Control the Controllables

The past year and a half in education has been like that of no other I have ever seen or experienced in my lifetime. Educators, students, and administrators have had to deal with so many new variables and changes in such a short amount of time. Many in education had hoped to start this school year as normal as possible but as it looks across America, it is anything but that. Heated debates over masks, vaccines, and curriculum content have come full circle across communities and board meetings. Many are still getting sick with the virus. It is easy to feel burnt out, split, and overwhelmed by it all. We can CHOOSE to let the current circumstances we face daily bring us down and or we can RISE above it by choosing to do one thing; CONTROL THE CONTROLLABLES! 

Things you and I can do and control to make a daily difference in our lives

1. ATTITUDE. Instead of saying I HAVE TO do this or that, change your mindset to I GET TO or I CHOOSE TO. The way we talk to ourselves is SUPER powerful. 

2. JOURNAL daily and reflect on your WINS from each day. 

3. Find ways to SERVE and make a DIFFERENCE in the lives of others.

4. Don't let yourself get stale. Find things that INSPIRE and MOTIVATE you inside and outside of school. This year I have been teaching myself physics and writing a novel on the side. It has been a lot of fun and a great distraction.

5. Find a mentor and meet with them once a month. We GROW when we COLLABORATE and SHARE with others!

6. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WORKOUTS. Find time to be with your thoughts, meditate, and get that heart rate up a few times a week! 

7. Take GRATITUDE walks and get out in NATURE. 

8. Find people you can LAUGH and GROW with. If they aren't at your school, find a community online, church, the gym, or take a class. 

9. Stay CONNECTED with family, friends, and peers. It can be easy to stay isolated but if you feel comfortable, make time for others. Human connection is something that we need and thrive off. 

10. SMILE more...even if it has to be through a mask right now. 

Find time to control the controllables this school year so the uncontrollables don't dominate your life. Your daily attitude and actions matter. I wish you a terrific school year whatever challenges it brings. Choose to RISE above the negativity and BRING IT!

Episode #26: Insert Learning & Peer Evaluations

On this weeks segment of the Donatelli Edzone, learn how you can use Insert Learning to create interactive lessons from the headlines, become a better educator by using peer evaluations, and laugh/be inspired with a joke & quote!

 

If you liked this weeks video, please subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE. Thank you!  

Episode #23: Google Keep & Behavior Modeling

On this weeks segment of the Donatelli Edzone, learn how you can use Google Keep to save notes, checklists, videos, and pictures, be an edcuator who models what they want their students to do, and laugh/be inspired with a joke & quote!

If you liked this weeks video, please subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE. Thank you! 

A Year In Reflection: When Opportunity Knocks, Kick The Door Down

As I was gearing up for year two of my teaching career at Northern Lebanon School District in August, I was as excited as ever to start a new school year. With year one under my belt, I knew all of the staff fairly well and had terrific students on my rosters. My room was set-up for success and the technology was ready to roll. About a week before school, I received a few texts and calls from several of my friends/former teachers at my alma mater high school, Dallastown in York, PA. One of my former teachers in the business department had been promoted to assistant principal and there was an opening. Teaching at Dallastown has always been one of my dreams because in my opinion it is one of the best school districts in the state of Pennsylvania for education and helping students prepare to move onto the next level. It is also where I attended high school and working there would allow me to be much closer to my fiance as we begin our lives together as a family. The problem was, I was very happy at Northern Lebanon. The staff and students were a blast to work with and I was really drawn to culture. I wasn't even going to apply for the interview if it hadn't been for so many of my family and friends support.

After much reflection and coaxing, I did decide to apply, take an interview, and landed my dream job as a business and computer science teacher at Dallastown Area School District! This year has provided me with many opportunities to do amazing things with my students which I am so thankful for. Though it was only year two of my teaching career, every year matures you, teaches you wisdom, and helps you become a better teacher. Here are some things I learned from year two of teaching:

1. As a teacher, you are a salesperson. It doesn't matter what subject you teach, if you can't sell the relevancy in what you are trying to get the students to learn, they won't care. In everything we do, we need to show meaning. Having meaning translates into results.

2. Every year you will deal with tough kids. Instead of whining about them and complaining to yourself, seek them out, embrace them, and believe in them. Many times, you are the only one who will. Yes they will try your patience, but instead of throwing them out in the hall or sending them to the office all of the time, be the role model they need in their lives. Show them what is right and what is wrong. Let them know you expect better out of them. You may not see the results this year, but they will remember you and hopefully you will have taught them more than a definition, you have taught them how to be more respectful and polite.

3. Provide real opportunities as much as you can for your students. This year I was able to take my students to York College to see entrepreneurship in action, students presented their business plan to business executives from the community, they had guest speakers from all departments of business, we went to the Harrisburg Capital to show-off student work at the technology expo, and students in FBLA had the opportunity to compete at regionals and states. Yes this requires a lot of work to set-up, but your students will remember the experiences they had, not the lectures you provided. 

4. Celebrate success as much as you can. Many students in today's society suffer from a lack of self esteem. Anytime you can, celebrate something great a student has done. It can be a sticky note that says "I really appreciate you in my class, keep it up!" or a student of the month board, or a positive call home. It is not enough as educators to just teach, we must build, encourage, and celebrate success!

5. Be willing to go out of your comfort zone. There was an opportunity to present to the teachers of my school during an in-service this year on engaging students and I jumped on it. As a young teacher, this was a challenge especially since many of the ones in my session taught me when I was in high school. I was definitely out of my comfort zone but when you push yourself to do things you don't feel comfortable doing, you grow as a person and are willing to take more risks.

6.  Change is the only constant in life. This year at Dallastown, we have a new principal who has strong visions to be one of the premier districts in the nation in 5-10 years. In order to do that, we have to change and get better. There will  always be the people who are happy with the status quo, but those are often the ones who are left behind when the ship sets sail from port to find the riches and treasures. Don't miss boarding the boat. Change, grow, and adapt. If you don't you may be left behind waving at the ship!

7. Build strong alliances with those who share your vision. Some may be in your school, some may not, but find those who build you up, brainstorm with you, and share ideas. No matter how many years you have been teaching, you can always do things better and learn new tricks. Be you, because no life is worth living if it isn't your own, but also be open to the fresh ideas of others.

8. If you want to be a great teacher, simply love kids and understand where they are. When you show them you care about them as a human and not just a number in your classroom, that is where you build relationships and can change lives. We have one of the most important jobs in the world, never take it for granted! 

I hope all of you take time this summer to reflect on your school year, recharge your battery, and come back fresh for the 2014-2015 school year. Your school and students need your passion and energy. Thanks for all you do teachers!

-Rob Donatelli