Today was the first day of school for my grandsons.  With that comes the promise of new learning, new friends, new experiences, and new opportunities to grow physically, academically, emotionally, and socially.  As usual, the summer flies by too quickly.  Time is fleeting as we relish the moments we have, always wishing for more.  My husband and I were blessed to take them to the mountains for a trip earlier in the summer.  In the last week or so, I’ve had the pleasure to take them for some grandma field trips that included a stop or two at various playgrounds.  Each time they chose to spend most of the time on the swings.  “Will you push me grandma?” says the youngest.  “Push me higher, grandma!” says the oldest, echoed by the youngest too.
 
           Yes boys, in all ways that matter, I will push you higher.
 
I will push you to show respect to all people, living creatures, and things so that you can appreciate their value, and in turn have respect shown to you.
I will push you to be kind and compassionate, for the power of this simple act leads to greater virtues.
I will push you to make a difference so that you might lift others up and in return feel the satisfaction of knowing your words or deeds benefited another.
I will push you to say something when you see injustice or mistreatment toward others for it is when we take that first step, we can right a wrong; change the culture, and eventually the world.
I will push you to follow your faith, believing in a God that offers acceptance, grace, and forgiveness to all who seek Him.
I will push you to have courage to stand up for your convictions and do what is right when it might not be the most popular thing to do because it is then that your character is revealed.
 
I will push you to do the right thing, to make choices that are responsible, productive, and advance you toward your goals.
I will push you to be curious and continue to learn long after leaving the classroom for learning keeps us relevant and viable in an ever-changing society.
I will push you to try harder, especially when it’s difficult and you feel like giving up, for the satisfaction of completing challenging work is worth the effort.
I will push you to do your very best work every time because “if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.” (Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield)
 
I will push and encourage you to find your passion and fulfill your dreams.
I will push you to take calculated risks and think outside the box so that you may grow and live life to its fullest.  But I will not push you into harm’s way because your safety and well-being are my top priority.
I will push you to have fun, finding pleasure in recreational and social activities that allow you to relax, recharge, and enjoy life.
I will push you to live a healthy lifestyle so that your life may be more enjoyable and productive.
I will push you to surround yourself with people who share and support your values, your goals, and your interests, but to also embrace those who differ from you so you may expand your knowledge and appreciation of other ideas, cultures, and ways of doing things.
I will push you to travel so that you may appreciate the wonderful world in which we live, and to learn about history and culture so that you may better understand your own legacy.
I will push you to find common ground with others so that you may work together and have amicable relationships personally, within your community, and in your chosen field.
 
Yes boys, I will push you higher… in the swing so we can laugh and enjoy our time together, and in life so you can reach your full potential and become a productive and caring adult.  I will push you to fly and soar like eagles, achieving greatness, but reminding you to return home to the ones you love and who love you.  I will push you as long as I am able, but I will always have your back until I take my last breath.
 
“                     Push me higher, Grandma”…. You bet I will.

Did you clean your room?  "Kinda, sorta..."
Do you work out during the off season?  "Kinda, sorta..."
Did you study for the test? "Kinda, sorta..."

These are responses that I have received from my "kids" over the years (both my own children and my students).  In all honesty, it's an answer I have given too, probably more than likely to my doctor or dentist in response to whether I'd regularly exercised, watched my diet, elevated and iced that sprained ankle, done regular breast exams, or flossed my teeth. 

Kinda, Sorta Translated.  What does that really mean?  When my kids told me that, I knew they had done less than expected.  Maybe they started but didn't finish.  Maybe they gave it a lick and a promise.  Maybe they did it once in a while.  Kinda, sorta may have seemed like a better answer than "Yes I did" when you knew you didn't do what was expected; or "No I did not" which failed to reflect that you did something, even if it wasn't exactly right.  We use it as a way to soften or justify the reality. When I told my doctor that, I was attempting to avoid what he/she already knew.  I was more talk than action.  Kinda, sorta.  Not really.

Kinda, Sorta Understanding.   Sometimes kinda, sorta really does express the level to which we understand or "get it."  If a student kinda, sorta understands the lesson, it means they have some knowledge or skill, but not enough for clarity or to effectively apply the learning to other situations.  People often stop at our house to ask for directions.  I give them the directions they want, all the while knowing that I have something to connect to - a mental map if you will - and they are just listening, trying to keep it in order.  I'm pretty sure when they leave, kinda, sorta is all they really understand and the result may be that they are still lost. So to answer the question, "Do you understand?"  the correct response might truly be, "Not really."  That is our cue to help clarify or reteach the content so that it becomes clear, and meaningful connections are made, so that the knowledge and skills can be used.  Then kinda, sorta becomes "I get it"  and the lost is now found!

