routine of sitting in a boring classroom, it altered my life in so many ways. The change of course led me into the world of business for the next 36 years, providing me with a wealth of experience I would draw from once the dream of teaching was ultimately fulfilled. </p><p>At twenty years of age, I was strong-willed and self-centered on doing what I wanted to do and no one was going to change my mind. I went from wanting to live in a city the size of New York or Chicago to loving the simple lifestyle of country living which was readily available around Wild Rose. I often ponder how life might look today had I chosen to stay in college, likely graduating with my teaching degree in the spring of 1975, then heading off to New York City to teach middle school somewhere.</p><p>Without Wild Rose, the Little Fox experience with Disco would never happen, including the transition of the Red Fox from supper club to 'Disco extraordinaire'. In all likelihood the Silver Lakers would never take to the softball field, leaving all those young guys to play with other teams in the area. Events like the Fox Cup and Memorial Day Tournament may never have taken place, must less been imagined. Our log home in the woods which sits on the edge of Natures Pond would never be built. A Saturday night encounter with Linda, my future wife, would never take place, hence Jacob would never be born. Likewise our experience with Vicente, a young exchange student from Cabo, Mexico, wouldn't have the opportunity come to fruition, a loss in cultural understanding for all.</p><p>Without Wild Rose, I would never experience a 31+ year career at Mid-State Supply, learning so many facets of creative selling, management and leadership, and associated skill-sets of writing, listening, and speaking. I would never rediscover my thirst for history, whether it was ancient, colonial, or modern-day. The ability to connect the topic of economics with real-world happenings would never occur in my classroom. And the relationships I built with students, staff, administration and community would be but a pipedream.</p><p>At this point in my life, I know my date of expiration could result in a recall at anytime, any day. I might have 24 hours to live...or another 30 years of new revelations. I’ve never been one to second-guess my decisions, so all I can do is ponder ‘what could have happened’ had I not become restless in where I was headed in life. When my life encountered a crossroad fifty years ago, I made a turn for which I will never <u>ever</u> regret.</p>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-91314500529867976542022-10-21T20:54:00.000-05:002022-10-21T20:54:24.174-05:00A New Chapter in Life<p>As a recently retired educator, I wasn’t planning to sit on my hands and watch the world go by. Interacting with young people was still important to me, and choosing to sub three days/week in our local school has allowed me to engage in a new way. Transitioning from a high school with almost 1200 students to one with 140+ students is much like a step back in time. Smaller class sizes, 3 minute passing times versus six from the larger school, and lack of hallway congestion offers a unique perspective of small-town America.</p><p>My first assignments have been working with students identified with emotional or behavior disorders (a/k/a EBD). In past years with my traditional classroom, I was usually provided with one or two of these individuals, but suddenly I found myself in a room with eleven EBD students along with three other professionals. Unfortunately, from my experience, EBD students tend to have had a lot of negative experiences in school, consequently they tend to lack much desire or motivation to try to succeed. Since all of these students are graded on a pass-fail basis, teaching involves the KISS method and finding ways for these individuals to stay positive. Some of my responsibilities involve accompanying 1-2 students into traditional classrooms throughout the day as well as sitting down one-to-one to work on phonics, </p><p>So far my experience has been rewarding in every way and it’s a joy to still be part of a learning environment!</p>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-83382232681744006082022-09-14T21:15:00.000-05:002022-09-14T21:15:52.203-05:00My Last Day of School<p><i><b>NOTE: Originally compiled on June 1, 2022, but forgot to post on this blog</b></i></p><p>I recall how special I felt back in August 2012 when I walked into my first classroom at BDHS, pictured below on left side. It was a moment of celebration to arrive in a setting I had longed to find myself for 40+ years. That room held so many special memories of interactions with students from diverse backgrounds. Five years later I moved into my second classroom, pictured below on the right, this one in a totally renovated BDHS. It was my 'dream setting' if one ever existed: brighter room, multi-levels of seating, more wall space, additional storage, and new whiteboard. I never could have asked for a better setting!</p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWfh2Jvz42wZBNubve7qtKemgc-v3oaX4CFf9I5K49ZNIJhLGhEy5jMTlTg1q5g6nU41lPZ2NLWJcAJKi2vDYEa-D-76DLPIe1f7Bx1millCc8zqF0MgH8WiOurh7v4YXGY3RVlYLKuwwXoDM8vIuqTaSI3Xs-4JnQ1A9eM6DORFgEXd_O_Iinyyw/s1600/2012-08-22%2010.54.09.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWfh2Jvz42wZBNubve7qtKemgc-v3oaX4CFf9I5K49ZNIJhLGhEy5jMTlTg1q5g6nU41lPZ2NLWJcAJKi2vDYEa-D-76DLPIe1f7Bx1millCc8zqF0MgH8WiOurh7v4YXGY3RVlYLKuwwXoDM8vIuqTaSI3Xs-4JnQ1A9eM6DORFgEXd_O_Iinyyw/w189-h142/2012-08-22%2010.54.09.jpg" width="189" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrYTMTvPOvwRMR1sUxpoNXfO7VMw6br3brboefjt8nplpXCZeNUHlYKypAB7IJ-U2ez_r-wDlHZ5glI9i--jQePteUfphR_ViWYMCwDw5cvp_W8OCSJOEdX-dhAOU7hI1eT5aHDnkyv8TTn2WamZcMXEsxdHJytf1LoaKJQV6iSJSqroYtPRoQVNN/s4032/IMG-2932.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrYTMTvPOvwRMR1sUxpoNXfO7VMw6br3brboefjt8nplpXCZeNUHlYKypAB7IJ-U2ez_r-wDlHZ5glI9i--jQePteUfphR_ViWYMCwDw5cvp_W8OCSJOEdX-dhAOU7hI1eT5aHDnkyv8TTn2WamZcMXEsxdHJytf1LoaKJQV6iSJSqroYtPRoQVNN/w190-h143/IMG-2932.jpg" width="190" /></a></p><p>Within my surroundings I shared insight to freshmen on cultures within the Eastern Hemisphere using geography, history and current events. I introduced National History Day and watched students explore historical events <u>they chose</u> to examine in detail. Some of them took their projects and participated in regional, state and national competitions. I was asked to assemble and teach our school's first AP Economics course, providing students with the opportunity to earn college credits in both Micro and Macroeconomics. On numerous occasions I had students earn Double-5's on their AP Exams. I put my best effort forward in making the subject of Economics an interesting subject for BDHS students, bringing real world insight from my 30+ years in private business.</p><p>This same classroom was the setting for Prom Planning every spring over the course of 8 years. Key Club became our school's #1 service group, and I watched students rise to the occasion to attain positions of leadership at the district and division level, in addition to becoming state leaders in the Thirst Project movement. As Class Advisor to the Class of 2017, 2020, and 2024, it was my pleasure to serve as their go-between with school administrators. </p><p>I will forever cherish the memories and friendships made over these past ten years. For the record let it be known that I did not run away from the classroom nor from teaching itself. At 69 years of age, I felt it was time to move on to that next stage of my life. It is truly one of the hardest decisions I ever needed to make, but it was a glorious journey second only to marriage and the birth of our son. I am forever grateful for the opportunity that was provided to me!</p>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-14875566419331080782021-08-31T21:30:00.000-05:002021-08-31T21:30:01.926-05:00The Start of Year Ten<p>Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new school year, one which has raised the bar of expectations to new levels. After being negatively impacted by covid over the past eighteen months, school administrators are determined to get their students back to a regular routine of hands-on classroom learning. Teachers are fully aware that a considerable segment of our student population is lacking skill-sets associated with English, Math, Science, and other subject areas- not without mentioning the social-emotional scars, often hidden and unseen. Regardless, there is a feeling of optimism and hope throughout the hallways of school and I am excited to be begin another new chapter of teaching.</p><p>My room is also the home for another student-teacher this fall. Bryden is a non-traditional student from UW-Oshkosh who spent almost ten years in business and marketing before realizing his true desire to teach. Standing 6'7", I feel like I'm in the presence of my son, Jacob, who stands in similar height. I look forward to him sharing new experiences with my students. Ironically, for the first time in my career, I am <u>not</u> teaching any freshman classes this fall. Instead my assigned responsibilities are with grades 11-12 and the subject of Economics...a timely topic when our economy is being pushed and pulled in ways not known in recent history.