Positive Takeaways Today: People Are Not Bad

Today at #NAESP15 I have connected with many great educators and had the pleasure to hear some great speakers including @ErikWahl, @ToddWhitaker, and @AnnnetteBreaux. The thing that resonates the most with me today is to continue to use my passion for education, students, and teachers and try my best to make this world a better place. We have so much power as educators to model, practice, and encourage kindness, creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication. Helping students learn to be innovative and establish a good digital footprint is so critical in this world of ever-advancing technology.

Today the words of Erik Wahl speak to me: social media is not bad; it can be used for good or bad. TV is not bad; it can be used for good or bad. Credit cards are not bad; they can be used for good or bad. I add to that: people are not bad; they can do good or bad.

I continue my efforts and mission in life to use these devices, vehicles, and people for the better--for the good--for the greatness that they all can be.  Our students have so much potential, and it is the job of the home and school to develop that. I feel it is my duty to continue to find the good in all. Students would hear from me and will continue to hear from me if they make a bad choice, "You are not a bad person; you made a mistake. I make mistakes. We all make bad choices from time to time, and it's if we choose to learn from that mistake what matters the most."

People are not bad. All of us have the potential to bring greatness in the world. It's our choice to choose good or bad, positive or negative. Sometimes this is a difficult choice, but for me, it's the only choice. Thinking outside of the box, loving people for who they are, helping myself and others to become better people are all objectives in choosing to do and be good. This is no easy task in this world.

Today the quote, "We cannot help a kid by being negative in his life" by Annette Breaux confirms my mission and passion. We cannot help the profession by being negative or submitting to negativity. While it may be difficult to ignore it, it's all a part of the profession.  It's not always easy being positive, but it's our job--it's what education needs. Negativity lives in the world and in some people's minds and hearts. Positivity is the light to this darkness. I am proud to use this light to guide myself, my building, my district, and my state on a professional level and myself, friends, and my children on a personal level. Everyone can choose to do this. Help me share the light.  Be and spread positivity. May the force of the light be with you!

With Todd Whitaker and Annette Breaux who spread their light on me today!

Positive Outcomes of the 2014-15 School Year

After a great deal of reflection, analysis, and assessment of this past school year, I am quite pleased at all of the gains our staff and students have made. It has not been easy. We have had our fair share of challenges especially those placed on us by legislative mandates, but we have worked together as a team to overcome those challenges and show outstanding growth in so many areas.

Teachers have been working for four years on aligning curriculum to career and college readiness standards, and for the last two years, they have been putting this curriculum in maps to pace the content, develop activities and assessments to secure the needed skills, differentiate to the needs of all students, and incorporate 21st Century Skills: collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking. All of our teachers made gains on transforming their instruction. 

The outcome of all this work is our students excelling in their NWEA map testing. Our student averages are above grade level and the majority of our students are proficient across all subjects.

On top of assessment data, we have 19 students who maintained high honors all 4 years of middle school. This speaks to the work-ethic and determination of these students. 

All staff have worked to understand and participate in our new safety protocols, including A.L.I.C.E drills, the required state safety drills, first response drills, and health-related awareness training. 

Families have worked hard to keep their students in attendance during the school year, and our daily average attendance has increased in all grades to an outstanding 98% in 5th grade; 96% in grades 6 and 7; and 95% in 8th grade with a building average of 96%. We even had four 8th grade students receive four years of exceptional attendance awards. Attendance does matter and is directly related to student achievement, and our families and students are working hard to establish this strong foundation. 

We continued our efforts with Olweus bully prevention by having weekly classroom meetings. Our students reported a decrease by 50% in being afraid of bullying at school, and our 2nd year data reports that now 7% of students fear of being bullied at school. We had six confirmed cases of bullying and consequences included parent contact, reflection forms, detentions, and two cases of suspension. In addition to our classroom meetings, the staff and students worked on service projects to help teach empathy to students. The middle school developed strong connections and supported our Manchester community, other local communities, and even venues across the world. 

Along with student council, Manchester Voices, FUPT60, and Buildings Club we continued to work with the community to build student leaders. This year we had students win state, national, and international awards and recognition. We are so proud of our students.

The 2014-15 school year has been a success. We have enjoyed our students, pushing them to be their best, and hope they have made you as proud as they have us. I appreciate the staff--all of the staff involved in supporting our students and helping them be successful this year. From the very first smile on the bus by the driver, to the support staff and teachers bonding on a daily basis, to the help with lockers from the custodian, and serving the lunches with a smile and the comment "enjoy," the MMS staff care,  and I am sure they are as proud as I am in all the accomplishments they have had this year. Have a great summer!