Wednesday Wisdom

"Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning."

Benjamin Franklin

While at the State FFA Conference this past weekend, I realized a quote like this has never been so true. I have never been so proud of a group of students. As a whole they really worked together, supported each other and were open minded to the new experiences.

I have talked about the summer I was first hired (read my last post), and how I took the officers on a day trip to San Francisco's Botanical Gardens. We spent the day creating goals, talking about growth and changes. One thing that I will never forget was the common goal that they no longer wanted to be a "joke" in the eyes of the section. They had felt so defeated by previous competitions and teachers that they were pretty much at rock bottom.

Over the past two years, I have had this overwhelming feeling that I need to compensate for their rough start in the FFA. Because at the end of the day, I want each of my kids to feel like they had a positive experience no matter how involved they were. So I pushed, prodded and practiced them until they thought I was crazy (well I am so....). This weekend many of those original goal setters, were pleasantly surprised and grateful for the success and achievements they received.

We had such an awe-inspiring four days in Fresno. I am so proud to say I had a student (or two) recognized on stage every day. That's huge for us....

However, there were some disappointments. My two speakers didn't make it to the semi-finals, my proficiency kids didn't win the state title and my CDE teams were not as polished as they should have been. While speaking with one of my kids about how he was disappointed with not winning his proficiency, I tried to remind him about all the growth him, and the chapter had gone through since his freshman year. He quickly came to the realization that never in his dreams did he think he'd even be on the state stage during his FFA career. He was recognized three times this year for his work--once for being our region's Star in Ag Placement, once for his Dairy proficiency and lastly, for his work as a Committee Chair.

This is big stuff... While I know he wished he would have done better, I couldn't be more excited for him. For a student who always wanted to be involved, but had no real clue, to now reading committee reports on a stage in front of 5,000 FFA members-- "He's kinda a big deal"

The growth that my kids have gone through in the last two years has been tremendous. Mostly because they are always working towards my lofty expectations. But more importantly, they are now creating their own high expectations... They no longer feel that they are a "joke", they are working towards making an impact on themselves, their fellow FFA members and now even on a bigger scale. Leadership at it's finest folks!
Success breeds success!
Getting kids to see not only their potential, but to recognize potential in others...

It makes my heart happy... I love my little boogers! Even when they make me crazy!

State Star in Agriscience!!! 

State Webpage Award Winner!!

Helping campaign for Steven!! 

They are just so stinkin cute!

Wednesday Wisdom from a Young Owl

Okay so.... I don't know everything when it comes to teaching and being an advisor (not a huge surprise, right?!). BUT, I do think I try really hard to be there for my kids, make sure they are learning stuff and make my classes relevant to their life and future.

So it totally fries my tushy, when other teachers don't put in the time to really get to know their students. Blah, Blah, Blah, everyone is busy, or whatever the excuse of the day is. I feel like that is what kids want, parents want and administrators want. Shouldn't we know our students? Building a bond with a kid could be the most valuable you do all year as a teacher. Because those bonds, help you (the teacher), when you then need that kid to do an assignment or make an effort on a project. Some of the coolest kids I know and have in class are not star students. But I appreciate them for they are and give them props for what they do regardless of the score they did or didn't get on a quiz. Kids are individuals, it's important that we get to know them and treat them like individuals. Rather than another number?

If we take more time to get to know our students hobbies or interests can't we better engage them in class? Wouldn't our examples be more personal to them? If they feel invested, won't they make an effort? Typically yes... Always? Probably not... But some is always better than none.

Last year, I made an attempt to attend at least one home game of every sport (with the exception of cross country and track). It is amazing how much you can get a silent student to talk in class after attending one of their sports games/meets. Because they know you care enough about them to show up outside of school. Same goes for drama productions... And they're pretty fun on a Friday night! 

I just wish more teachers really WANTED to be part of that culture at schools. I know everyone is busy, has families or whatev but one or two outside school activities won't kill ya! 

But then again, attending too many might get ya suckered into being the Junior class advisor... Yeah that's me... What the hell did I agree to?! Guess we'll find out. 

 

"My Emblem" project... On the 2nd day of school I already knew what sports schedules to print. 

Football games are always fun! And I get to yell so that's good for my blood pressure... Can't wait for next week's 1st home game!

Wednesday Wisdom from a Young Owl

Recently I've been helping some of my chapter officers apply for being regional FFA officers. There's a question on the application that has had my kids perplexed for about a week. What is your greatest struggle and how have you overcome it? 

The wording of the question had my kids completely at odds. I finally said "what is your weakness?" That made more sense to them but then they said a weakness isn't the same as a struggle? I guess I never really thought about it like that. Not everything that is a weakness is a struggle, not everything that is a weakness has to be conquered. So I asked the kids to think about what they've struggled with in their life. What really gets to them, what do they really see as something they've struggled with. 

Their answers were amazing to me. One student put her struggle was being overly confident. And how people perceive confidence as being a snob or a know-it all. How can something so amazing like confidence be a bad thing? With every speaker I have ever coached, one of the first things that I tell them is "say it like you mean it!" Like in MadTV's video- "Do not be insecure! Own that ponytail! WORK THAT UPDO!" 

So how could this be a struggle? It's a struggle for high school girls when they're confident because there are literally judged daily. Judged by what they do, what they wear, what they say, who they're friends with and so on. Now I don't mean we should have a whole bunch of arrogant kids walking around, just that we should be teaching kids to channel their confidence in positive directions. Confidence is something that most high school students lack, so why is it that kids degrade each other when one is confident? Insercurities-- plain and simple... 

Insecurities are something far too common in high school. Comparisons about everything and everyone. Judging each other based on anything and everything. Using stereotypes to breed hatred and never being open-minded, about anything. This folks, is far too common what happens every day high school.

We need more tolerance, real quick like. It's not even an issue of acceptance. We can agree to disagree and I don't have to accept what you believe in. But I do have enough to respect to tolerate you and be respectful and kind regardless of your beliefs and differences.
Confidence in myself and tolerance and respect of others is what make successful people. People who will do good not only for themselves but for others and work to make a difference.

Confidence is key, the struggles are many and tolerance is invaluable...