Now that summer is over and the routine of my job seeps back into my life there is one daily pleasure that I noticed missing…my hour of Scrubs. I will admit that for practically every day Monday through Friday from 7:00-8:00 p.m. on Comedy Central I sat, watched and reflected along with John “JD” Dorian as he struggled with making sense of understanding friends, work, and the big picture of life.
Watching Scrubs was not always a staple in my TV viewing habit, heck I have not watched NBC’s “Much Watch TV” night since Sam and Diane has their thirteenth break-up. Yet on one of the first Sunday’s of the summer, the staff at Sacred Heart Hospital was featured in a 22-episode marathon. I would not be exaggerating if I confessed to watching all 22 episodes, but since the show has a strong connection to coaching and mentoring I’ll just chalk this up as my professional learning time.
If you are unfamiliar with the show, each episode chronicles the lives of a close-set group of doctors and nurses as they find their niche in each other lives and in a profession they hold dear. I was amazed on how each episode touched a day in my life, as if the writers were secretly watching my every boring move. Perhaps I sympathized with JD as he grew from a newbie intern into a confident resident or maybe it was the callous big-hearted Dr. Cox whose favorite coaching tool was his own sharp-witted tongue. What I do know is that the episode called, “My Fifteen Minutes” had me a believer that the writers in the show knew much more about professional development than they did medicine.
After his first year as an intern, Dr. Cox asks JD to evaluate himself. Unfortunately JD was more concerned in the motivation behind this demand than in actually fulfilling his coach’s request. The storyline leads up to a pivotal point in understanding Dr. Cox’s role as a mentor and the true nature of accountability and evaluation.
How come Hollywood writers understand that the value of accountability and evaluation does not stem from a paper form but from the SELF? When looking back at your experiences as a coach or being coached do you find yourself acting like Dr. Cox or JD?
Below is the best version of the script from the conclusion of “My Fifteen Minutes” or now know as “Evaluation Drama.”
Dr. Cox: (emerging from the shadows) It's time. Sit down.
[J.D. sits]
Now what do you want me to say? That you're great? That you're raising the bar for interns everywhere?
J.D.: I'm cool with that.
Dr. Cox: Well I'm not gonna say that. You're okay. You might be better than that someday, but right now all I see is a guy who's so worried about what everybody else thinks of him that he has no real belief in himself. I mean, did you even wonder why I told you to do your own evaluation?
J.D.: I can't think of a safe answer, I just figured...
Dr. Cox: CLAM UP! I wanted you to think about yourself, and I mean really think. What are you good at? What do you suck at? And then I want you to put it down on paper. And not so I could see it, and not so somebody else could see it, but so you could see it. Because ultimately, you don't have to answer to me, and you don't have to answer to Kelso...you don't even have to answer to your patients, for God's sake! You only have to answer to one guy, newbie, and that's you! There. You are...evaluated. (tosses evaluation to J.D.) Now get out of my sight. You get me so angry I'm afraid I just might hurt myself.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Is Cam Preparing a Replacement?
It’s far easier to make a decision that yields guaranteed quick results than to opt for a plan with mediocre results yet with long-term gains. With Miami Dolphin’s new head coach looking towards the future, Cam Cameron brought in an old friend that has experience on the field. Instead of tossing his top draft pick (fresh out of college) against an angry NFL defensive line, Cam opted for experience over hype and fought to bring in Trent Green (see pic). Most of the Dolphin fans already know that Cameron served as Trent’s coach back in the 1995-96 season at Washington. At the time who would have known that his was the start of their relationship.
Trent Green was acquired by Cam as the Dolphins starter and this year’s second-round pick John Beck was placed as the third-stringer. The Dolphins are hoping that Green serves as a mentor to Beck, who is projected as the Dolphins' long-term starter. Trent too is hoping that he will meet the team’s expectations and mentor this NFL future hall of fame superstar.
The idea of the Dolphins bringing in an experienced quarterback to hold things down and mentor until John Beck is ready to take over isn't too far-fetched. If an organization is producing positive results, then maintain status quo and focus on continuous improvement. If an organization is not producing results, then it time for change. When it comes to the quarterback position in Miami a change is necessary. With Trent, Cam knows what he is getting on the field. Cameron walked in to his new job thinking, "It's not going to be about any individual. We're going to build a team here. You're going to see a football team.''