Kinda, Sorta Efforts.   Too often, kinda, sorta is more of a reflection of the time or effort we put into a task.  I used to tell my basketball players that we had to "walk our talk."  It didn't do us much good to talk about what we were capable of accomplishing if we didn't act in ways to prepare us for that journey.   We lose focus or become complacent and then kinda, sorta stop attending to details, or making what should be a regular behavior, irregular.  We stop doing our best and settling for something less.  We procrastinate and make excuses. Success that ends with a quality product involves purposeful intent, hard work, and consistent effort.  Kinda, sorta  just isn't the same thing.  Not really.  Not ever.

Educators expect students to do their best on assignments or tests, and actively participate in class activities/discussions.  They are typically not thrilled with kinda, sorta efforts.  Not ever.  Yet teachers can fall into the kinda, sorta trap too.  When new instructional strategies are presented, teachers are asked if they have implemented them.  When their response is "kinda, sorta," you'd be correct to assume that means they tried it once and haven't given it another thought.  So when their students are not showing the intended benefits of that new strategy, one only has to look inward to realize our kinda, sorta implementation probably netted those kinda, sorta results.

Kinda, Sorta Results.  The results we get from "kinda, sorta" are not really what we want and certainly not what was expected.  What if your surgeon kinda, sorta took out your appendix or put in that stint?  Or what if your hairdresser kinda, sorta cut your hair?  Would we be happy with those results?  Of course not.  We want to look good, feel healthy, achieve all of our goals, and be successful!  But if we are honest,  most of us would admit that we would like to get the best results with the least amount of effort.  If we try, isn't that better than not doing it all?  Kinda, sorta.  Not really. 

Would you be happy with your child's teacher if they just kinda, sorta taught the lesson and then sent the child home for you to help them with their homework?  Of course not!  This works both ways too.  It is important that parents facilitate the child's completion of the task instead of kinda, sorta doing it just to say they got it done.  We have to teach our children at home and at school from an early age that kinda, sorta just isn't going to cut it in real life.  Not ever.

Kinda, Sorta Lifestyle. Unfortunately, kinda, sorta can become a way of life if we're not careful.  There is less pressure on ourselves if we choose to be good but not great, or act in ways to just "get by."  The farther away we get from doing it right, the harder it is to get going again.  I use these blogs to hold myself accountable sometimes.  This one is no exception.  My exercise program has been less than regular over the summer.  I was busy with hosting workshops and then went on vacation.  Oh yes, there's that new bad habit I have of drinking coffee first thing in the morning and playing on my phone while I watch the Today Show.  That would be OK if 30 minutes didn't quickly turn into 2 hours.   So my one time religious habit of 30 minutes on the treadmill every morning as soon as I got up has turned into a "sometimes" event.  So when I fill out the paper work at the doctor's office and they ask me if I exercise regularly, lately I'd have to say "kinda, sorta."   How's that working for me?  Not good.  Not really.  And honestly, not ever.  

Eliminating Kinda, Sorta.   To get that kinda, sorta mindset out of my lifestyle, I must decide that what I want and what I'm getting just isn't in agreement and that only I can do something about that.  My keys to making this change: Focus; Motivation; and Action.  So this week, I have been better.  Not totally focused, but moving in that direction.  My once a week exercise became 4 days this week.  Progress.  Kinda, sorta is turning into most of the time.  Will I be perfect in this endeavor?  Of course not.  But I'll be a lot farther away from kinda, sorta than I was a month ago if I just keep making movement a priority.  

What kinda, sorta thought process or activity do you need to eliminate from your life?  How's that working for you now?  Get the results you want by getting focused, deciding a course of action, and making it happen.  Don't let that kinda, sorta response slip back in.  Not now.  Not ever.

What does it take to survive life's storms?  To stand tall when faced with new opportunities or when others around you take a different path?  To remain grounded when others would suggest faster but weaker options? What questions do you have when you consider this lone house surrounded by devastation?

Our pastor showed this picture during his sermon a few weeks ago and I was captivated by the impact of this solitary house surviving the destructive winds of a hurricane.  He definitely had my attention... but then my thoughts drifted to the possibilities and questions this picture inspired. and the blog I knew I would soon write.

