Experience...It's All About the EXPERIENCE!

My friend Tiffany and I just took a short trip over our holiday break to Hot Springs, Arkansas. Some may ask ...."why would you go there?" Well, to be honest, we really didn't know what to expect, but we had never been there before and we are always up for an adventure.
.........background of Tiffany (my bff) We have been friends for as long as I can remember. Some may call her my PIC (partner in crime) but if you know us both very well, when we travel we are the modern day Thelma and Louise...We were given that nickname by an older friend of ours when we started going of frequent random vacas and road trips together...to say the least, we have A LOT of FUN....but we wouldn't steal or kill or any bad junk like that....please....we are teachers!!!!

Sooooo....how does this relate to education? For some educators it might not at all...for others they will understand exactly what I am talking about.... So here goes...

It's all about our experiences in life that mold us into who we are. Through experiences we are able to expand our everyday outlook on life, but most importantly....experience allows us to have a more in depth knowledge or outlook about the topics that we talk about with our students.

If I don't travel and experience new things, it will be more difficult to encourage and inspire my students to travel and create their experiences. We want our students to dream for themselves, but what about us? What happens when we stop dreaming about the things in life that we want to see, experience or explore? If we stop wanting those things we will dry up or become stagnant? I don't know the answer to this and I hope that I will never have to....I want to grow as much and as often as I can...

During our trip to Hot Springs I did a few things that I had NEVER done before in my life....
1. I took a bath/spa in a bathhouse..Extremely interesting to say the least...I will probably give a more detailed version later once I have truly reflected on the overall experience...
2. Visited the oldest bar in Arkansas, The Ohio Club..Built in 1905
3. Dug for crystals and visited Mount Ida
4.Stayed at the Historic Arlington Hotel

Met some very interesting people and learned about the history of the town...

Our students are thirsty for knowledge...not just facts that they can Google, but experiences that could inspire them to GO and DO!!! What an awesome gift that could be for your students. All I ask is that you take a moment and think about it and be AWESOME!!! Experience is a great way to grow, learn and change the world....

Love and Peace,
Leigh

Modern Day Mother Teresa....Be a Person of Service

I'm sure you are thinking that this is a bizarre title to my post, but there is a background behind it. Last year during the annual district wide toy drive that my class and I spearhead every year one of my kids nicknamed me 'Modern Day Mother Teresa' or #MDMT for short. I obviously know that I don't hold a candle to Mother Teresa and her work and dedication to the world, but I thought it was interesting that this student associated this iconic world leader and I in the same ballpark..Maybe he was fishing for an 'A", but either way I had to inquire....

I responded to Joe with a faint giggle, "trust me, I am nowhere near saving children in the streets of Calcutta!" He replied, "I know, that is why you are the modern day version. You help us all of the time and save some of us too, but most importantly you encourage and inspire us to help others. It is like a ripple effect to make the world a better place. You are right, you are not in Calcutta, but you are in Hillsboro, MO and making a huge difference." 

Wow!!! Those are words that will stick with my until the day I die. It was one of the most sincere and heart-felt compliments that I have ever received. 

Encouraging each other to be people of service:

Last Friday my students and I volunteered at the DeSoto Elks for their Annual Food Baskets that they do for the local community. It is a very touching sight as most of my students live in poverty to see them so passionately working to help others and  LOVING it. As a teacher is warms my heart to see young people not just giving back, but enjoying it and taking pride in their actions. It reassures me that the world will be taken care of after I am dead and gone. 

We MUST teach our young people to be people of service and the importance of giving back. The most effective way to do this is to LEAD BY EXAMPLE. We must continue to demonstrate humanitarianism and the need to be global servants...We MUST help others...EVERYWHERE...From our backyards and across the world, we must continue to try and make the world a better place. Please continue being awesome and remember that LOVE is where we can all start...

Happy Holidays to you and peace on Earth!

Leigh

 

Teens and Technology; The World of SnapChat and Texting

The world of technology is all around us and crazy, right? Well I did a study on my students and my dance girls about teens and technology. Some parents might not understand this, and that is totally cool. Hopefully this will be an insight into your teenagers' brain for a split second and you will be able to relate to this post.


Scenario:
You pick your teen up from school or they arrive home in a perfectly good mood. You ask them how there day went...blah, blah, blah...all is good right now and no melt down has occurred.
Within minutes their mood completely shifts...What could it be? You ask them, you get no response...you begin racking your brain..."did they fail a test, boyfriend break up with them, fight with a friend???" your mind begins to race....