Only time will tell if Cam’s beliefs, actions, and commitment support a system of preparing a replacement quarterback. I wonder whom Cam is mentoring.
Trent Green was acquired by Cam as the Dolphins starter and this year’s second-round pick John Beck was placed as the third-stringer. The Dolphins are hoping that Green serves as a mentor to Beck, who is projected as the Dolphins' long-term starter. Trent too is hoping that he will meet the team’s expectations and mentor this NFL future hall of fame superstar.
The idea of the Dolphins bringing in an experienced quarterback to hold things down and mentor until John Beck is ready to take over isn't too far-fetched. If an organization is producing positive results, then maintain status quo and focus on continuous improvement. If an organization is not producing results, then it time for change. When it comes to the quarterback position in Miami a change is necessary. With Trent, Cam knows what he is getting on the field. Cameron walked in to his new job thinking, "It's not going to be about any individual. We're going to build a team here. You're going to see a football team.''
Only time will tell if Cam’s beliefs, actions, and commitment support a system of preparing a replacement quarterback. I wonder whom Cam is mentoring.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
You Can Do It, We Can Help.
Training support for Home Depot’s new employees usually came in the form of plumbing, electrical, flooring, hardware, and lightening content. Now it is common to hear professional development terms such as online training, coaching, demonstration, mastery, role-playing, and mentoring.
When looking at developing new employees, Home Depot’s director of learning believes in a balance between online training and on the job training. New knowledge and skill content area comes in the form of online training. The balance of the employees’ professional development comes in the form of job-embedded coaching.
They key to Depot’s training success lies with the combination of coaching and demonstration of mastery of new employee skills. How are knowledge and skills introduced at your work site? How does your coaches add value to the work of your new employees?
Customer needs assistance in hardware!
When looking at developing new employees, Home Depot’s director of learning believes in a balance between online training and on the job training. New knowledge and skill content area comes in the form of online training. The balance of the employees’ professional development comes in the form of job-embedded coaching.
They key to Depot’s training success lies with the combination of coaching and demonstration of mastery of new employee skills. How are knowledge and skills introduced at your work site? How does your coaches add value to the work of your new employees?
Customer needs assistance in hardware!
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
What a TEAM can do
There have been hundreds of articles and commentaries written regarding the University of Florida Gators 2nd NCAA basketball national championship. A lot has been expressed about their success as repeat champions, yet when I think about Induction and professional development I am drawn to the story about the TEAM.
Head Coach Billy Donovan’s after the game press conference mentioned that this team may not have the best players in history, or the most skilled or have the slick style, yet when it comes to the word TEAM they are the national benchmark. In a NCAA basketball world where talented players regardless of years on the court leave for the NBA, the 2006 Gator National Champions all agreed to pass up millions (this is plural) and return for another trip to the Final Four. That was a year ago. How did they know they would reach their goal? Sixty-three other teams all had the same opportunity to cut the net, yet after a month of tournament playing, after the final buzzer, Florida was the one with the scissors.
Donovan described his team using words like: Unselfishness, Sacrifice, and Together. What words would use to describe your team?
If you are trying to figure out the secret to their success, perhaps listening to Joakim Noah’s reflective comments might help, “I feel like it's always about what is going to happen next….”
As with Induction, for them it was not about the now it was always about their future.
Head Coach Billy Donovan’s after the game press conference mentioned that this team may not have the best players in history, or the most skilled or have the slick style, yet when it comes to the word TEAM they are the national benchmark. In a NCAA basketball world where talented players regardless of years on the court leave for the NBA, the 2006 Gator National Champions all agreed to pass up millions (this is plural) and return for another trip to the Final Four. That was a year ago. How did they know they would reach their goal? Sixty-three other teams all had the same opportunity to cut the net, yet after a month of tournament playing, after the final buzzer, Florida was the one with the scissors.
Donovan described his team using words like: Unselfishness, Sacrifice, and Together. What words would use to describe your team?
