The early morning dawn

Greetings y'all :

It's a fresh day with fresh chances. My last two days have been interesting. I've proven my flexibility and work ethic combined with applying my theories and what I've learned from CPI classes have a positive impact in the classroom. A few minutes of genuinely listening to someone increases their sense of validity and decreases their negative behavior. Verbal de-escalation can curb potential situations. I gained even more respect for some co-workers than I had previously . Still to be able to apply what has been taught to me with a larger setting and see it's success was humbling. My technique has worked in large groups, small groups, pre-k through college and even senior citizen adult learners. It's been effective in special education and general education high school, middle school and elementary school . It's the technique and method I use in tutoring and mentoring too. I've used successfully in multi-age day day care as well. I've also used it turn my son around at home this year.

Ok so I received a multitude of platitudes for my work the last two days. That was not humbling but refreshing and validating. I've consistently received good reviews for my work in the classroom and with students of all ages. I am , by far , not the best educator or parent but I'm learning and adapting daily. I do find it ironic that with my glowing resume I'm made to feel like my suggestions for my progeny in the class are invalid . I can't change others, plain and simple . His teacher has her hands full and is working diligently in difficult situation. She is flexible and working hard in a hard class. I don't envy her or blame. In fact all he hears at home is praise for his teacher and the staff in his class. His team and I will find a creative middle way sadly for now we have a chasm.

To fill in a few missing pieces my son was suspended from school this last week. He did something he shouldn't have done and followed that with a series of anxiety riddled bad choices. This is his song line , he wrote , he will face the music. I will be by his side to help him cope with it and to learn from it but this is his lesson. I personally feel the situation was preventable and has been building. But the past is the past, we learn from it and head to the future. I just hope my above mentioned crazy ideas of applying what is taught in CPI are taken seriously now and those around him remember to be the captain of the ship. He's got great folks working with him , the key is with him. He's a leader so it takes kind and gentle but strong and assertive person to lead him.

I recall receiving the award for distinguished president of phi theta kappa for Maryland , New Jersey , Delaware and Pennsylvania . I got the award through laizze faire leadership. I was the captain of the ship. The ship was floundering and rudderless when i stumbled into my role. I kept us on course and prevented problems through active listening and following the middle way. Each member was equal and valid. I has a great crew and I put my full trust in them, they earned that award more than I did.

This post was full of pomp and ego. Guess I've felt like others have been attempting to make me feel inadequate. If I'm a good educator and decent parent then maybe , just maybe,I can make the schools job easier with my ideas. Because I know the past and what hasn't worked and what has. I know the path that has gotten us here. Not just the paper trail but the personalized emotional trail . I want his teachers job to be easier and more importantly for my son to thrive , not just survive in school. What he did was wrong , he's admitted it and once again taken responsibility for his actions. My question is will we continue down this preventable path and repeat the self fulfilling prophecy or will we adjust our sails , modify our course and give the helm back to the captain? He has wonderful supports at home and school. We've gone through the growing pains of changing his learned behaviors from his schools ( started in first grade) and with some time investment they can be changed at school. I am frustrated it could have happened in first grade, second grade and the beginning of this year because the longer they remain the go to behaviors the harder they will be to change. Can't go back , neutral isn't an option so lets embrace this new dawn and new day as a new beginning.


Thanks reading again today folks.

Returning to humble self in

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