Do you understand the problem? Of course you don't...we didn't have cellphones in high school.
You will never hear this conversation out loud, but it happens a thousand times a minute in the teenage world...

"OMG they opened my Snap (that is snapchat) but didn't text me back, WTF"

To most of us the above conversation sounds completely ridiculous, but you try telling that to your teenage daughter....Good Luck to you...You are a brave soul...

You ask teens if they think/feel this way and they will laugh out of embarrassment and say, "Yes, all of the time!"

Also, if they send out a snap and don't get an instantaneous response, they blast another snap to 10-20 new people and are usually pissed about it.

If you have a teenager at home then you realize you have an additional battle to face. The Smartphone/Social Media is a beautiful thing, but it can also cause a roller coaster of emotions for a teenager.  Just another chapter in the parenting book:)

There will be more topics on teens and technology coming soon..
   *The Importance of Turning Down the Volume
   * What Does It Feel Like to be Unplugged

Just an FYI; I am an advocate of technology, especially in education. I feel that kids that are neglected of technology is comparable to us (old folks) as not having electricity. I just wanted to share a little part of our discussion that we had the other day, because it was very interesting and funny!

Maybe share or discuss this post with your teen as a bonding time hahahaha..

Until next time,
Leigh

No Extra Credit....So Kleenex, Markers and Glue Sticks Don't Count?

How many of you remember growing up and your teacher giving you a list of classroom items that were needed in class and offering 'EXTRA CREDIT' if you brought them in? Well, I do..Mary Ragsdale (my mother) knew that without that extra credit, my brother and I might not pass that class or it could bring our "B" to an "A"!!! hahahah....

Well, those are funny memories, but in reality you shouldn't ever do that. Bringing in supplies does not measure what a student actually has learned. Don't you want to know what your child/student has actually learned? Also, what about the kid that can't afford to bring those items in? With that being said, if you have to use grades, they must be quality grades, that really measures student achievement. Does a word search reflect what a student knows? What about memorizing facts? Not really, if you think about it.

We as educators, parents and stakeholders must look at education in a totally different light. Our students today learn faster than we ever did. We have to make sure that we are 4G and fully charged at ALL times. We have to give them relevant knowledge that they can apply to the real world. We must stray away from pounding content into their heads and help them problem-solve, explore, innovate and most importantly THINK!!!!

Happy Saturday to all...I am off to take part in sound mediation with my bestie Anne...

Peace on EARTH!
Ms. Leigh

What Have You Learned Today?

Do you make it a point to LEARN something new everyday? If not, why not? Do you want to become stagnant? Do you think you have learned everything there is to know? Do you know people that are lifelong learners?
If you are answering these questions are disappointed...make a change...buck up buttercup!

Do you know what a lifelong learner is? If not, you must have never met my Grandpa George S. Pallo.
My Grandpa Pallo was the poster child for a lifelong learner. Up until the day he passed, he was learning. He was a believer in the power of the mind and education. He never wasted a moment and made every situation a meaningful experience. He embraced people, knowledge and life. I can only hope to be like him today and everyday.

I try and stress the importance of being lifelong learners with my students daily. That knowledge is power and we need to learn about things that we find interesting and are passionate about. I let them know if they become stagnant they will become resentful in their older years.

I ask them the question, "Do you want to be that awesome old person that you could listen to for hours reflect on their life experiences (Grandpa Pallo), or do you want to be the grouchy old person that complains about how bad life is and is rude to everyone(they are NOT reading this blog)?"

The choice is yours. You have the power to decide what path you want to take. Be like Robert Frost and take the road less traveled...at least it will be an adventure.

Something to think about. Hope you learn a wealth of knowledge and pass it along to random people that you meet!

Happy Hump Day,

Leigh xoxo

Breaking the Cycle...

When I ask my students about breaking the cycle, they look at my like I have three heads. They don't understand what that means and where I am going to go with it. I think as an educator of teenagers, this is a very important conversation that we need to be having, but....what does that mean? What form does that take on? What in the hell is a cycle?

I give them an example of poverty first. How do we break the cycle of poverty? Many answer with, "move out of this town, go to college or get a good paying job." Yes, these things are great....but does that mean you will break the cycle of poverty? This is where is begins to get tricky. If you grew up in poverty your entire life and you go to college and start experiencing the world and opening your mind to new things, will that change your perception? Of course it will, we all know that answer to that...But...once you join your family at the next family function and your drunk Uncle Bob starts making racist or uneducated statements that you know are not right or correct, what do you do? If you correct your Uncle, then you are the outsider of the family, the smarty pants that thinks they know it all, and you are instantly viewed a "better than they are".  If you don't correct him, then what do you stand for?
This is the crucial point where people either break the cycle or fall back into it. They either find the strength to continue moving forward or they regress back into the cycles that they were born into.

