March into Spring

Hello Friends!


 Can you believe that we have moved the clocks forward an hour and that spring will be here in a few days?  I'm not sure I can but, one thing that I know for sure is that this year has had many challenges yet so many amazing opportunities.  I want to encourage you to look into your educator tool box and pull out a strategy or two in which you would be willing to revisit with an open mind set.  Think of how powerful it would be to use all the experience and knowledge you have gained since the last time you needed to use this strategy?  Can you add your plan and new ideas and reuse it to meet the needs of the current group of students you are working with this year?

                                                  

 Next, why do I ask this,? it is because we become energized when we call pull files of ideas out of the cabinet and make them more intentional and effective. I challenge you this month as we approach Spring break and Teacher Evaluations to think of the professional development opportunities you afforded and then think of the professional articles you've spent reading during the three months of 2018.  I must say I've read about ten and I have been able to walk away with an amazing message and way to improve my craft.  As a result of this work I have seen an increase in student achievement as it relates to math 25 of 27 students have gained .3 years growth to 2.3 years growth in less than 9 months.  I must say this process of identifying and preparing personalized instructional materials for this many students proved to be a challenge but the confidence that these amazing students have gained along the way has been amazing.  

In addition, today I had three students to ask to stay in at recess because they enjoyed solve mathematical expressions using the orders of operations and i must admit I was shocked!  But it these little moments that may my job worth all the stress and hard work.  Because I hope these young ladies realize they can work through any math problem presented to them and they pursue careers in STEM.


And a final thought before I part, as we Spring clean and spend some much needed time to re-energize and relax before we return back to school until June.  I encourage you to look through the bookshelf and pull a book you enjoyed and pull an idea you want to implement into you craft and see where it leads as you and your students.

                                           
Your friendly blogger,

Esme

February continued Purpose

Hello Friends!

So we started the year off writing about digging deep into our inner selves to find our purpose.  As I wrote this I had no idea that at every corner I found tons of inspiration that has led me to constant reflection through this entire month of January.  But I am so glad because into the new month of February I have decided to continue with this topic.

Purpose what is it?

The way would describe it, is the way I have approached all my jobs with passion, its about how you can contribute to the place you are working, the place you have been called by destiny to be at this exact moment.  It’s the motivation and drive that gets you out of bed everyone excited or satisfied to be in the job you are in currently.  Its about figuring out what to say to those your are around which will leave them wanting to be like you. 

I don’t see myself as much of an inspiring person, but I’ve heard it a lot how people look up to me, how they want to implement the things I have created or done.  In that moment I am speechless perhaps, because it is hard for me accept compliments or think that I can truly be making an impact on those around me.  But this past month I have learned to embrace it and you know what?  It is helping me reflect in my current practice as well as the purpose and legacy I want to leave in current job, and to those newbies that believe it or not do look up to me.  ( I sure hope I don’t mess up).

Purpose how do I get others to see it in me?

The way you get purpose I’ve recently found has been to create a vision board or sit down and write some personal goals.  I tell you this because in the past three years I’ve come across lots of articles and quotes that tell us time and time again that if you don’t sit down and write your goals or really dedicate time to create your goals or vision for where you want to be it is just a dream. 

People see purpose in you by the way you talk about all your accomplishments, and things you’ve set your mind to accomplish. I’ve found one thing that works for me is to tell people what I plan to do, Why do I tell people?  well for me personally I’ve found that I am a person of my word so if I tell people I’m going to do something I carry this conviction and yearning that I owe this to myself to accomplish.  After all if I don’t do it for myself then how will I ever accomplish anything that really matters to me as a person and is done for my personal satisfaction.  So, talk about purpose with a few people you trust because when they ask you about it you can stay the course.

Purpose how do I get some for myself?

I truly believe that in order to gain your true purpose you need to be open minded, and by that I mean learn from those around.  We can always learn from their strengths and from gain from their experiences.  I always want to believe that everyone is put in our environments for a reason, be it to inspire us, to teach us, or for us to be a blessing for them in ways we may not realize until much later in life.  And yes this does make a full circle I’m living proof that people will run into you later on in life and will tell you something they remember about you and usually at least in my case it has always been positive.

In Closing, I encourage you to find some purpose for your life, you owe it to yourself. And for those of us who have the future showing up in our classrooms everyday, what are you going to tell them about seeking their purpose this month.

P.S. This month's prompt to my 6^th graders was:

What is one thing you want to accomplish that will make an impact on your generation?

I want to instill purpose and passion in my students everyday, who knows maybe the next mayor or governor or 

Hello Friends

Greetings!

 I want to take a moment and thank you for an amazing year.  As we enter into the New Year and I have observed that resolutions for the upcoming year is becoming a thing of the past.

So this year I'm going to ask you to think a little differently, think beyond resolutions. I believe this is something that we do on a daily basis without thinking about it.

This coming year think about your purpose...

What is our purpose?  What do you spend the majority of your time engaged in.  This is something I know I have been thinking about for a few months and my responses seem to always lead to the same path. My purpose is to feel that I am leaving a mark and a little influence in everything I do and with everyone encounter.

This coming year as I reinvent what is posted on this site I want to inspire you to spend some time reflecting on your purpose.  If you are in the educational field like myself you will find this easy yet a  difficult task, because the word purpose itself seems like such a broad term.

In Closing, I want to encourage your to seek your purpose in the next twelve months or 365 days of opportunities to define your true purpose.  I wish you happiness and prosperity in all you do in the upcoming year.  God Bless.


