Category Archives: Personal Views

Do You KNOW Yourself?

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Be-Yourself

Our  2015-16 Convocation featured the amazing Angela Maiers who brought to light the importance of acknowledging that each of us have something special and unique that is valued. Too often we choose the easy path of invisibility and stay safely in our comfort zone. We have been motivated, even challenged, this year to step away from the norm and realize the genius in each of us. Equally, our students have unique contributions to bring to our class, our campus, and our community. Let this be the year of empowerment for both, teachers and students alike, at White Oak ISD.

The Sky’s the Limit

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imagine

As we begin this new school year, our theme has been determined – The Sky’s the Limit.  When you stop to consider the innocence of children and the limitlessness of their dreams, you realize just how true this concept is. Already this year, teachers are working hard to make sure that every child receives the best education that White Oak Intermediate School can offer and therefore, assure that those dreams are realized.

Come Monday morning, boys and girls will enter this building with backpacks full of new school supplies and heads full of new ideas. What they do not know is that we, too, are full of new ideas—and new skills.  The teachers of 2010-11 have an exciting journey mapped out for this group of students.

Success is not a destination…….it is a journey, and on our campus, The Sky’s the Limit.

Your One Chance to Communicate

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7-26-06_paper_airplane

My  daughter-in-law sent me this article entitled “When Love Trumps Anger” by Gwen Smith, and after reading it I felt this was a good time to share just a small part of it with my personal thoughts on the matter.  Below are the beginning lines that really made me think.

“I was working in my office, minding my own business, when my oldest son threw a paper airplane at the back of my head.  Not one to normally welcome an air attack, I gave him the stern “mom voice,” and asked him to stop messing around and give me some private time so I could get some work done.   He agreed, and turned to leave.  Surprisingly, he then jumped around and threw it at me again!  Well, let me tell you, my grace-o-meter was reading pretty low at this point!  I barked like an angry dog.  “What in the world do you think you are doing?  I just told you that I needed to be left alone so I can get some work done!  Stop it!”

“There’s a message on the plane,” he tenderly replied. “Read it, mom!”

As I unfolded the airplane made of orange construction paper, I saw this message written in pink marker:  “I Love You.”

“Nice!” I said to myself. “Loser-mom strikes again.”  I had scolded my son and reacted out of frustration with an unkind tone.  All the while, my son was trying to communicate love to me.”

My personal thoughts:

We will be beginning a new school year in just a few short weeks, and I am reminded that there are many students who will be reaching out to communicate their love for their teacher.  For some, the method in which they attempt to communicate that student/teacher connection may not always be what some consider to be the most socially acceptable.  It may, however, be a valiant attempt to show love.

How will we as teachers react? Will we react in frustration with an unkind tone, or will we seek the deeper, underlying reason for the actions of our students?

We may have one chance to communicate love for our students. May we reach them all with words of kindness and acts of compassion.

~~Thank you, Shelly, for causing me to stop and think. You do that often.~~


You Make Me Proud!

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Yes, I am very proud. This is my grandson, Tyler. This is the first time he has ever sung in public, and I know it takes a lot of courage to get up in front of a large group and perform. He has many talents, and you can read about some of those on his blog, Tyler’s Talking. He is also a member of Mrs. Carrington’s Bright Spots, Gifted and Talented group. You make smile with pride!