Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Saturday Session of NLP, Success & Goal Setting



Some days are better than others as a result of someone's willingness to share their expertise. This past Saturday was one of those days as 18 people gathered at the Enhancement Institute, St.James Place in Houston. My dear friend Marian Lasalle invited me along with others in my spiritual group. It was nice to share the day with Marian, Catherine and Becky. The host Victor Escalante spoke on the history and benefits of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). He has been a practioner for over three decades and shared some processes that had us experience a deep and relaxing meditative trance. I have always had an interest in processes that enable us to tap into more effective use of our brain. Victor knows his stuff and we appreciated his generosity in telling us all about it.
Taz was next to tell us the stories of his life from hard luck to success. He shared lots of inspirational quotes and was passionate about his delivery.
Ray Flores concluded our day with how he works with individuals to have us remember who we really are. He says life has a way of clouding over our reality. 
Three individuals sharing their life story to make our lives better. 

Pay-Out Watercolor Party





Celebrating life's accomplishments is important to feel gratitude for all that has come your way. Last evening,we gathered with good food among good friends to share successes and to acknowledge the joy in each of our lives. We had lots of delicious food and shared recipes of  Michael's tamale pie, Debra's avacado and corn salad, Cec's  Chicken with Coconut &  Peanut Sauce and Cheesecake by Catherine's brother. Everything was delicious. Watercolor was introduced to the group allowing everyone to tap into their own creative muse. We concluded the evening in a prayer of gratitude and sharing of successes that the Universe has paid out in subtle rewards and moments that have made our lives much richer in our awareness of them. Louis L. Hay has a new book on gratitude that I am looking forward to reading. 
Sometimes in life things are happening so fast. We solve this challenge and two more show up. We feel really great in the morning and get so caught up in life we sometimes forget that morning excitement. The simple concept of gratitude can pull you back to a place of peacefulness. We can say thank you for the challenges that make us stronger. Thank you for the way that things have turned out. Although you may not like everything, say thank you anyway.
Melodie Beatty says."Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life." She says,"It turns what we have into enough,  it turns denial into acceptance,it turns chaos to order, and confusion to clarity. It can turn a house into a home. a meal into a feast,a stranger into a friend. Practice grateful thinking and see how all things gain this fullness of life and feel like MORE. 
Let gratitude create it's magic. Look at your life and count the ways that you can be thankful. Life pays out dividends for those who appreciate what they have, WARNING because you will get rewarded with MORE. Thank you!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Spring Art Teachers Trust Process of Growth!























































Discussions in the short amount of time included the significance of class room management strategies. We all know we can have the best lesson in the world and if nobody can hear you, what's the point? You must encourage students to be respectful listeners in order for learning to take place. Whether it is late arrival to class, reading aloud, bringing in guest speakers, distributing materials, or collecting them at the end of class. What I call "systems" should be put in place with each varied activity. These guidelines or expectations communicated clearly to the students are called,"ground rules."Taking time at the beginning of the year, focusing on this until it is clearly in place teaches students to be good citizens among the community of learners in your class room. Ask any veteran teacher, moving away from this important topic too quickly can have dire circumstances and may need to be revisited.
Samples of student work lined a wall which sparked lively discussions for trying old things in new and innovative ways. Sequencial steps were evidenced in concepts which through repetition were gradually improved upon. Time was spent in small groups to discuss ideas that could be implemented in their class rooms. Others took time to get their hands on some materials to try these new ideas. Extended opportunities beyond the class room were offered in sketchbook/journal and altered book assignments. These ideas and many more were left in the hands of the participants in 56 page The Art Work Book Bootcamp Training Manual.
Heartfelt stories were shared of the teachings of Corina Kent in the book about her teaching life,"Learning By Heart,"where she talks about her teacher, videographer, Charles Eames. She says his teaching still lives in me and we must remember we are each others SOURCE. Good teaching impacts lives for years to come. Good teaching is learned and takes time in years of reflective practice. John Holt says, "We learn to do something by doing it. There is no other way." 
Murphy's Law showed up in technological challenges, and because of the wisdom from the crowd, we rearranged the group and "fishbowled" around my laptop to watch presentations of student work including AP portfolios with student dialogue. Brad's concentration statement, "It is as though my soul is dancing on the surface of my work, made more vibrant with each stroke."
Learning is like that dance,three hours passed quickly. The "popcorn shares" indicated that this very enthusiastic group of educators are eager to take what they gained back to their class rooms to make magic happen. Being among teachers is something that I love and although a shorter time than most, it is clear that Spring ISD art students are fortunate to have these educators committed to their lives. Our next encounter will be even more promising.
Special thanks to Kim Abshere and Cathy Lovett who informed District Coordinator, Rick Ghinelli of The Staff Development with an Art-itude opportunity. Thanks Kathleen Wicker for your assistance. Thanks to our hostess, Myrtie Porter for opening up her Spring High School art room, Shea Ngyyen for taking videos, and Gene for his technical savvy in getting things working. Opening school and keeping it running smoothly every day is a truly challenging and sometimes daunting task. We must remember to allow ourselves time to grow and relax into the learning. "It takes time for nature to change things into what they're becoming, it takes time for things to develop. Be patient with yourself and your life.Trust the Process of Growth."
A reminder to visit my other virtual art rooms for additional resources of student work, lesson plans and more and if you like what you see, tell others and if you need something else, tell me.
 Visit: Art Work on the WebMy Virtual Art Room,  Art Work Book Series at: Flickr,Carver Crew at: FlickrYouTube, over 800 pieces of student work at Artsonia, and stay tuned for more to come. Please comment on this BLOG! It would be great hearing from each of you. Thanks!