If you are trying to figure out the secret to their success, perhaps listening to Joakim Noah’s reflective comments might help, “I feel like it's always about what is going to happen next….”
As with Induction, for them it was not about the now it was always about their future.
Friday, March 16, 2007
How do you measure commitment?
How do you measure commitment? Integrity? Beliefs? The Buddhist monks of the Hong Hock See Temple in Malaysia have been faced with an interesting and for some a dangerous situation.
In the past month the Buddhist temple have been infested with poisonous red ants. The ant situation has become aggressive enough where on worshipper was already sent to the hospital for excessive bites.
Most if not everyone we know would have called an exterminator, sprayed RAID, stomped, squished, drowned, burned, or done anything imaginable to remove the ants. Yet the Buddhist monks are bound by a belief of nonviolence and have maintained actions that have yet to deviate from their belief. They have demonstrated integrity by minimizing the gap between beliefs and actions.
Current efforts to remove the ants peacefully have not been successful. It would be quite easy, when the temple is closed from the worshipers, to secretly react in a way (that would make Tony Soprano proud), where no one would know and remove the ants.
And where would that leave commitment? Integrity? Beliefs?
When was the last time you had the opportunity to demonstrate integrity? To practice the application of beliefs and actions?
In the past month the Buddhist temple have been infested with poisonous red ants. The ant situation has become aggressive enough where on worshipper was already sent to the hospital for excessive bites.
Most if not everyone we know would have called an exterminator, sprayed RAID, stomped, squished, drowned, burned, or done anything imaginable to remove the ants. Yet the Buddhist monks are bound by a belief of nonviolence and have maintained actions that have yet to deviate from their belief. They have demonstrated integrity by minimizing the gap between beliefs and actions.
Current efforts to remove the ants peacefully have not been successful. It would be quite easy, when the temple is closed from the worshipers, to secretly react in a way (that would make Tony Soprano proud), where no one would know and remove the ants.
And where would that leave commitment? Integrity? Beliefs?
When was the last time you had the opportunity to demonstrate integrity? To practice the application of beliefs and actions?
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Does Real Matter?
Is it difficult to find time and opportunities to collaborate? Meet new people? Learn something new? Would you believe that the video game world can do all of this and more? The multiplayer online gaming industry, has over 3 million users where they have expanded their universe and experienced an environment that encourages scientific thinking, cooperation, possibilities for solving real-world problems, and cross-cultural learning and connections.
Additionally, the health-care community is exploring the virtual world and finding use for veterans and patients with a range of phobias.
Medial surgeons who excel in video gaming are significantly faster and more accurate at laparoscopic surgery and suturing, due in part to improved hand-eye coordination.
When analyzing the possible user outcomes to video gaming, what possibilities exist for training and learning?
Learn more at http://secondlife.com/
Inspired and referenced from Bryn Nelson, Newsday Staff Writer, San Francisco
Additionally, the health-care community is exploring the virtual world and finding use for veterans and patients with a range of phobias.
Medial surgeons who excel in video gaming are significantly faster and more accurate at laparoscopic surgery and suturing, due in part to improved hand-eye coordination.
When analyzing the possible user outcomes to video gaming, what possibilities exist for training and learning?
Learn more at http://secondlife.com/
Inspired and referenced from Bryn Nelson, Newsday Staff Writer, San Francisco
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Up, Up, and Away...
Although quite similar in the role of support, the selection process for mentoring is different from coaching. In terms of selection, Coaches are usually assigned to the less experienced and Mentees select their Mentors. Recommendations, influence, knowledge, skills and even personality all take part in the selection process.A friend shared this hero personality test. It is quite fun and can be used to begin the process of finding the right support. Now I need to rescue Mary Jane!
Click here to take a "superhero personality quiz"
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Google Docs & Collaboration
Collaboration is now available without meeting!
With transition of support members each year and teacher turnover, site-based support has the potential to always start at “Ground Zero”- always reinventing the work. Google Docs & Spreadsheets has the capacity to assist support teams to move from reactive to proactive by providing a way to collaborate with peers on written documents without the barriers of scheduling meeting times for every stage in the collaborative process.