Other cycles that we are all trying to break can range from technology, to addition, lifestyles, education, temptation, choices or anything that we don't like or respect about ourselves or the generations before us. We have to dig deep and find the strength to break the cycles that we all have been born into and be brave enough to change and forge ahead.

What cycles have you broken? What cycles do you try and change everyday? What cycles are you still apart of? Can we really ever change?

If we don't reflect on our past, we can't change our future. If kids don't understand where they came from, how can they make an effort to change? Self-reflection and awareness is a critical part for all of us to reach our self-actualization state.

Just a little fruit for thought...

Enjoy and go out and break a cycle today!

Ms. Leigh

What Motivates Us?

What motivates you? For some that is extremely difficult to answer and for others it is innate. For me, it is easy, it is intrinsic. I am a self motivated person and as far as I remember I always have been. How did that happen? Why is it hard for others? Did my parents motivate me and just disguised it really well? There is a point, I promise...

I motivate others! That is what I do, but how do I do it? Why do my students and athletes do things for me that they wouldn't do for other teachers or coaches? I asked myself the question,"Leigh, how do you motivate others?" I was stumped, I can show you, but I can't verbalize it. 

So this is the best answer that I could come up with without showing you....

..................Be kind, be caring, and firm. If your students know that you have their best interest at heart at ALL times they will respect you and trust you.

FOLLOW THROUGH.....if you make a promise, keep it. No matter how tired or busy you are, no matter what....FOLLOW THROUGH

Be sincere....Kids can see through people that are not sincere with their words or actions. 

Get to know them...Ask what their favorite food is, what music do they listen to, what they hate/love about learning, what are their passions, do they hate/love their parents, why they think the way they do....YOU get the point lol

Have a clean slate....NEVER hold a grudge with a student or athlete. Everyday is a new day and you love them EVERYDAY! That is your job!

Let them know you are human....tell them stories about YOU. Times in your life that you wish you could have done differently, when you wished so badly that you would have just listened to you parents, choices that were negative and the outcomes...

Be a FUN person....some students and adults take life too seriously. You only get one shot people, make the best of it. LAUGH with your kids.... A LOT!!!! They really love that...

Push them...push them ALL OF THE TIME! If you show them that YOU see potential in them, they will not stop until they reach that potential and beyond! Pushing/believing in them is a KEY component for my students and athletes. 

Treat them as an individual...Celebrate their uniqueness....remember it and refer to it often (trust me, it shows that you care)

Invest in EVERY student. Give your time and energy to them and your return with come back to you ten fold (I think ten fold is a term? Not really sure:)

BE AWESOME!!!! If you are the best you that you can be...people want to be surrounded by that. Always be spreading the sunshine, promoting positive energy, and most importantly LEAD BY EXAMPLE!!!!! 

So I ask you on this Sunday evening, what motivates YOU to be awesome? How are you going to challenge yourself to make tomorrow and every other day you are on this earth AWESOME? Maybe you have never asked yourself these questions, maybe you should consider it? Peace....

Light and Love,

Leigh

What If Grades Didn't Exist?

What if grades never existed? Where would you be today if you didn't get a "C" in chemistry class, or a "D" on an essay that you worked hours on? Would your journey be different? What would it look like? Just because you received all "A's" did that mean you learned more than the person next to you that had all "D's"? Not because they didn't learn as much, but because they didn't turn in their homework? A lot of my "A's" were given to me not because I was actually learning or I was performing on a proficient level, it was because my parents made me do my homework. I would bring in tissue and glue sticks for extra credit and did every "bonus" activity that I could. The thing that sucks about that is, no one really actually tracked my learning. Sure, I received good grades, but I didn't really learn much?

Grades to me are outdated. I of course, have to give grades to my students because it is our district policy, but instead of putting emphasis on grades I devote time and energy to effective feedback. Today, our students don't want a "good job or nice work" they want quality feedback that they can grow and reflect on. Feedback has to be timely, specific and positive. There is a way to provide constructive criticism in a positive light.

On a side note, I NEVER give busy work, but if I did (word searches, crossword puzzles, etc.) I would NEVER give a grade for that. I never give grades for practice. How can I grade my students on something that I just taught them?

Our students need teachers that are 4G and fully charged at all times and know the
their students needs and respect their creativity.

Tonight's blog is to make you think
of how different your life would be if grades didn't exist when you were in school? Crazy to think about, but also kind of liberating!

