i heart blogging

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Back to the BOARDS

I have completely decide to shift wheels and go with a Mandala Stubbie. Passing on the Pendoflex. more to come

NY York Times Video

Unbelievable subject matter. The media represented the topic perfectly. Definite a benchmark for that style of messaging.

Wired Librarian ?

Wired Librarian has literally ripped a page of my book and posted on her blog. Her blog reflected how her time is shallowed up by her commitments. It was interseting to read a blog that was so relative. What that on purpose or just coincidence?

PERSONAL MASTERY

Personal Mastery in my field of teaching begins before you even start the process. I was a on again off again carpenter since my teen years. I liked that kind of work, but never loved it as a profession. When a principle of a high school told me about the need for tech teachers, I jumped at the chance to teach it. I was able to use my college degree and my well honed (personal mastery) carpentry skills and pass along to the students what my father handed down to me. I feel that my carpentry skills give me confidence in all subject matters I teach. But the longer I teach the more I realize you do not need any real practical skills. The skills you need to master as a teacher, are much more complex. You need to be able to truely communicated with your students at a level they are comfortable with. You have to have them understand your on the same side as them. That it's not a you against them process. You have to be able to understand the NY State standards and incorporate them into your curriculum effectively to the age group your teaching, and have the students understand why they are learning them. You must "D.I." your lesson to accomdate the different learners. Do I believe I have Personal Mastery over all these skills. Probally no, but I understand their importance, and my students and athletes I coach all feel we are on the same "team".(edit later)

Team Learning

Team learning in my district is usually by department. For example members in my department share curriculum materials. However I beleive the most team learning I have experienced as a educator is working with Varsity Coaches. We share many of the same philosphopies and beliefs, but the greatest part is sharing directions. I have learn so much just observing the head coach, my first couple of seasons. His approach with the students/ athletes was one of such support and caring. I have used this approach with the students in my class room, and it made a real difference in my entire experience as a teacher.

Mental Models

I feel i fall into the mental models' trap all the time. Time is a very tough commodity to manage. My mental model is that I always have the weekend to take care of things. However every saturday there is a meet so that leaves me with one day a week off. In reality the weekends are when I spend real time with my wife and kids. I need to start taking advantage of any free time and stop using the weekends as a excuse to put tasks off.

Shared VISION

Earlier in the year I sat down with my building principle, and discussed how I been practicing what she preached. About three years ago she stated at a fac. meeting that children crave relationships, and that students of poverty get the material things that they need, but tend to miss out on relationships. This is due to parents working,etc. I have spent the past three years building relationships with all my students, especially the tougher ones. And it has payed off. These students will, as the saying goes, "run through a brick wall for you." It is a vision I am glad my principle shared with me.

SYSTEM THINKING (five disiplines)

Senge's five disiplines can be found in many areas of people's live. I have used all five disciplines im my teaching style. For example systems thinking is so common im my classroom that all the students participate in it and are taught why and how it works. To solve a problem everyone whether they understand it or not is thinking systematically. I actually teach open loop and closed loop systems to my seventh grade technology ed. students.

100 things going on

Just like everyone else I have a hundred things going on right now. A teaching job. A varsity Head coaching job. Two children. A second story house addition that I'm building. And Grad class. Each one of these responsibilites deserves to be blogged. However I am going to blog the purchase of a surfboard I really can't afford. I figured I'll make this blog an escape from my reality.

Twins,keels,quads,pendoflexs

I switched to alternative old school style surfboards a number of years back. I always had a local shaper carve my boards. However he didn't share my exact vision, so my boards were a combination of both of ours ideas. This past summer I stubbled uponed a whole community of surfers who ride the same style boards, but made by true innovators in the sport. However these "heavy" shapers are located on the west coast. And they are charging alot of money for there expertise. I am going to buy on this fall. It is a very progressive design, by a real obscure shaper. This blog will document this whole experience.

start

it tough to believe that you not getting better at something due to your age..