</p>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-78284411046346025912021-06-11T22:03:00.000-05:002021-06-11T22:03:07.890-05:00End of School Year Reflection<p>My ninth year of professional teaching has come to an end, and as much as I’d prefer to totally forget it altogether, there are some important implications that historians will explore further in fine detail. I would be an outright liar if I made the statement that I wasn’t challenged this past year. Circumstances beyond my control tested my resolve when dealing with students, parents, and sometimes even my cohorts at school. I know it wasn’t the best situation for everyone, and each handled it differently. </p><p>Some students hid from school by hunkering down at home. Although they were considered virtual in nature, they were far removed from any learning activity. As a result they made no progress whatsoever and their social skills suffered in ways we’ll likely never know. My fear is that many of these individuals will be lost in life altogether, creating a void which will never be filled. When they return to the classroom next fall, these students will require personal attention, for their emotional sake as well as bringing them up to speed with learning. Many of these individuals lack the necessary supports needed from home, much less identifying one or two adults who they value as a positive role model. When school resumes in early September, it will be interesting to see first-hand the development gap between those students who chose to learn remotely versus those who elected to be in the classroom every day.</p><p>Some students handled masking and covid protocols in an admirable manner. Their resolve is to be complimented and admired, for they have demonstrated an ability to adapt to their environment. Whether they know it or not, I sense they have likely acquired new skills which will strengthen their character for many years to come. Their railroad cars never derailed and they will continue to prosper once normalcy returns to everyday life.</p><p>In reading that “final essay question” I always pose to my freshmen students in Global Studies, I discovered that many of them made the connection to how well off they have it compared to others who live in the Eastern Hemisphere. The overwhelming percentage of them were able to comply with the required 3-4 solid paragraphs, each consisting of 4-5 well-written sentences. Inside each reflection was a story of genuine realization that they “got it” just as I hoped and more. Their insight came from various lesson segments taught earlier in the school year, and each composition delivered a sense of satisfaction which teachers live to experience.</p><p>I still value my time and efforts in the classroom. My energy level remains high and I love integrating new technologies with real-life experiences. And best of all, I still learn from my students!</p><div><br /></div>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-74600570088221078342021-03-16T16:15:00.001-05:002021-03-16T16:15:41.450-05:00The Year to Forget<p> I recall the announcement to school staff with instructions to "pack up everything you'll need from school for the next 2-3 weeks" all too well. For the past few weeks we watched nightly news reports detailing the spread of covid19 across the United States, much less the rest of the world. Initial forecasts created the impression that it would be just a short period of time until school returned to normal, and students seemed thrilled with their newfound freedom from the daily grind of having to do schoolwork. As the virus took an ever-increasing number of victims with preexisting health conditions, many families isolated themselves. </p><p>Suddenly church congregations no longer worshiped as one, movie theaters closed, and small businesses shut their doors. Meanwhile large retailers such as Walmart and Menards achieved record sales. In April 2020 our school attempted to instigate remote learning, but lack of public wifi and connectivity frustrated student and parents alike. It was about this time when I sensed upperclassmen taking on full-time jobs, replacing older workers who quit for fear of getting covid19. Why go to school when you could pull down $500+/week? Grades and plans for secondary educations became second-thought.</p><p>I might only imagine the concerns which were likely voiced by administrators in off-the-record closed door meetings. The state of public education was quickly falling into disarray without a time-proven plan to navigate to safety. Teachers, many of who never pondered the concept of online learning, were now instructed to pick up from where they left off from in-person learning, a next to impossible task in itself under normal circumstances, Covid19 was <u>anything</u> but normal.</p><p>For myself, the transition was easier than most...having completed my Masters Degree in Online Learning four years earlier. I was able to apply many of the methods I learned, but Marian University never mentioned the topic of lack of engagement and social disconnect on the part of students. To this day the issue has yet to be addressed by any school district, and that day of reckoning will need to take place before we regain any sense of "normalcy" once again. For the time being I have doubts as to whether a viable solution can really address all those students who truly need it. And for the sake of clarity, I'm referring to students of all ages throughout our entire country. Unfortunately, in this case, the cure <b><u>was</u></b> worse than the disease</p>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-48360672187904477012020-10-25T21:20:00.004-05:002020-10-25T21:20:56.712-05:002020* - The Year with the AsteriskThe day was Tuesday, March 17 when I said goodbye to my classroom and fellow teachers. What followed was 100 days of lock-down learning at home for students, a challenging task for families and teachers alike. It was a hell of a way to end my eighth year of "traditional" teaching in an all-to-nontraditional way. Students were offered the option of grade-as-is or pass-fail, many of who chose the latter, and who would blame them? Just do the minimum required and you pass to the next level without any consequences. Apparently it worked as graduation rates hit an all-time high, but from my personal point of view a new knowledge gap was created which will impact this generation for many years to come. Too many of our young people sat on their duff, although it was in the safe environment that so many felt was necessary.<div><div><br /></div><div>When the first day of a new school year rolled around on September 1, it marked a period of 168 days when students went without being in a traditional classroom with direct instruction. Unfortunately there is a segment averaging approximately 20% which has chosen to remain virtual, some fearing for their personal health and others fearing the accountability of having to attend school, much less wanting to complete any assignments. Those who do attend are restricted to a well-intended plan called the "hybrid system" of two days in class, three away. This provides teachers (myself included) with only one class period per student each week, diminishing most chances to build relationships which are so valuable today in education.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>My greatest fear is the learning gap that will scar American society (and notably so many young people) for many years into the future and diminish our standing in the world. Be it soft skills or hard skills, look at the damage covid19 is inflicting on us all. What are the chances that we will be able to pick up the pieces to a shattered economy and societal norms in the immediate future? As much of an optimist I see myself being, the logical answer is "no much".....or at least it feels that way more and more each day. </div>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-78781210492308265872020-04-20T23:03:00.000-05:002020-04-20T23:03:13.653-05:00A Turning Point in HistoryWatching the world unfold over the past several weeks with the growing threat of covid19 has been uncomfortable to say the least. At this point in time our economy on a local, state, and national level, along with the economies of so many other countries has been trashed. As businesses shut down unemployment claims skyrocketed to record numbers. Watching grocery shoppers panic-buy their everyday needs was unsettling to say the least. I never expected to see local supermarket shelves cleared of everyday items such as toilet paper, canned soup, and frozen foods. Two weeks ago I was unable to even find a whole chicken, be it fresh or frozen, among the half-dozen stores I walked into. People suddenly resorted to the practice of hoarding as they feared the worse, much like they were acting out a real-life zombie apocalypse. Here within the United States, a country with countless riches in human and physical resources, the supply channels are awash with chaos as people have reacted by purchasing ten times their everyday needs. Food stores, regardless of size, don't have the ability, either with people or logistics, to adequately respond in typical fashion, and it's disheartening to see societal norms break down so quickly. Has civility been lost altogether?<br />
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Throughout this process, I am saddened when I see how dependent people have let themselves be on government for basic needs of survival. While I <u>firmly</u> believe it's important to care for those in need, I sense we're moving closer than ever to nanny state mentality among the masses. At one point in time most citizens embraced the concept of rugged individualism and being able to overcome great odds. Now, in a matter of a few weeks, newscasts show lines of cars waiting for boxes of food. I question not the need of people to eat, but ways which leaders within our government and the media have trashed individual rights in quest of absolute power. Everything that generations of patriotic Americans have worked so hard to protect is in harm of being overwritten and accepted by the public-at-large. It's not that I distrust science, only that I strongly sense it being misused at this time and place in history.<br />
