My Reflection

I stopped into a couple of classes this past week of fellow teachers that I enjoy immensely.  I really love seeing them in action with their students...it gives me even more of a window into who they are than I already know.

Today, I had a student teacher observing me.  She is not mine, but is checking out other classes to see what else goes on in Middle School classes.

After she left, I had some time to myself.

I wondered...what do others get to know about me when they watch me teach?

For a brief moment, I thought I might video tape myself teaching to see what others see.  I quickly squashed that idea because I know that my view of myself is too biased.  I cannot see myself through the eyes of others.  I would be too critical.  I would not see things that I feel I already know about.  I cannot see myself with a pure reflective view.

I immediately went to a place that got me thinking.  I consider myself a very very reflective person overall.  But...how wonderful might it be if I can get to the purity of seeing myself...reflecting...without bias or blind eyes.

I am not sure of the answer.  What I do know is that I am more aware.  I am more mindful of what I am looking for in myself as a reflective person.  This is a process and quite a journey, I am sure.  But it is one that might help me to see myself as I truly am in my world.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Taking Time for Granted

I get dinner with my father about once a month.  He is elderly and luckily lives nearby.  I really need to make more time for him that these dinners.  I am learning quickly how precious time truly is.

I really enjoy our conversations.  They range from talking about his childhood memories to talking about the status of our society today.  I get to tell him what is going on in my life, my thoughts, and let him know that I am here for him for anything that he needs.

I am very much writing this as a reminder and reflection for myself.

I lost my mother over eight years ago.  I will not have my father for any extended amount of time.  Who know how much time I have?  Anything can happen.  I need to spend more time with him.  I need to talk to him on the phone more.

This is one of those things that I am realizing about myself.



Given to me a few years ago, my wife was referring to my time to start writing.  I now write daily, but I am light on my book writing lately.

I need to live my one-little word, "persist" a little more by spending my time with life, vigor and enthusiasm.  I need more dad in my life.  I need more time with my wife.  I need more time actually IN the books that I am writing.

I don't have the time that I once had.  I can no longer take time for granted.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Write-icide

I had a student tell me that writing was boring.  I asked her to tell me more.  She explained that it is boring because it takes so much time and thought and there really is no purpose for writing.

I asked her to explain what kinds of writing she has done in the past that was so painful for her.  She explained that (in her old school...she just moved here) they had to write for 20-minutes a day about things that the teacher told them to write about.

I asked her if they were called prompts?  She said yes.

I asked her if her writing has improved over the past few years.  She told me that she has no idea.  She would always gets Cs on her writing and that seemed good enough to keep her B in the classes.

Kelly Gallagher wrote the incredible book called Readicide about how we kill the love of reading.



I am wondering if there is a thing that Kelly might call Write-icide?

Without purpose and feedback, direction and choice...the love or even tolerance for writing can be killed.

I am very hopeful and optimistic that my team can help undo this harmless trauma that this girl has gone through.  I haven't even asked her about reading yet.

What we do, or don't do with our kids matters.  Be mindful of the effects of your assignments.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Honeymoon Period

I had a fellow teacher ask me if I thought the honeymoon period was over yet?

I asked why...

Her response was, "because the kids are still engaged and well behaved."

This is a newer teacher that had a rough go of it last year.

I explained to her that I am not seeing evidence of a honeymoon period or the end of one.  It is up to us, the teachers, to keep the class lively and uphold our positive expectations.  We set the tone and need to be well aware of our mindset towards our classes and students.  If we expect students to disengage, we have to ask ourselves if we are doing something to alter engagement.  If we expect our students to misbehave, we need to ask ourselves if we are changing anything that might cause this to happen.

Students read their teachers.  They are professionals at it.  They can feel a lack of confidence in a teacher and that can change the culture of the classroom.  If a teacher doesn't believe in their students, they will perform at the expected levels...high OR low.

Self-reflective teachers are aware of their attitudes and mindsets.

They are always the most successful.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Appreciation for weather

I have to admit, even though winter was wicked last year, I am ready for cooler weather.  I have been holding off admitting it as family and friends are talking about looking forward to Hoodie weather with campfires, but the 90+ degree weather this week has me agreeing with them.  It is time.

Living in the Midwest, we have the luxury of actual seasons.  Sometimes we get them and there is actually a transition period.  Sometimes, we go from 90s to 40s in the matter of a few days.

We all learn to live with this.  It is the charm of living in the Midwest and builds GRIT while we cope with the extreme cold and humid heat.

I believe the most important thing is that we enjoy what we have.  In other words, if you can't be in the moment and just enjoy what is in front of you, you are taking what the seasons have to offer for granted.  Nothing should be taken for granted.  Not should any person.

I am choosing to enjoy what is, each day, and being mindful and aware of my appreciation.  Let's appreciate what we have!

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Mindset Awareness

Mindset.

It is our approach to life.

It is our belief system.

It is our reactions to others and to circumstances.

It is our confidence and self-esteem.

It can hold us back or project us into incredible situations.

I am noticing mindset more and more in my life.  I am noticing the effects that it has on individuals and groups.

I am also noticing that those that  can reflect on their mindset and are honest with themselves about their mindset are the ones that can make intentional changes.  Those that ignore their mindset, are destined to be stuck in the mud.

I see this with adults and kids alike.  I have been paying most attention to the mindsets of my students.  I am seeing evidence that mindset is so much more than Dweck's Growth or Fixed mindsets.

Mindset are beliefs.  These are not black or white mindsets and they are not static.  They are ever changing and fluid.  My students are available (middle school kids) to the change or altering mindset, but they are constantly influenced by the power of home, community, peers, and school.

So, to help students make use of their mindset, they need to become more reflective.  They need to be more aware of their mindsets in the moment.  They need to see the value of certain mindsets.  They need guidance from those that are truly in touch with their own mindset.

We cannot talk our students into a growth mindset, or any other mindset.  We need to bring awareness of mindset to our students and give them patience to understand their mindsets and the negative or positive consequences of that mindset.

Thinking out loud.

Be Mindful.

Peace. 

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Dancing with Care

Last night we had our Back To School dance at our Middle School.  The 6th graders tend to make up the vast majority of the participants at the dances.  I guess the older the kids get, the more cool they get and feel that they are above the middle school dances in coolness. 

Yes, there were more 6th graders than everyone else.  But...I was so happy to see so many 7th and 8th graders having fun and dancing.

I make believe that I am the DJ at these dances.  I get to see the dancing and the interactions between students.  It always makes me feel so good when I see students being positive and taking care of others.

I saw...

Students encouraging others to dance.

Students working together to request songs.

Students clapping and congratulating students that were taking risks in their dance moves.

Students of all ages working together in unison doing the Cha Cha Slide.

It was certainly one of those "feel good" kind of experiences.  Seeing this helps staff to be more aware of what great kids we have and the wonderful quiet things that happen in the name of caring for each other, every single day in our building.

I am very lucky to teach in such an environment.  I am positively aware of what I have!

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites