We All TEACH Business Skills

As a business & computer science teacher, I can't help but make the comparison that all teachers incorporate some business job or discipline into their teaching and classrooms. Our students will all hopefully graduate and have to work in some sort of business setting. Whether they are flipping burgers, selling tractors, managing a Target, saving lives, or working on Wall Street, they are going to take the skills we TEACH them and use them to hopefully better our society. Their are 5 business skills/jobs that I see teachers teaching, demonstrating and modeling for students daily:

1. Salesperson: As teachers, we are continually selling the value of our classes, why our content is important to know, and how it will help students when they are in the "real word." Sometimes I think we as teachers are more actors/actresses than anything else because we put on a show daily for our students. If the show isn't good, students won't buy our product.
 
2. Manager/Leader: Teachers not only manage how students learn but they plan, organize, direct, and motivate. Every successful manager needs to master these skills if they wish to be successful. Teaching is no different. If you can't manage your classroom, plan effectively, direct instruction, and execute a strategy efficiently, you can't be a great teacher. Managing a class is only one aspect though. Teachers are also leaders whether they view themselves as one or not. Leaders inspire others, they let people know they can be more than they ever thought they could, and they are willing to give away all the credit if it means helping the organization or someone else.
 
3. Entrepreneur: It doesn't matter what grade or subject you teach, you should be fostering entrepreneurship in your students daily! Do you allow them to explore, experiment, try new things and fail. Or do you come in and give it all to them? If we want our students to be truly great people when they leave our schools, we need to be incorporating teamwork, collaboration, problem-solving skills, analysis, and synthesis into our daily lessons. Make them dream big, tell them what is out there that can be theirs, and be the innovator your
 
4. Human Resources: Probably one of the most challenging aspects of teaching is trying to understanding every child, being their for him or her when they need you, listening, appreciating their thoughts and ideas, and giving them guidance and support when they don't think they need or want it. As teachers, we are the people students go to when they need advice. They trust in us to guide them in the right direction. Our focus in education should be children first and in human resources, they know that the most valuable commodity to a business is the people. So is true with a school district and its students!
 
5. Technology Facilitator: Many students who come to a K-12 school in today's society believe that they have to shut down from technology in school...why? If we as educators don't incorporate what the students live on when they are outside of our classroom, we will lose our clients. Everyday we should be using technology of some sort in the classroom. Technology should never completely drive instruction but it should be utilized as a "powerful" tool in which students can engage, collaborate, and access information like they never have before. Teachers, I challenge you everyday to learn about a new tool, use a new software, and ask questions. Failing is OK as long as you are pushing yourself to learn new tricks. Use technology or else they will!

If you have any other business skills you believe teachers teach students, please share in the comment section. Thanks!

-RD

We All Need To Believe In Something

Over the past month I have been listening to a book called "The Art of Exceptional Living" by Jim Rohn. In one of his lectures, he describes in grave detail the importance of a personal life philosophy. He states that "Your personal philosophy is the greatest determining factor in how your life works out." I decided to do some soul searching and reflecting and have put together my own personal philosophy and core beliefs. What are yours? 

• I believe that our attitude reflects our altitude and by choosing to have a better attitude, we choose to have a better life.
• I believe that your true worth in life is determined by how much you give in value than you receive in payment. 
• I believe that if you want success, you have to study it, plan for it, think it, and believe it!
• I believe that you don’t have to be a leader to lead and mentor others.
• I believe in the power and value of building, growing, and developing positive relationships.
• I believe in always choosing to rise one more time than you fall.
• I believe that everyone has a purpose on this planet and they were meant to do something special.
• I believe that every interaction we have with someone is an opportunity to touch a life in a positive way.
• I believe that discipline is the gap between goals and success.
• I believe that laughter is the best medicine.
•  I believe that formal education will make you a living, but self education will make you a fortune.
• I believe that the only way to conquer a fear is to just do it because we miss 100% of the shots we don’t take.
• I believe in family values, virtues, and traditions.
• I believe the greatest gift we can leave mankind is the legacy we create for ourselves each day we are alive.

Smarter, Stronger, Wiser...The Time Is Now!

After the holidays, it seems the only thing many of us can think about is the spring and summer months. All the cheerful fun is over and winter sucks the life out of everyone right? You can’t do anything because it’s cold and the days are short so why do anything at all? 