A school that collaborates on being plan-centered can have:
Google Docs can be used to collaborate on a document online in real time without the need to download additional software or pay for a license fee. The Google Docs interface is similar to Word and supports tables, images, and the ability to revert to older versions.
If you have a Google Account, you are ready to begin. At Google.com select MORE (found above the search window) and then select EVEN MORE. In the Communicate, Show, and Share section click on the Docs & Spreadsheets.
By utilizing Google Docs & Spreadsheets as a collaboration tool, what possibilities exist with your support team that was not available before?
A tour of the Google Docs service is available by clicking HERE
Google Docs user information can be found by clicking HERE
With transition of support members each year and teacher turnover, site-based support has the potential to always start at “Ground Zero”- always reinventing the work. Google Docs & Spreadsheets has the capacity to assist support teams to move from reactive to proactive by providing a way to collaborate with peers on written documents without the barriers of scheduling meeting times for every stage in the collaborative process.
A school that collaborates on being plan-centered can have:
- written criteria for the selection of the support staff
- specific responsibilities of each support team member
- developed a written list of expectations for every staff member
- scheduled time, opportunity, and resources to support staff members
- developed written induction protocols
Google Docs can be used to collaborate on a document online in real time without the need to download additional software or pay for a license fee. The Google Docs interface is similar to Word and supports tables, images, and the ability to revert to older versions.
If you have a Google Account, you are ready to begin. At Google.com select MORE (found above the search window) and then select EVEN MORE. In the Communicate, Show, and Share section click on the Docs & Spreadsheets.
By utilizing Google Docs & Spreadsheets as a collaboration tool, what possibilities exist with your support team that was not available before?
A tour of the Google Docs service is available by clicking HERE
Google Docs user information can be found by clicking HERE
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Rock-N-Roll Coaching
Just last week the new rock band Supernova put on a rock and roll demonstration for their fans. New lead singer Lucas Rossi had the pleasure to perform with rock veterans Gilby Clarke (Guns N’ Roses) and Tommy Lee (Motley Crue) for the first time as their US tour kicked off in Hollywood, FL at the Hard Rock Live.
It was a thrill to see Dave Navarro standing off stage to observe one of the newest members to the tour, Toby Rand. While on the show, Rock Star Supernova, Dave was responsible for providing performance feedback to Toby after his weekly performance. Now that auditions are over, Dave is continuing his role as a coach.
It was interesting to see how every stage member has a significant role and responsibility. There was one stagehand whose only job during the live set was to watch Dave Navarro and assist with the exchange of his guitars. At the right time he brought out the new guitar and took away the old. Seamless and without interruption to the work. If he was too busy admiring someone else, say the drums or the bass guitar, there would have been a complete breakdown of the song set.
The band took months to prepare for their 2 hour set. It shows.
It was a thrill to see Dave Navarro standing off stage to observe one of the newest members to the tour, Toby Rand. While on the show, Rock Star Supernova, Dave was responsible for providing performance feedback to Toby after his weekly performance. Now that auditions are over, Dave is continuing his role as a coach.
It was interesting to see how every stage member has a significant role and responsibility. There was one stagehand whose only job during the live set was to watch Dave Navarro and assist with the exchange of his guitars. At the right time he brought out the new guitar and took away the old. Seamless and without interruption to the work. If he was too busy admiring someone else, say the drums or the bass guitar, there would have been a complete breakdown of the song set.
The band took months to prepare for their 2 hour set. It shows.
Monday, January 15, 2007
The Devil Needs Induction
I am not going to bother you with a complete synopsis of the movie “The Devil Wears Prada”, but the story tells the professional adventure of Andrea, whose greatest dream is to become a journalist
This was not my first choice of film (nor my second), and I managed to watch the entire film and publicly state that it was “OK”. Translation= Pretty good for a rental.
The hook for me was the trials of Andrea’s first job: the weak orientation and and the lack of new hire support. This is a classic non-example!! If you have seen the movie, what areas of Orientation and Induction need improvement?
This was not my first choice of film (nor my second), and I managed to watch the entire film and publicly state that it was “OK”. Translation= Pretty good for a rental.