There will be a more on this topic in the near future!

Enjoy!
Leigh

Our Teachers..Who Comes to YOUR Mind?

As I sit in a hospital room with my best friend in the whole wide world awaiting the arrival of her first born son, I ask myself the question,"Who are my teachers?" By teachers I am not just talking about classroom teachers, I am talking about LIFE teachers. We encounter thousands of teachers in our everyday lives. Some that leave a lasting impression, others that inspire and guide us and some that we learn what NOT to do in our lives..

Who are your teachers?
 When I reflect on my life, thousands of strong men and women enter my mind. Of course the obvious pops into my mind; parents, grandparents, classroom teachers, bosses, mentors and many others. But as I look at my beautiful, brave friend, I reflect on all of the things that she has taught me in my life and continues to teach me everyday. She teaches me to LAUGH and LAUGH really really hard. She has taught me how to be brave. When most people view our friendship they may think that it is the other way around, but it is opposite. She is the bravest person that I know. She takes chances and risks and has ALWAYS followed her dreams. Without her I don't know if I would have the courage to write this silly little blog. She is beautiful inside and out and I don't know where I would be without her in my life. I hope that everyone has a person like her in their life, and if not now, maybe in the future. Long story short, don't take the teachers nearest and dearest to your heart for granted. Thank them and LOVE them everyday. Let them know the impact that they have made on your life!

Questions I ask myself....

Do all people think like I do? Do we take for granted our most special teachers that reach us everyday? Are we so focused on ourselves that we forget ALL of the spectacular people that has helped mold us into who we are today? If you have a special teacher in their life I encourage you to call them or write them a letter (I know, totally old school) and THANK them. Let them know just how special that they are!

I hope this inspires you to go out and THANK a teacher or ask yourself what kind of teacher are you?

Big Smiles and Love!

xoxo Leigh

How Many Hats Do YOU Wear?

When reflecting on what I do everyday, I quickly realized that I could not contain it in a brief description or a box. Yes, I am a teacher, but what exactly does that mean? To me, when I asked myself this question, my mind went in about a million different directions....But I think that is what it was supposed to do. It is imperative when you work within the education world to be able to wear millions of hats everyday. No child and no day is ever the same and so, you must have a LARGE hat collection.

In our ever changing world our students need us to be their ROCK, a division in their SUPPORT SYSTEM, and their HERO. These to me are the three hats that have to stay consistent all day and everyday. Our kids have to know without a doubt that we are on their team, we love them for who they are, and they are ALL important.

Here are some other hats that I wear with real-life examples: hahahaha

Entertainer Hat: When I am in my classroom I am "on stage" everyday. I feel that it is critical to entertain your students so they can have a once in a lifetime experience every time they walk into their classroom. Some things that I do that have worked in the past....
*I jump up on my desk or tables and teach for a few minutes
*Maybe I sing (at the top of my lungs) old songs to wake them up
*Brainbreak!
*Take a walk outside or work outside
*Dress up everyday
*Be passionate about their learning
*Have a strong poker face
*Be funny
*be a blockbuster hit

Coaching Hat: Some students need a little extra motivation or drive. I believe that every student is "coachable". You can reach every student if you know them. As a coach encourages their players and comes up with a game plan to win, I do the same thing with my students:
*Be their biggest fan
*Use inspiring words
*Be positive
*When they struggle with something, support them
*Use relevant constructive criticism
*whooohoooo....get fired UUUPPPP!!!!!!!!!

Crazy Aunt Hat:  Everyone has one and I am one in real-life lol. For me it is extremely important for my students to understand that I am a human. That I understand what they are going through and sometimes life is hard. I try to relate to them as a role-model that offers advise to help them navigate through their crazy teenage lives...This one is easy for me:)
*Humanize yourself
*Listen
*Don't judge
*love them even when it's hard
*offer advise that you wished someone would have given you
*open their minds to new things

Tour Guide Hat: Teaching in rural Missouri my students don't get to experience different cultures on a daily basis. To me, experience is a KEY component in educating our students. They don't get exposure through text books or movies. They need to be able to truly understand what other humans are doing throughout our world!
*Current Event Monday: What is going on in their world and how does it affect them?
*I cook food from other cultures: India, China, Australia, Germany, etc...
*Etiquette lessons (here and around the world)
*diversity activities

The hats that are mentioned above are just a few that teachers wear everyday. Like I said there are millions of them. I will write about more later...Don't want you to get bored with it hahaha.

 It is important that we as educators remember that we have to continue to accumulate  our hat collections and be able to interchange them on a dime!

Happy reading!