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For now life has been altered in ways that we may never fully understand, accelerating trends in technology and biology which will also change life as we know it. But something else is at work here, and I feel it appears to have the making of something very sinister. Only time will tell.Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-62787429489103811872019-11-30T12:30:00.001-06:002019-11-30T12:30:44.784-06:00The Autumn of My LifeI always enjoy the days of fall as a time of reflection, looking back on the past six months of our growing season to ponder possible changes for next spring. While the air is crisp and cold, there's also a sense of finality knowing that winter is fast approaching. Trees shed their leaves, birds begin to flock, animals hibernate, and I spend time putting away outdoor furniture, dumping the compost tumbler, and moving the woodpile closer to the house. Although retirement is still 4-1/2 years away, at 66 years of age I find myself contemplating how many autumn seasons I have left on this earth. Without sounding morbid and pessimistic in my approach to life, I have a sense of realism of what life holds for me in those golden years to come.<br />
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The cycle of life is genuine and relentless in the way it demonstrates consistency and fortitude. Whether I live to 100 years of age or die tomorrow, I have a sense of fulfillment in all that I experience. I often think of those ancestors 400+ years ago who rarely traveled more than a few miles from home. No doubt there will come a time in the near future when my descendants journey into the far reaches of the solar system without giving any thought of my rather simple lifestyle. However, we all have an imagination to build our realities on.<br />
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The end of the day and the accompanying sounds of wildlife are treasured more than ever. My senses of sight, smell, taste and hearing are amplified in ways I never imagined. While those sands in my hourglass slip away, they represent unique memories of people I've met and interacted with. I'm excited about the journey ahead as never before.Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-42861898866476964202019-08-22T15:05:00.001-05:002019-08-22T15:05:39.245-05:00Saying Goodbye to an Old FriendOne of the realities of life is that death is inevitable. It's the ultimate statistic that proves 100% of all individuals will at some point die. How we deal with it is another matter altogether. Some have a difficult time accepting it for what it is, others face it head-on. While others might consider 66 years of age "old", I often feel more invigorated than the time I was at 26. Life today is good!<div>
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I met Lewy when he was a 16-year old kid busing tables at the supper club I worked at back in 1974. He was scrappy, quiet, and always got the job done. As we came to know each other better, we'd joke around and make the most of working together. When additional help was needed due to someone being sick or shorthanded, he was the first to step in. He never complained. Over the next four years Lewy matured and took on important roles with tending bar and spring cleanups at the resort. As manager I could not have grown our resort business without his grit and determination. It was fun working with someone who always put forth 100% effort. He also played an important role as one of the initial members of the Silver Lakers, a softball team put together in 1976. When Linda and I married in 1978, we were proud to include Lewy in our wedding party. It was nonstop fun from start to finish.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBr_XrCOo4NHNz7DvPoHEd4EfGp88mE1FXJ1ab91ezXN1WHq_MVUsdF3tSsBman5pDXyPoXvuGA1n0Ov9-JSWJbLjmfjynB42FfPA2uDKZzSKPUHtulUE-7NYIjCFGjum2Jq-HcgwVds/s1600/Lewy+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="166" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBr_XrCOo4NHNz7DvPoHEd4EfGp88mE1FXJ1ab91ezXN1WHq_MVUsdF3tSsBman5pDXyPoXvuGA1n0Ov9-JSWJbLjmfjynB42FfPA2uDKZzSKPUHtulUE-7NYIjCFGjum2Jq-HcgwVds/s200/Lewy+and+me.jpg" width="138" /></a></td></tr>
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After those days of softball camaraderie, our friendship never waned...despite not seeing each other on a regular basis. When our paths crossed, we always spent a few minutes reminiscing about earlier times in our life. Only recently did I learn of Lewy's struggle with various cancers that had invaded his body. When I returned home for the summer, we finally connected with one another again. We recalled playing ball, winning championships, celebrating afterward, and how we lived life in the fast lane. He shared the fact that he knew his time was limited. He chose to ignore the early warning signs of failing health and doctor pleas to get treatment underway before it was too late. Rather than finding fault with his ailments, he accepted guilt as few as able to to do.</div>
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Upon receiving word from his family that Lewy's body was shutting down, I knew that it was important for me to see him one more time. Today was the day I needed to go. I realize this is not something that everyone is capable of doing with strength and fortitude; for me it was about respect for our longtime friendship. Sitting by someone's dying bedside and holding their hand might seem morbid and dark to some, but it is anything but that for me. I was there for Lewy, providing assurance that his pain and suffering would soon pass. Despite bring unable to speak and falling in and out of semi-conscious-state sleep, I felt him squeezing my hand when I recalled happier times at the ballpark. After awhile it was not a moment for saying 'goodbye'....only "until we see each other again one day." I am thankful to have called him my friend.</div>
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Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-37050134569706840722019-03-30T18:14:00.001-05:002019-03-30T18:14:22.810-05:00The Student Teaching ExperienceIt was a time just seven years ago when I had the unique opportunity to be a student teacher at Weyauwega High School under the supervision of Mr. Pat Fee. It was a 4-1/2 month experience which I will forever relish and reflect back on in a positive way. I discovered much about the classroom environment, and it served as a springboard for my eventual landing at BDHS in the fall of 2012. I made a personal commitment to one-day open my classroom for future teachers so that I could serve as their role-model and mentor.<br />
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At the end of January I welcomed what I hope will be the first in a series of student teachers into Mr. D's classroom, and after six weeks it stirs my passion for good teaching- not only in providing a laboratory for a prospective teacher, but to invigorate my desire to seek excellence in my teaching skills. Almost two months into the process it has proved to be everything I sought and more, especially when it comes to demonstrating good classroom management, but the entire process is not as easy as one might think. It's more than just allowing a college student to observe and teach a few lessons, rather identifying what will be a series of transitions which impacts learning and classroom chemistry.<br />
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The first stage required me to model assorted teaching styles and communicate expectations to students in ways that were easily understood by the ST (student teacher). I've always felt consistency in my message, lesson planning, and approach with classroom management were key ingredients for being successful with students, They are the first to recognize inconsistency, and will call you out either publicly or in private if they sense wrong doing. They will make or break you!<br />
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ST is quickly learning the ropes, sometimes discovering this insight on his own, sometimes pointed out by yours truly, and occasionally revealed when students see indifference. Together we've tried some new things, which is what classrooms should be for. Every once in awhile we discover something wonderful....be it knowledge, technical in nature, or new insight on managing the classroom. This is just one reason as to WHY I love teaching!<br />
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I should also note that sometimes it's not easy stepping away from something I love to do. When I "teach" I discover that I also learn in the process. I consider it a win-win-win situation. This is a great time to explore and update my lesson plans, reflecting on what works and what could be improved (win for ME). It provides my students with a fresh perspective on our curriculum by inserting a new voice (win for STUDENTS). And it gives a future teacher the opportunity to discover what 21st century teaching is all about (win for ST). <b>Life is good.</b>Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-2177400924778348952018-12-24T11:48:00.001-06:002018-12-24T11:52:36.956-06:00Where Did They Go?When I graduated from Stevens Point in May 2012, I found myself nestled within a group of younger educators who I felt confident would impact classrooms for many years to come. For five semesters I interacted with many of them as we journeyed through the class offerings of UW-SP's School of Education. It was my pleasure to have gotten to know them personally, learning their reasons for wanting to teach. At that specific time in my life I would have given my right toe find a way to bring the entire group into a school setting, if only to see their strengths for collaboration and rigor come to fruition in a place where we, as educators, would thrive off one another. Of course it was just a dream and represented a false reality of life.<br />