 
 




Monday, August 11, 2008

In Teaching YOU Can Start Over Again and Again!




Working with teachers has always been a passion of mine. At first addressing a group of educators may to some be a bit intimidating. However when the interactions begin, you realize that although you may teach different subjects or different levels of students—we share the same considerations and concerns.

Last week, FBISD, a local school district, my alma mater hired me to facilitate training with MENTOR teachers who are going to be working with beginning teachers, those totally new to the teaching  profession. I am excited to also be working with a group of new teachers. 
  • During our two days together we reviewed many statistics that are somewhat alarming.
  •   More teachers are leaving the profession than are coming into the field of teaching. 
  • In the next ten years 700,000 teachers are expected to retire. 
  • Too many teachers are leaving the profession in the first five years.(The Teacher Shortage:A Case of Wrong Diagnosis and Wrong Prescription by Richard Ingersoll NASSP Bulletin ( June 2002) 16-31.)
  • All of this is because we as John Murrows puts it, "we train teachers poorly, and then treat them badly— and so they leave in droves."
The opportunity of an induction program to support new beginning teachers will allow us to become better practitioners of teaching, better listeners and will allow us to reflect on what we are doing and why we are doing it. We can offer suggestions for classroom management, lesson planning , organization and time management and more. Most teachers agree that taking a first year teacher under their wing renewed their enthusiasm for the profession. I agree as I 've supervised many student teachers, and have in the last couple of years worked with beginning teachers. Veteran  teachers like myself tend to forget how much we know that can be beneficial to these new teachers. 
So much is needed in the first few days of school. It can be very overwhelming. Harry Wong in his book:The First Days of School:How to be an Effective Teacher, addresses seven things students want to know the first day. Teachers can ease the worries of their students by 
addressing  each of these concerns.
  1. Am I in the right room?
  2. Where am I supposed to sit?
  3. What are the rules in this classroom?
  4. What will I be doing this year?
  5. How will I be graded?
  6. Who is the teacher as a person?
  7. Will the teacher treat me as a human being?
Think back to when you did anything for the first time. Think about any time you took a class in school. Did you have questions like the seven listed above? 
The good news is this, programs are now being put in place to offer the kind of assistance beginning teachers need. The other bit of good news is that the teaching profession is one of the few that allows you to start over again  and again till you get it right. I  know, I spent 34 incredible years in the teaching profession with the best art and technology students on the planet. It wasn't a job it was an adventure.
In Learning By Heart by Corita Kent & Jan Stewart, a source is described as the first or ultimate cause. A story is told of how artist Charles Eames inspired teacher Corita Kent in his use of films and how he connected art with life. Corita says," of his teachings, I can hardly distinguish between what he actually said and did from what he taught me to say and do myself. His teaching is still living in me and I am still learning from that life in me, as well as from students and friends and every single contact with people and things. He taught me that too."
How true that is that we are impacted by who we meet. Teachers have a unique and wonderful responsibility which begins as students enter their class for that first time.We think of teachers as college graduates and finished products. Instead new teachers should be thought of as having learner's permits. Herbert Kohl said it well." Nobody starts out as a completely effective and creative teacher. The desire to teach and the ability to teach are not the same thing. With the rarest exception, one has to learn to be a good teacher. "
Photos above were taken in Ector County ISD August Art Work Book Bootcamp, Odessa, Tx.