This chapter starts out with a quote:
"Some things have to be believed to be seen"
-Ralph Hodgson
A gift that I keep with me at all times constantly reminds me to believe with ALL my heart:
I have an belief so strong that it leads me to having a Powerhouse Purpose. What is your purpose and what drives you?
My purpose is to ensure that Emeline Carpenter becomes a student empowered environment. If someone takes your focus away from student empowerment tell them that WE don't do that here! After all possession is 9/10 of the law! So posses and internalize this process and know that this is OUR school!
In this chapter they refer to a certain type of teacher that says:
I teach them and it's their business to learn. What are your thoughts on this type of teacher?
When establishing a Culture of Universal Achievement it takes each of us to step up and accept Personal Accountability. For his I would like to know what Personal Accountability means to you and who does No Excuses actually begin with?
So many of us have been building the Carpenter BRAND throughout this summer. The culture is being built and I would like to know what will you do to protect our BRAND?
As this chapter states in elementary you have three non negotiables: reading, writing and math. However, I have been amazed at the drive of everyone to integrate the curriculum and allow it to build upon itself. We will be able to add the use of Technology and Science to empower the students of Emeline Carpenter! After all we are the Technology and Science magnet school that everyone wants to attend!
The chapter breaks down the amount of time that on average you have to educate a student. How can you get optimal production from the 5 hours?
I will close with a few burning questions that jumped out to me:
Do you have an intense/impatient obsession to achieve our ONE GOAL?
How will you embrace the No Box Thinking mentality?
Many students will have broken spirits at the beginning of the year, how will No Excuses come into play?
I am super excited about the Turnaround process that has already began at Emeline Carpenter and will leave you with this:
Burn your boxes and excuses because we deal in Turnaround Solutions!!!
A teacher who says "I teacher them and it's their business to learn." Isn't invested in their students. They are just doing a job & nothing more.
ReplyDeletePersonal accountability means taking full responsibility for ALL that you do. There is no blaming others. No Excuses starts from within (but reminders from others help!).
I will be positive about what we do at Carpenter.
To make the most of the time I have with students in the library I will set up stations so that once story time & book check out is done students can choose which station they will spend any remaining time they have in the library. My goal is to have station that interest all the multiple intelligence.
I am driven to improve the lives of those around me. Creating an environment that teaches, fosters, and maintains positive self efficacy is what I plan to do. In building the belief that success is not only possible, but the only option, I aim to neutralize external factors that work against excellence.
ReplyDeleteNo excuses begins with me, an educator, a citizen, a parent, a life long learner. To teach means to ensure that every student is learning. Personal accountability means looking at the data, assessing accurately, and most of all knowing what you are capable of and then acting on it.
I plan to accurately assess and use the data to focus on the students that are below grade level, while building a love for independent learning, accountability, and pride in their successes. Using focus groups to improve weak areas has allowed me to meet students needs within time constraints. This also involved knowing what makes individual students excited and relating that to the lesson. Building that relationship base on unconditional love is so important. With that trust and love their stress goes down and their learning takes off. It takes a village... So these are our children and I will stand up to any opposing forces that will block their road to success.
What drives me? My passion. My purpose? Student success. The quote, “I teach and it’s their business to learn” bothers me. That mentality of a teacher is beyond me. That kind of teacher holds no accountability to themselves or their students. They look at this profession as a job. Nothing more, nothing less. To be a teacher, you have to love what you do and have a passion beyond words. I mean, let’s face it, we make little money, work long hours, and it nevers stops. The type of teacher that says things like this should not be teaching.
ReplyDeletePersonal accountability means stepping up to the plate and having the students’ best interest in mind, not yourself. I need to hold myself accountable for what happens in and out of the classroom daily. No Excuses instills in teachers and students alike that regardless of one’s background, there is no excuse to not want to better yourself. Teachers should always learn new things and try different approaches to reach a diverse group of students. Students should also be accountable for their learning. We have to teach students to be accountable and allow them to grow as individuals to succeed beyond college. It starts now and with us.
