Days of Old

Today is Halloween.  That means I stood on the front porch and gave away full-sized candy bars to about 300 kids.  Well, most were between the ages of 5 and 10.  There were more than a handful that were over 30.  It makes it fun when all are included.  I am tired, but the 3 hours of fun was well worth it all.

We have been giving away full-sized candy bars since we built this place in 2005.  We are on a corner, so everyone knows us.  Even in the summer, people see us working in the yard and say, "Hey, it's the people that give out the big candy at Halloween."  It is a great feeling.

For the past few years, to make it easier, my wife stays in with our two little dogs while I make my place on the front porch.  I have my DJ lights going while I play Halloween music loud enough to hear from the street. 

There is no questioning if someone is home and if there is candy and our house.

What makes this so fun for me?

It is the interaction!  It is saying hi to the adults...my neighbors while their kids have huge smiles on their face as they take their candy bars.  It is the feeling or a neighborhood. 

I miss those old days, when I was much younger and the neighborhood meant something.  It was close.  You knew each other.  You talked to each other.  You looked out for each other.  If someone wasn't outside, the group would go to the house and get them out!

I would have to say that this is the closest to the old days that I get to feel where I live.  I am sure it must be different, like the days of old, elsewhere, but I am not sure where.  Most people say that they don't even know their neighbor's names.  This makes me sad.

Maybe if we knew our neighbors.  Knew people in real life as opposed to only social media...maybe our world would be nicer and not so full of hate?

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#MIndfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Taking advantage of warmth

It was warm out today.  For this time of year, 65 degrees is wonderful.  With some consideration of simply relaxing, we decided to mow the lawn, rake up leave, and generally clean the yard.

This time of year I always feel like getting rid of things from the yard and the garage.  I like to have as little outside during the cold, snowy, winter.  I usually only get to the stuff in the garage and bring it into the basement.  But...with this great weather, the outside is just about winterized.  Just a few more items to come in.  Who know...we may even get to do more raking and mow once more with the weather in sight.

Don't get me wrong, I love the fall.  I love the Hoodie weather, campfires, and the change of the season.  What I do not like, and maybe never will until I have a cabin in the woods that I can stay in until every snow flake has melted, cold winters.

I became a teacher in Illinois.  I am stuck until...well until forever.  I can't move and lose what I have with the district that I work in.

So...Yukkie Illinois it is.

So...How can I make the best of this?

I can live in the moment.

I can appreciate what is.

I can enjoy what the weather allows me to do-inside and out.

I can best prepare for snow and the cold.

If it is a lot or a little bit of snow or cold, I will intentionally enjoy what life has decided to give me.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

A better place

I had a student come up to me last week and ask me what is was like to be a teacher.  She explained that she didn't understand why anyone would want to wake up each day and come to school to teach kids who would rather be in bed or home playing video games.  She went on to say that I always seem like I love what I do.

I explained:

Long ago, before becoming a teacher, I helped kids in need with various problems.  I helped them with their families, with legal issues, and with thoughts of hurting themselves.  I love it while I could, but it was hard on me as a person.  I would come home at night and cry or want to hide from the world.

Then, I accidentally got an opportunity to be a guest teacher for about 6 months.  I fell in love with the idea of continuing to help kids but in a more positive way.  After 6 months, I left my world of helping these kids and went back to school to become a teacher.

Every day I come to school with the thanks and gratitude of being able to continue to work with kids, helping them through life, while I get to feel like I am making a difference.  I get to see students realize the hows and whys of life for the first time...and that is a wonderful thing.

I am very lucky.  I have been given the gift of being a teacher.

No matter what happens in the world, or with adults making rules in our school, the most important reason why I come here each day is to be with my students and hopefully, give them everything that they need to be a success in life.

She looked up at me and smiled.  "I am glad you decided to be a teacher.  You are making my world a better place."

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Defeat Hatred

How do you deal with hate and a weekend like we have dealt with?

With love, caring, and positivity!