The hook for me was the trials of Andrea’s first job: the weak orientation and and the lack of new hire support. This is a classic non-example!! If you have seen the movie, what areas of Orientation and Induction need improvement?
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Passing the Torch
Tim Tebow (pictured with Coach Myer) described the Florida Gator's National Championship year as a “Dream Season.” As a freshman he focused on learning from the senior he was replacing, BCS National Champion MVP Chris Leak.
Offensive coordinator Dan Mullen noticed Tim’s commitment early on the season. “Yet in meeting rooms and film sessions, Tebow started to see the game from a broader perspective. He said he thought like the starter, making each week a dress rehearsal for the coming year. At every turn leading up to the game, Mullen said, Tebow followed Leak's lead.”
If the work you do has value, then someone will be needed to continue the work. Induction provides the system for building capacity in order for the organization to limit loss with transition.
With a true Induction system in place with the Florida Gator football team, Senior Chris Leak and Coach Urban Myer utilized this past year to prepare a replacement. How have you prepared yours?
Offensive coordinator Dan Mullen noticed Tim’s commitment early on the season. “Yet in meeting rooms and film sessions, Tebow started to see the game from a broader perspective. He said he thought like the starter, making each week a dress rehearsal for the coming year. At every turn leading up to the game, Mullen said, Tebow followed Leak's lead.”
If the work you do has value, then someone will be needed to continue the work. Induction provides the system for building capacity in order for the organization to limit loss with transition.
With a true Induction system in place with the Florida Gator football team, Senior Chris Leak and Coach Urban Myer utilized this past year to prepare a replacement. How have you prepared yours?
Friday, January 5, 2007
Turnover
Since the retirement of Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino the Miami Dolphins have experienced three different head coaches with the hiring of Jimmy Johnson in 1996, Dave Wannstedt in 2000 and now Nick Saban in 2005. Additionally the quarterback position has been a revolving door with 13 players identified for that coveted position.
With such a high number of turnovers, what expectations does H. Wayne Huizenga have when it comes to the Dolphins success?
Analogy of the Day:
Dolphin Head Coach is to Principal as Quarterback is to …?
QB Roster from 2000-Present
A.J Feeley, Brian Griese, Cade McNown, Cleo Lemon, Damon Huard, Daunte Culpepper, Gus Frerotte, Jay Fielder, Joey Harrington, Mike Quinn, Ray Lucas, Sage Rosenfels, Shane Matthews
With such a high number of turnovers, what expectations does H. Wayne Huizenga have when it comes to the Dolphins success?
Analogy of the Day:
Dolphin Head Coach is to Principal as Quarterback is to …?
QB Roster from 2000-Present
A.J Feeley, Brian Griese, Cade McNown, Cleo Lemon, Damon Huard, Daunte Culpepper, Gus Frerotte, Jay Fielder, Joey Harrington, Mike Quinn, Ray Lucas, Sage Rosenfels, Shane Matthews
Friday, December 15, 2006
Just Google It
From the article, “Google targets children with free programs for schools”, "I feel like I am on the edge of something really exciting and perhaps classroom-changing," Wojcicki said. "Using this as a teaching tool, I will be able to look at students' papers and make suggestions before they even turn it in."
Google’s word processor and spreadsheet is another venture into the collaborative world of Web 2.0 technology. Does new educator support have an obligation to “keep up” with technology? If time has been identified a diminishing resource, do we need to approach our work differently?
Google’s word processor and spreadsheet is another venture into the collaborative world of Web 2.0 technology. Does new educator support have an obligation to “keep up” with technology? If time has been identified a diminishing resource, do we need to approach our work differently?
Sunday, December 10, 2006
In the not too distant future
There are quite a few connections when comparing standards-based instruction, Schlechty Center’s Working on the Work (W.O.W), and Teachscape's Classroom Walkthrough (CWT) to the development of Web 2.0. The following statements come from the article “Futurist: To fix education, think Web 2.0”
Rather than treat pedagogy as the transfer of knowledge from teachers who are experts to students who are receptacles, educators should consider more hands-on and informal types of learning.
...he praised situations where students who are passionate about specific topics study in groups and participate in online communities.
