Spring is arriving, Spring break is on the horizon, and the best time of year for sports IMO is here!March is a time of great change. It marks the end of winter, warmer temperatures in fact we had our first day beyond the 30s in months yesterday 54 wonderful degrees. A far cry from out -30 with windchill we have survived numerous times this winter. Not that I am complaining, I choose to continue to live in the Froze Tundra where I see Lambeau Field every day on my daily commute. March is a time of transformationMarch is that time of year that I see as a cross roads. It marks that transition from winter holding us captive and less active to the renewing feeling of spring. As I look at the winter snow melting rapidly, I am reminded of this idea of transition and transformation. At this point of the year we have opportunity to change our lifestyles. Winter has let go of the brutal cold and warmer temps abound. We can stay bundled up or we can get outside and be active. I see this time of year as pivotal in so many aspects of our lives. We can embrace spring as a time for renewal, rebirth, and an opportunity for personal and professional growth. We could continue our same path, doing the same things and expecting to miraculously see positive change. I have been there and that is what they call insanity. Spring is our opportunity for self reflection and our chance to improve as people and as educators. I hope you take some time in the next few weeks to look back at your school year and take note of what you have done well, what you could do better, and especially evaluate your goals and what you need to do to accomplish those goals. This brings me to a previous post about creating an infographic about your goals as an educator. I put it out there again to create and share your infographic that tells the world what you will accomplish as an educator. See the post here. Why did you become and educator? March Madness NCAA Tourney Time!Back to March Madness is one of my favorite times of year. I love the high drama of the one and done, the bring your A Game or go home and of course the Cinderella story. All of these concepts are highly promoted by the NCAA and the multi-billion dollar industry associated with promoting college athletics and the importance to the well being of our society of putting a leather ball into a round cylinder. The last part I included to showcase the concept of salesmanship. Is basketball, or sports in general really important to our ability to function as a society or a species? I hope the answer is no. However we do see a tremendous impact on our society associated with these activities. Why is so much spent on promoting these events? The simple answer is it generates wealth for some and happiness for others. But how did a simple game of putting a ball in a peach basket over a hundred years ago grow into one of the greatest shows on earth? It was promoted, sold to the people as something they couldn't miss. Today we promote the Superbowl, the World Series, and of course the NCAA Tournament aka March Madness as spectacular entertainment attractions. Please don't take this passage to be cynical. I love watching sports and enjoy it more with family and friends. It brings us together for a time sharing a common experience, especially on Sundays when the Packers are playing. My point of these ramblings is to point out the power of salesmanship. People made a conscious effort to promote these events. They examined and scrutinized their different activities and honed in on the wow factor of each. They created videos, trading cards, commercials etc. to showcase the awesomeness of these events. Making the Connection to EduationHow does this pertain to education? Well in my district it is time for Parent Teacher Conferences. It is an opportunity to make a choice in how you present yourself, your students and your class. Will you do the same old song and dance, or will you Seize the Moment to celebrate the great things happening and promote your class? PTC is just one chance to promote and celebrate what happens in our schools. How else can you celebrate, share your brand, and shine a light on the great things students are doing? Do you know what is happening in other teachers' classrooms? How can you find out? Do others including your admins know what is your students are engaged in? If not, why not? What is stopping you from doing this? And time is the ever popular answer, however there are people doing the same job as we are and are finding ways to share out, to learn and grow. People who built a company from nothing have the same number of hours and minutes in a day, yet they are doing amazing things. It is about choice. How do you choose to spend you minutes? What is your priority? I find myself saying family many times, but fall short in truly executing the actions necessary to make that a reality. I need to be more purposeful in my time with family to make it a great experience for my kids and wife. When I do that I feel better about life, and then other aspects of life become easier. I am far from perfect, but I realize that excuses are not getting me to the place I want to be. I am not growing in a positive manner to achieve my goals. I need to be more purposeful in my faith, my love, my passion, my profession. I have an opportunity to take March literally and begin my path to a better life. I hope you will embrace March as your chance to take steps to achieving your greatness! March Madness PromoSSTLAP Questions 3/12/15March is a time of rebirth and renewal- Tonight we look at what has gone well, what we can do better, and set a plan for making the world better!
Q1 When thinking about March and opportunity for transformation, what actions can you take to rejuvenate a. Professionally b. Personally c. how can we support you in your efforts? #sstlap Q2 Why did you become and educator? Look at the post and create your own infographic! #sstlap Q3 Pirates sail with a crew- What do you do to assist those who are treading water or sinking? Q4 March also means we are closer to the end of the year- What Goals do you have for the rest of the school year to achieve your greatness! #sstlap Q5 Tell your story! How are you the Spokesperson for great things in dist, school, classroom? If not why not? Be the Voice of Change! #sstlap Q6 March Madness is based on competition- how can you use this bracket idea in your classroom? What topics could fit into this strategy of winner take all! #sstlap Q7 To March is to move with measured step- purposeful and strong. How do you March for your students? How are you their champion? CHALLENGE Check out George Couros's newest project #eduin30 and create your own 30 second positive educational strategy. #sstlap Archives Analytics
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