I will meet this week with my students and peers with love, caring and positivity.  I will be intentional in taking care of those around me and let them note how valued and important they are to me and to others in their lives.

Love and caring can defeat hatred.

I have noticed that my students, even though they may not directly know the news nor are they talking about it, their worlds are effected as their parents and families are becoming stressed.  Parents cannot hide the stress nor can they hide the effects of the stress.  It gets to our kids someway, somehow...

Some believe that it is important to put a name to it.  Some believe it is important to help students to explore how and why they are more stressed and on edge.  I believe, at this point, it is my role to simply help my students and those around me to feel protected, cared for, safe, loved, and listened to.

I pledge to myself, right now, to go into this week with the intent to be authentic and caring to each of my students, each day, to do my part in making their worlds just a little more stable.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Mindful in our healing

I didn't like the news today.  In fact, I have not liked the news in a long time.  I have to admit that I am generally one of those people who choses to avoid the news.  I don't believe that ignorance is bliss, but I have enough to worry about and be concerned about as a teacher who worries about his students.

I like social media.  I like that I get to connect with other teachers and writers from around the globe.  I like that I get to keep in touch with old friends that I otherwise would never have stayed in contact with or found as I got older.

I have noticed news based in other countries now, more than ever.  These "news" sources clearly are created as an attempt to bring divide to our country.  I see my old friends in daily arguments over posts from propagandized sites that report untruths, but the readers want to believe them.

This all leaves me with a choice that I shouldn't have to make.  I should not have to choose between leaving social media or continuing to witness a seeming decay of our society.  More important, our younger generations including my students should not be placed in a situation where they have to second guess everything that they read because they cannot trust the world that they live in.

When I finally decided to open a device and look at social media today, I was hit hard with the news of Jewish people being attacked because they were worshiping as they saw fit.  They were guilty of being Jewish.  I never thought that I would hear of feel this.... As a Jewish person and a teacher of history, this...to me...was something that I always hoped would stay in the pages of history books so we could learn about this, and reflect on it far enough to feel safe.  The slogan, "Never Forget" from the Holocaust museums rings in my ears and in my mind.

I feel helpless.  I do not feel hopeless.  Our younger generation...my students are not okay with this.  I must remain a support for my students and anyone else who needs my support to move beyond this point in history.  We must learn from this time and attitude and be mindful in our healing.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

300 Days

What is it like to write 300 days in a row?

Today marks my 300th blog post in a row.  300 days of daily thinking, reflecting, writing.

Writing daily has help me to create various routines and habits along the way.

I crave writing and feel it when I have not written each day.

I feel complete once I have written.

I have developed various habits of routine which I will use in my next writing endeavor.

I am more ready to write books and more articles than ever before.

I will never say that I have nothing to write about.

Writer's block is for someone else.

I feel like I have moved a step or three in my writing process.

I have found my voice, then found it again, and again.

Writing now is part of who I truly am.

Writing feels more natural every day.

My words are more important to me than ever.

I believe in myself as a writer.

I understand writers.

I am a writer.

For those who read my words, thanks for joining me on this journey.  I might as well make it another 65 days.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

A steep mountain to climb

I walked down the hallway this morning as the kids came in saying, "You are the best students!" "Lukancic Middle School is the best!"  "Our students are the smartest!"

I want our students, all of our students to know this, believe this, live this.  I screamed this at the top of my lungs as I gave high-fives and fist-bumps.

I was met with surprising responses from almost 100% of our kids...

"No I'm not"

"No we're not"

"Yea, right"

"We wish"

"You are at the wrong school with the wrong students"

"You're funny"

I was devastated.  I still am.

A recent survey indicated that our students do not believe in themselves, but this...this was in my face.  It was real.  It was so much more than a survey.  This was groups of hundreds of students telling me in all sincerity, that they do not believe in themselves and do not see themselves or our school as great, smart, capable.

I am still in tears.

I am NOT okay with this.  No wonder my students struggle.  If they don't believe in themselves...if they do not have the confidence or self-efficacy...motivation to succeed is a steep mountain to climb.