Ms. Leigh xoxo

The Day My Life Changed Forever.....

As educators do you ever wonder what your students face before you see them in the morning? Where they slept, who was in their house, did they eat dinner, or worse...If you don't consider these situations and many more, shame on you. What we as educators sometimes forget to remember is that ALL students are not like us and never want to be...

Trust me, I would be amiss if I didn't mention that I never even imagined people/students living such a different life than mine. I grew up in a stable home, two loving parents and I was borderline spoiled (okay, if you ask anyone who knows/knew me, they would say extremely spoiled)! What I never realized, is how blessed I truly was. It took my first "real" job in rural Missouri to realize a world that I had been sheltered from for the first twenty-two years of my life. 

When I first walked into the Hillsboro Alternative School (by school it was on top of the Hillsboro Bus Garage) I can say that I was taken back. I honestly had no clue what I was walking into. I made it halfway into the common meeting room with all of the "at-risk" students (which I didn't even know what at-risk meant at the time) and quickly walked backwards out to take a deep breath...or 10. What I didn't know, is that this day would change my life forever...

To be honest, I was scared...How in the hell could I be scared? At the time I was living in St. Louis City and sharing the back of my apartment building with the local homeless people and my courtyard with the local drunks! These were just kids, right? I could handle a bunch of snotty nosed kids? So I held my head high, put my shoulders back, adjusted my designer pencil skirt, and walking into the room like I had been there a thousand times. After I left I called my mom crying, she told me it was going to be okay, and give a few days and if you are not safe, just quit... and then my dad got on the phone....Words that I will NEVER FORGET!!! If anyone knows my father, he has a way with words!

Me: "Dad, I'm quitting!  Mom said I could!!! (really 22 years old) You don't understand, you have no idea what these kids are like. One of the girls told me she wanted to kick my ass! (side note: this is a story in its own)"

Dad:"Leigh Marie, remember this...YOU ARE A RAGSDALE! Those kids can't get beat you, or scare you....you are tougher than them and they need you! If that doesn't work, I will come up there and straighten them out...

Well, after we got off the phone, I realized that I was there for a reason. A reason bigger than me, I was there to make a difference in their lives. What I didn't realize is how those students would change my life forever! 

With that being said, that group students taught me valuable life lessons that I will never forget, nor take for granted. It completely changed my outlook on life, my educational philosophy, and most importantly ME!  I owe those students a HUGE thank you for opening my eyes and removing the blinders that I had lived with for 22 years of my life. 

I will go deeper in my next blog post about personal experiences with my students, but I felt that some of the background was necessary  before I dove into that topic!

In short: Know your students...every single one! It will make a HUGE difference in their lives, and maybe in yours too!!!

Love and Light

Leigh

If I Had All of the Money in the World...My School

Yesterday in class my students and I were having a discussion about being global citizens. I was telling them that if I had all of the money in the world I would LOVE to open a school of 10-20 student. There would be no actual school building, no bells, no schedules, no rows of desks, no cafeteria lunches, no discipline code, no books, no state tests, no grades, no worksheets and no wasted time...First, they looked at me like I was crazy until I started to explain.....
 
I told them that my perfect school would be based completely on EXPERIENCE! It wouldn't start until high school, and I would choose students from the "worst" schools in the United States. I would take 2 or 3 from each school and we would begin our educational journey (honestly, it doesn't matter what type/kind of student was with you, it would work for ALL students)

This is KEY factor of the school would be...LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE...In place of the school building we would be boarding planes, trains, and automobiles and our classroom would be foreign lands. Instead of bells and schedules dictating their every move it would be landmarks, museums, and natural wonders guiding them through the day. In place of desks, we would be reflecting on experiences in parks, cafes, or with the local people deepening their knowledge. Students would be able to taste delectable cuisine from around the world. They could forget about processed chicken patties, frozen veggies, and whatever mystery meats that they are putting in their bodies. They would now be dining in Italy, sampling authentic tapas and paella in Spain, and where ever else our hearts desired. We would visit historical sites, build relationships with local townspeople, participate in customs and traditions. There would be no need for discipline, as it would be real world learning about safety measures in other countries. There would be no time for wasted time, every moment would be a learning experience.

They would be able to describe the different smells of each body of water, know how historical landmarks felt to touch, taste exotic creations, visualize and dream about the beautiful masterpieces and know what it is like to explore so many wonders of the world. I could only imagine being able to experience these things myself.

I honestly wonder what impact this would have one someone's life. Would it completely redirect their life path? Would it inspire them to change the world? Isn't that excited to think about? The possibilities are endless!

