A Runner’s Reflection

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Amy's Reflections

Today I am honored to host a guest post by my friend and colleague Lisa Celaya. Lisa is a Coordinator whose expertise includes anything and everything to do with English Learners. You can find her on twitter at @Lisadcelaya.  

Lisa

I have been running since January 1979. I started running be part of the track team and it has evolved into much more than that. I am 51 and I have been fortunate to be injury free.  Then, why do I do it? I can’t say I love running because there are days where I have to make myself get up and run. It may be a convenient source of exercise – I don’t like going to the gym. It could be that running keeps me in shape and it allows me to eat whatever I want, but even that has caught up to me!

I believe the major reason I run is to reflect. I use the time I run (from minutes to hours) to plan, think about my day, and to relieve any stress I may have. I use running to run (no pun intended) different scenarios in my head when I have to have crucial conversations with colleagues or when I am going to meet with a challenging group of people. I think of the worst or most difficult scenarios that can happen and find ways I can address people in a professional manner. Once I do this, I feel I am prepared to meet any challenges I may have throughout the day.

Running also helps me release any stress I may have. When I run, it produces endorphins.  When I produce these endorphins it makes me happy and it releases my stress level. This is the reason I do most of my running in the morning. When I run in the morning I know I will have a very productive day!

 

  • Are you a runner?
  • How do you reduce stress and reflect on your work?
Posted in Reflection | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Things I’m Loving Friday, Volume 7

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Amy's Reflections

Happy Fourth of July! For this edition of the things I’m loving, let’s celebrate our great country!

American Flag

Patriotic Love:

  • The beautiful and majestic American flag. I love the 13 red and white stripes, the 50 white stars on the blue background, and what each element of our flag represents.

Flag flying high

 

  • Patriotic Songs: Whether it is our national anthem, a silly version of Yankee Doodle, or a country version of a classic, I get teary-eyed singing along to these songs.
  • Fireworks:  One of my absolute favorite parts of the 4th of July!  A fireworks show accompanied by patriotic music is even better.  If the fireworks include specialty fireworks (like my favorite smiley face!), it is even more special!

Fireworks

  •  Friends & Family: Another thing I love about this holiday that honors our country is the fact that I can celebrate with friends and family. This year I will be with my friend and my “nephews” who will be celebrating their first and second 4th of July, respectively.

How are you celebrating this Fourth of July?

Previous Things I’m Loving posts:

Volume 6, Infographics, Google Drive, Quick Learning

Volume 5, Firefighters, Twitter & Feedly

Volume 4, Connections & PLN (Stand up desk fun!)

Volume 3, Math, ASCD, Anticipation

Volume 2, Protocols, colleagues, reading to students, Slice of Life blogs

Volume 1, Elena Aguilar, PD, Outlook calendars, blogs

 

Posted in Learning | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

[Abecedary of Reflection] Young Again

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Amy's Reflections

Y: Young Again

From the time I was about this age…

me as a child

My brother and I sometime in the ’80s!

I wanted to be a writer.

While blogging started out about my leadership and learning work, as a professional, it has become something so much more. It has reminded me how much I loved teaching writing, and how much I love writing! My mom always told me that she knew I would be a writer- somewhere, somehow. A colleague recently told me he believes that everyone has at least one book in them. While my book hasn’t come out… YET, this journey makes me feel young again.

When I was younger, I read and wrote for hours on end. I was the student who used to sneak my books to school and read them under the desk during class.  I filled up journal after journal with my made-up stories. I didn’t know what a mentor text was back then, but I lived the concept every day! Each time I read a new novel that I enjoyed, I tried to emulate the writer in my own writing. I also tried to emulate the characters in life!

One of my favorite memories related to books (and I have many!) was the day I went to work with my father, who worked in publishing, and I got to meet Ann M. Martin. For those of you who weren’t a young girl in the 80’s, this might mean nothing to you. But for a young girl who had read every book in the Babysitter’s Club series over and over again, this was a BIG DEAL. My dad loves to tell the story of this meeting, because I was star-struck. Silent. I was too shy to speak to her, this author whose work I loved so much. I am very rarely silent, so this was quite surprising!

Babysitters Club by Ann M. Martin

Babysitters Club by Ann M. Martin

I am grateful that blogging has reignited my passion for writing and has made me feel young again.

Reflective questions to consider:

  • What makes you feel young again?

Abecedary of Reflection

Posted in Reflection | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Blogiversary

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Amy's Reflections

My blog turns two this month! Feel free to click back here to read my reflections after one year of blogging. I continue to be amazed by where this journey has taken me over the last two years.

232323232-fp83232-uqcshlukaxroqdfv758-=ot-33;-=-;7=345=XROQDF-2656442539254ot1lsi

The long and winding road…

Since I wrote my year one reflection, a lot has changed and yet much has remained the same. I continue to work in a job that I love. I am one year closer to achieving my goal of earning my doctoral degree. Through my recent studies I have renewed my passion for social justice and I see, firsthand, the critical importance of developing a growth mindset and cultural proficiency within a school community in order to ensure that all learners succeed.

