A little inspiration to make you smile

If you have 5 free minutes in your life I recommend that you watch this video. It was an incredibly inspiring video that shows strangers coming together and connecting through communication and the sharing of their personal stories.Turning strangers into friends I hope you enjoy! :)

-Christine

These two posts on Facebook have been a trending topic recently. Any comments on the video on common core and the illegal immigrant game?

“Catch An Illegal Immigrant” Game Planned For University Of Texas

://www.buzzfeed.com/adriancarrasquillo/catch-an-illegal-immigrant-game-planned-for-university-of-te


Legit: Tennessee high school senior decimates Common Core
http://youngcons.com/legit-tennessee-high-school-senior-decimates-common-core/


Post by: Ivan Valdovinos

This video is the epitome of what this class entails. I suggest looking at it.

Ivan Valdovinos

Just another interesting read I stumbled upon

http://www.musingsonlifeandlove.com/2010/09/13/the-hardest-job-everyone-thinks-they-can-do/

Nick Harteau

common core decimated

http://youngcons.com/legit-tennessee-high-school-senior-decimates-common-core/

Please take a look, I think this is very important for everyone, not just teachers.

Nick Harteau

New way to grade?

http://q13fox.com/2013/11/14/federal-way-parents-say-kids-are-flunking-classes-due-to-new-grading-system/#axzz2kkUZJVyB

Just stumbled across this from my old school district. Not quite sure what to think about it but I am going to look more into it but it does not look like it is taking well with students and parents. Interested to see what everyone has to say on it.

nick harteau

Vocational Programs in High Schools

So I had a pretty slow weekend this past Veterans Day. Naturally, I watched a lot of Food Network to pass the time. On two separate shows, there were featured contestants that had been considered "at-risk" youth. They both credited vocational culinary programs as something that had helped get them off of the streets and on a path that had helped them discover their passions and get them on the right path. These programs are often underplayed and students are steered away from these classes in lieu of the core classes. President Obama has responded to the benefits of this program by recently announcing an additional $1 billion investment into the Carl D. Perkins Act fund, with an attention to engineering and healthcare. Unfortunately, much of this funding is going to focus on educating post-high school students. Currently at a 22% rate of unemployment rate for youth in our country, we need to rethink our current vocational programs and prepare our youth for the workforce. Many students who graduate from high school will not attend a four-year university, and we need to prepare them for their transition into adulthood.
As teachers, we will hopefully have a pretty good understanding of our students and recognize the ones that will not enter the university route. We need to encourage students to think about their future and work with our fellow teachers to make sure that we are guiding productive members of society. Teachers involved in the CTE programs at schools often have contact with business leaders in the area and know of jobs that are open or about to open. We also need to instill in our students that taking a vocational route is not something to be ashamed of. What would this world be like if it weren't for our plumbers, electricians, garbage people, and agricultural workers? We would be covered in waste, in the dark, surrounded by garbage and hungry.

This is what we do

I've seen this video several times.  Every time I'm amazed, inspired and definitely tear up.  Being a teacher and a coach is more than giving them the facts and the skills but it's the chance to make them better human beings.  Be connecting with your students you can impact the way they want to be, the choices they'll want to make and hopefully we all get the chance to have students or players do something amazing that makes you break down and cry with pride.

Everyday Leaders

Hey everyone! While I was at my staff meeting, this TED Talk was shown. I really appreciated the message that was in here. We can make someone's day brighter without even knowing it. If you all watch this video share your thoughts that came to your mind. Have a great day! ~ Andrew