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One by one fellow classmates found placements throughout the state, and I was excited for their prospects of making a true difference in education. Due to my circumstances with age and the area of the state where I resided, I was likely one of the final placements within the group of my comrades. In fact, I recall that time in July 2012 when I voiced my impatience with the process within a blog post which stirred an inner fire in my attempt to one-day reach the classroom. When the opportunity presented itself, I became a kid again, knowing that a life-long dream would become reality at last.<br />
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Despite the physical distance between each of us, I made a concerted effort to track the whereabouts of many of my Pointer alumni, anticipating news of ways they were impacting the younger generation. But rather than learning about excitement, I discovered just the opposite occurring. One by one they stepped away from the classroom, moving in other professional directions altogether. One into insurance, another to factory work, one to law enforcement, and others scattering into the traditional workplace. It's a trend I've witnessed personally of late too many times at BDHS as good, young teachers choose to leave their classroom in lieu of better opportunities. These are well-grounded individuals who I considered to be excellent educators, suddenly doing an about-face in their young careers.<br />
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What is happening to our stock of young adults who are leaving classrooms? At the same time, what is driving so many good, experienced teachers to an early retirement? No doubt there is a unique set of circumstances which drive the decision making of teachers as both individuals and a collective. Some problems are unique, while others have a common theme.I recognize that everyone isn't cut for the demands put on today's teachers. There are issues of classroom management and student drama, social media, paperwork, standards testing, communicating with parents, in addition to lack of direction and poor support provided by administrators. In many ways education is truly at a crossroad right now, a quagmire at best, whereby the talent pool is being depleted at an alarming rate.<br />
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I have opinionated thoughts about ways to improve the system so a new generation of teachers feel valued in what they do, but these actions take time to institute. In the meantime I cherish the time I spend with my students, watching them grow with both curiosity and intellect.Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-42806481576207770632018-09-03T21:35:00.000-05:002018-09-03T21:35:01.606-05:00Halftime at the 50 Yard LineSix years ago I paused to reflect on life, poised to fulfill a long-awaited dream to teach high school. Although I was still three months away from beginning this new career with my placement at Beaver Dam High School, I was eager to be part of a profession in which many of my colleagues seemed to be running from. While I hoped to secure a teaching position in Wild Rose where I live, destiny and fate took me seventy miles to the southeast where I have enjoyed six years of teaching Economics to juniors and seniors and Global Studies- Eastern Hemisphere to fun-loving freshmen. I've yet to experience a day when I questioned my decision to return to the classroom.<br />
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My best days as a teacher are ones when I grapple with new ideas to my class, knowing students will ponder on once they leave my classroom...perhaps even discussing what they learned with one of their parents. Sometimes the realization is quickly absorbed, while other times it takes days to sink in. Regardless, I leave school every day feeling energized knowing I was living my purpose. "Purpose" is a key component of feeling relevant in my teaching and making a connection that I'm doing what I was born to do.<br />
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Within my initial tenure at BDHS I've attempted to make my classroom a warm and inviting place for students as I consider atmosphere key to forming a community of trust and learning. Based on my experience in the business world, much of the dysfunction in the workplace can be traced to a lack of trust; hence my focus on allocating time and effort to discuss character and competence. I sense that many of us, whether young or old, fail to genuinely talk <u>and listen</u> to one another. If I practice this on a regular basis, students come to know that I'm willing to go the extra mile.<br />
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Just this past week I received an email from a former student who left the district at the end of his freshman year as a result of his father being transferred to another city almost two hours away.<br />
<i>"Hey Mr.D. I just wanted to let you know how this move to Wausau has been for me since you helped me towards the end of the year with my whole football situation and motivating me in general. So far it’s been pretty well and my coach really appreciated/was impressed with that email that I sent him which was overall your idea which I thank you for. It really helped with my introduction into the new school. I unfortunately have fractured my right thumb and tore a ligament in it during practice which has resulted in me being put into a cast. However I’m still able to practice and play as long as I have it fully padded. Not the best circumstance to be in right now but I have to make it into something better than what it is. I just wanted to thank you for helping me out enter the football program in a much more positive way and influencing that email. Hope you’re doing well Mr.D!"</i><br />
These are the moments that make teaching all so rewarding...seeing how a former student creates intention in order to take advantage of an opportunity to better themselves in new surroundings. It involves being optimistic (yet also very realistic) about life and the importance of learning, the key ingredient in my specific style of teaching.<br />
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With six years of teaching now behind me, it's time to look ahead to the final six. I see myself at the 50 yard line contemplating changes that will take place in the community, state, country as well as the rest of the world. It's pretty exciting, yet still challenging. I remain the oldest teacher in the school, but also one who teaches with a young heart. My passion for teaching (and learning) burns stronger than ever. While some might choose to coast to the finish line, I have every intention to push myself with new and creative ways to enhance education in my classroom. I remain confident that my best days as still to come and tomorrow will be pretty special for Mr. D!Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-25086868405851436492018-06-16T09:10:00.002-05:002018-06-16T09:10:50.365-05:00Bringing Michael Jordan to LifeAll too often I want students in my classroom to see an issue in a 360 degree perspective. The present generation never knew Michael Jordan for who he really was...probably the most amazing basketball player ever. Not just for his fabulous moves to the basket, talent to transform defeat to victory or leadership on the basketball court, but for his ability to understand the difference between success and failure.<br />
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One of my insightful lessons centers on the concept of "failing your way to success." By a show of hands, I ask if anyone wants to have a successful business...perhaps become a successful athlete or singer? Then they need to get ready to fail. As humans we learn through failure, that’s something wired into our brains. Think about how do we learn to walk. We start by crawling, then we learn to stand up, then we make few steps and we keep falling on the ground, then one day we are suddenly running. Learn from your failures and you begin moving in the right direction. <u>Remember</u>...the key word here is <u style="font-weight: bold;">LEARN</u>.<br />
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<i>“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan</i><br />
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Very cool indeed!Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-66887659166704475392018-03-27T10:38:00.003-05:002018-03-27T10:38:57.714-05:00One of those Special DaysEvery now and then teaching provides an opportunity for genuine relationships to perk like a pot of fresh brew. While so much focus is placed on curriculum, I contend that relationship-building is often overlooked as a most important component.<br />
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This became a quick realization to me two months ago when the second semester in the current school year began. One specific class, Block 1 Global Studies, contained a larger than normal amount of freshmen students with attitude issues. Specifically, five young teens could be viewed as "punks" in the eyes of many teachers. They put up a front of distrusting authority figures and general dislike for school. I sensed they would be a hard group to deal with, but rather than responding with an iron fist I elected to shift my teaching style in order to better understand their logic of thinking.<br />