I will do something about this.  This will change...as long as I am breathing, this will change.  My mind is racing with ideas.  My heart is aching to create a wave of change.  I am hopeful that my peers will join me, but even alone, I will not let this go.

Now that I am aware, this cannot be ignored.

Be Mindful.

Peace,

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Intentional Word choice

I have always tried to be careful of my words with my students when it comes to being positive and helping their self-confidence about school.  After a meeting after school today, it was clearer than ever, that I want to be intentional about my word choice.

I want to help students feel great about their abilities.  I want them to feel wonderful about their efforts towards mastery and growth.  I want them to feel confident in their abilities.  I want my students to be honest in their self-reflections and self-assessments without being afraid of what they realize.  I want them to become problem solvers when it comes to recognizing areas of growth and methods to do this growth.

Words are so very powerful.  Yes...they can make or break our kids.  They can set a course towards success.  They can also derail possibilities.  We must meet our kids with care. With words that care.

As I reflect on my own words and my own message, I am led to recall a middle school teacher of mine.  He was the first and only teacher or person to show an interest in my learning.  He was the only one to ever lead me towards feeling proud of myself as a student.

I did not get this from home.  I did not ever get this again from anyone.  Just him in 7th and 8th grade.  This teacher gave me the Words...the words that helped me to become a student of confidence with direction.  His words were able to crush so many other words that were given to me by other teachers and held the power to crush negative words from those after him.

He has always been my Angel of Teaching.  He has led me to who I am today.

I will continue to cycle of careful and positive words, with intention and purpose, with love and patience.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

A surprise visit

I had an opportunity to internally substitute teach for a teacher that is teaching many of my students from last year today.  It was wonderful to see them.  It was wonderful to see how much they have grown and their commitment to the new learning going on this year.

The class started with students being excited to see me.  We talked for a few minutes as I was introduced to the students that were new to me.  What a fantastic surprise event!

As I worked with the students, it struck me how much these students had grown...physically, emotionally, and academically.

This experience left me with a huge smile that was difficult to let go of...and I didn't want to let it go.

As I left the class just before the bell rang for the end of the school day, I told the students how proud of them I was, and how much I enjoyed working with them, by their sides today.  There were many high-fives and a few hugs.

I am sure that most teachers feel as I do...once a student is a student, they are ours for life.  We want to keep in touch, we want to know of their successes, we want them to be safe and happy!

I hope that I tell me students how much I appreciate them enough.  Maybe I should do more?  I also hope that I show my current students that I care about them and want them to be at their best...always.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Lost in Grades

As my students finished their midterm assessments today, they were very nervous about their grades.  The assessments measure standards, there is no studying involved, just daily work towards mastery of standards and application on the assessment.

The stress levels of my students were through the roof.  As these are midterm assessments, they do not count much as a grade, but my students were stressed non-the-less.  In fact, I am most concerned with growth since the pre-assessment.  The growth was through the roof.

But....


That is not what my students were looking for.  That is not what their parents are looking for.  We are so married to the idea of grades that we miss the bigger picture...growth.

I have to admit, this is a newer idea for me and I have had much more time than my students and their parents to digest these changes of mindset and focus.  I want my students to understand but their preconceived notion of the value of grades being the end all, be all...is literally making my students sick.

I have a new mission.  I need to create something that conveys the real meaning, new meaning of grades to my students and their parents.  I need them all the see the value of growth and how we all begin in a place, then we grow towards mastery, then we meet a set point to decide if we are proficient.

If this was a student learning to play a musical instrument and at 9-weeks, my students were to be given a grade based on how they are playing and their mastery...would they expect an A?  They are at a beginning stage and working towards mastery.  By the end of the year, they should be at a place where one year of work should be considered as proficient.  At that point, the grade makes sense based on the mastery to this point.

This shift is rough.  I want to help my students to see that...They are on their way...not arriving each time that we take an assessment.