My first thought went back to words from an old Bible School song, "The wise man built his house upon the rock...the foolish man built his house upon the sand."  Was the location for the house in the picture on more solid footing than the surrounding sandy soil?  How does that analogy apply to our lives too?  Can we not survive life's storms more easily if we have a solid foundation of faith, values, and support of family and friends?  No one can avoid life's storms, but how we plan for, respond, and ultimately move forward from those storms is often based on the things we can hold on to... and maybe more importantly, the things that hold on to us.  When we believe in ethical principles, strong values, and have faith that will anchor us, we are better able to weather those storms.  Those "things' are not tangible, but yet provide us context and hope.  They help us make decisions and plan for a better tomorrow.  The relationships we build with family, friends, and colleagues embrace us during times of joy and in times of despair.  We may be likely to reach out to help others, but reluctant to seek the same help for ourselves, yet that is critical to our survival of the storms that roll through our lives.  

Another thought that came to mind was that sometimes we feel like we are alone, standing out, with no one around us to whom we feel connected.  At times, the alone feeling happens when we begin a new venture...a transition if you will... an opportunity for a new job, move, or regrouping after a life changing event, whether good or bad.  Even amid the throngs of people that may surround us in our life or new location, we feel alone, facing this change without our usual supports.  How do we get through these times?   I believe it goes back to the foundations and relationships we have built that ground us, support us, and provide us with the hope and tools to stand strong and emerge to better times.

Finally I thought about how sometimes we are tempted to take the easy road because it is faster or the trendy thing to do.  When we stand our ground and do what we believe to be right, we may feel like we are standing alone.  Cautious or prudent behavior is not always popular or fun, but often can keep us from making hasty decisions that come back to bite us later.  Students frequently hurry to get their work done so they can race out the door for recess, not taking the time to ensure accuracy or learning.  What we do and how we do it matters.  Did the builders of the house in the picture use better materials, or have a better blueprint to fend off storms when they erected that house?  Consider the 3 Little Pigs children's story.  The pigs that used sticks and straw to build their houses because it was fast and easy made fun of the pig who used bricks, but in the end, when the Big Bad Wolf came knocking, trying to blow their houses down, it was the house made of bricks that survived and sheltered that pig from the threat of the wolf who pursued all of them.

In the end, what we believe in, act on, and how we do it really does matter.  Some might say it was luck or the grace of God that resulted in the house being spared.  And while that may be true, there may be an explanation whereby we have some control over how the bumps and storms of life impact us.  Find faith.  Determine what is important that you will believe in.  Build relationships that are helpful to you and the endeavors you seek.  Then act in ways to support your faith and beliefs and nurture those important relationships.  So when "the rains come down and the floods come up, your house on the rock stands firm."

At the recent Big 12 Football Media day, K-State's renowned and beloved coach, Bill Snyder, was cautiously optimistic about the upcoming season. For Snyder, this is a rare admission.  But it was quickly countered with a recurring message, "don't take anything for granted." He specifically referred to talent, the opponent, summer workouts, performance levels, and living on past success.  Not only is that good advice for his football team and the frenzy of purple-bleeding fans, but for each of us individually too.  We get too comfortable, too used to winning, and then boom - a North Dakota State team walks on the field and steals a victory, or the person you always counted on leaves (or worse) and you didn't get a chance to tell them how much you appreciated them, and now you are left with a lot of what ifs.

School starts in a few short weeks.  Teachers report sooner than that and Administrators are probably back at work this week.  Stores are loaded with school supplies and kids and parents are eagerly waiting to see how this new year will go.  Snyder's advice to his team "to not take anything for granted" about the upcoming season also applies to educators, students, and parents about the upcoming school year, and really, to all of us about life in general.  We take for granted here in the Kansas that everyone has an opportunity to go to school, that most people can afford school supplies, and that there will be enough quality teachers to staff every classroom.  But recent lessons from the political front have demonstrated to us that if we sit on the sideline, those things we take for granted may just be taken.

Teachers and coaches should not take for granted that what worked (or didn't work) last year will have the same results this year.  In a couple of weeks, a whole new group of students walks through the door or steps on the field.  Sure the faces may be familiar, but life has happened to these students since you last saw them, and those experiences will shape their attitudes, their hopes and dreams, and how they respond to the task of learning.  Bodies change.  Maturity happens (or doesn't) and those same students we last saw in May, have a new set of variables for us to deal with.  We should take the time to listen to what students have to say and what they are not saying.  We should get to know them as people first and students second.  We will need to see them for what they can do this time around and not assume that they will act and perform in the same way we remember.  Most of all, we should challenge them to dig deeper, to ask more questions, and to persevere when learning is hard or obstacles block their path.  We cannot assume or take for granted that they will know how to do any of these things well without our guidance or support.