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Delving into their academic history, I discovered a pattern of ongoing failure over the past 3-4 years. Unfortunately previous administrations chose to kick the can down the road with meaningful interventions rather than sitting down to discover why these teens think the way they did, passing the problem down the system for someone else to address over time. As a teacher this involves ongoing patience and tolerance for an assortment of personalities, especially when I begin the day in front of these young people. But in order to understand, one has to face the perceived problem head-on. Although the semester is only halfway completed, it has been a rewarding experience. It's also consumed much of my time and physical energies, but I firmly believe this is what true-teaching is all about.<br />
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Tapping into a resource of one past BDHS graduate now majoring in social work at a state university, I invited a handful of my most challenging students to an after-school round-table discussion. In return for their input they would receive not only a hearty meal of their favorite pizza, but a reduction of assigned detentions for past deviant behaviors. From the very start it became a meaningful exchange of information which lasted for more than 90 minutes. While I doubt it will solve every problem associated with their conduct in school, it provided great insight into erroneous perceptions by staff and student alike. Best of all, these students want to keep the conversation going with future meetings between themselves and administration.<br />
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Before closing, I'd mention that their collective performance in my classroom has improved considerable since their first day back in January. Not only did they pass my class, a notable accomplishment in itself, but they have impacted students in a positive manner. This group of rabblerousers has the opportunity to turn their lives around, provided they are truly serious about identifying personal goals and making decisions in an adult manner. Time will tell, but at least I was able to nudge a stone previously unturned.Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-62813180251021092422018-01-13T14:57:00.001-06:002018-01-13T14:57:14.087-06:00Freshman Insight As Only Freshmen Would See ItDuring the last day of regularly scheduled classes I always ask those freshmen in Global Studies to share insight on ways to make improvements to my class. This last semester I asked another rather simple question in hopes of scratching the surface of better understanding how young minds look at their first year of high school. The question was as follows: “In one sentence, what is the hardest thing about high school?” Their responses were both refreshing and honest in nature. I <u>did not</u> make changes to grammar, spelling, or punctuation as they provoke added intrigue on my part. Enjoy…...<br />
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<ul>
<li>The hardest thing about school is test. I’m not a well studier and that really effects my grade.</li>
<li>To me there is nothing to hard about school.</li>
<li>Navigating all the construction. Not being shy around other people. Participating.</li>
<li>Waking up to going to school.</li>
<li>Hardest thing about school is not being in control and waking up for it.</li>
<li>Getting things done on time and getting up early because I procrasente and have insomia</li>
<li>Getting up and learning things you feel will be no importance in your life/career</li>
<li>Amount of homework w/being involved & sports to you’re well rounded for college</li>
<li>The hardest thing to me are the tests because I can’t remember sertin things about classes.</li>
<li>The hardest thing is making sure I maintain the 4.0 GPA like I want. Sometimes the work can be so overwhelming that I can’t do the work but I push through it and try my hardest.</li>
<li>The hardest thing about school is learning different ways in each class like listening in English, reading in Global Studies & watching/doing in Geometry</li>
<li>The hardest thing about school is dealing with the stresses it brings.</li>
<li>Proboly, waking up and being here and getting homework done on time.</li>
<li>The hardest thing about school is how there is always alot of homework.</li>
<li>Hardest Thing: over-commit myself. Say I can do too much and end up very stressed because I’m not the best in something.</li>
<li>The hardest part is waking up and having to memorize things fast.</li>
<li>The hardest thing about school is the pressure put on you to do your very best.</li>
<li>The hardest thing about school is the homework.</li>
<li>The work</li>
<li>The hardest thing about school is homework, tests, and getting good grades.</li>
<li>The hardest thing about school is dealing with the people in it.</li>
<li>The hardest thing about school for me is procrastination and dealing with people.</li>
<li>8th hour regardless of the class it’s always boring</li>
<li>The homework piling up and sometime the teachers don’t explain it well.</li>
<li>Hardest thing about school is turning work in on time especially with other classes to do work for. Also, I don’t have many friends anymore.</li>
<li>The hardest part about school is being comitted and motivated.</li>
<li>Hardest thing is not having fun or interesting classes.</li>
<li>Hardest thing about school would be that im not the greatest at it. No one really is.but something with me not being able to focus as much as others but ive been told i can change it or its an excuse but people don’t understand.That my learning is different.</li>
<li>The hardest thing for me is the teachers I hate getting told what to do and when I have to do it.</li>
<li>I think the hardest part about school is homework and not talking.</li>
<li>I think the hardest thing about school is when you do really well on all the assignments in a class but then do bad on the test.</li>
<li>The homework and not being able to see your friens too much.</li>
<li>I think the hardest thing about high school is, tests. They take a huge part of your grade.</li>
<li>I think one of the hardest parts of high school is how little Middle School prepares you for it. In middle school you don’t really need to study for tests, yet in high school, it’s a completely different picture.</li>
<li>The hardest thing about school is maintaining a 4.0</li>
<li>The hardest thing about school is the tests and showing up</li>
<li>I think the hardest thing is just jaming My brain with infromata Also, the tests, are usually hard and cause alot of stress on me to get an A.</li>
<li>The hardest thing is how others see you. They look at you and already decide what person you are.</li>
<li>The hardest thing about school is the stupid children. I learned not to try too hard.</li>
<li>I think the hardest thing in school is trying to stay focused in my class</li>
<li>The hardest thing for me is trying not to talk to my friends during class.</li>
</ul>
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It truly amazes me how open and forthright freshmen can be when you ask them to share their opinions. Within 10 minutes of completing their 3x5 feedback cards I asked them to write another note, only this one would be addressed to next semester’s class, offering their brutally open insight on this class so fellow freshmen are provided a ‘warning sign’ with regards to classroom conduct and expectations. Although these departing students think their letters will go unnoticed by myself, I spend 45-60 minutes reviewing each one to make sure there were no hidden references to drugs, alcohol, or inappropriate language. 100% were sincere and to the point.</div>
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Their completed letters often mirrored some of the many petty annoyances happening in the personal life of today’s teenager, but also provided a glimpse of what I was doing right and perhaps wrong in their eyes. There was a consistent message from the group for the way they obtained a new understanding for today’s world and that learning could indeed be fun. The “hardest things” mentioned on those 3x5 cards were noticeably absent from their classmate letters, so my impression is that some of their other teachers could be somewhat detached from their world. This is not a slam against my fellow teachers, but still cause for some concern on my part as an adult who values student relationships. Many years ago I was reminded that perception is often another’s reality. :)</div>