Sincerely,

Your friendly Blogger
Es
 

Fall Time has Arrived

Hello friends

I know it has been awhile since my last blog.  I want to apologize and then proceed to explain to you where this journey has taken me in the last several months since the last blog posting.

That I have immersed myself in these topics.  I am now on a journey to learning many new things about the world of education, those who work in it, the parents who have to put up with good public school systems (if there is such a thing) and not so well managed systems (that can create so many barriers for many).

ABA or Applied Behavior Analysis and the it wonders as they related to Behaviors

I took a course in this area, as I became interested in it after planning, organization and starting from the ground up a behavior program and eventually classroom for students whose behaviors impeded their abilities to learn in a general education setting and required much more structure and attention to details.    After a few months of research, I mediation meeting, 3 trainings, working collaboratively with Courtney from Boys Town, an amazing maintenance department an 1 super accommodating life-skills teacher and half a portable space later we opened the doors to this classroom and served 6 students right off beginning of the 2017 school year. 

In addition to this task burdened upon me, I worked diligently to create and research the ideal job descriptions. All in order to hire the needed appropriate and qualified staff. I would like to say that finding someone board certified in Behavior analysis or applied behavior analysis is not as easy at it seems, so I became RBT Certified along with two others on my team and we hired all the necessary staff and trained everyone is safety the points program and beyond.  Then the tough part came, creating a process to evaluate and qualify students for such a program.  Needless to say, after researching all the laws and speaking to various districts with similar programs we dotted all our I’s and we crossed all out t’s.  By the time June rolled around I was faced with some tough decisions as not many understood nor took the time to understand the purpose in which the program was created for I decided I needed to leave this job and pass the torch to someone else.

Project on Reading

This is still in the works I’m researching best practices and 360 that will give teachers and students the tools they need to be able to explore the literary world for all the wonderful things it contains and yet do so in a way that is unique and also original.  I refuse to be a copycat.  More to come on this.

Directorship:

I have to say that after two years of this type of role as a director I feel that you still have your hands tied, I haven’t found that boss yet who will run with my crazy ideas so that we can transform and or shake up education for the sake of our children, after all, aren’t they the ones who will have to live with the decisions we are making today?  So, I decided I needed to take a year off from this political arena and lay low until I reorganize my purpose in this field or get out of it all together and pursue what I accomplished with my other degrees.

This Blog Spot:

Stay tuned some amazing things will be happening to this site from videos, to free downloadable resources and more. 

Your friend,

Principal V

The May Showers are bringing Lots of Flowers.

The May Showers are bringing Lots of Flowers.

It has been awhile my friends.  There is so much to talk about in education these days.

I am a person that looks forward to each day because I have the privilege to work with many great educators, that are making a difference in the life of our children.  I am blessed because I can use my platform to provide the vision for our children.  I consider myself fortunate and a great partner because I can offer words of hope to parents and provide them with the idea of being able to dream up dreams for their children.


Another issue that is facing many of our schools are the budget cuts to programs that are much needed.  But rest assured that they many teachers behind those desks are there for the right reasons and will ensure that our students have what they need.  I recall the days of getting students some of the necessities to be able to make it toward the next season (the child without a coat, without a meal on Thanksgiving or Christmas).

As the school year comes to a close, I encourage you to reflect on the positive things our students have learned under or instruction, but mostly importantly the relationships you have built with them.  I recently ran into a few former students, and it brought joy to my heart to know that they are growing up to be individuals who want to become educators and are caring for their families.

In Closing, what are your goals professionally?  How are you inspiring our youth?  Are you thinking outside the box on a daily basis?


More to come…

Is Spring on its Way?

Hello Friends

I am so glad I have made it back on my site.  After many months without internet.  I'm back and ready to offer you many postings and products to help you become the best educator you can be and offer you products and inspiration to be confident in your work.

I want to remind you that the work we do is the most important work of our lives.  Over the past few months I have been reminded of how far our work and relationships with colleagues and students goes.  I ran into a few of my former students working in our community and after much chatting discovered that they are in college and said "we have never forgotten you"  that filled my heart each time.

Finally, I dont know about you friends but this is the reason I give 100% of myself to my work  each day of the 180 school year.  And as I have stepped into my new role I am reminded that I must be the greatest advocate I can be for my students, teachers and parents.

Things we are working on this month:

1. Teacher Evaluation Idea's

2. Ideas to help students with Specific Learning Disabilities in the Classroom

3.Professional Development Ideas to help you be at the top of your game 

4.  Ideas to renergize and stay refreshed until Spring Break

Wishing you many Sunny days,lots of Spring flowers and until next time my friends.

Your Friendly Blogger,

Esme Vil

Hello Friends:

It's been awhile, but I'm back to share my thoughts on various experiences again over the last few months.

How is the school year going for you?

Have you taken time to reflect on a daily basis?
Do you keep a journal?

  I will share my thoughts about the power of reflection.  But, before we get int to that topic let's talk about great articles and topics are out there right now.


Wow!

There are so many changes happening in education, yet again.

ASCD's newest published magazine shares various articles about the power of lesson plans and planning powerful lessons.

I also want to share ideas and strategies that I'm currently putting into practice that will change the way you discipline students and how to get changed behavior and positive results.


Fall is on the the way... it's so hard to believe that our beautiful outdoors are changing in color, weather, the wonderful scents of fallen leaves, pine trees and fogging mornings.