Thank You!

     Sometimes being a teacher can get you down, and you wonder if you really are making a difference. Then you have one of those moments when you remember why you do the things you do. Recently, I found these cute thank you notes in my mailbox at school. Thank you to the students that gave them to me, I will cherish them forever!

For the Birds

     The other day I was driving and saw a flock of birds perfectly synchronized in their flight. It was a beautiful sight as the birds together seemed to “dance” in the sky. I wondered how they could do it. How did they know what the other birds' movements were going to be? I didn’t think much more about it at the time, but then today came across this video of a flock of 5 million starlings as they tried to escape the pursuit of a single peregrine falcon. The video itself is beautifully magnificent, however, the idea of the flock protecting each other is what is truly fascinating. Each bird protects 7 others around it. Amazingly, with this system, not one of these birds succumbed to the falcon that day. So why all this talk about the birds? Because there is a lesson that can be learned from these starlings? What if we were surrounded each day by people who were looking out for us in some sort of synchronized movement and action. Apply it to school.  How much more effective is education when the student is surrounded by people who care about and support them. It takes a flock of parents, teachers, administrators, peers, and support staff to create the best environment for a student to thrive. The magic with the birds that day was that in helping  the starlings around them, they also ended up saving themselves.  Funny how that happens!

Goodbye Gloria

     I will never forget the day I met Gloria. We were both new teachers at a welcome breakfast excited to begin our new adventure. I had taught previously and so had she, but this was our first day at this school. We were newbies together. Gloria had an energy and likeability about her that immediately drew you to her. I knew I was going to like this woman from day one.....and I wasn't wrong. She and I only taught a few years together before she moved on to other work experiences, but in that short time, she made a huge impact on my life. I know she touched the lives of the students she taught as well. I would run into Gloria periodically when she visited her daughter, Janell, who lives in my neighborhood. She was always so positive when I would ask her how she was feeling as she battled cancer, not once, but twice. I always knew Gloria was special, but I didn't know about the struggles she had overcome until after her death. Who knew she had a learning disability, I didn't. Who knew she was told she couldn't do much more than put cookies in a cookie jar, I didn't. Why? Because Gloria never complained.....she just did what had to be done, and always with a positive attitude. Read about Gloria here and see what she really did overcome. Now there's a girl with grit. They say that the good die young. Gloria WAS good, and she passed away September 21, 2012.  Goodbye Dear Gloria, you may have lost your battle with cancer, but in the battle of life you WON!

True Grit

     I was reading an interesting Article on "Grit" on KSL and I have to agree with what it says. What do you think?

In the Beginning.....

Hello,

     I am new to the blogging world. I have read blogs for many years now, but this is my first attempt to create and keep one. Obviously I will be looking for help on the creative side of the blog. In truth, I have no clue how to set this up to look nice. I do, however, know where I can find some help with that. For now, I just want to say hi, and to say that I will be using this blog to post things I find interesting and important as they relate to education. I am a teacher. I currently teach 6th grade in a middle school and this year I began my 17th year. They haven't all been in a row, however. My first year was 25 years ago. I taught 4 years and then stayed home to be a full time mom for awhile and have been back at it for the past 13. I love it and I want to share that love with you. My last name is Wilde, hence the little play on words in the title.  So if you are reading this now, welcome to my "Wilde learning curve". Feel free to comment anytime.