true grit – T.R.U.E. G.R.I.T.

The writing isn’t on the wall from the day that you were born. Your life, circumstances, privileges, hurdles, triumphant and tribulations are factors, but not the product. In my eyes, we are all born into a “role”, but the person you become is truly up to you! That role may be influenced by our family and it is likely impacted by the experiences surrounding it, but that does not become our defining role in life and we must be fully aware of that in order to take our best step forward at being ourselves. I not only believe this and live by it in my adult life, but I instill it in my students to teach them that life can be what you make of it… you must take your part and own it. T.R.U.E. G.R.I.T. is what I taught myself at young age, and continue to empower my family, friends, students, and PLN with it so that they can write their own story in life because it isn’t written on the wall.

My Person

Have you ever heard someone call you their person? Or maybe you have said it yourself. It’s that person that just gets you. Maybe they are a great listener or maybe they share a life experience that makes you feel just a bit less isolated. No matter what the situation may be, “my person” doesn’t just get thrown around with ease. As my phone rang, I listened in. A dear friend was talking about their day and how they felt they simply could not shake off a time period in their life that seemed to “reoccur as often as it wanted to”, making the situation out of their control completely. I listened. My person. They continued to feel as if their past was defining them and that it was inevitable that they would have to be attached to this situation the rest of their life. I listened. My person. Empathy, Understanding, Empowerment , ran through my mind.

Shape NOT Definition

There was a time in my life when I would look back and wanted to place blame, erase experiences, cut ties, or even run at sprint speed. Why? Because I truly felt those poor experiences defined me… what a helpless, restricted, almost imprisoned way of thinking that I had created for myself. I didn’t even realize that I walked around feeling so vulnerable… as if it was written all over me, defining me, my actions, my future.

Then there was a point where others did not see what I saw. They saw my smile, not my pain. They saw my strong will, not my defeating moments. They saw my grit, not my adversities. They saw me. Yes, that was it… my experiences had shaped me and I needed to embrace and own the person I was choosing to be because of and in-spite of my journey in life.

Only YOU Can Be YOU

I suppose in many ways we compare ourselves out of simple human nature. At times that may be in our role as a parent, child, friend, sibling, or professional. Comparison can bring awareness. It can light a fire under us. It can open a door to something that we had not considered. It can also be damaging. It can hold us back from our own purpose. It can weigh on us like judgement. It can defeat us if we allow it. In the end, only you can be you! You choose. Just remember, experiences will shape you, but never define you. Grab a marker and go write on your wall!

Domain 2: Classroom Environment, Personal Learning

The Writing ISN’T on the Wall

June 21, 2019 nankr1120

My Person

Shape NOT Definition

Only YOU Can Be YOU

Domain 2: Classroom Environment, Domain 4: Professional Responsibilities

#IMMOOC Week 1: Setback or Serendipity: choosing the road less traveled.

September 30, 2017December 31, 2017 nankr1120

Overcoming adversity builds T.R.U.E.G.R.I.T … small setbacks build character. Setbacks come in different forms, especially in education. Many see change as a setback, something that will disappoint and have complications. The fear of change has always had an influence on the mood of teachers, students, and parents alike. You can see it in a person’s eyes. The fear that creeps over them when you are trying to explain what is about to take place. The questions forming in their minds with every word spoken. You find yourself in that moment choosing which road you are going to travel.

Do you continue to move ahead with change or do you comply and conform? Do you actually have a choice?

Have you ever sat in your first in-service day of the year to hear the changes that are coming your way? The kind of change that is done just for the sake of change and not necessarily for the better. You find your entire body tightening up as if you cannot take one more word. You wonder how all your optimism could possibly leave your body in 20 seconds or less. You spend the following hours telling yourself to wipe away the negativity so that you can get back to your happy place. The place where you just redecorated your classroom that awaits smiling, optimistic, and excited children. Is this a setback? My guess is that the change in which creates that tense feeling is most often not change for the better,

I’m one to choose the road less traveled. Yet compliancy is at the forefront. Compliance is not just a term we use with students. It has been a professional responsibility that has inhibited my teaching and growth for many years forcing me back on a one lane highway… traveling in one direction with head on traffic. George Couros (author of Innovator’s Mindset) states, “Compliance does not foster innovation. In fact, demanding conformity does quite the opposite.” Where was George when I needed him for his perspective? The right perspective can help make the impossible possible!

“Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.” ― Shel Silverstein

Then there was the in-service day that did change! The one that went from a hot sticky auditorium (with a lecture on how we need to be better before we even get our fresh start) to an air-conditioned banquet hall with the high school’s marching band loudly playing the fight song just for their teachers. The change that gives you chills and resets your inspirational compass so that it points straight forward. My guess is that the change that gives you chills is the kind that George Couros is talking about… Innovation! The kind that has your innovative administration ( Dr. Jacie Maslyk Dr. Michelle Miller #PLF) challenging you to open a #twitter account and connect with other educators in the crusade to remake learning. The kind of administration that TRUSTS you with social media.

What about that change? George Couros says, “Change is an opportunity to do something amazing.” #InnovatorsMindset

My current administration has brought on many changes… positive changes… innovative changes! We now have permission to choose how we will teach the common core standards in our own individual classrooms in place of being on the same page, on the same day, just like all other classrooms in the district. We now have tech-fest where lead learners step up and share their knowledge to help push our district forward. We now have trust to choose #flexibleseating as an option for a learning environment that challenges and encourages all children. We now have permission to blend our curriculum so that we are no longer teaching the same concepts in 3 different subject areas according to the map. We now have district goals to engage all students every day, all day- to show purpose, passion, and pride in school and throughout the community. This change is AMAZING!

For me it is always my mindset that turns things around. Setback or serendipity? I’ll choose the road less traveled! As George Couros says, “We need to make the positive so loud that the negative becomes almost impossible to hear.”