I had a very good basketball team one season, more than a few years ago, that achieved state rankings and notoriety (levels of team success that our school was unaccustomed to at the time).  The following year, we returned the majority of our varsity players, so expectations were high.  But by the mid-season tournament, we were just a .500 team.  I blamed myself as much as anything because I had allowed them to rest on their laurels because I, as everyone else did, assumed we would just pick up where we left off.  We took winning for granted because we had been successful the year before because we had many of the same players.  But during that tournament we had a meeting of the minds and emerged with a new resolve to no longer take for granted that the success of the past would automatically propel us to success in the future.  We redoubled our efforts in practice, revised some strategies, and changed our attitude from one of entitlement, to one of humility and renewed our sense of purpose.  And that effort, that change in our thinking, produced the results we had expected all along.  But it didn't happen until we stopped taking things for granted and started doing the things we needed to do to  achieve the goals we had set forth.  That is the message Coach Snyder was trying to convey.

Appreciating what we have, the people who are dear to us in our lives, or the people that provide us with needed services is something we should be cognizant of every day.  But many times we fall short.  Taking something or someone for granted happens because we get comfortable.  We get accustomed to "the way things are" or we fail to see what is right before our eyes.  I think of how excited I am to see the sun after several days of rain, and how I miss the rain after weeks of hot dry weather. We do this with people too.  We go about our daily lives and fail to show or tell the people around us how much we appreciate them, need them, and love them.  We assume.  We get busy and distracted.  And we take them for granted.   

So how will we change?  It usually takes a "North Dakota State" moment, or a loss of someone close to us before we wake up and realize what we knew all along.  So purposeful planning, a resolve to not overlook the details, and the commitment to do the work and effort required, is step one.  Step two is to have an attitude of gratitude.  Notice what is all around you:  what you have, nature's gifts to us, and who is important in your life.  And Step three is simply reflected in Nike's slogan - "Just Do It!"  Getting beyond taking things or people for granted requires action on our part.  We can't "hope" it will happen, we must make it happen.

I have high hopes for the upcoming school year.  There is nothing greater than the optimism and excitement that greets every teacher and student on the first day of school.   It is up to us to ensure that we leave no stone unturned, no job undone as we work toward success both in and out of the classroom.  Assume nothing.  Plan purposefully and do what needs to be done.  As an exclamation point to this idea, I'll leave you with one last thought from Coach Snyder's interview, 

"I know what we have capabilities of being and whether or not we can reach that level or not is dependent upon a lot of things, and the biggest thing is not taking anything for granted." 

This past month I have been a total busy bee!  The last 3 weeks in particular have been a non-stop whirlwind of activity.  And it wasn't just busy work - that dreaded school term! Much of my time was focused on adult learning that will lead to improved student learning...or at least that is the plan.  

Just as the bees bring nectar from the flowers to the hive to create honey, the educators I have been with during the last 3 weeks will take their new knowledge and skills back to their own classrooms to make a difference in the learning of their students. But as we have learned in my Baker University curriculum course, new knowledge and skills do not necessarily translate into effective implementation.  We have to plan with the end in mind - backwards design seems to work best - so that we provide clear goals, room for inquiry, a plan for assessment, and quality, focused learning experiences to effectively achieve the goal.  But it doesn't matter what we are planning, whether it's our summer vacation, the holiday cookout, adding onto our church, or crafting legislative action, having a vision as to what the result will be must come first or we will unlikely have the end product that we desire! Bees are not random or hope to create honey.  They are on a mission, know what the outcome will be, and DO create honey!

Being busy doesn't mean the goal will be achieved effectively either.  Bees never seem to stop working, buzzing around their hive in a flurry of activity. Their work is purposeful.  They aren't just buzzing to be buzzing.  They are creating honey and each bee has a role to play in that process.  Planning for learning, or any other significant endeavor, also requires careful planning, clearly stated expectations, and fulfillment of the roles and tasks needed to achieve the goal.  When I go to the store each week, it is imperative that I have a list, otherwise I may not come home with the items I really need, or I end up buying things I didn't really need (or already have on hand).  Purposeful planning sets up effective doing!

