Learning From Failure

As a teacher and a coach I was always identifying what we needed to do to get better.  In 8th grade social studies it might have been poor performances on a quiz showed me the students didn't understand how cultures from neighboring countries can influence one another or in basketball when we turned the ball over 30 times because our press breaker was not being executed.  Each of these failures often caused some type of adversity and the challenge to overcome a failure.  I've always loved the saying- "Adversity does not build character, it reveals character".  How students and teachers handle failure often enhances growth and in the end makes the learning more meaningful and long-term.  The following info is from a Blog called the "The Nerdy Teacher" that explains how failure can be positive at times.

Let's Not Forget To Say "Thank You!!"

This time of year it is always important to be thankful for those around us and the things we often take for granted.  Found this through Twitter and will also be sharing this with all the Secondary teachers and staff so we can all show our appreciation for the students and staff we have the pleasure of serving and working with every day.  

Thank You...

...for showing up on time for class. I know you have to get you brother and sister up, drive them to school and then get to your first hour class with a minute to spare if your lucky. It is easier to be late, but you get here every day and I appreciate that.

...for disagreeing with me in class. I love it when students have a different opinion and it took courage for you to voice yours in class when everyone else seemed to agree with me.

...for laughing at my stale jokes. I make them because I want to break the tension and just give us a break from the story. Even a pity laugh means much to a teacher.

...for doing the reading last night. I know you had a game really late last night, but you still showed up with those chapters read and ready to participate.

...for talking to me about something other than our curriculum. I love the books we read, but I sometimes find what you are doing outside of school far more interesting.

...for being the Team any teacher would Dream to have. Your smarts and silliness are perfectly balanced to make class a delight every single day.

...for trusting me. You did not have to talk to me about your problems, but I'm glad you did.

...for stopping by for a chat between classes.  Your visits are always entertaining.

...for the thank you. These are few and far between from students and parents and that is why yours was so nice.

...for your faith in me that this time it is going to work and be awesome. Your faith in me is what makes it possible.

...for your honesty. Sometimes I need to be told when something is not working or I need to be better. A student perspective is valuable and always welcome.

...for the smiles. I do not know how you do it, but you come to class with a smile every single day. Your smile makes me smile and others around you smile. Keep it up.

...for not giving up when you hit that snag. You are smarter than you give yourself credit for and I knew you could do it with a little extra help.

...for your leadership during a very tough time. Many of us were trying to figure out what to do next and you were there for everyone. You have been awesome this year.

...for the absurd comments you make to break the tension when the class is frustrated. Those moments off task can make everything move a bit smoother. Also, they can be very funny.

...for being you. It is not easy to be you in high school. Everything in the world around you says that you should not be you, but you do it. I wish I had your courage in high school.

Qualities of a Leader

As a Twitter follower , I am always interested in learning new ideas, strategies, or suggestions that I or others can take and work to improve what we do as administrators, teachers, coaches, parents, and students.  The article below  by Kevin Daum has very simple common sense tips that any one of us can apply in nearly any role.  Kevin Daum is an award winning and bestselling author of 5 books. He is a marketer, speaker, and columnist for Inc.com and Smart Business Magazine. As an Inc. 500 entrepreneur his sales and marketing techniques resulted in more than $1 billion in sales.

6 Things Really Thoughtful Leaders Do

BY KEVIN DAUM

Thoughtful leaders are truly respected. Here are six traits that make them so admired.

1. They Observe

Thoughtful leaders crave stimulus to get their mind working. That's why their powers of observation are always hard at work. They are masters of watching and listening to everything happening. They observe the world moving around them and notice behavior, culture and patterns with great interest. When engaging with people they have heightened awareness of their tone, mood and feelings. You can see they are actively engaged. Try spending an hour in a busy environment just looking and listening. Take notes on what you see and hear, or better yet shut off your inner voice and just take it all in.

2.  They Explore

Thoughtful leaders are naturally curious. Their insatiable need for knowledge drives them to open closed doors, dissect the mundane and analyze alternative concepts. They can spend hours surfing the web or weeks traveling abroad.  Questions starting with who, what, where, why and how are second nature to them. In conversation they will probe and prod, looking for deeper answers and hoping to get to the core truth. No idea or suggestion is poor at the outset; rather all possibilities are worthy of open consideration. Expand your perspective beyond your normal sphere. Make an attempt to engage people and ponder ideas that are outside your usual, comfortable approach.

3. They Reflect

Thoughtful leaders understand the value of deep thinking. Although perfectly capable of making reflexive decisions when required, they prefer to ponder and live with big dilemmas and decisions. They think about the potential implications for themselves and the other people around them. They consider carefully the people they impact and use skilled communication to instill comfort and confidence in their teams. They know that a slow "yes" is better than a fast "no" and will apportion appropriate time and energy to each opportunity. Begin adding time to your decision process. Using a journal, create a 1--5 rating for the seriousness of your decisions and determine a set time to decide that allows you to consider all angles.  Try this for a week and you'll learn how to manage your thinking for both depth and efficiency.