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Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-53135573933777165532018-01-11T21:18:00.000-06:002018-01-11T21:18:27.005-06:00Letter to the EditorFor the first time in my short career of teaching I have the urge to respond to one citizen's complaint about teachers. A "Letter to the Editor" went as follows:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>On Dec 12, the Daily Citizen ran a front-page article that talked about a number of teachers who are unhappy with their pay and also feel unappreciated. Pardon me, but I just don't get it. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>I challenge anyone to name a profession that has a better benefit package with 16 weeks of vacation from day one. Incredible job security. Early retirement option. A lavish pension and fantastic health insurance. As far as pay? I requested and received a copy of every teaching position in the district. More than half of our teachers make more than $53,000 per year. Divide that by 180 days and divide that by eight hours and that comes to $36.80 per hour. There are 85 teachers making more than $60,000. That comes to $41.66 per hour. Unhappy with their pay?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>I am not anti-teacher. I have relatives in the profession and more than a few good friends that are great teachers. I am anti-public union and anti-public pension, simply because the taxpayers are left with the bill. When is this 7-year pity party going to end?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This past year my base pay of $45,852 did not change as was previously determined by a combination of steps & lane compensation. Being in a year where a massive construction project is taking place in our building, I understand the need to be sensitive to the mood of local voters, but as a "young teacher" I have an outstanding loan associated with a decision to complete my college education. In addition, I also invested in a 2-year program to obtain my Masters Degree for which an expense was incurred. In my opinion the so-called freeze is a dangerous precedent, as good young teachers will seek greener pastures where they feel more appreciated. But at the same time I recall times in the business world when stagnant sales or excessive customer debt resulted in no raises or even employee cutbacks. Raises in any job, be it the public or private sector, truly need to be earned, and how those raises are earned should involve regular conversations with members of management/administration. (more on that later)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When it comes to the argument of receiving 16 weeks of vacation from day one, it's anything but that in my life. So many of those days are spent cleaning up loose ends of every-changing lesson plans, learning new curriculum and guidelines, then focusing on PDP and SLO objectives. While I cannot vouch that 100% of my peers are actively involved in similar routines, I'm sure there is a sizable number who remain committed to their profession.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My normal school day is longer than the eight hours mentioned by the writer; often lasting twelve or more due to lesson preparation and grading. I set high-expectations for not only my students, by for myself as well. In addition to my teaching responsibilities, I also donate time (uncompensated) as adviser for our school's very active Key Club, serving on our school's PBIS Committee as well as spearheading National History Day for Regional and State competition. All told, if I was to really crunch numbers to best reflect the time I spend on teaching each and every day, it could approach a wage slightly above minimum wage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've not been one to whine, but as someone who is relatively new at this profession I contend that pay is not based on a system of merit, but one of tenure. When Act 10 was signed into Wisconsin law by Gov Walker in 2011, I felt school districts across the state were provided with a big carrot which might instigate some positive changes in accountability on all sides of the debate. I understand the purpose of tenure and how it can protect valuable educators, but it can also prohibit much needed change from taking place. Again I stress this is not a vindication of all teachers nor administrators across the country, just voicing my opinion that a good segment of administrators are not taught how to be leaders in their schools.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">During my career in business management I discovered the culture of "Absolute Honesty", an idea put forth by Larry Johnson and Bob Phillips back in 2003. I loved the concept and asked my three branch managers as well as the owners to read the book while thinking about how it could impact our company. Quickly we developed into a strong team with ongoing open dialogue between 120+ employees throughout the company. From that day forward I never feared an opportunity to sit with any employee, regardless of their position in the company, to discuss performance by either party. It was a special experience that I will long reflect on in a positive way. It's unfortunate that this same form of conversation can't be found in many of our schools.</span><br />
<br />Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-15141098216367899412017-12-26T19:11:00.000-06:002017-12-26T19:14:35.439-06:00Guilty...as charged!I confess that I'm totally at fault for being lax with my classroom reflections. Despite being MIA for the past eight months, I'm pleased to acknowledge that I'm still very much engaged in the classroom. Yes, I have legitimate excuses....from being forced from my classroom as a result of the massive construction project taking place in our school, to being overwhelmed with putting too much on my plate while donating my time and efforts to extra-curricular activities, and then interlacing it with commitments to our marriage. Yes, they're all there.....but excuses don't legitimize my shortcomings. Shame on me!<br />
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With five years of teaching now behind my belt, I still have an ongoing passion and commitment to teach high school students. They give me hope for the world, while also inciting fear for their shortcomings. However this year, more than ever, electronics continue to dominate their free time. In many instances, I fear, iPhones have become their best friend. As a result I sense they're becoming more disengaged with face-to-face socialization, many times using it as a barrier to socializing. When I arrive to school at 6:30 AM everyday, I always find 3-4 students sitting in the commons area, totally unaware of the surroundings but thoroughly immersed in games on their phones. I contend this generation's addiction to games will impact test scores as some point in their education, if not post-school performance.<br />
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A psychology professor at San Diego State, Jean Twenge, recently wrote an article in The Atlantic noting that the rise of cell phones and social media has created a generation that spends less time with friends and more time alone in their rooms on their phones. Citing data from the 'Monitoring the Future' survey, Twenge said that teenagers who spend more time online than they do with their friends are the most likely to report being lonely and feeling left out.<br />
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While I acknowledge that electronics can enhance learning in the classroom, I also know from personal experience that when students have phones or unrestricted laptops out in class — and are texting, surfing the web, or posting on social media — they are only half-present (if that). I do everything I can in attempting to make my classes as interactive as possible, with students engaged in discussions, group work, or other tasks. When I have a roomful of half-present students who are distracted, it detracts from what we as a class can accomplish on any given day.<br />
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Once school resumes after the Christmas break, I sometimes dread going back to the classroom, knowing that many students will have new phones with which I now have to contend with. While it might sound as if I favor the banning of all devices from schools, I am anything but of that opinion. Such a ban can single out students with accommodations who need those devices to participate in class, so the conversation regarding responsible use and between students and Mr. D will continue into the foreseeable future.Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-11947869992070385782017-04-22T10:48:00.000-05:002017-04-22T10:48:45.945-05:00Writing Without FearFor some students writing assignments represent their worst nightmare. Any hint of having to put a pen to paper can instantly transfer fear into the mindset of at least half my students. How did writing become such a skulduggery exercise of futility? Did it take place when one of their earlier teachers in elementary attacked their papers with big red pen? As of late I've noticed a small segment of student population refusing to answer even the simplest of questions? And another segment who respond with 2-3 words which to them constitutes a sentence of thought. While I recognize that writing requires much more processing of language in order to produce a message, there needs to be some degree of effort put forth. This lack of cooperation is a matter which I need to deal with in the near future, as it causes me great concern. I know better than to interpret their fear of engagement as defiance of me as a person, noting that this is rather a frustration for not being able to complete the task at hand. It's a mind-block that requires my ongoing attention.<br />
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Meanwhile, for those who are willing to work at improving their skills, I identify lessons when I can provide opportunities and encouragement for finding ways to inject new vocabulary in personal reflections. I assure students that their grade will not be based on spelling, punctuation, or capitalization of words; rather recognizing the content of their ideas. From that point forward in each writing exercise I carefully monitor student writing to assess strengths and weaknesses, making attempts to teach specific skills and strategies that might enhance their abilities in future writings. I'm careful in my feedback, looking for ways to reinforce their newly-learned skills in addition to correcting recurring problems.<br />