So...after describing this to my students and how awesome it would be...one of my students looked at me and stated, "Don't talk about it, be about it Ms. Leigh". My wheels started turning as I was questioning myself of why I haven't tried harder to make this dream of mine a reality....

Some people may say I am crazy, and that's fine by me, but I think it would be an awesome way to allow students to learn. I'm sure after attending my school for a few years, they would be able to surpass most kids their age on any standardized test put in front of them. Not because they are smarter...but because my kids would have EXPERIENCED IT!!!!!!!!
So in a tiny nutshell, that is my perfect school, you never know.....it may just happen one day!!!

Fruit for thought...also, if you know of anyone with an abundance of money and a love for education send them my way:)))))

Live with flow and ride the wave...

Leigh

#CEOLYMPICS...Get Connected Video

This is our staff video showcasing how much we believe that being a connected educator matters to be successful for our students. Please enjoy!!!

We are now in 2nd Place in the Connected Educator's Olympics! https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_FVUkOAmHasWDREU2Y4UEY3elk/view?usp=sharing

Innovation Wednesday!

My students were given a mystery box with various items. Their task was to create an INVENTION as a TEAM! There first assignment before they received the items was to write a brief description of what collaboration and teamwork meant to them. After that I handed out their mystery boxes and they went to work. After completion they have to promote and describe the inspiration behind their invention. May I just say,  I LOVE MY JOB!!!!!! The creative energy is out of control in here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_FVUkOAmHasU21KdHREa2hxa00/view?usp=sharing


Fruit for thought...What is your vision? When  is the last you created something never seen before?

Student Video: The Best School in the World...By: Jeni Schwartz

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_FVUkOAmHasYWlVR1hnaG9ma3B4bEVadEM0Q1hEV0JMaWZN/view?usp=sharing

Student created video...P.S....This is my first time doing this!

This is a movie trailer that one of my students created for a class project. The actual video will be posted in a few days! It is an inside look on the importance of alternative education and why it is crucial for some students to be successful. I hope you enjoy it (and it works LOL) 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_FVUkOAmHasTTB1cXRHdHhHNEFpZERuQzJXcnNDYXNSM0Zn/view?usp=sharing

A Little Bit About Me!

Okay, I guess I should have started out with this as my initial post, but what you will realize about me is that I sometimes tend to get the cart before the horse.

My name is Leigh Ragsdale. I have been teaching in an "at-risk" learning environment for the past six years.
I pride myself on thinking outside the box, allowing student expression and uniqueness, and  having fun. I believe that as a life long learner and educator it is imperative to be creative, inspire myself and others, and focus on what is really important in life! I honestly just want my students to LOVE coming into my classroom, laughter to fill the air, and the joy of seeing their light bulbs go off inside their brilliant minds!


When I first started teaching I thought that everything that I did had to look like EVERY teacher that I had  in school or I needed to do what my fellow teachers were doing. I spent hours on lesson planning that aligned with the GLE's and focused on what every textbook said was important.


I soon realized, that wasn't me. It didn't feel natural to me and it was forced with the students. I was using text books because the district had just  purchased a new book series so I felt that I had to be respectful. After working with them for a few months, I started noticing that not only were my students bored, I was bored! All of the creativity and wonder was removed from our day and couldn't handle it.

I started teaching, "The Ms. Leigh Way." Allowing students to be creative and innovate with their projects and daily assignments, making sure that every learning target was related to the real world and how they would use it. I started asking my students everyday what THEY wanted to learn about.
I quickly realized a few things:
*Students didn't know how to respond to choosing what they wanted to learn about, it was foreign land to them (Empower)
*They were depleted of their imagination and creativity (Inspire)

*Students need to be motivated by me, but most importantly themselves (Energize)
*Once they trusted me, they were open to learn new things, think outside the box, and be themselves (Innovate)

That is how my philosophy radically changed and I started making a difference everyday. I hope you enjoy my blogging journal, as it is a foreign land to me. I had to tell myself to, "practice what I preach" and as Nike says, "Just DO IT". I tell my students that, "you can not grow while in your comfort zone" so I thought it was about time to take my own advice, put on my big girl pants, and start this wild adventure!

Ms. Leigh

Give Thanks

My students had an AWESOME open discussion the other day. As I drove home and reflected on my day I realized that I didn't THANK them. So the next morning I wrote each of them individual thank you notes and handed them out during the day. I feel it is important that we give thanks to our students that help us LEARN everyday! They thought is was weird, but I think they liked it haha.
Short post, but very deep:)

Ms. Leigh

Why Do We Attach and Believe our THOUGHTS?

