Please complete activity 5 and copy to me or "Blog" :
* 3 lessons that resonate with you from the 10 listed and "why"
* Complete your written "brief" reflection of the book and how you can incorporate the lessons in your classes... school... teaching... students... colleagues
Lesson #5 Change is inevitable. Growth is optional. - This is the challenge we face daily. What motivates these kids?...and knowing there's no "cookie cutter" solution. Real relationships...getting to know our students and doing more "watching and listening" to understand their individual needs...will hopefully lead to more "growth"
ReplyDeleteLesson #4 Teach children there is a time and place for everything. - Providing students with "real talk" about the world and how they will be perceived in different aspects and situations of life can help them to better understand this lesson.
Lesson #8 Success only comes before work in the dictionary. - This is an important reminder for all of us...and leading by example for our students is key. Putting in the hard work and effort that is required to successfully do our jobs each day. They see it....they know the ones of us that go the extra mile. It directly affects their attitude and achievement in the classroom.
I could personally benefit from making a copy of all of these lessons.. along with a few side notes to accompany each...and posting them where I could reflect on them daily. Dr. Brown's enthusiasm for making a difference in the lives of students...even the ones we think are impossible...is such a breath of fresh air. If we can remotely come close to mastering the art of motivating others the way he does in person as well as through his writing...we will without a doubt see positive changes in our classrooms/schools. I have enjoyed reading this book almost as much as I enjoyed him in person. I look forward to reflecting back on his words and perspective often...as well as sharing/discussing with my coworkers.
ReplyDeleteLesson #1
ReplyDeleteLabels are for clothing not children.
I really enjoyed this perspective by Dr. Brown. I was motivated to challenge myself to throw away labels and look at students with positive potential. To get to know each student on a more personal level. Develop that relationship, engage it with guidance, and then you have an avenue to reach them on a higher more meaningful level.
Lesson #6
Sticks and Stones may break my bones but stereotypes can kill me.
This lesson is very similar to lesson one. Each individual is carrying with them a set of circumstances that was dealt to them in life. Its not fair its just the way it is. Its up to us as Educators to look past the current situations and help each student to rise above whatever their current position in life is. Its our duty to help them achieve whatever dreams and plans they aspire to. We can do this by treated each individual with respect and fairness in the process of their maturation aiding them without any stereotypical connections.
Lesson #7
You are only chained down in this life to the extent that you convince yourself you are.
Many young people have a negative view of their future based on whats going on around them and their current self evaluation. As Educators we need to present many positive examples of success to show them it can and has been done by others in similar circumstances. I heard a speech one time in college and its always stuck with me and I referred back to it many times. It was "IF ITS GONNA BE - ITS UP TO ME!" Young people need to understand you can do it and be very successful in this life. It starts with getting yourself educated for the competitive workplace and then by working hard. This is the formula that will propel you in all your endeavors.
This book was very short and small but very big on common sense. All of us in educational fields are here to help young people. This book is very eye opening on the way we view certain students. My plan as an Educational Administrator is to reach out more to students this year to develop a relationship to help guide their career paths. I am in a new position as a Career Tech/Administrator. I hope to impact many students in career ready fields by using some positive information taken from Dr. Browns book. Its a great resource to refer back to. I will share this with my career tech co-workers during the career tech meetings as soon as school begins (first week of August).
Lesson #1
ReplyDeleteStudents are condemned with labels. We need to always build a relationship with each student to find a way to connect with the students interests. We must get to know the students on a personal level. In my experiences, some of the "so called" worse students have been a joy to be around. I think for the most part because we were able to connect and have something in common. We must do away with labels and give every student an opportunity to learn and be successful.
Lesson #3
The author talks about those students who send the message that they care very little about everything you have to say and that we as educators label those students as "at risk". Adolph Brown prefers to refer to those students as "at risk of success". Our approach has to be the same. We must see the opportunities that these students have to be successful and the opportunities we have to make a positive impact on their life. Therefore, it is my belief that building valuable, sustainable relationships with students is vital to having a positive impact. The only way we really know what a student needs and how to really have an impact is to create a relationship that will foster growth for both the student and teacher.
Lesson #9
We need more balcony people in education. I find it much more enjoyable and inspiring to be around balcony teachers and leaders as apposed to those basement folks that are negative, make excuses, complain, and are drama(essentially hate their job and life in general). We have a tremendous opportunity to make a positive impact on students and the only way to be an influence is to be positive, energetic, happy, and a balcony person.
Lesson 1: Labels are for clothing, not for children
ReplyDeleteWe live in a society that is filled with labels. It is somewhat unavoidable and some labels can be good, but I am referring to those labels that harm children. The negative labels that become self-fulling prophecies before children even have a chance to figure out who they and how they fit into this world. Dr. Miller told me one time that when left unresolved, perception becomes reality. Sadly this is often true and misconceptions about a child become truth in that child's world. It is up to us as educators to make sure our students know that their story is still not written. Every child has promise and possibility but negative labels can truly change who they are and who they are going to be. We never give up on kids!
Lesson 3: Significant learning will not take place without a significant relationship.
ReplyDeleteRules without relationship leads to rebellion. The most important lessons are the ones that are the toughest to learn. You can not teach someone something new if that person does not respect and value your opinion. Teachers who yell and intimidate students are not effective because leading through fear and intimidation will not result in true growth. That is why I think it is so important to have teachers serve as mentors for struggling students. The most difficult students are not the easiest to love and they need someone to take a little extra time before they are willing to trust. A relationship can not be built without trust. For some students that trust comes easy but for others it requires more time and personal investment in the student's life...those children need mentors.
Lesson 9: Be a balcony person, not a basement person.
