Category Archives: COVID-19

Expectations and plans that go astray?

02 Friday Oct 2020

Posted by in Appreciation, Attitude, Circumstances, coronavirus, COVID-19, Decisions, Expectations, Understanding

≈ 4 Comments

Have you ever experienced disappointment when you had to change plans or when plans were changed for you?

As creatures of habit, we have carefully arranged the details of our lives and the things we are involved in. We all have expectations that we look forward to accomplishing, but the results are not always what we envisioned.

Somewhere, in all of life, circumstances show up. Sometimes they get in the way; other times, they open up another lane to possibilities we would have never thought. It is the “what do we do with” these circumstances that matter.

Frustration and celebration are the hallmarks results of circumstances; hopes are dashed, and parties are thrown. Looking back, which result has been the most in your life? For some reason, I would want to say, “The one where my hopes were dashed.”

Why do we tend to focus on the “stuff” that does not go our way? I can start naming plenty. But then, to convince myself I am not being negative-minded, I switch to the times as I look back, and realize I am glad that some of the expectations I had, did go a different direction… now, but definitely not then.

History is full of people who thought setbacks were just that, setbacks. You have had a few, I have had a few, we all have had a few… Here is the funny thing about expectations and plans that go astray… everyone is equal opportunity. We all face, at one time or another, the disruption of our expectations.

What would happen if we changed our mindset on the front end when plans change? Is that even possible? Easy to say, hard to do. However, it does go back to what I stated above; it is the “what do we do with” these circumstances that matter. It is easy to say, “Look for the silver lining.”

As I was thinking about what to write this week, I had one of my “memory moments” and thought back to a situation when I was “young and dumb,” that did not go as I wanted or had planned. Looking back to this and other times, I cannot say that I am glad they happened. However, I can say that I am glad plans do change sometimes. With changes, we never know who the people are we might meet, the things we can learn differently or new, or how our character might be shaped to help us down the road with another circumstance that comes our way. In many cases, I am a better person because my plans were changed.

For the times we do not know the why, the how, or even understand the timing of the disruptions of our lives, change is the constant. For the times that do not go as I have wanted them to go, I learn and create a reference point for the future, and for those that have worked out for the better, I am thankful.

In each case, to quote Robert Frost… “And that has made all the difference.”

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2020 J Clay Norton

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Are we grabbing our student’s attention?

18 Friday Sep 2020

Posted by in Attention, coronavirus, COVID-19, Education, Leader, Leadership, Purpose, Relationships, Teachers

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Question of the day…

Outside of the fact that a student has to come to your classroom because you teach the class they “have to take,” would a student want to take your class?

I will pause to give you time to answer that…

First, we should state that you actually teach your subject. Ok, with that established, let’s discuss…

Walking around and listening and seeing how and what other teachers do is impressive to me. I have often said that if you can get a student wanting to come to your class, regardless of the subject, they will be better students in your topic. Outstanding teachers have a way of “grabbing a student’s attention.”

Most of the time, it has nothing to do with the subject matter. It could be the teacher’s personality, how they speak to students in the hallway, or their welcoming as students come to the door.

I know we always say, “Let’s make learning fun.” But do we do that? Much of that can be answered with the why students “want” to come to your class. What are you doing differently than other teachers? What are you saying to students? And the critical question might just be, how are you making your students feel?

I heard Josh McDowell, Christian author, and speaker, once say, “You can con a kid and kid a con, but you can’t con a kid.” Our students are much more intelligent than we give them credit for sometimes. It does not take them long to figure you out as a teacher or leader.

The challenge to reach students, especially in the middle of our school situation with the coronavirus pandemic, is getting harder and harder. We have to find ways to grab their attention.

Today and every day is a day that we all have another chance to do just that. Some gesture, some tidbit, some __ (you fill in the blank). It might be nothing more than standing a broom up in the middle of the hallway (see pic for today) and with no strings attached.

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2020 J Clay Norton

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Teaching on a “wing” and a “prayer” – It is NOT what students need right now…

11 Friday Sep 2020

Posted by in Consistency, coronavirus, COVID-19, Distance Learning, Education, Effective, Expectations, Intentions, Leader, Leadership, Lesson Plans, Opportunity, Preparation, Teachers, Technology

≈ 3 Comments

Our hallways are less crowded, classes have fewer students, the parking lot is easier to maneuver, temperatures are taken before room entry, and lunch is eaten in the classrooms. Lessons are traditional for some, virtual for others, and hybrid based on the alphabet of a student’s last name. To top it off, I write this being “masked-up.” People say this is the “new” normal. I say this is what normal is now. Normal is normal, and we play the hand we are dealt with. You are probably thinking, “What a crappy hand!”

Yes, this is where we are with our education of 2020, thus far. One week from spring break five months ago, who would have thought we would be where we are now in September? Consistency of how we teach as we know it, like Elvis, has left the building. Our apple cart has been upset, and it is turned over.

Given all that we have to do differently now, a few thoughts come to mind after five weeks back in school…

Really great teachers are going to excel even better. That’s why they are fantastic, to begin with. They are prepared, on time, delivery of the lessons only changes for the better, and expectations are still high. They always meet and greet students as they have in the past, regardless of whether they live or on the Zoom screen. These are the teachers who go out of their way, no matter what. Not much really needs to be said about this group other than thank you.

Now it gets a little sticky…

What about teachers who are not so great or just not good at all? Yes, contrary to popular belief, they are out there… Odds are, we all know one or two, or…

While some of us are really good at “winging it” and can teach on the fly (it is a gift, but not always suggested), there are some who are staring at the wall, praying that lessons will somehow magically appear on their computers in a zip file that only needs to be downloaded and open. Those who cannot “wing it and fly,” well… their lessons are stuck at the terminal, and the students are getting bumped.

But guess what? There is hope for them. I believe there is an opportunity for these teachers to grow and improve, but there must be a “want to” in them. Teaching virtual and live simultaneously exposes one’s teaching quickly—especially their instruction delivery. However, what an opportunity teachers have now to make sure lessons are pertinent and intentional. Yes, more preparation will be required, and they might actually have to ask for help. The best way to get rid of a “not so good” teacher is to make them a better teacher.

And for all of us, let’s make sure we continue to be intentional with our teaching. Regardless of whether a student enjoys your subject or not, find a way to provide an inviting atmosphere for your classroom, both for virtually and live. This is a consistency that should not change.

Yes, teaching is WORK… more work now than usual. Education will always matter, no more now than at any other time. However, teaching might be remembered more now than ever.

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2020 J Clay Norton

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