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.