Enjoying the Day

The journey of discovery begins not with new vistas but with having eyes with which to behold them.

                                         -          Marcel Proust

The bike ride to work this morning (Sept. 20) was a chilly one. At three degrees Celsius, that autumn-like air was refreshing to say the least. For most of my teaching career I’ve driven in a car to work, often carpooling with my colleagues. Taking the two-wheeled transport is an entirely different experience, as you can imagine. Beyond the cardio-vascular benefit of biking, there’s a certain serendipity to it as well.

Take this morning for example. As I started my journey I decided to veer off the main road and take the asphalt covered hiking trail that traverses the well kept green space abutting rows of modern dwelling places. This path eventually gives way to a street that runs adjacent to numerous high end homes with back yards grooved to rest comfortably on the sedate shore of a man-made lake called Crystal Shores.

As I pedaled past these finely appointed abodes, with an Audi here and a Hummer there, I imagined for a moment the morning routine of the occupants. On this sun splashed morning, was the man of the house torn between casting a line to pierce the still water of the lake, or dusting off the golf clubs to catch a quick eighteen holes before jetting off to some business meeting in some unknown city? Or maybe he, or his spouse, was preparing a morning meal, while at the same time rousing the kids from their slumber so they could be well prepared for their e-teacher’s elive class at 9. (Yes, I did have one scheduled for 9 a.m.!)

My brief reverie was cut short as I found myself taking a steep right turn and zooming towards an intersection that would rejoin me with the main road. To avoid the four lane traffic here, I kept to the sidewalk and slowed my pace a little to allow ample running room for the occasional jogger I met along the way. (If you’re an early morning jogger, walker, or biker, maybe you sense as well the almost instantaneous kinship felt upon meeting another like-minded soul on your way. All it takes is a quick nod of the head or even a muted hello to affirm that affinity.)

On the second last leg of my journey I zipped by an elementary school, thankful I had left early enough to avoid the bevy of buses that would soon be arriving. Then in a few short minutes I was cresting the top of a sharp incline that leads down to my destination. I always relish this part of the ride as my coasting speed down the hill can sometimes equal the speed limit of those four-wheeled conveyances. Not wanting to cause too much consternation for those early morning commuters, I usually apply my brake before the road levels off and allow them to assume their rightful place ahead of me!

As I dismounted my bike in the parking lot behind our office, I inhaled one last whiff of the fresh air and thought to myself – thank you Lord for this wonderful day; I just want to rejoice and be glad in it.

The power of focus

Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.

-          Alexander Graham Bell

It’s hard to believe another school year is already upon us. With the dawning of the new school year, each student draws his or her bow, if you will, and takes aim at the bull’s eye of high academic achievement. Of course, the measure of success achieved by the individual student will depend on, among other things, their willingness to focus on the task at hand and maintain consistent study habits for the balance of the school year.

American writer Frank A. Clark once said: “Everyone is trying to accomplish something big, not realizing that life is made up of little things.” The successful students I’ve taught over my career have made it a habit to take care of the little things. In other words, they’ve paid attention in class, asked questions for clarification, completed all homework assignments, prepared diligently for exams, and often read information beyond the required curriculum to enhance their understanding.

Along with the support and encouragement of the classroom teacher, the above habits will not only ensure a positive learning experience, but will also help the student develop the discipline needed to continue with a life of quality after high school. I suspect motivational speaker and author, Zig Ziglar, was also referring to students when he said: “We have to live our life as a meaningful specific and not a wandering generality.” It’s all about focus – about heeding the advice found in the wise saying: “Life is in session. Are you present?”

Mr. Ziglar’s advice can also apply, of course, to teachers starting the new school year. On Twitter I recently came across an interesting compilation of more than 100 tips and tricks for new teachers (from Richard Byrne at http://www.freetech4teachers.com/). The piece of advice that caught my eye the most was labeled as: best advice for new teachers (referenced from Dave Andrade at http://www.educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/). Dave’s list was as follows: be organized; ask for help; use the curriculum as a guide, but be creative; ask for help; create a PLN; ask for help. What powerful advice for the beginning teacher – especially the part about asking for help!

Creating a PLN, or personal learning network, is definitely worth the effort, especially with the wealth of resources literally at the teacher’s fingertips. We’re now into the second decade of the 21^st century. It’s an exciting time to be an educator as we prepare our students for the opportunities and challenges ahead. In order to do that, educational consultant, Ken Kay, says that we need to “fuse the 3R’s with the 4C’s”. The 4C’s are critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Sounds like a good plan to me.