I am dumb. I am stupid. I am fat. I am ugly. I can't do it. I hate myself. I suck. These are ALL thoughts that enter our minds along with countless others. Of course, not all people think these things, they are just examples, but at some point we let our mind wonder to places that aren't pleasant, but most importantly NOT THE TRUTH!!!!! If we allow ourselves to attach to our thoughts, do they eventually become our beliefs?

After our open discussion I asked them about a time that they started believing their thoughts as the TRUTH.

"Why do we attach and believe our thoughts?"

I asked my students if there had ever been a time that people thought they were someone that they weren't?


The task:
 I gave them an index card. On one side they put the perception of what some people thought of them and then on the other side, they put the TRUE statement. They all shared very personal experiences and stories about times that they started believing their thoughts or what others "thought" they knew about them. It was truly a moving day for all of us. They were able to share their truths with their peers in a nonjudgmental and safe environment.

Walls were broken down today and deeper relationships were formed. I am a blessed human to be able to learn from my students everyday.

Light and Love,

Ms. Leigh

Our Dreams...Where Did They Go?

I was inspired for this post by one of my fellow co-workers/teachers. We were introducing a goal setting action research project to our students yesterday and trying to get them motivated about setting short and long term goals along with LIFE goals (DREAMS). He made this BOLD statement that stuck with my students and me for the entire day,
                             "Why is it when we are little our dreams are so BIG, and then we become big people our dreams become so much smaller?"
               
So... I asked my students about this questions at the end of the day and they were eager to respond. They said anything from, society, to their parents not believing in them, reality, and FEAR! Fear....are we so afraid of failing that we give up on what our dreams were as children. Why is it when we were young we were not scared of failing and could only picture SUCCESS? Is there a way to get our students and ourselves back to that place of, DREAM BIG? The SKY is the LIMIT? Why is it when we grow older we trade in our hopes and dreams for safe and smart goals? Why do we stop taking risks and become paralyzed  by our fears? How can we teach our students to DREAM BIG if we are not doing it ourselves? I don't know if anyone changed the world by setting SMART goals?

Just a fruit for thought on this beautiful Tuesday!

Big smiles,

Ms. Leigh

Have Students Take Ownership of Their Classroom!!!

This is what some of my classes worked on the first few days of school. They are image boards and personality foldables. I use it as my door decoration for the beginning of the year. They love it because it creates a sense of ownership for their classroom. It is a great way for them to express themselves. #education #educationrocks#inspire #diversity #bethechange 

Journal EVERYDAY!

For my students it is imperative that they journal. At first they don't enjoy it, but then once I respond back to them every week they begin to really LOVE it. They think it is great way for them to reflect on events in their life and be able to express themselves on a daily basis! 
I give them the option of using the prompt, free write, or just respond back to me. It is a great tool to use to get to know your students and build quality relationships with them. 

I feel that once you build safe, honest, and positive relationships with your students, the sky is the limit. I find that they will open up, let go of their fears, and are willing to explore the unknown with you and their classmates. 


Here are my journal prompts for the 1st week of school:

Monday:
Why do you hate school? Do you remember the day or the grade that you started disliking school? Give me details:)

Tuesday:
If you could create "THE PERFECT SCHOOL" what would it be like? )Please give examples because this will be used as brainstorming tool for your creative write this week) 

Wednesday:
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be and why?

Thursday:
Tell me about your favorite teacher of all time. What made them so special to you? What did you learn in their class?

Friday:
If you witnessed someone doing something wrong, what would you do? Maybe give me an example when you have been put into this situation. p.s. HAPPY FRIDAY!!!! You made it ALL week long!!!! 

A video captured by my students. It was a project, but they edited and gave it to me. I was pretty impressed! Check it out!
https://plus.google.com/107290095525364561875/posts/ZSou2xsDtys

Meditation and Siesta...A Beautiful Collaboration!

So I tried something NEW today! Very exciting, I know!

After lunch my students are toast. They are exhausted and unmotivated. I thought to myself, what can I do to re energize them? Taking them for a walk didn't work and listening to different genres of music was a total bust. Although most would say that since my students are "at risk" that is just their "normal" behavior to want to get out of doing their work, but that is not the case for these students. They constantly complained about being tired and that they were having trouble focusing on their independent assignments. I had to come up with a plan of attack and then it morphed into this extraordinary movement. 

 I had talked to them multiple times about how I meditate in my personal practice and how it helps me calm my mind and my thoughts, because I am EXTREMELY energetic and go 90 miles an hour. They started begging me to allow them to meditate. I was hesitant at first, thinking it was a ploy to trick me into letting them sleep, but I thought, "what do I have to lose?" NOTHING...If is works, GREAT, if not, then come up with a plan B.