4. They Learn

Thoughtful leaders love to get smart. Their insatiable need for knowledge drives them to read, discuss and absorb complex concepts and broad perspectives. No amount of information is enough for them to feel complete and accomplished. The joy of the learning journey thrills them more than any degree or accolade. Their deep interest in other people is genuinely derived from their desire to understand. Set out three new challenging skills to learn over the next year.  You'll not only gain the subject knowledge required, but you'll stimulate your desire and aptitude to learn more.

5. They Consider Others

Thoughtful leaders are naturally empathetic.  They have a love of humankind and are fascinated by offensive or bizarre behavior rather than affronted by it. At their core they understand the concept of cause and effect, thinking about how to get the most desired reaction for the effort extended. They make people around them feel important and worthy of time and energy. Examine your actions from the perspective of others. Think through your decisions from the perspective of your adversaries. You may find more win-win scenarios than you previously thought possible.

6. They Take Action

Thoughtful leaders are rarely stuck in analysis paralysis. They know how to turn careful thought into meaningful action. They understand that thought and exploration without physical implementation and impact is selfish and wasteful. They won't make people wonder if any good comes of all this thinking. They know when to finish the thinking and make great things happen. Whatever great things you have been pondering, it's time to put those thoughts into motion and achieve your preferred destiny.

Belle Plaine Professional Development

Today staff members from Belle Plaine and HLV spent the afternoon learning technology skills they will use in the classroom to enhance and support learning.  Sessions staff could attend included Digital Citizenship, Google Forms, Google Sites, and Twitter.  Teachers will use these skills to increase communication with students and parents and provide additional ways to introduce skills and concepts to students in a variety of ways that will appeal to students who all learn in various ways.  Throughout the remainder of the school year, teachers will be designing web-sites, Blogs or Twitter accounts to enhance communication and many will be using Google Forms to assess learning in the classroom.  Some of the staff are already incorporating some of these skills.  It will be very exciting to see the new ways BP teachers use technology to increase the learning of all students.

Belle Plaine's Kameo Pope All-State

Belle Plaine Senior Kameo Pope was recently named to the 2nd Team All State Volleyball squad by the Des Moines Register.  Kameo was also named to the 1st team SICL volleyball squad.  At this time her plans for college are undecided.  Congratulations on a great career and best of luck in the future!  

CLASS 1-A

First Team

MH: Mikaela Foecke, Fort Madison Holy Trinity, jr.

MH: Maddie Thompson, Des Moines Grandview Park Baptist, sr.

OH: Carmen Subbert, Stanton, sr.

OH: Kendyl Sorge, Janesville, jr.

S: Maria Vonderhaar, Fort Madison Holy Trinity, jr.

L: Sydney Danker, Guthrie Center, jr.

Second Team

MH: Noreen Morrow, Harris-Lake Park, sr.

MH: Jordan Carter, Sigourney, jr.

OH: Kameo Pope, Belle Plaine, sr.

OH: Olivia Yutzy, Iowa Mennonite (Kalona), sr.

S: Casey Perez, Iowa Mennonite, sr.

L: Destiny Christopher, Janesville, sr.

Belle Plaine P/T Conferences Have Great Turnout!!

On November 6th and 7th, Parent/Teacher Conferences were held at Belle Plaine.  Twice a year every parent and/or student has the opportunity to schedule a time to visit with their assigned Advisor to discuss their academic progress and performance.  These conferences are a great time share and discuss ideas and ways in which the parent, student, and school can all work together to help every student succeed.  Communication is key in this process!

Shortly after my arrival to Belle Plaine I sensed a slight distance in communication between the school and home through many discussions I had with parents, students, and staff,.  Since the first day of school, I have encouraged teachers and parents to reach out to one another to establish relationships that would benefit students.  In a short time I feel we have made good progress in this area, but there is still room for growth from both sides.  Attendance data from conferences is a good indicator that we do have parents and teachers who are eager to discuss what needs to be done to see that ALL students succeed.

Fall 2013 Belle Plaine P/T Conference Attendance Data

7^th Grade: Class of 2019

Bird                    16 out of 17        94%

Rupp                  15 out of 17        88%

Wonderly           16 out of 16        100%

        

TOTAL           47 out of 50   94%

8^th Grade: Class of 2018

Bohlen                     12 out of 13           92%

Cronbaugh               11 out of 13           85%

DeGraff                   12 out of 13           92%

TOTAL               35 out of 39      90%

9^th Grade: Class of 2017

Coleman             10 out of 10       100%        

Dahlquist           9 out of 10          90%

Prather               9 out of 9            100%

Ridout                9 out of 10          90%

TOTAL           37 out of 39   95%

  

10^th Grade: Class of 2016

Kramer               9 out of 10          90%

Long                   8 out of 9            89%

Maxwell              11 out of 11       100%

Stull                    9 out of 11          82%

TOTAL           37 out of 41   90%

11^th Grade: Class of 2015

Anderson           7 out of 7            100%

Mantz                 8 out of 8            100%

Mast                   7 out of 7            100%

Walton                7 out of 7           100%

TOTAL           29 out of 29   100%

 12^th Grade: Class of 2014
Day                     7 out of 8            88%

Mattmiller          9 out of 9            100%

Tegeler              8 out of 8            100%

Yilek                   8 out of 8            100%        

        

TOTAL           32 out of 33   97%

Thank you to all parents, students, and staff for making the learning of our students a priority!