This week...

I often forget how difficult this week before a break can be... And if it is difficult for me, that means my students are struggling much worse. Though it makes me nervous and fully of worry, I must remember to step away from it all for a while.

This is my personal reminder to take this upcoming break and really "break"... in other words, remember to rest and relax and put some of the work things out of mind. This holiday season I fully intend to reflect and be present with my family and friends. They deserve my full attention, which is not what they always get during the school year.

Here's to breaking. But not just taking a little break, rather, really resting and rejuvenating!

We are what we say we are...

Well, as it always goes, I was given a harsh (but important) little reminder today. My students teach me so much. After a guidance lesson on the positivity and mindsets, my students so honestly explained that we are what we think we are. "If we just think that something good will happen, then it will." .... I just wanted to say, "DUH" to myself! :) I went through the morning very sleepy and un-motivated. I can honestly remember saying to a colleague this morning, "I'm just so tired today." Well, well... sounds like I was talking myself right into the kind of day I was going to have!

We left our fun little lesson realizing, as they pointed out so well, that we are what we say we are! So instead of sleepy, today I am a learner. I am alive. I am excited about the snowfall! As we move into this holiday season, we can choose to have the kind of day that we end up having. Unlike Alexander in the terrible, horrible, no good day book, we can shift our mindsets right away in the morning!

And why do I always need these reminders for such simple little things? :)

Happy Friday!

They are watching... no matter what.

As I trotted down the hall today after picking up the 4th graders for a guidance lesson, I could not help but notice some of the girls staring at me as we walked. Not even just a little look here and there, but all-out staring at me. They were watching how I walked, my facial expressions and my body language. Now, it is very possible I had something in my teeth and had hair sticking up on end, but either way this was a great reminder! Of what, you ask? Well...

I had to step back and reflect on how much we, as educators, lead by example. This does not just come with our words, what we teach and how we interact with our students... this comes every minute of every day around our students. They are watching and re-creating all of the time. If I would have folded my arms, the girls would have done the same. If I would have skipped, you better believe they would have been skipping too. What a way to be reminded that my body language is giving them a message each moment of each day.

As we went through our guidance lesson, we talked about  how our words are powerful, our actions are powerful and today we even discussed how our body language is powerful. Whether I am standing with my arms crossed, arms on my hips or arms at my side, I am sending a message.

What does your body language say about your demeanor today? I know I've got a lot to work on!

Happy Friday!