The BRAND of Carpenter needs to be protected by everyone. To help ensure this, I will tell everyone what we are doing at Carpenter with pride. If I hear negativity about our campus in the community, I will invite them to come see what we are doing to change their mind. I want Carpenter to be where everyone wants to go. I want to be a part of the change that’s happening.
Teaching students in a five hour period seems next to impossible. It’s not. If I focus on exactly what my students need, five hours will be plenty of time. I believe this, therefore I will see. I want to focus on reading, writing, and math with my students and guide them to become efficient in all areas. Will it be easy? Of course not. To make sure that I utilize that five hours productively, I will focus on the students individually and find those gaps. I will make it my OBSESSION. :)
No box thinking is what we need more of. It is time for Carpenter to get away from scripts and allow our creativity to shine. Something has to change to get this campus where it needs to be. What we have been doing is not working, so let’s change. I am all for finding what works with my students and if it is going miles outside “the box”, I’ll do it!
The beginning of the year is the best time to sneak into students’ minds and instill that their future is bright. No Excuses will play a big role in this by the conversations that will take place with our students. In my opinion, their spirits are broken because we have allowed that to happen. We need to jump start No Excuses the second they set foot onto Carpenter!
I have a belief so strong that it leads me to having a Powerhouse Purpose. What is your purpose and what drives you?
ReplyDeleteMy purpose is to be an educational leader who is an active listener and who collaborates with staff, students, parents, and the community to facilitate a productive technology enhanced learning environment, where all children can be successful. What drives me is my will to persevere.
In this chapter they refer to a certain type of teacher that says:
I teach them and it's their business to learn. What are your thoughts on this type of teacher?
In a public school system this attitude is unacceptable. A teacher with this type of mentality should consider a private school or teaching at the collegiate level.
When establishing a Culture of Universal Achievement it takes each of us to step up and accept Personal Accountability. For this I would like to know what Personal Accountability means to you and who does No Excuses actually begin with?
Personal accountability means taking ownership for all students’ successes and shortcoming. A No Excuses mentality starts with the School Board.
So many of us have been building the Carpenter BRAND throughout this summer. The culture is being built and I would like to know what will you do to protect our BRAND?
I have taken a personal ownership in the Emeline Carpenter BRAND this summer. We have laughed, cried, sweated, prayed, and worked together for change to happen at Carpenter, so we should protect our BRAND as if it was one of our loved ones.
The chapter breaks down the amount of time that on average you have to educate a student. How can you get optimal production from the 5 hours?
To get the optimal production from the 5 hours of instruction per day, we must seamlessly incorporate technology to enhance every lesson in every subject matter.
Do you have an intense/impatient obsession to achieve our ONE GOAL?
Yes I do, I want our campus to be the ideal school for seamlessly integrated technology enhanced lessons, practices, policies, and procedures.
How will you embrace the No Box Thinking mentality?
I embrace the No Box Thinking mentality by give 120% and being able to follow no matter how crazy it may seem.
Many students will have broken spirits at the beginning of the year, how will No Excuses come into play?
We will create and maintain a safe learner centered environment where the needs of the “whole child” are met academically, socially, and physically.
In this chapter they refer to a certain type of teacher that says: I teach them and it's their business to learn. What are your thoughts on this type of teacher?
ReplyDeleteI think it is more than that. Teachers need to take the next step. A teacher can preach the lesson all day long but if he/she is not meeting the needs of the student how can they be successful in the business of learning. In each community that are tons of businesses no two are exactly alike. The business has to find what products and advertisements work well for them and expand on that. Students are the same. We as teachers have to figure out the "products and advertisements" students need to help them succeed.
How will you embrace the No Box Thinking mentality?
To embrace No Box Thinking I plan to look outside of the norm for unusual ideas. If we continue to do what has always been done than we will get the exact same results. I want more for the students and teachers of Carpenter!