And then I happen to mention.....

SPAIN....this is how the idea was presented from one of my students....
I was explaining how I believe in a nontraditional approach to my  educational practices and I want to do whatever I can to insure that ALL of my students are successful. With that being said, I started talking about how in Spain they take a siesta in the middle of the day to increase productivity and how I think it is a brilliant idea. One of my students said to me, "Ms. Leigh, if you believe in being different and in us being successful, why can't we just try it after lunch and see if it works?" I laughed really hard because I have taught them to constantly ask questions and question the "why" of EVERYTHING. After that conversation I decided that we could at least try it out, what's the worst that could happen....it wouldn't work, big deal!

Yesterday we did it! We participated in 15 minutes of mediation/quiet time/turn your brain off or whatever else you want to call it. The students and even my building principal ALL participated in the study. Not going to lie, it was one of the most rewarding things I have done in education career. My students took it so serious and when they awoke from their silent time, they were rejuvenated and ready to work. I had them circle where they started after the meditation and then circle where they finished at the end of class. It was CRAZY!!!!! 100% of them did at LEAST double the work that they did the day before. Let's be honest, that is not quality data, but it is a start. I am going to start collecting data daily after mediation and see if the results continue to improve.

I don't know if it truly is making a difference, but I do know that they will not STOP talking about it. Even students that are not in my class keep dropping by and asking if they can meditate. I know it has only been one day, but I am going to continue practicing with them to see if they do indeed improve.

If something makes our students more successful, why don't we do it. It my be unconventional, but it could also turn out to be brilliant!

Can Students Learn Outside of the Classroom?

If kids are out of the classroom are they learning? I have been asked this question THOUSANDS of times. My response is short and simple, "OF COURSE THEY DO!!!!" I think that "real world" lessons are taught outside of our classrooms. My students volunteer at the local Elk's Lodge with multiple fundraisers and charity events throughout the year. To me it is the most inspiring moments of my career. They are able to apply all of the everyday skills that we teach them everyday in the classroom with people in the public. They practice teamwork, etiquette, manners, and communication skills. These are all valuable lessons that my students need to be exposed to so that they are prepared to be successful citizens in society. To me they LEARN just as much if not more. I came up with this conclusion from the hundreds of reflections that I have read over the past five years. I will provide more details later...

My next post will give a brief description of my program, my students, and myself....I tend to get the cart before the horse sometimes haha :)

It's just a checker...

I am currently teaching a Service Learning Class, which is by far my favorite class because of the flexibility and freedom that it allows myself and my students to have. With that being said, I think that it is extremely important for my students to 'think outside of the box' and continue to explore their interests. It is my belief that through investigation and imagination is when LEARNING really takes place. 

So the lesson.....

I gave my students a checker, you know just the red or black game piece. I didn't give them any directions or instructions, but I asked them what they were holding. Of course, they one at a time starting responding with the obvious answer...."it's a checker Ms. Leigh". I just continued asking them and then it started....
a plastic game piece?  a mini hockey puck? A record? an eye patch? a way to tell time? an earring?

They finally GOT IT!!!!! They were laughing at all of their creativity and how off the wall they were thinking. It was awesome, they weren't afraid of intimidated to be silly and have FUN with the project. I explained to them the importance of using their imagination and not thinking there is always a RIGHT and WRONG answer. I understand that this is some silly for them to do, but it encouraged them to think. Days after they were still talking about all of the things that they thought of once they got home.

The PURPOSE was for them to THINK...Plain and simple, I want my kids to constantly be thinking! When they are thinking, they are learning and they have the desire to learn!

Another inspiring day in the education world. Love it!

1st Day of School....What an amazing feeling!!!

WOW!!!! What an AWESOME  first day of school. I am so excited to see what this year brings. I asked the students today how THEY were going to make a difference in the world, the responses that I received were truly heartfelt, attainable and honest. I love that I work in an educational environment that allows me to be open and creative with my students. At the end of the day we had a moving open discussion about the violence that is taking place near our community and how that violence and hate hinder our growth as humans. Let's take a moment and consider what we are doing to promote LOVE and PEACE around us and in the world!


I am going to TRY (try being the key word) to blog EVERYDAY!!!! I think this will keep my sharp in my craft and make me a better leader to ALL of the people around me! 
 #bethechange #loveeducation #inspire #makeadifference #teachingrocks  

Hillsboro Alternative School...AFL and Goal Setting