At the beginning of 2014 I decided I needed a change, a focus, for my blogging. I embarked on creating more Mentor Text Monday blogs (one of my favorites). I hope to get back to this again soon. I also began my reflective journey through my Abecedary of Reflection.

I look forward to the next year of blogging. You never know, as a writer, where inspiration will come from next!

232323232-fp83232-uqcshlukaxroqdfv4-2-=ot-33;-=-;7=345=XROQDF-26563-7-67254ot1lsi

Posted in Reflection | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

[Mentor Text Monday] Author’s Craft

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Amy's Reflections

Have you ever finished a book and didn’t want to put it down? I just finished a great YA book and I was so sad to reach the end. The story ended well, but I wasn’t yet finished with the characters. I was so invested in their drama, I didn’t want to part ways with them quite yet.

We Were Liars, by E. Lockhart, was a haunting, well-written novel. I’ve chosen to highlight a few elements of author’s craft that the writer used throughout the story. Any one of these could be a mentor text lesson for young writers looking to expand their narratives.

  • Opposites: Similar to my last mentor text post about what should be, Lockhart uses opposing statements to describe characters and events in striking contrast. Here are just a few examples:

“I used to be blond, but now my hair is black. I used to be pretty, but now I look sick. It is true I suffer migraines since my accident. It is true I do not suffer fools.” – page 15

  • Nouns as descriptions: Throughout the novel, the author describes the characters using nouns as descriptions- two sentences, four nouns, a vivid picture.

“He was contemplation and enthusiasm. Ambition and strong coffee.” – page 22

  • Personification: Another element of craft this author uses is personification. So many inanimate objects come to life with human qualities, giving the reader a sense of everything that is going on in a particular moment.

“The bright shame of being unloved soaked the grass in front of our house, the bricks of the path, the steps to the porch. My heart spasmed among the peonies like a trout.” – page 17

As much as this study makes me want to use this mentor text to work on my own narrative techniques, I instead want to discuss author’s craft.

There were so many smart moves the author made while writing this novel. This reminds me that the best teachers of writing are not only those who write, but those who read. When you read like a writer you can’t help but notice what an author does to keep you entertained.

The Reading Standards 4-6 in the Common Core State Standards fall under the domain of “Craft and Structure”. In order to ensure that students meet the expectations of these standards, reading and writing need to be integrated strategically. You can’t discuss the craft and structure of what you are reading without considering how it was written. The best mentor texts do not come from a list you find online. Rather, they come from your own personal library, with texts that impacted you as a reader.

  • What mentor texts have you discovered lately?
  • What great books have you read lately?
Posted in Mentor Text Monday | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

[Abecedary of Reflection] X Marks the Spot

Posted on June 25, 2014 by Amy's Reflections

X: X Marks the Spot

This may not be the best x word for my abecedary, nor the best use of the familiar phrase, but it has meaning to me (and it’s my alphabetic journey and my friend Barb modeled how easy it is to break rules on your own journey!).

CCC licensed work by Flickr user Nic Redhead

CCC licensed work by Flickr user Nic Redhead

This blog marks the spot where I honor my own learning and my passion for writing. This abecedary marks the spot where I have committed to weekly reflection for myself, as a learner and a leader. I am so grateful to my friend Barb for inspiring me to write more, and for putting the idea of an abecedary in my mind. I was going to write and reflect about something over the last six months, and following the alphabet through my thoughts has been both interesting and challenging.

There are actually a few “x” spots in my reflective life- in addition to this blog, I continue to write in a leadership journal, I occasionally write in a personal journal at home, and I use my very amateur pictures to tell stories as well. If only I could spend all day and all night writing for fun!

CCC work by azhaan.deviantart.com

CCC work by azhaan.deviantart.com

Reflective questions to consider:

  • Where does x mark the spot in your life?

Abecedary of Reflection

Posted in Reflection | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

[Abecedary of Reflection] Walking

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Amy's Reflections

W: Walking

I do some of my best reflecting while walking. Walking is not only exercise for the body, but for the mind and soul as well. Anyone who knows me knows that I talk a mile a minute. I walk just as fast, just trying to keep up with the million thoughts running through my mind at the same time. But every once in a while, a contemplative walk helps clear my mind and provides the closest thing to meditation I have found.

Sometimes you have to stop and smell the roses, or catch the snow flakes and hail that surprise you on a spring hike!

While walking it is important to look ahead at the terrain you will encounter, to look back at the ground you’ve covered, and to look inward, for reflection.

Bridge Dancing When I’m on a hike, dancing across bridges is mandatory!

I will continue to walk, to reflect, and to attempt to teach myself meditation. What will you do for yourself?

Reflective questions to consider:

  • Do you use walking to reflect?
  • How do you find ways to meditate?