… you have to change your teaching practices.
…"passion-based learning" that focuses on getting students more engaged with topic experts.
When planning your Orientation and monthly support meetings/ learning communities for New Educators at your school, do you prepare them for Yesterday or for Tomorrow?
How can you tap into the technological skills and experiences that New Educators bring to your school?
Rather than treat pedagogy as the transfer of knowledge from teachers who are experts to students who are receptacles, educators should consider more hands-on and informal types of learning.
...he praised situations where students who are passionate about specific topics study in groups and participate in online communities.
… you have to change your teaching practices.
…"passion-based learning" that focuses on getting students more engaged with topic experts.
When planning your Orientation and monthly support meetings/ learning communities for New Educators at your school, do you prepare them for Yesterday or for Tomorrow?
How can you tap into the technological skills and experiences that New Educators bring to your school?
Friday, December 1, 2006
Freshman
Finishing the season at 11-1 and approaching the goal of a SEC Championship, most of the media coverage this past week focused not on the present but on the future of the Florida Gator team. Articles did not highlight the record breaking career of Chris Leak, but of the freshman class.
“Coach Urban Meyer has allowed most of the freshmen time to develop before placing them in the season's most competitive situations.
‘I hear it quite often from family members and staff members and the athletic director how exciting they are, and let's get these guys (freshman) going,’ Meyer said. ‘But the reality is the normal development ... is you learn how to play the game your freshman year.’”
Does your Principal allow most of the New Educators time to develop before placing them in the school’s most competitive situations? What support can be provided in the areas of scheduling, planning, or management?
UPDATE: It's going to be Florida-Ohio State for the national championship. Florida's win over Arkansas in the SEC title game was enough to leapfrog the Gators to No. 2 in the final BCS standings and into the National Championship Game in Glendale, Arizona
“Coach Urban Meyer has allowed most of the freshmen time to develop before placing them in the season's most competitive situations.
‘I hear it quite often from family members and staff members and the athletic director how exciting they are, and let's get these guys (freshman) going,’ Meyer said. ‘But the reality is the normal development ... is you learn how to play the game your freshman year.’”
Does your Principal allow most of the New Educators time to develop before placing them in the school’s most competitive situations? What support can be provided in the areas of scheduling, planning, or management?
UPDATE: It's going to be Florida-Ohio State for the national championship. Florida's win over Arkansas in the SEC title game was enough to leapfrog the Gators to No. 2 in the final BCS standings and into the National Championship Game in Glendale, Arizona
Monday, November 27, 2006
Rockies Using iPods to Study
Professional development is the core business at HRD and there has been increased “talk” on the role of technology in the context and process of our work. This article touches on the same message and purpose. Here are few quotes:
“He watches frames of himself delivering the pitch, followed by the result of the play. Everything else is weeded out.”
“Teams have tons of film to help players study their opponents and their own quirks.”
"They can do it on their time”
"I think it's overrated personally, but that's just me," Randolph said. "I'm from a different school."
“Colorado's minor league hitting coordinator, Jimmy Johnson, has an iPod filled with video of players in the farm system. If a player is struggling, Johnson can compare his swing from the past with his current swing, and fix it accordingly.”
"Anything you can do to help yourself get ready for [games] is a good idea," he said.”
“He watches frames of himself delivering the pitch, followed by the result of the play. Everything else is weeded out.”
“Teams have tons of film to help players study their opponents and their own quirks.”
"They can do it on their time”
"I think it's overrated personally, but that's just me," Randolph said. "I'm from a different school."
“Colorado's minor league hitting coordinator, Jimmy Johnson, has an iPod filled with video of players in the farm system. If a player is struggling, Johnson can compare his swing from the past with his current swing, and fix it accordingly.”
"Anything you can do to help yourself get ready for [games] is a good idea," he said.”
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Begin with the End in Mind
If it was not for a friend I would have never heard of the show Dancing with the Stars (and I still have yet to see an episode).
For those like me, this show pairs eleven celebrities like Jerry Springer and Sara Evans (who?) with professional dancers to perform a Ballroom or Latin American dance routine that is critiqued by professional judges and voters at home.