Many students will have broken spirits at the beginning of the year, how will No Excuses come into play?
I think first we need to explain to every student, this is a new year, new grade, new teacher, which already makes everything new. They can choose to be a new them. Identity is fluid and ever growing, this is the year to use no excuse to expand who they are!
There are so many points to hit in this chapter…
ReplyDeleteAs far as the teacher that says, “I teach them and it’s their business to learn.” I think he/she has the wrong perspective of the profession. When I was in Elementary school my parents would tell me it’s my job to go to school with the willingness to learn, but it was always the role and responsibility of the teacher to ensure that. Every kiddo comes to us with the want and need for love and education. They thrive off it. We have to fulfill that need. If a teacher is unable to meet those demands and help students learn then maybe another profession is best.
To me personal accountability means a person is able to admit faults and mistakes as well as being able to celebrate a success. Its knowing what needs to be done and doing without being guided 24/7. No excuses to me begins with the staff. As the staff takes not the mentality and internalizes it then the students, parents, and district will follow.
5 hours is not long at all in the long scheme of things. Instruction has to be weaved into all aspects of the day to ensure that students receive ample amount of learning. Teachers cannot just consider themselves to be a reading or math teacher. You have to take on the mentality that we are teachers of every content and that we are here for the students.
When a person decides to enter into the world of education it is from that moment that they devote themselves to changing their thinking about others, changing their thinking about children, and believing it is their responsibility to ensure all of the children they educate will be successful...whether that child's journey begins or ends with them, it must be an experience that changes a life forever...
ReplyDeleteFor the teacher who says, "I teach them and it's their business to learn", it is sad and disappointing to know that more and more teachers feel this way about education. The teachers who are graduating and are so gung ho are being met by this poisonous attitude towards students that eventually affects an entire campus of professionals. The important thing to remember though, is that children want to learn...it's obvious on that first day of school when they walk in, proud to be there meeting their new teacher, finding their desk, in awe of this new school year and longing for the Mr. or Ms. who will be all they think about for 7 hours of their day. Kids want to know what their teacher knows, they want to explore new things, and they want to be successful...even more than that, they want their teacher to be proud of the things they accomplish...When a teacher brings a negative attitude into the equation it is then that we find students who don't want to learn. It is the inherent responsibility of the teacher to not only teach but to model and motivate students throughout the process of learning and growing as an individual.....but If the teacher is not motivated to teach, how can he/she expect their students to be motivated to learn.
As we embark upon this journey of building the Carpenter BRAND it will be the responsibility of everyone to protect it. There will be those who speak negatively and try to discourage the growth and success we WILL have but often it is those who are not able to achieve their own success who tear down the efforts of others. Positivity and drive first starts at home and we all must be positive and driven in building the walls of Carpenter back up. Our students are important and worth our time and effort...we must show them through our actions that we are dedicated to their complete and total success...we are a family of educators and we will educate each and every child as if we are educating our own children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews because that's what we want for our own children. We are all accountable for our students and in being personally accountable we know our roles and responsibilities, we are able to accept that role and go above and beyond measure to achieve our goals, and are able to take responsibility should those goals not be met. There are NO EXCUSES...educating the children at Carpenter is not an option...ensuring their success is not an option...not being accountable is not an option...these children are our children...it is time for them to be surrounded by educators who want the best for them and from them...it is time for them to be encouraged and not discouraged...it is time for a change and we are all driven and committed to leading our students not just to greatness but to exceptionallity!!!
What is your purpose and what drives you? I feel my purpose is to be a rock for my students, family, staff, friends, and the community. I have to stand firm and show them you can do anything. I will give my all so they will give theirs. I am here to help, model, and deliver the best results.
ReplyDeleteI teach them and it is their business to learn. What are your thoughts on this type of teacher?