If you allow yourself to think like this, you are missing out on a huge opportunity to get smarter, stronger, and wiser. January is the time of the year to recharge and prepare for a new beginning in March. It is time to prepare your mind and body for the successes they are going to have this year.

Yes, you can’t go to the beach or play many sports outside, but you can improve yourself so when the flowers and trees blossom, you can shine and stand out with them.  So, how do you get the most out of the winter months? Here are some simple tips I learned from a greater leader and speaker, Jim Rohn. Don’t look back and wish you could have done things differently because all you are guaranteed is now! 

1. Read everything you can and start your own library. It doesn’t matter what you have to do to get the books. Whether you go and rent them from the library or borrow them from someone, start by learning something new that will make you more valuable. Remember, companies pay employees based on how valuable they are. Are you doing what it takes to be more valuable this year? 
2. Work harder on yourself than you do your job. Trust me, it sounds difficult but if you work harder on improving every aspect of yourself, you will become more valuable than you ever imagined. Read, network, learn, grow, write, reflect! 
3. Want to get more out of life? Come up with your own personal philosophy on how you want to live and become successful. Many of us want success, but we never put it down on paper what we believe success is and how to get there. 
4. Start a personal journal. Never trust your mind to remember everything because it will fail you 100% of the time. Everywhere you go, everyone you meet, take notes. You will be amazed how much you can learn not only about others but yourself and the world. 
5. Lastly, take time every night to reflect for five minutes. What was good, what wasn’t? How can I improve tomorrow? Am I staying true to my goals and plan for success? Self-reflection is one of the most powerful ways a person can grow and become more valuable to everyone around them.

Winter is upon us and the time is now to take action. Don’t wait until the spring to improve yourself and become more valuable. Start building that library, taking notes, and reflecting so you can become smarter, stronger, and wiser! 

-RD

“Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.”

That line gets me every time. And then Linus goes up onto the stage with his blue blanket and tells the Christmas story. It’s adorable. And it’s beautiful. That movie has so much more meaning now than it ever has. With all of the commercialism in the world and the ridiculous over-the-top aspects of Christmas in today’s world, it’s easy to forget what the holiday season is really about. 

If you’re a Christian and you celebrate Christmas, you hear every year in church how you can’t forget about the true meaning of Christmas. So you go home, refresh your heart and mind, then what? It’s not the action; it’s the thoughts and feelings that really matter. If you remember in your heart that Jesus is the reason for the season, the actions will follow. 

And if you’re not Christian? Maybe you celebrate Hanukkah. Growing up with a Jewish father, I know all about how Hanukkah is the most pointless holiday, but it has a meaning nonetheless. God protected the people, and kept the oil burning for 8 days and nights when it should have lasted for 2. He delivered the Jewish people. Keep that in mind when you’re indulging in fried potato pancakes and all of the other goodies.

And if you’re not religious at all? You probably exchange gifts in your family anyway, and for that reason, it is still incredibly easy to get caught up in the shiny wrapping paper and last-minute Christmas shopping sales. And not matter what religion you are, or if you’re not religious at all, it’s important to keep in mind things like love, peace, gratitude, forgiveness, the importance of family, and the joy and magic that comes with the season that seems to fade with age. Remember and be grateful for everything you’ve been given over the past year.

So the next time you’re watching A Charlie Brown Christmas, think about what Linus is saying. Really listen, and maybe you’ll think about the holidays a little differently.

Guest Post By:

-Melissa L.

We want it, but do we think and believe it…

We all have a wide array of personal and professional wants. For example: winning a championship, getting our dream job, kicking a bad habit, getting into college, making more money, having great friends and relationships, etc. Yes, we want them but do we do what it takes to get them? Think about the last big thing in your life that you wanted to achieve or you set a goal to accomplish. Did you achieve it? Many times we unfortunately don’t achieve these goals for two reasons: Thinking and believing.

The difference between the people who achieve their goals and get what they want and the ones that don’t is they possess something extremely powerful in mental discipline. What separates them from the other 90% is they continually train their mind to think and believe. If they don’t have that dream job yet, they tell themselves twenty times a day that they will get it by doing XYZ. They train themselves to think positively and never waiver on hard work, dedication, attitude, and giving. 

So if you have something you want in life, don’t just want it, think it and believe it everyday. The mind is the most powerful muscle in the body. If you train it to think success and greatness, it will achieve it. Your mind is what you feed it, so please feed it the healthy food and not the junk and you will be amazed at the heights you can reach!