This season’s winner was former Florida Gator and Dallas Cowboy running back Emmitt Smith.
"From the beginning, he just wanted to be the best possible dancer he can be," commented Emmitt’s dance partner after his win.
Smith, ever the competitor, was determined to win, just as he had done so many times with the Dallas Cowboys. "You don't get into a competition unless you think you can win," he told AP Radio after Tuesday's dance finale.
When you hear, “Begin with the end in mind”, what strategies are planned and then implement that will lead to the end? Having a vision and a strong work ethic has produced another trophy for this 3-time Super Bowl champion. Do the New Educators and Instructional Coaches begin the year thinking that they will “win”? What has been prepared for teacher and student success?
For those like me, this show pairs eleven celebrities like Jerry Springer and Sara Evans (who?) with professional dancers to perform a Ballroom or Latin American dance routine that is critiqued by professional judges and voters at home.
This season’s winner was former Florida Gator and Dallas Cowboy running back Emmitt Smith.
"From the beginning, he just wanted to be the best possible dancer he can be," commented Emmitt’s dance partner after his win.
Smith, ever the competitor, was determined to win, just as he had done so many times with the Dallas Cowboys. "You don't get into a competition unless you think you can win," he told AP Radio after Tuesday's dance finale.
When you hear, “Begin with the end in mind”, what strategies are planned and then implement that will lead to the end? Having a vision and a strong work ethic has produced another trophy for this 3-time Super Bowl champion. Do the New Educators and Instructional Coaches begin the year thinking that they will “win”? What has been prepared for teacher and student success?
Saturday, November 11, 2006
RPS
Rocks, Paper, Scissors (RPS) is more than just a playground game; it is an institution of fierce competition. The world of “who goes first” has grown into its own that includes protocols, procedures, strategies, a Hall of Fame, and Awards for Excellence.
Do you find the world of RPS at the Foundation (people driven), Application (plan centered) or Accomplished (systems driven)?
Do you find the world of RPS at the Foundation (people driven), Application (plan centered) or Accomplished (systems driven)?
Thursday, November 9, 2006
Overkill
The Quadruple Bypass Burger has four slabs of beef weighing 2lbs, three cheese layers, four bacon rashers, lettuce and tomato. Customers can also order the smaller Triple Bypass Burger and Flatliner fries cooked in pure lard.
The Heart Attack Grill in Tempe, Arizona, provides support by offering wheelchairs to carry customers out of the restaurant. A nurse, an example of immediate site-based support, serves the burger.
For me, images like this reinforces a vegetarian lifestyle.
The Heart Attack Grill in Tempe, Arizona, provides support by offering wheelchairs to carry customers out of the restaurant. A nurse, an example of immediate site-based support, serves the burger.
For me, images like this reinforces a vegetarian lifestyle.
Thursday, November 2, 2006
'So Minute"
"I don't care what our record is or their record is. The difference between the best and the worst team in the NFL is so minute. It has everything to do with confidence and emotion and being a consistent team on that day."
This comes from current Dolphin Quarterback Joey Harrington when asked to comment on this week’s game against the Chicago Bears.
Since I have been sitting in data meetings all year, I could not help make the connection to our teachers. Grade level comparisons are constantly being made between classes regarding the demonstration of high levels of student proficiency.
Is the difference between the types of teaching (and learning) as “minute” as Joey compares NFL teams? Can a small modification of instruction lead to dramatic student gains?
What is common is that teachers must have confidence in themselves and in their students while remaining fair and consistent throughout the year.
There is a lot more at stake than a world championship.
This comes from current Dolphin Quarterback Joey Harrington when asked to comment on this week’s game against the Chicago Bears.
Since I have been sitting in data meetings all year, I could not help make the connection to our teachers. Grade level comparisons are constantly being made between classes regarding the demonstration of high levels of student proficiency.
Is the difference between the types of teaching (and learning) as “minute” as Joey compares NFL teams? Can a small modification of instruction lead to dramatic student gains?
What is common is that teachers must have confidence in themselves and in their students while remaining fair and consistent throughout the year.
There is a lot more at stake than a world championship.
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