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My greatest challenge is finding time to review everyone's work so they have time to digest my comments while the assignment is fresh in their minds. I intentionally keep my response short, wary of overwhelming them with too much feedback. Over the past few years I've followed the advice of renown author and educator Kelly Gallagher: <i>"Focus less on grading and more on improvement. Expect more out of remedial students; expect more out of average students; expect more out of honors students. 'Everyone improves' becomes the mission of an effective writing classroom."</i><br />
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Students, of course, like to talk with each other, but merely asking students to get together and talk with each other about their writing usually is not enough. Students need guidance in responding to each other’s writing. Teachers model good responses (and sometimes bad ones), they offer mini-lessons on response, and they lead students to define what truly helps them, so that response sessions are effective. Teachers are also encouraged to use forms and provide checklists that can serve as guides.<br />
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Most recently I tried a new approach by dividing the class into groups of four, then asking them to collaborate together in wordsmith a response to a question involving the ongoing leadership shuffle in Pakistan between military dictatorships and elected democratic leaders. I provided an incentive for the group that could best craft their insight with a Milky Way double-bar to split among their group. The result surpassed my expectations with some exceptional writing. Somewhat as Gallagher noted, my focus was less on grading and more on insightful content. Together they achieved more by focusing on a common goal, using their individual strengths to assemble their best effort, and it's a concept I intend to explore further with next year's classes.Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-21238817269313763972017-02-05T18:50:00.000-06:002017-02-05T18:50:44.043-06:00Personal Connections Abound<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9-UXe7szlJJTyafwmFxP7_fKtWztgZQue-zWnWe9ApT1mHn55X87fqgUzKh-_EJmG_IMoXImwlt0DAgbFpU9fT06EHUoONyhmm_cH5yljYBnvdNZoR5CiRE1p_nIpFEqeuH1WRbrdkg/s1600/Feb+2017+Madison+Trip+%25231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9-UXe7szlJJTyafwmFxP7_fKtWztgZQue-zWnWe9ApT1mHn55X87fqgUzKh-_EJmG_IMoXImwlt0DAgbFpU9fT06EHUoONyhmm_cH5yljYBnvdNZoR5CiRE1p_nIpFEqeuH1WRbrdkg/s200/Feb+2017+Madison+Trip+%25231.JPG" width="185" /></a>I was introduced to National History Day (NHD) in the spring of 2010 when Tom Reich, Reference Librarian at UW-Stevens Point, asked me to serve as a judge for the North Central Regional Event. I loved the concept which allowed high school students to use a designated theme associated with history and then choose a subject of choice to which they could make a connection. After three years of volunteering my time evaluating projects, I promised myself that my future classroom would include NHD as a unit of study. When the opportunity presented itself to teach in Beaver Dam, our staff embraced it with open arms and every freshman student from there on forward has experienced it first-hand.</div>
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Now in our fifth year of existence at BDHS, NHD continues to be a work in progress. I am often fascinated by the various topics that are chosen by students every semester, and I'm quickly finding it to be one of the true strengths of the program. Just recently one freshman selected Rosalind Franklin, an English chemist who contributed much to the understanding of molecular DNA. Last year this same student lost an older sister to a rare form of cancer that scientists are just now identifying ways to combat using Ms. Franklin's exhaustive work. Another student selected Eliza Schuyler (a/k/a Mrs. Alexander Hamilton) after discovering that she was a direct descendant, while also uncovering a story behind Schuyler's founding of the first private orphanage in New York City. Finally, when one young man was informed that his great-grandfather was killed during Japan's deliberate attack on Pearl Harbor, he immediately decided this would be his topic of choice.<br />
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Not every student will possess these personal connections to a historical event, but in their own distinctive way they have reasons for their choice. Their focus is on the man, woman, group, or subject connecting to "Taking a Stand in History" and it's an awesome experience to watch unfold both in and out of the classroom over the course of 5-6 weeks. At the end of the semester I ask freshmen for input on ranking their favorite units of study, and the History Day Project traditionally ends up at the top of their list. It requires plenty of extra time and effort on the part of a teacher, but the outcome makes it all so worthwhile. It many ways it's truly history in the making!Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-23863145544617218332016-12-30T18:51:00.000-06:002016-12-30T18:51:05.605-06:00My Warning about Cell-phonesI enjoy using new technology in my classroom, more so than many of my comrades. However, when school reconvenes after the holidays, I am often amazed by the number of new cell-phones which were gifted to students at Christmas. It makes a great gift and parents have good intentions with using the device to better stay in touch with their child. But it also raises my awareness to the grave problems our society is creating in years to come, most of it coming about from the addiction to social media and games which rob young people of tine, focus and establishing priorities for their education.<br />
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Let me be very clear in the way I identify and communicate ground rules for using electronics in my classroom. When the bell goes off, I expect students to not only be in their seats, but cell-phones turned off and completely out of sight, As a block class we take a break at the mid-point, and they are allowed to use their device appropriately...but only for those five minutes. If we complete the lesson content and there is extra time available, I provide students with a minute or two to check their device. Any violation results in not only having it confiscated, but 30 minutes of detention time with yours truly over the next 2-3 days. On average I have a small handful, usually 2-3 students, each semester who learn this lesson the hard way...and word quickly spreads throughout the school that Mr. D is very serious about misuse of electronics.<br />
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My concern comes not from students breaking policy, but their addiction to games they foresee as innocent and entertaining. Games such as Candy Crush and Empire are extremely creative, tempting players to continue their quest for higher scores and additional features, but minutes easily turn into hour upon hour of "playtime" which could <u>and should</u> be used for studying valuable knowledge. I've witnessed mornings when students came into my class barely able to keep their eyes open after late-night gaming marathons. I question what kind of parents would allow their children to be consumed by such habits. And we wonder why so many young people suffer from sleep disturbances, anxiety, stress, and depression?<br />
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While social media can be a unique tool for human interaction, young people rarely know the when, why, and how for responding to perceived slams of personalities of others more or less popular than themselves. Too many students play out their dramas with ill thought-out responses rather than implementing the concept of 'forgive and forget' and moving on. Young people are now being identified with pathologies of "Nomophobia" (No-Mobile-Phobia), "FOMO" (Fear of Missing Out)- the fear of being without a cell phone, and "Textiety"- the anxiety of receiving and responding immediately to text messages.<br />
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As funny as this all might seem, I foresee the misuse of cell-phones in a school environment resulting in ocular problems with eyes which will deteriorate further as age progression continues. Allowing young eyes to stare into a small screen for hours at a time is presently resulting in dryness, blurry vision, irritation, and fatigue. I sense there will also be physical problems associate with carpal-tunnel syndrome from overstimulating thumbs and wrists on tiny keyboards.<br />
I'd love to dismiss my concerns as over-reacting, but it's anything but that. I enjoy the daily interaction with young people, and they often-admit their shortcomings when it comes to misusing their cell-phones. At the same time it provides a daily rush of adrenaline and an excitement second-to-none. I wish I was wrong, but mark my words.....in 5-10 years the medical profession will feature daily stories of the consequences I foretell today.Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-19550252521120912472016-10-24T15:42:00.002-05:002016-10-24T15:42:36.482-05:00The Band of Brothers<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfy1zH1sgzRt9di47xq5Mj0zMnodNuYXSmvTYdEb-EWab-EUA7Dz6QGdS1jCSzcT-BCvV5BW7NB6u-4OUhGrYmnfJStQFUs6xu7kDOkm44wH16aYq8CUgptC4HWvdAomUOYQFwB7DviRA/s1600/Band+of+Brothers+Fall+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfy1zH1sgzRt9di47xq5Mj0zMnodNuYXSmvTYdEb-EWab-EUA7Dz6QGdS1jCSzcT-BCvV5BW7NB6u-4OUhGrYmnfJStQFUs6xu7kDOkm44wH16aYq8CUgptC4HWvdAomUOYQFwB7DviRA/s200/Band+of+Brothers+Fall+2016.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Band of Brothers, Oct 2016</td></tr>
