Greetings and salutations!
Wow! An honest-to-goodness inaugural post!
I am happy to complete the Connected Educator Challenge as I have been challenged by Principal Kristen Witt of Fairfield High School.
Here are my honest and real responses to the Educator Challenge!
1. What has been your ONE biggest struggle during this school year?
- My biggest struggle this year has been juggling commute time, family time, family relationships, teacher relationships, student relationships, friend relationships, grading time, lesson planning time, PD time, puppy time, and self-care time into the few hours of the day. I wish there were more hours in the day and more caffeine in coffee.
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2. Share TWO accomplishments you are proud of from this school year.
- First, I am proud of creating an image, persona, and impact at Fairfield High School this year. I feel like I have been accepted into an elite society of powerful minds and compassionate educators.
- Second, I am proud of the relationships that I have built with my students and seeing students grow and develop over the course of the year. Seeing students improve in their reading or writing abilities, their citizenship and community-involvement, social and leadership skills, or their transition into the high school community makes me feel like I am making a difference in the life experiences of marvelous individuals.
3. What are THREE things you wish to accomplish before the end of the school year?
- First, I want to accomplish my life-long dream of owning a house. I've already got my wife, dogs, truck, and career, so a house would be the next large item on my Life Goal List that I started in high school.
- Second, I want to reduce the amount of F's and D's in my courses and bring those Fall grades up to greater heights of success, citizenship, and reading/writing/speaking/listening abilities!
- Third, I want to see the Pineapple Room grow into the ultimate teacher-driven experience where people feel comfortable, inspired, helped, or helpful with other teachers. I believe that it can become the greatest hang-out spot / learning center ever created.
4. Give FOUR reasons why you remain in education in today's rough culture.
- First, I remain in education because I told my 1st grade class in my first public speaking assignment that I would be a teacher (I am not a quitter).
- Second, I remain in education because I firmly believe to my core that education is our greatest asset, weapon, activity, way of life, and reason for living (You never stop learning).
- Third, the old saying "from the mouth of babes" stills holds water. I believe that young people have a closer relationship to equality, equity, honesty, fairness, and right/wrong than people with more life experience. Young minds see the world through a beautiful lens. (Youth keeps you young, and that is a fact!)
- Fourth, I want to be mentally challenged by my career and education gives me opportunities to be a leader, student, teacher, role model, and individual person with different challenges to overcome every single day! (I love being a part of a community that strives for excellence!)
5. Which FIVE people do you hope will take the challenge of answering these questions?
- Ryan Clemenson, Amy Lyons, Josh Limneos, Alfredo Sandoval, and Jennifer Huguely