Which brings us to another lesson from the bees:  one can accomplish a lot more when we work together.  Rarely do you see a hive with only individual bees randomly flying around.  More often than not, you see a thriving, buzzing group of bees busily working at their assigned task.  As I listened and watched the participants in our workshops during the last 2 weeks, I saw a lot of buzzing as they discussed and collaborated to learn as much as possible so they could implement this new learning.  Even as they were mulling over ideas, they were eager to share their new understandings with those in the class and take back to share with their colleagues.  My husband and I would have never been able to remodel our house and transform it from a farm house to a log house without a collaborative working relationship.  As I've noted in previous blogs - he has the ability to take our ideas and make them reality.  Whenever we work together on a project, we utilize each other's strengths to spark ideas, reflect on and revise our plans, and ultimately get the job done.  It is so much easier when we ask for help, or include others in our planning and implementation.  Rarely do any of us have all the answers or all the tools needed to accomplish a task well!  

Bees are persistent too.  The new buzz word in education today is to develop grit. A lot of us lost that skill some time ago when technological advances made life much easier.  But bees can be our inspiration as they continue to find sources of nectar, even if it's a dry year and the flowers aren't blooming like they usually do.  They are focused on the end result and they continue to work until the job is done.  In education, one way to practice and achieve the trait of "grit" is through project based learning.  This involves so much more than just studying or doing research and then writing or answering questions about it.  It involves real world (authentic) application of knowledge and skills to produce a project of value and one that demonstrates true understanding.  It took us nearly 10 years to remodel our house and make the transformation complete.  But persistence won out over limited funds and the temptation to take a break and never start up again.  We started with the end in mind, and found ways to overcome the obstacles and achieve the desired result.  Even today, we still tweak that final product to make it even better.  But then that's another topic for another day!

And now I must get busy.... grading projects awaits!

School’s out for summer and now it is the season for weddings… at least in our family!  While we have no new weddings to celebrate this year, Friday marked the beginning of a 2 week period where quite a few of our family members have anniversaries.  And next year my son will join this celebrated group with his own wedding during this time frame!

35 years ago in a little town in North Central Kansas, the PE teacher married the carpenter.  She spent her career in education and he had his own construction business before becoming everyone's favorite mailman. Together they have touched many lives, raised a family, created a home, and shared many experiences that filled a lot of photo albums.  Together they have built a very successful life with the hope and faith that there will be many more years to share. 

As you may have guessed, I am talking about my own marriage and approaching anniversary. I look around and am amazed that it has been 35 years. As they say, time flies when you're having fun - or maybe just when you're really busy. Since our son will be getting married around this time next year, I am not only reflecting on our life together, but on the life he will have when he gets married.  So I guess today’s blog is not just a look back, but a way to share some lessons learned. 

Some people are probably surprised that we have lasted so long because on the surface we appear to be quite opposite. I talk quite a bit (no snickering) and he does too - but only if he doesn't know you. (He says we already know what he knows.)  I am a problem solver - a fixer of sorts in the thinking realm - and he is a fixer of things. I create by talking and writing; he works wonders with his hands. I am decisive; he is reflective. I like to think our differences are really our strengths and we complement each other.  We could probably be the poster children for how opposites attract!

We do share a lot of common interests particularly as it relates to the teams we cheer for and the projects we undertake. It is our differences, as well as our common interests, that have made our partnership work for us. It goes without saying - but I will say it anyway - that you rarely spend 35 years with anyone without a deep, abiding love and appreciation for the other person. Along with that foundation of love, the most important things we share are common values, respect for one another, and the desire to make a difference.

If I could share some advice with my son and his fiancé, it would be that these aforementioned beliefs, traits, and behaviors are a part of us every. single. day.  They shape the way we talk to and treat each other, show support, and generally live our lives. 

I believe one of the keys to our success has been rooted in finding ways to enjoy the interests of the other person. For example, I love sports and he appreciates them too, and as a result, has become an avid baseball collector. That interest has led us to antique stores and vacation destinations. At first I didn't really know what to do at antique stores since searching for newer items usually dominates my shopping experience, but I found things I love to collect too, and now I often come out with more treasures than he does!   But just to clarify, he has two entire rooms to support his collection and I have a display case.   We are supportive of each other's interests and aspirations and are not threatened by those things that not our "cup of tea."  The lesson here is that we can learn from others when we are respectful of our differences, which in turn often enriches our own experiences. 