ReplyDeleteTo me this lesson really sums it all up. If we put kids first and work hard everyday to be their advocates we will be successful educators. Educators have faced a great deal of criticism and false labels of our own from government officials lately. We know how hard it can be to combat those misconceptions about what we do and why it matters. However, if we are to be an example to our students we must rise above the rhetoric and keep our rightful place in the balcony. Shutting down and becoming someone on the "ROAD Program"...(retirement on active duty) is what I have seen too much of lately and it is disheartening. I remind myself everyday that I work for God not for man!
Lesson 9: Be a balcony person, not a basement person.
ReplyDeleteAfter Dr. Brown's presentation at our in-service, I strived to be a balcony person. I believe that key lesson helped me make it through this previous school term. I remembered Dr. Brown's "Be a balcony person" throughout the entire year. Since I appreciate the positive elements of life as well as focus on the good in situations- I was able to identify with this REAL Talk lesson. Therefore, now and in the future I plan on remaining a balcony educator/person. It is my belief that focusing on the good more than the bad helps with solving problems and living a happy wholesome life...Also, as a balcony educator- I’m able to encourage my students to strive for the best.
Lesson 7: You are only chained down in this life to the extent that you convince yourself you are.
ReplyDeleteThis lesson resonates with me because I believe there is a correlation to what we think and our reality. I am under the persuasion that if you can believe (have faith) - you can therefore achieve. We must put forth effort and believe for the best/hope for the best. If I believe that I can – then I can… It’s real simple to me now. Reason being, I am at a point in my life where I choose to believe that life is what I make out of it. So, I love to focus on my gift of today (my present). In addition, I am grateful to wake up each day and choose to be happy (NO MATTER WHAT)… I am grateful I have a choice. To sum up- “As a man thinketh, so is he.” So, I am convinced that a person does not have to be chained down in life. Instead, one can live a healthy happy whole life upon changing their mindset.
Lesson 1: Labels are for clothing, not for children.
ReplyDeleteThough children may be condemned with negative labels, it is vital to look past the labels and focus on the good qualities. As an educator that agrees with the REAL Talk: Labels are for clothing- I purpose in my mind to be a change agent. Instead of spending my time on the label, “at risk of failure”--- I now focus on how Dr. Brown rephrased the label to “at risk of success.” I choose to direct my attention to finding/discovering “the good” in my students. Upon discovering the good, I speak LIFE to my students. “YES YOU CAN” is something I like to say when a student states “I CAN’T.” Then, I proceed to tell them that “CAN’T never could until he left the ‘T at home.” After taking the “T” off of CAN’T--we have the word---CAN--- I CAN- YOU CAN-WE CAN!!!
REFLECTION
ReplyDeleteThe book served as a reminder of the important role of an educator. From participating in this book study, one is able to identify that EVERY player is important in a child’s life (teacher, bus driver, principal, parent, superintendent, as well as other stake holders). This book helps promote/inspire excellence in young students. One key point---is that “significant learning will not take place without a significant relationship.” In other words, it is imperative to be real/ authentic with the students we educate. Doing so involves being change agent as well as a positive role model. To sum up---one must be a balcony person and not a basement person. Balcony people encourage others, focus on the best qualities in others, see things half full, and are upbeat.
I agree. Teachers don't realize how important they are! They play an important role in children lives
Delete#2 You can be the change.
ReplyDeleteThrough believing, and positive thinking, you will discover that change is possible. It is a step by step process where you work on anger management, build strong confidence and confront fear. Counselors get to be the change through academic, career, and personal/social development.
#5 Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.
Change is unavoidable and will happen, but to grow within yourself and learn from experiences is up to you. I am the caption of my ship.
#9 Be a balcony person, not a basement person.
Balcony people encourage, help, give, serve, considerate, enthusiastic and compassionate. They make people lives better.
Basement people don’t make our world a better place, they make their world a better place through discouragement, criticism, impatience, and just plain meanness.
Reflection
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading and sharing the book Real Talk with other faculty members. I really learned and gained ideas and plan to share with my faculty and staff.
I believe every child can learn and achieve. Teachers, administrators, parents and the communities have to reach out to each and every student and work in a collaborative partnership. I plan to expose the counselors and the alternative faculty to the book Real Talk and have them provide students with opportunities to gain and understanding of self and others, and pursue career planning opportunities in an environment that is safe, caring, and encouraging.
Reflection
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading and sharing the book Real Talk with other faculty members. I really learned and gained ideas and plan to share with my faculty and staff.
I believe every child can learn and achieve. Teachers, administrators, parents and the communities have to reach out to each and every student and work in a collaborative partnership. I plan to expose the counselors and the alternative faculty to the book Real Talk and have them provide students with opportunities to gain and understanding of self and others, and pursue career planning opportunities in an environment that is safe, caring, and encouraging.
Sorry for two reflections! LOL!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLesson #1
ReplyDeleteLabels are for clothing not children.
Dr. Brown is on point!! This lesson reminded me that I must throw away labels. I must take the time to get to know each student so that I can develop a relationship with all my students.
Lesson #4
Teach children there is a time and place for everything.
“Real talk” time in the classroom is very important. Educators must give students an opportunity to give input and roleplay when there are situations occurring in the school and world. The dialogue will allow them to see that there is a time and place for everything.
Lesson 9:
Be a balcony person, not a basement person.
A school filled with balcony people would be awesome! The positive atmosphere will influence staff and students. As educators, we must focus on the good more that the bad. I strive to be a balcony person daily. It takes more energy to be negative.
I enjoyed reading the lessons. I had the opportunity to refocus and reflect in many way. The greatest lesson I learned was....educators must teach children without labeling them from the balcony.
ReplyDelete