-RD

The Act of Mentor Leadership

Lately, I have been getting into reading leadership books, especially ones that revolve around how coaches lead successful programs and teams. Being a coach myself, I am always interested in learning how other coaches build winning teams, cultures, and people. Recently, I just finished Tony Dungy’s book, “The Mentor Leader.” Tony Dungy has always intrigued me because of his unique style of leadership. Before I read his book, I knew that he was a man of strong character, values, humility, and faith. What I didn’t know was how he built his football teams into well respected, self-sustaining franchises.

The thesis of the book revolves around how to be a mentor leader and what that entails.  A mentor leader is someone who takes time to invest in the lives of others. The difference between leadership versus mentor leadership is that the “mentor leader looks at how he or she can benefit others-which ultimately benefits the individual and the organization.” The great thing about mentor leadership is that anyone can take time to mentor someone whether it is a sibling, friend, co-worker, etc.  Below are several excerpts from the book that I believe exemplify better what a mentor leader is:

*If we lose sight of people, we lose sight of the very purpose of leadership.

*Mentor leadership focuses on building people up and building leaders for the next generation.

*Building a life of significance, and creating a legacy of real value, means being willing to get your hands dirty.

*Mentor leaders look beyond themselves, focusing on the people they lead and where they should be going together.

*If you do it right, as a mentor leader you may make it all but impossible for other people to give you credit.

*Truly serving others requires putting ourselves and our desires aside while looking for ways and opportunities to do what is best for others.

*Mentor leaders produce mentor leaders. Their legacy is able to live on because of the investment they made in others.

We need more mentor leaders in our society. Many children, even adults need positive role models to learn and grow from. Anyone can be a mentor leader; all it takes is an investment in others. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed if you decide to mentor someone. Nothing in my opinion can be more full-filling than helping others grow and succeed.

As always, thanks for reading.

-RD

Quotes are taken from The Mentor Leader

Through Tough Waters

It is safe to say this winter/spring has been one of the most challenging times of my life. I would be lying if I didn’t question from time to time my decision to go through with this whole education degree. Wouldn’t it have been easier to just find a job in business? Many days I ask myself is it really worth it? Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Will I ever reach my goal of having my own classroom and leading students? I flat out miss the comradery and team atmosphere I shared with my best friends at YCP. I miss coaching and seeing the energy from the  kids at football practice. I miss teaching and leading others. I haven’t had much of that this winter and spring and it has taken a tool on me. I thrive off of it! Overall, it has been a struggle to stay motivated and keep the eye on the prize. As I get ready to finish up classes before this  awesome summer ahead, there is one person that has been in my corner through thick and thin; my best friend Emily.

This year being a part from each other has taught me a lot about what it means to have a true, committed relationship. It has taught me about trust, loyalty, and sacrifice. I don’t think I could have made it through this program without her love and support. I don’t know many women that would support their man for over a year while he went on and tried to accomplish his dream. She has stuck by my side and giving me the support I needed every day from day one. Some people ask me, don’t you guys have a hard time trusting one another being so far away for so long? Actually, I believe it has made our trust for each other even stronger! When I do get a chance to spend time with her, it is time that is always shared with laughs and fun and I always look forward to the next time we see each other.

We have now been together for two years and counting! Just wanted to share some things I believe has made our relationship so strong:

·         Willingness to sacrifice for one another: If you aren’t willing to give and take in a relationship, it will never last.

·         Communicate thoughts: Communication and sharing thoughts about important things are critical in a successful relationship.

·         Being able to say sorry: Many people have a hard time saying sorry or admitting they are wrong. One thing I love about our relationship is that we are able to talk things out, admit when we are wrong, and learn from them

·         Shared vision and goals: Both people have to be on the same page when it comes to goals. If one is going in a different direction than the other, it won’t work.

·         Willingness to learn and improve: A relationship like anything takes time and work. If you aren’t willing to put the time in to improve parts of your relationship, it will never grow and blossom.

·         Change it up: All relationships cant consist of staying in and watching a movie all the time. I love that we are both adventurous and want to try new things and see new places.

·         Faith: Sometimes when we are down and having a difficult time with life, faith can get us through some tough times. Being on the same page with faith has helped a lot!

Every day I am thankful for all the support not only from Emily, but my family, friends, and role models that have showed me how to not look in the rear view mirror, but stay focused on the opportunity in front of me. Really looking forward to all the opportunity that is in front of me to continue to grow and learn as a person. If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary!

-RD