Another strong point within our marriage is the ability to work together to make projects happen around the house or to plan events. Projects are engaging and require the strengths each person brings to the project. Admittedly I am typically more of an idea person than one who can make it happen when it comes to home improvement projects, but fortunately he can make things come to life with his carpentry and landscaping skills. Our home is a testament to his ability and our teamwork. When an event is the focus of our efforts, I take the lead and he is in the supporting role. These things keep us looking forward in ways that refresh our home or allow us to celebrate with others. Basically,  I think we just like to do things together!  Vacations are fun whether we are in the mountains or trolling antique stores.  Trips to Walmart or Home Depot can become a date night if we throw in dinner out.  In school, project based learning is often a favorite activity of students because it is active, engaging, and breathes life into mundane, everyday learning; just as in our case, projects and “doing” enrich our living. 

Finally, and probably most importantly, we have a common foundation of faith and values which guide most everything we do. We are respectful of each other - always. I am continually amazed at the hurtful things people say to those they supposedly love. Expressing your own thoughts is definitely important but does not require that you spew venom at the other. Respect is a two way street and one that should be intentional and automatic. As a result, it impacts so many other parts of the relationship. Along that line we also try to act in ways that are helpful to others.  Schools are finally starting to understand the value of relationships as it relates to a positive learning experience. The quality of our relationships, no matter what kind, is something all of us should be working to strengthen whether it’s at home, work, school or church. (And I might add, politicians take note!)

Today I celebrate our upcoming anniversary and the choices we made that got us this far.  Every day we have the opportunity to choose what to think and how to act.   I would advocate choosing respect and kindness and seeing what you get in return.  So far, I have 35 great years and counting….

Driving across the Flint Hills of Kansas along I-70 or any other such stretch in Kansas, one sees the scorched earth nearby and the rising white smoke in the distance.  What in the world?  Why are they burning?  But in those places where the burning occurred a couple of weeks ago, the blackened pastures are being overtaken by new, bright green grass.  In Kansas, and I'm sure in other Midwestern states, this is a very normal part of the growing cycle.  Through a controlled burn, we purge the thatch and dead grass from the past season and allow it to be reborn with new growth.  Is this annual rite of spring something we can use in our own lives, both personally, in school, our business, or organization?  

One of the big attractions of spring is the greening of the grass, trees and shrubs, and the blooming of those first spring flowers that brave the elements to show us their bright colors of hope.  The landscape transforms from the dull grays and browns of winter to the energetic colors of spring and summer.  But do we realize that those colors are more vibrant if we prune, remove the thatch and dead leaves that accumulate from the residual effects of autumn, and get rid of the things that delay growth?  Those very things that protected the plants from the harsh winter temperatures are also the things that keep the growth from coming to the surface in the spring.

In our own lives, we often do those spring cleaning things around the house - remove clothes we no longer wear; clean the windows of the film accumulated from the furnace that kept us warm; and uncover all the items that we prepared for winter for use in the spring and summer.  Maybe we look at the bad habits we have and remove one or more of them.  Perhaps we get off the couch, get outside, and get active; or vow to remove the soda from our lives and replace it with life-giving water.   

At school or work, spring is a time to review our policies and practices that provide the expectations or parameters of our work.  Are they effective?  What could we revise or consolidate?   What new strategy will we implement and in exchange, what will we stop doing so we don't overload ourselves for this new idea?  What "controlled burn" will we undertake in order to emerge transformed with new growth that results in real progress?

We all stand aghast as forest fires rage each year - an uncontrolled burn if you will - but marvel at the new life that emerges from those horrific events.  Park Rangers tell us that lightning strikes that begin many of these fires are nature's way of renewing the forest to sustain it for the future.  Do we look long term like this when we make changes - bringing in the new "thing" to replace the old?  When I buy a new outfit or a pair of shoes, I think about all the places where I could wear the item or what else it goes with in my closet.  I am looking beyond the fact that I like this outfit or pair of shoes.  But my closet is not big enough for every item of clothing I ever bought, so I must take something out when I get something new.  We must be like the Park Rangers or the burners of the prairie and see how this will impact the future and ultimately the big picture.  

Out of control burns are dangerous and may burn things we didn't intend to be destroyed, so burning or purging must be done with care.  We don't randomly reach in the closet and pull out just any piece of clothing to send to Goodwill.  In fact we think about how that will impact future outfits (or at least I do!).  When raking the dead leaves from the perennial flower beds we take care not to dig up the new sprouts peeking through the ground.  We must purge with intent so that our work fulfills our purpose or goals for the future.  To that end we must have a vision for what we want things to look like.  That vision then results in the need for controlled burns from time to time so that new growth can emerge.  

