The Power of "Yet"

I've been excited to write about what it means to have a Growth Mindset.  A Growth Mindset means that you believe you have the power to do and accomplish anything.  But, how can that be?  Aren't we born with a certain set of skills?  Don't we all have strengths and weaknesses that define us?  There answer is "no," when you believe in a growth mindset.  Your brain has the ability to grow and change over the course of a lifetime.  Have you ever heard the quote, "Use it, or lose it?" That means if we don't use our brain, we lose the skills needed each day.  So what if we used that idea to motivate us to learn something new, or keep trying something that is challenging?  Keep using it. Believing that you haven't accomplished something "yet," is the way to think when you have a Growth Mindset.  It gives you power and drive to keep trying, no matter how long it takes to be successful.  

I had planned to write about this topic for a few weeks now, and then something special happened that lit me up with ideas and motivation. Two days ago, my amazing colleague, Mrs. Winters, approached me with one of my students asking me, "How do you feel when you have too much to get done?"  I responded almost instantly, "overwhelmed."  Isn't that how everyone feels?  She turned to my student and said that they discussed this idea at their Girls on the Run meeting last week, and my student said she feels empowered when she has to much to do, because she knows she can do it.  What if we all believe, yes we can? What if we let go of overwhelming feelings, stress, anxiety, and remind ourselves, I just haven't done it yet. Imagine your potential.  

5M students wrote "I Can" Statements to help them develop a Growth Mindset.

Check out this video to learn more about Growth Mindset.

Bittersweet Goodbyes

I've taught 5th grade for 13 years now, and it's always been something that I love to do.  My fifth graders are smart, kind, witty, and by the time June comes around, are able to get my jokes.  My good friend, Ms. Zanone, always says that the worst part about teaching fifth grade is that when we finish our year, we don't always get to see our kids again.  They go off to the middle school, and we no longer see them roaming our halls, waving hello, and checking in with us like the younger grade teachers get to do.  Some kids will visit us here and there, but our last day of school is sometimes our last goodbye. 

The pride I have in my students each year at our Moving Up ceremony brings tears to my eyes every year.  But those tears sometimes stem from the fact that I won't always know where these kids end up.  The time and effort we put into our year together is priceless.  I hope for all my students that they will do the things they love to do, try something new when given the opportunity, and to remember that I am always thinking of them and wondering how they are doing.  So while I am so ready and excited for my summer break, as I know all of my students are, too, I also feel a sense of sadness getting ready to say goodbye one last time. 

To my fifth graders, I hope you know that your EHB family is always here cheering you on from afar.  We hope you will find your way back to wave hello, give us a hug or handshake, and tell us how you are doing.  Good luck to all of you!

Do You Have Spring Fever?

Warm weather.  Green leaves.  Beautiful petals falling like snow. Green dust layering the cars...  Achoo! Cough!  You heard it, spring fever.  Whether you suffer from allergies or not, you probably have that other form of fever, the "I-can't-wait-for-summer-break-virus!"

As teachers, students, and parents, we can taste that last day of school coming.  No more homework.  No more early mornings.  No more shoving breakfast in our mouths and chewing fast so we can get out the door.  Summer brings a rest and relaxation that students and teachers need more than anything, but also brings some mixed feelings about what is to come and what is about to change.  Recently, my son, who is starting Kindergarten in the fall, said to me, "I can't wait for summer so I can relax.  No more work."  This made me giggle, but also made me feel bad.  When did Preschool become so burdensome?  We also talk about all the excitement to come with Kindergarten, and most days he really looks forward to the new teacher, new classroom.  But recently, he started showing sadness, thinking I won't visit his classroom when he's in Kindergarten.  It made me think about my 5th graders.

The 5th graders are approaching the end of their time at EHB.  They are moving on to something new and so exciting:  Middle School.  No more walking in lines.  They get a locker!  They move from class to class with new kids in each room.  But, they are going to be the babies again.  Is this a scary thought?  Sometimes change is so exciting, but sometimes it's also a time to feel nervous.  Teachers feel this way too.  Every year I wonder what my new class will be like?  Will they get along with each other?  Will they get my jokes?  Will they make me laugh?  Will they be kind to one another?  We all feel more than one way at times.  It's normal to feel excitement and sadness together.

This time of year brings a lot chatter, lack of focus, and craziness with the upcoming events:  field day, pool party, graduation.  Our schedule changes daily, routine has gone out the window.  But, it also brings pride and joy when we get to honor and reflect on our accomplishments.  So, if you feel excited, sad, nervous, or happy, just know that you are not alone.  Everyone feels it. And as those sneezes and coughs fade with the pollen levels dropping, so will those nerves.  The courage and happiness will take over, if you let it. To my class of 2018, be brave, be excited, but don't be afraid to be scared!

Be Your Best Self in 2018

Recently, I've heard that many people are setting their resolutions for the New Year to be their best selves.   When I think about what it means to be my best self, a lot comes to my mind.  What do you think might happen if everyone tried to do this?  Would there be more kindness? More productivity? More happiness?

I often have complaints about the world around me.  Sometimes, I even get caught up in these complaints and consumed by them.  Most of the time, the complaints are about things that are completely out of my control.  For example, I complain about what other people are doing, or not doing.  When this happens, I really have to stop myself and remember, I cannot control what other people do.  I can only control what I do and how I think.  Although it may upset me when others aren't doing the right thing, or following all the rules.  There is nothing I can do to change other people.  But, I can change my thinking.  I can change my "self."  If I focus on me, and do what I need to do to make myself happy and get my job done, I might be more happy, more productive, or even more kind.

So, when I think about what it means to be my best self, I need to focus on me.  Do my job. Be kind.  Make myself happy.  Choose to focus on what I can control.  Maybe if everyone was able to focus on being their best selves, we all could make a bigger, better change in the world.

Therefore, I am committing to my New Year's resolution:  Be my BEST self.  What is yours?