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Little did I ever think that I'd post a reflection regarding a high school sports team, much less one dealing with defeat. But as it is with life, we learn important lessons about human interaction; not always involving myself with a cast of characters, but watching how they influenced one another both on and off the arena of sports. From the pain of losing comes an awesome feeling of accomplishment...of knowing how important this interaction meant to each of them.<br />
Any person who has ever coached, managed, mentored, taught, advised, or parented a team understands the true impact that young people can sometimes have on you. Success or failure is immaterial; it's the grit and heart which defines inner character. When they win, you celebrate. Whey they lose, you suffer. But when they grow as individuals, you acknowledge their deep conviction for determination and willingness to sacrifice. I've been fortunate to personally experience those moments in life, be it with the Silver Lakers or Wild Rose Wildcats, but never like this.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5lDjco_3LcqvosJWubGoK7d4sAQ2SFBEE-dY3mToREl0Yx4dYT61iZwQ93kW1FmDJ86mfnBGgh0eUqQ3p9QfRlNt06dtVQNgYz2Mf80oXptE18BPu0QMQPIr-_cpWF7zEQk0fcK1I3Q/s1600/Nate+Falkinham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ5lDjco_3LcqvosJWubGoK7d4sAQ2SFBEE-dY3mToREl0Yx4dYT61iZwQ93kW1FmDJ86mfnBGgh0eUqQ3p9QfRlNt06dtVQNgYz2Mf80oXptE18BPu0QMQPIr-_cpWF7zEQk0fcK1I3Q/s200/Nate+Falkinham.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. D and Nate</td></tr>
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This group is forever known as the "Band of Brothers" for a commitment to each other; senior members of the BDHS football team, who played their final game together just over a week ago. What began as a season of promise ended in disappointment and deep emotion. When they were freshmen I made a promise that I would attend every home & away game during their senior year. Mission accomplished; but not without feeling their pain and witnessing something very special. Their journey into the future has only just begun.<br />
After the team picture (top right) was taken I was is awe when many of these individuals asked to have a picture taken with me before leaving the stadium. Kids don't come up to the teacher at the end of class and say "Today's lesson meant so much to me that I want a picture of us together." ....maybe they would if the meaning was truly best understood for the true impact it had on their life.Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-21831562389933585772016-08-23T14:37:00.000-05:002016-08-23T14:37:34.281-05:00Taking It to the Next LevelI am often guilty of piling on myself...taking on more than I am sometimes able to handle. While some people my age would take satisfaction in just completing college, I chose to delve into another unknown by beginning work towards attaining my Masters Degree in Educational Technology in January 2015. There were days when I questioned my sanity as to WHY I would want to jump into the cold icy waters of such an undertaking. After all, I'm active in my school with PBIS, Class Adviser, Key Club Adviser, and frequent spectator/volunteer at extra-curricular activities. If my daily schedule wasn't already packed to the gill, why would I dump this on my plate? For the past nineteen months, this question was frequently brought to the forefront as I sat in bed at night wondering if I was really up to the task.<br />
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Throughout the process I did everything I could to eliminate any source of negative thinking, focusing instead on the quality of learning that was taking place in my life. There were countless numbers of scholarly articles assigned by my instructors, each requiring a personal writing reflection. I recall one of my assignments involving the dismantling of my laptop computer, identifying the component parts and how they interacted with one another. One bad move could erase some valuable files, much less damage the overall functionality of it. For the first time in my life, I authored a grant proposal for a set of chromebooks and supporting software for assessment. While I personally HATE asking others for money, it was a necessary part of my education. In-between I constructed my first eBook, developed a Professional Development Plan (a/k/a PDP), Instructional Design Plan and Rubric, an online version of my Global Studies classroom course, Mobile Device Integration Plan, Class Technology Coaching Philosophy <u>and</u> Implementation Plan...and everything else.<br />
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Throughout the duration I experienced six different but uniquely qualified instructors. Each maintained the highest of standards, communicating in a professional manner. There were weeks when I aced assignments when I was challenged to dig deeper into my thinking. Deadlines were met on schedule, all while developing syllabi and teaching two new courses for high school students. In my professional career of 31+ years in business there were numerous other times when I undertook similar challenges, but none as fulfilling as this one. As I prepare to enter my fifth year of teaching, this new certification has sparked a new passion and intellectual curiosity for integrating new technology into daily lesson planning. While the bump in salary is nice, the experience of watching students using new skills will be very rewarding. My newly completed graduate work has revealed an exciting pathway to the future of public education!Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2290193969850921198.post-44707501108371593392016-06-22T00:02:00.000-05:002016-06-22T00:02:18.051-05:00A Wake-Up Call to LifeAll too often it is the final weeks of school when there are moments I long to remember as being extra-special. One such occasion occurred at the end of May during late afternoon when I sat alone at my desk and looked up to find a young man peering down at me. His face was one I remember from Sept 2012 when I found a silly, immature group of freshmen students inhabiting my locale on the first day of school. Tim (not his real name) was not only silly and immature, but suffered from attention deficit disorder. He was often cooperative in class, but could never complete any assignments, even when they were written down and provided days in advance. This was my first semester of teaching and I often went out of my way in communicating with parents as to celebrations of achievement or concerns for failing grades Tim was one of those students who never got to second base, failing tests without any regards for the consequences. Despite several phone calls and letters to home, I was never able to roust a response from either of his parents, much less his guidance counselor. I felt as if I was flying solo on all fronts, and as a result Tim earned the first "F" in my short career as an educator. At the end of January 2013 I felt I let him down, somehow thinking that a different outcome was possible had I taken immediate action on the first day of class. Over the next three-plus years I moved on from Tim's failure, making him a distant memory in favor of students who demonstrated greater concern for their studies. But memories quickly return from the abyss when that individual suddenly appeared in front of me.<br />
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<i><b>"Hey there, Mr. D! If you have some time I'm in need of a little help."</b></i> It was Tuesday afternoon and represented my final day overseeing our department's ELO (Extended Learning Opportunity). As it is with many of the students who pop in after school, I put everything aside and provided Tim with my immediate attention. When we finished reviewing his material, I couldn't resist the opportunity to inquire about life over the past few years. He explained how he was cramming for a makeup test in another social studies class that would determine whether he'd graduate with his class. Tim opened up about wishing he could return to my classroom for that first day of school when I attempted to grab his attention. <i><b>"I should have listened to you as it would have made my life so much easier. My dad told me I need to graduate from high school if I expect to attend MPTC in the fall. Everything's on the line with this test and I can't afford to fail it."</b></i> His tone was serious in every way and I sensed it was one minute before midnight in his young life.<br />
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A few days later it was graduation day at BDHS and I looked forward to seeing Tim make the walk with 225 other classmates. The gymnasium was packed to capacity on a warm Sunday afternoon, and the procession of soon-to-be-grads was impressive from start to finish. This group represented my first batch of freshmen and they were somewhat special to me. During their tenure of high school I watched many of them grow in maturity and stature. However, missing from their ranks was Tim and I quickly grabbed my program in search for his name. There was no trace of him upon the list and I later found out that he fell short in his run to the finish line. There was a pit of disappointment in my stomach that day, much like it was a few years earlier. When students fail a class, they rob themselves of opportunities later in life. Sometimes the best lessons are learned from our falls...and hopefully Tim will learn much from his mistakes.Petehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06973730858408817612noreply@blogger.com0