As I look at the Kansas Legislature this year and some of the members who continually want to pass legislation that essentially is an assault on public education, I'm thinking a controlled burn (purge) might be beneficial there too come election time.  But I digress.  That probably should be another blog.  But the idea of a controlled burn in all aspects of our lives has its merits. What can we remove in order to renew?  Let the practices of the prairie inspire your thinking as you look to remove some of the dead grass in your life that may be keeping you from the green that you seek.

You don't have to be a football fan to learn from the National Football League.  The Pro Bowl has been the showcase for the best talent in the NFL.  And yet, it was almost cancelled for the lackluster, in fact embarrassing, performances that became the norm the last few years that didn't excite players or viewers.  Even the great Peyton Manning could only partially motivate the players to step up and give the fans a good show last year, so changes had to be made or it was going away.  And this year it appears at first glance that it worked.  So while I enjoyed the game last night, I kept wondering,  what can schools and educators learn from this much needed turnaround?

Before changes could be made, questions needed to be asked.  What was the purpose of the Pro Bowl?  Why was the Pro Bowl (once a competitive game of talent vs. talent) becoming a backyard game of touch football?  Where was the passion?  Did it happen because the game was moved up to fill the void between the last play-off game and the Super Bowl and no Super Bowl players could participate?  Was it because the contracts of highly paid players have taken away the monetary incentive to play to win?  Was the venue (Hawaii) too much like a vacation?  Was it because there was no "reason" to play well except for personal pride?  (ex: Baseball plays for home field advantage in the World Series)  Or are all players today just self-serving thugs and don't care about the intrinsic values of performing at a high level no matter what?

Except for the last one, which was a facetious jab at a minimal few (who are most likely NOT Pro Bowl players), there is probably some merit in each of these questions.  It was exciting to see that the solution was to not to make wholesale changes of the content (football), not provide more monetary incentives (that would not have been meaningful), but to change the delivery system.  The old AFC vs. NFC divisional rivalry didn't seem to be enough any more, so each team was created in a "draft" format which led to new combinations:  participants would play with and against different players - even teammates!   They put in some new rules - a way to try something new in a lower stakes environment.  They included rewards for great offensive performances and defensive performances which gave everyone something to shoot for.... and the award was a meaningful man toy - a shiny new truck!  Just these few simple changes made football relevant (fun) again for the players and the results were just what they hoped for - a higher level of competition in a game that could truly showcase the ability and skills of these very talented athletes!  Something new and relevant, created in a purposeful way, ignited passion and elevated the quality of the performance!  Everybody wins!

So what is the take away for educators?  Don't we have talented students who do not do well in our school settings or under perform on the high stakes tests that we require of everyone?  We ask ourselves why?  Sometimes it feels like they don't care. Maybe there is a disconnect between what we value, how we teach the content, and how learning is assessed.  So we must ask the hard questions -  Did we focus on results instead of the learning?  Is the learning relevant and thought-provoking?  When was the last time we did something new for the right reasons?  Did students lose their passion (or never find it) because we we failed to make the learning or the assessment meaningful?  How did we help our teachers learn and apply new instructional strategies to address the changing student culture?  As we examine our educational offerings for educators and students, we must consider what would be the most effective changes to implement if our purpose was to ramp up the quality of the the teaching that would positively impact student learning and student results.  In other words, improve the relevance and the rigor to increase the results.

Learning designs are delivery (instructional) methods that make the acquisition of knowledge and skills more efficient, effective and appealing (relevance).  What is the best way to produce the desired understanding of the content?  How do you know?   Are we finding ways to enhance the talents of all students so that they can demonstrate (apply) their understanding of the content?  Are we finding ways to help all students care about learning and showcasing their understanding in the best way possible?  Are we supporting educators in their learning that will translate to the classroom?  Are we relying on old ways to produce new results? Just as the Pro Bowlers seemed to not care until the game became more meaningful, perhaps the lackluster educational performances that we see are the result of an absence of making the necessary changes to the learning designs for both educators and students!

Solutions?  How about including more authentic learning and assessment.  Make it real!  The hands-on, practical experiences that many of us "oldies" had at home, back when we were kids, don't exist for many of our students today.  Society as we know it has changed with the influx of technology and the huge amounts of information that are available at the click of a button or touch of a screen.  We must teach them to think; to problem solve; to use the technology to work for us as we create and dig deeper, rather than just make everything faster.  All of these things make learning more meaningful and will result in a higher level of engagement. Consider the video games kids play and the many layers each player must uncover or build upon to achieve the goal.  This is an example of great thinking and problem solving using the knowledge and skills they have acquired over time.  Now we must help students bridge that understanding with that of the important educational content and skills that will help shape their future.   While memorizing is an important tool, it is not a meaningful end of learning, and one we have relied on much too often to assess understanding.  Knowing what to do with and when to use the ideas, skills, and concepts that we have learned is the key to uncovering the talents each of us possesses.  This must be learned by doing not memorizing.  