Abecedary of Reflection

Posted in Reflection | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

More summer pics

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Amy's Reflections

I am participating in the #30summerdays photo challenge. While I prefer to tell stories using words (lots and lots of words!), every once in awhile I enjoy the challenge of trying to tell a story using pictures. This particular journey came with very specific prompts, which makes it easy and fun. Here are some of my pictures from Week 2 and 3.

What gives me a case of the Mondays? June Gloom!

What gives me a case of the Mondays? June Gloom!

Treat yourself

Treat yourself

Flag Day

Flag Day

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father’s Day!

Monday motivation

Monday motivation

Posted in Reflection | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

[Mentor Text Monday] What Should Be

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Amy's Reflections

I recently began to listen to an audiobook during my work commute- A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban. From the first chapter I was thinking about the writing as a possible mentor text (which was especially hard considering I was driving and unable to make notes for myself!). The author set up the first two chapters as polar opposites. The first chapter was about “What should be” and the second was about “What is” a reality for the character. She continues to tell the story by sharing descriptions of reality juxtaposed alongside what the main character wishes would happen in her life.

CCC licensed work by commons.wikimedia.org

CCC licensed work by commons.wikimedia.org

I liked that dichotomy so much I decided to try it on for myself as a mentor text for realistic fiction.

What should be…

The mother daughter weekend tradition that began five years ago continues annually. Each year the pair selects a new-to-them city to visit, explore, and of course to shop their way through. The mother and daughter get closer with each trip, like two peas in a pod.

What is…

The mother and daughter started the tradition, which they borrowed from other family members, with a weekend in Santa Barbara and then a trip to Seattle. Before the third trip was planned, the cancer took over. The only trips possible were when the daughter traveled from California to New Jersey to visit her sick mother. Then those trips ended too.

Then as a mentor text for informational writing.

What should be…

There is no need for social justice leadership because all students, regardless of their race, language, economic status, parent education level, abilities, or anything else, are treated equitably and are able to learn and succeed. All the world respects educators and praises their hard work. The top of each graduating class fights for the rights to become teachers, and every teacher is also a lead learner. We are educating global citizens prepared to push our country to the top in every way possible

What is…

Everyone feels they are qualified to criticize education and educators because they have all had some experience as a student. Educators fight to recruit people to enter the profession and cling to them a few years later, begging them not to leave. Teachers are exhausted. Leaders are stressed out. Not all students are successful, for a variety of reasons. Social justice leaders fight to give students a voice, to matter, to provide equity.

 

  • What should be versus what is in your world?
  • What might students do with this mentor text idea?
Posted in Mentor Text Monday | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Things I’m Loving Friday, Volume 6

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Amy's Reflections

I love writing these posts because they force me to stop and think about what is making me happy as a learner and a leader. Similar to the idea of a happy file, I find these lists remind me of the reasons I am in education and the purpose and importance of our work. This week seemed to lend itself to technology-related leading and learning tools.

  • Infographics: I know this is not a brand new trend, but I am still loving infographics. I like reading and viewing them. It is a new kind of author’s craft to find the right words and graphics to tell a visual story. Recently I wanted to create my own infographic and I wasn’t sure where to start. So I turned to my helpful PLN and tweeted out the question. Within minutes I received the following helpful suggestions.   Stay tuned for my first infographic (to be posted with the final day of my Abecedary of Reflection).
  •  Google Drive: This is another tech-related tool that is not new to me or to most educators. However, I continue to learn new tricks that make my life even more efficient. For instance, while visiting a professional development workshop facilitated by two of my colleagues today (to support our 1:1 Chrome book initiative), I learned how easy it is to upload entire files from my desktop into my google drive. Life/time saving tip #1! I also learned to consider whether or not to upload files as their current state (i.e. PowerPoint or Microsoft Word) or to convert them to google docs. Life/ time saving tip #2. Even more powerful was witnessing 50 teachers spend the first day of their summer learning this and SO MUCH MORE during this PD!
  • Quick learning: While doing some homework for my law and finance doctoral class, I stumbled across information about the Vergara v. California court case, which for those of you who haven’t heard about it, as a suit brought by students to challenge three state statutes that relate to teacher tenure, dismissal, and seniority lists. Having never heard of this case before last week, I did some quick learning, using Twitter, YouTube, and a variety of educational list serves. In fact, when I knew the ruling was supposed to be delivered at 10:00 AM earlier this week, I turned to Twitter to read the verdict because the news outlets weren’t updating quickly enough. I appreciated the voices speaking on behalf of social justice, and equity for students of poverty and color in our school system.

 

What are you loving today?

How does technology help you lead and learn?

Previous Things I’m Loving posts:

Volume 5, Firefighters, Twitter & Feedly

Volume 4, Connections & PLN (Stand up desk fun!)

Volume 3, Math, ASCD, Anticipation

Volume 2, Protocols, colleagues, reading to students, Slice of Life blogs

Volume 1, Elena Aguilar, PD, Outlook calendars, blogs

 

Posted in Learning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments