We Both Won!

Every Monday morning during the school year I do a Monday morning message vodcast for our students.  I will highlight an area or topic that I think might be important for our 265 students, K-5 to think about or hear.  Many of my messages have an underlying values-driven lesson to them.  I am always pleased when a student makes a comment acknowledging they heard me and liked what they heard.

I also have made a personal pledge to try and give back to my PLN by offering some thoughts on a weekly blog.  I have learned so much from folks in my PLN, I feel a sense of  responsibility to give something back.  I don’t really have enough followers to making a large impact.  But if my thoughts can help others, or give reason to pause and think about an idea, I guess I will be making a small contribution.

This week, I am going to merge my Monday Morning message with my weekly blog post.  Thanks to all who share daily and make me a better educator and person.

Both Teams Won!

This year I have the great pleasure of coaching my grandson’s 1^st/2^nd Grade basketball team.  I love the sport and have thoroughly enjoyed teaching my grandson and his schoolmates some of the nuances and fundamentals of the game.  Each week we have two practices (some more productive than others) to learn to dribble, pass, and shoot.  Our work during the week helps us prepare for the games on Saturday.

We talk about working hard, having fun, and getting  better and we have indeed been doing that.  We also talk about our lifeskills.  This Saturday as I was teaching and coaching their game, they taught me a valuable lesson.  As the game ended, the score read 12-12.  Our kids raced back to me and exclaimed with enthusiasm, “Hey coach, both teams won!”  I wish I could take credit for this, but what a great attitude about competing!

Indeed, everyone is a winner when both teams work hard, have fun, and get better.  We should feel this way in our classrooms.  When one of our classmates has success or gets better, we should cheer and celebrate with enthusiasm.  When any one of us gets better, we all get better!

Out of the mouths of babes comes some of our greatest wisdom.  Their innocence can provide profound reason and perspective.  Coaching these kids has been a great experience.  Thank you, Spring Valley Tigers for helping me get better and wiser.  Continue to work hard, have fun, and help us all get better.