The teacher must be dedicated to her students. If you are dedicated then you will try things to spark their minds. You will be willing to engage those minds with different activities. It is our business to try everything possible to help our students.
What does personal accountability mean to you? and who does No Excuses actually begin with?
I am accountable for my students learning, if I am not teaching to the best of my ability my students lose. This means that I will be willing to work hard for the success of my students. It means I do not give up just because I might feel something is not working. It is up to me to find what works and do it. I do not plan on failing and neither will my students.
No Excuses begins with the teacher and staff, when the students see I will not take excuses then they will not make them. So working together to change that mentality will change our school and community.
I plan on building the brand by letting everyone know how important our school is. I will be strong and be willing to stop anyone from putting us (our school) down. I will explain how important we are to this district and community. Everyone must be on board to make it work.
How can you get optimal production from the 5 hours? Teachers should do their best to get as much good information into students. Work on their weak areas as well as their strong areas. Put students into groups so they can work together and get information from peers. Make the learning entertaining, meaningful, and full of knowledge.
Do you have an intense/impatient obsession to achieve our ONE GOAL? I have an intense obsession to achieve our goal. I expect the best and I am ready to make it happen. If you love something and have a passion for it you will do it well.
How will you embrace the No Box Thinking mentality? I want the students, parents, and our community to know that we plan on making a huge difference on Leroy Street. There is nothing we cannot do if we believe it and work hard toward the goal.
No Excuses will come into play by sharing love, commitment, knowledge and togetherness with our students every day. If we show the students that we care and will do what it takes for them to succeed. I know we will have great things to brag about at Carpenter.
What is your purpose and what drives you? I have a truly unique story of how I wound up on this planet living this life! I think anyone that knows my story would say (and I've been raised to believe) that my life was intentional and that I was predestined for great things. There is not a shadow of doubt in my mind that my purpose, the REASON I was put here, is to work with children. My purpose is to educate, (hopefully) inspire, and to show at least ONE student that walks through my door that someone at some point in their life loved them.
ReplyDelete"I teach them and it's their business to learn." What are your thoughts on this type of teacher? I have to admit that I was one of the teachers that used the old adage "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." I feel like I was in the same boat as the 6th grade teacher on the plane. I didn't hate my job or my students, but I did feel absolutely powerless in helping them. I felt a lack of control against those outside (and inside) forces that I felt were preventing me from successfully teaching some of my kids. It was only after I realized if it's NOT me that influences my kids, then who would it be?! I honestly feel like the last 2 years have been my most successful years of teaching. I was started with a common bond and created relationships with my kids that are unbreakable. So many of my kids WILL succeed because they now believe they can!
I would like to know what "personal accountability" means to you and who does No Excuses actually begin with? Like ET pointed out in this week's video, if you say you're going to do something you do whatever you have to in order to make sure it gets done. I feel like personal accountability and No Excuses go hand in hand. No Excuses, for me, is about holding MYSELF accountable at all times.
The culture is being built and I would like to know what will you do to protect our BRAND? I feel like our "brand" will have to be protected both outside the school walls and, at times, inside the school walls. I hope that I will always represent Carpenter with a smile and exuding pride. I know our end goal, I know what our teachers and kids are capable of accomplishing, and I know that we will achieve it together.
Do you have an intense/impatient obsession to achieve our ONE GOAL? I think I feel more impassioned about this upcoming school year than any other before! After looking at the state of our campus, I feel like my competitive side has kicked in and I want to show the other schools and the community that Emeline Carpenter IS capable of producing and SUSTAINING great things!
How will you embrace the No Box Thinking mentality? I will say that No Box Thinking is a hard thing for me! When it comes to my art and creativity, there has never been a box! HOWEVER, my personality is very black and white. Things are right or they're wrong. I don't see the gray areas! So the No Box Thinking mentality will be a learning and growth experience for me, but I'm a willing participant.