So whether you are a Pro Bowler with great talent, a struggling player, or somewhere in between, there is much to unlock and discover in the world where we learn, work, and live.  The key is to make it real - to provide incentives through the delivery system - to make the participation in the learning and the assessment of that learning meaningful.  Make that your next project, educators.  How will you change your school or classroom to make it an event in which students can't wait to participate?  Remember the lesson of the NFL.... they didn't throw out the Pro Bowl, but they tweaked it just enough to make it meaningful and accessible for all.  Our challenge is to create relevance and rigor to ignite (or rejuvenate) passion, and that folks, is a winning combination!

"Create a life you can't wait to live."  This quote by Zig Ziglar says so much to me about our outlook, our passion, and our willingness to plan and act in a way to make that happen.  

Notice that the first part of this statement is about the action of creating - not about wishing it to happen or expecting others to make it happen for us.  We can be inspired by our own dreams and the encouragement of others, but each of us creates our present and our future by our dominant thoughts and the choices we make.  Whatever you do, wherever you live, or whatever your age, our choices determine our path.

Every action (or inaction) has a consequence - intentional or not.  Do we plan (and act accordingly) to succeed or set ourselves up for failure by failing to plan?  Do we live life with purpose and expectation of good things?  Every morning we wake up with a new opportunity to make a difference in our own life and the lives of others.  Do we take advantage of that opportunity by our intentions and our actions?  As you look in the mirror each morning, ask yourself, "What will I accomplish today?  How can I make a difference?  Who will I touch or influence?"

We must also recognize that not every plan will turn out as we intended, so we must anticipate roadblocks and be flexible when things go awry. These things don't keep us from our intended goal, but certainly may offer us a detour or a longer path.  Again, what will we do in response to these challenges?  Creating is messy. It takes time and effort.  It is much easier to buy a packaged product or follow someone else's lead, and sometimes that is OK to not reinvent the wheel. But make no mistake, SOMEONE took the time to do the creating, and we can't always assume that there will be something out there that will fill our need.  Creating does not ensure perfection, but it does give us a chance to control our own destiny.  

The action of creating should come with a vision, a plan, and ultimately a decision.  My dad used to tell me, "Not to decide is to decide."  Those are powerful words.  We can choose to sit back and wait or we can choose to move forward.  But if we wait too long or are indecisive, the results are no longer in our control.  Choosing to create takes courage.  There is no one to blame but ourselves if something goes wrong, yet the success is ours as well.  When we create our own destiny, the reward seems so much sweeter. 

Purpose requires Passion.  "Change your thoughts and you change your world."  Norman Vincent Peale offers an important perspective that must be present if we are to "create a life we can't wait to live."  If you "can't wait to live," you are excited, eager, and enthusiastic!  And your attitude is contagious.... so so choose to be positive and passionate.  There are a multitude of quotes out there that encourage us to strive to think positively, so why not choose to have an attitude that will produce positive results?  One of my favorites is "Attitude determines our altitude."   Whatever thoughts dominate our consciousness will provide the framework for us to see possibilities, to achieve, and to persevere through the inevitable challenges that come our way.  Unfortunately too many of us choose to to be discouraged, fail to start or just simply, give up.  It is an ongoing internal battle to maintain this positive outlook.  Of course there are days when we are discouraged, but choosing to find that light at the end of the tunnel gives us a place to focus besides on our present situation.  Move forward with thought, word, and deed.  Rear view mirrors in cars are an  important feature, but the windshield is bigger for a reason.

We are educators.  Change happens to us every day, every school year,  without fail.  We often have no real say over the policies and decisions (that impact our schools and classrooms) made by voters, legislatures, board members, and others despite our best efforts to influence those decisions.  But no one else controls how we respond.  Every day we have the opportunity to make a difference in spite of the changes going on around us.  Choose to be a positive part of the change.  Choose to create a classroom, school or district where everyone is excited to go to work and to learn each and every day.  It begins with you.  "Choose to create a life you can't wait to live" and then spread that passion to everyone you meet!