Many students will have broken spirits at the beginning of the year, how will No Excuses come into play? I think teachers should share their own struggles and hardships in life so their kids can see that they, too, can overcome their own challenges. They need to know that life doesn't take excuses! Our kids need to develop a "solve it" mentality NOW.
My purpose is to ensure that the students at Carpenter reach ONE GOAL: Defying the Odds!
ReplyDeleteWhat drives me are the students that will be on the Carpenter campus including my own! I want ALL of them to be successful!
“I teach them and it’s their business to learn” is one of the worse statements I have ever heard! This type of teacher should not be in education. We must take responsible to not only teach our students but love them and make sure they are learning what we teach.
Personal accountability means taking responsibility for my actions. No Excuses begins with ME!
I have enjoyed my time on the Carpenter campus helping build the brand. I will protect the Carpenter “brand” by being the brand. Ensuring that those who are negative know that we don’t do that here! Making sure our campus is well kept, welcoming, and keep the students as my number one FOCUS.
In order to get optimal production from 5 hours we must use “No Box Thinking” and be creative when teaching our students. BURN THE BOX!
I do have an intense/impatient obsession to achieve our ONE GOAL! I want Carpenter to be the school that everybody wants to attend!
I will embrace the “No Box Thinking” mentality by trying things differently when they don’t work out in my favor instead of going back into the box. We must be willing to BURN the boxes to figure out how we can help the students at Carpenter be successful.
I feel that once the students return to Carpenter they will notice the change in the environment and THAT will begin to change their broken spirits. We will have to teach them the No Excuses mentality by sharing with them the process of changing the environment, and obstacles we have over came in order to be there for them.
My students are who drive me. I want nothing but the best for them, and I need to be on my "A" game if they are to reach their full potential and become successful.
ReplyDeleteI just don't get why the teacher that said, "I teach them, and it is their business to learn," is even an educator. This philosophy goes against what I believe to be an educator's duty. One part of that duty is having the responsibility of teaching our students how they learn. True and meaningful instruction can't take place by just providing information to a group of students and expecting them to learn.
No Excuses begins with me. If I am going to expect my students to believe in themselves and their abilities, I need to believe in them first.
Personal accountability is holding myself responsible. I and I alone, are responsible for my thoughts, actions, relationships, mood, temperament, etc. I can't give myself a pat on the back when things are good but then make it someone else’s fault every time things are bad. It is not the responsibility of my co-workers, friends, or family to make sure I am doing what I should.
The BRAND will need to be protected by us all. That means that we will need to work together to ensure that it is protected. We may have some that are resistant but as I have said before, we can't let them slow us down and waist our precious time trying to convince them. We will have to push forward despite them, and it would be my hope that eventually they will see the positive changes taking place and decide they want to take part in changing the world.
Wow, 5 hours isn't long!! But I'm not sure I'm going to let that time frame restrict me. I have the opportunity to instruct in some capacity from the time our students arrive until they leave for the day. I will get optimal production by making the instruction meaningful and challenging.
I want nothing more than for us to achieve our ONE GOAL! I want our students and community to have pride in themselves and our school. I want our students to be successful. We can't be restricted by that "box" because if we do, our ONE GOAL will not happen. The "box" has not been working, so we have to do something unfamiliar and unique.
If not me, then who? If not now, then when. Yes, Mr. Kegler, the time is now and your staff are the ones to ensure ALL students are afforded an education that will prepare them for college.
ReplyDeleteWhile I am a music educator, I recognize reading, math, writing and science are the non-negotiables. I also believe fine arts support and reinforce these core academic areas. While I sat in the Codi Freeman reading in-service, my mind was spinning with ways I can construct my music lessons to address the ELAR TEKS Figure 19. I see this as my part in addressing our mission statement.
Based on the Merriam-Webster definition of teach (to cause or help someone to learn about a subject by giving lessons), the teacher quoted in this chapter is not a teacher. Presentation of material is not teaching, causing someone to learn is teaching.