I need to be intentional and most of all, patient.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

New Lack of Flow

I have decided, since day one this school year, to revise my teaching and lesson focus more than ever before.  Never have I made such a drastic change to my style and approach to teaching.  I have never been standard forward before.  Instead, I have been connections to text, interest level, and engagement forward where the standards crept in from the sides.  I have had immense success when it comes to growth and data doing things as I always have, but...

This year I have a new PLC and a somewhat standards heavy coach.

This left me a few options.  1.  I can keep doing me and have a rift between me and the PLC.  2.  I can try to create some sort of hybrid that would be lots of work until I realized what their expectations were.  Or... 3.  Move completely out of my comfort zone, take a risk with growth and data, and dive into the philosophies of these two people that are so standards driven.

I chose 3.  I chose to dive in and see where it takes me and my students.  I made my mind up to intentionally watch the reactions of my students and be even more reflective about my own practices.  Nine weeks in, one would think that I would know if I made the right decision.  I wish.  I am seeing my choice as different successes and failures as the days progress.

Somedays, I go home and wonder if it is time to scrap it all and go back to my comfort zone.  I quickly dismiss this as my comfort zone is probably too comfortable.  As I reflect, I think the issues that I am noticing are coming from a lack of flow.  With comfort, comes flow.  It is more natural and happens with changes in the moment. When we are in unchartered waters, we are not used to the cause and effects of changes, so we stay the course...even if the course causes frustration and trouble for us and our students.

My so called temporary solution?

I am not ready to give up learning and growing from this new format and thinking.  New moves growth, old stagnates and smells.  I am willing to deal with the frustrations for another nine weeks in the case and hope, that there will become a level of comfort to it all.

Reflection is always great.  But sometimes, reflection shows us our fears.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWritess

Books

I went to a YA Lit fest today.  30 YA Lit authors!  It was pretty cool hearing about their writing processes, the successes and missteps.  The audience was full and the day was full of books, reading, and writing.

One thing was easy to feel throughout the day...

Books come from and create emotions.  They mirror and door life and all it has to offer.  Books are often a call to action.  In today's climate, social and political, it is clear that these books are very necessary for our kids, and for us...their teachers.

The day ended with a favorite.  Neal Shusterman, the author that I have seen talk more than any others, ended the day with an interview of Neal by Becky Anderson of Anderson's Booksellers.  The topic, for the most part was Neal's new book. 

Dry.

I have not been able to get this book, or the story that it represents and tells off of my mind.  It is about drought.  It is about water.  It is about what will happen when California, and ultimately, the entire country runs out of water.  It exposes the politics and corruption in the delivery of water to our homes in the US.  It is scary and...an eventual reality.  It is more a reality as we are seemingly losing regulations and loosening restrictions that promise future generations the resources that my generation has taken for granted.

Books are powerful.  This book should create a movement with our younger generation.  That is what books can do...even save the planet.

It was a day well spent.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

The Novembers

After almost 20 years of teaching, I still continue to forget what happens as October becomes November.

I am typically a positive person, especially in my posts...but this one is a reminder to myself and anyone else in education.

This time of year is rough.  It is some of the roughest times to be a teacher.  It is...sometimes...painful.

Why?

I think it is because the newness of the year is gone.  There seem to be limited breaks.  The pressures of testing is heavy on students and teachers alike.  Teachers are having many observations and being evaluated.  The students are truly noticing the weight of the expectations at this, the grade that they are finally settled in.  Pushing for growth sometimes feels like walking up a cliff to the students and like beating a dead horse to the educators.

It is very much like being stuck in thick and deep mud.

But..we know if we persevere, the payoffs will be wonderful.  We have to remind ourselves that there will be better days.  We need to coach ourselves through the days, the minutes, the seconds...to get ourselves towards that light at the end of the tunnel.

Soon enough, and this has been proven to me each year that I experience this...the clouds will part, the rains or snow will stop, and the sun will shine alone with the attitudes and learning of our students.

We must hold on to the awareness of the why this happens to truly get through it.  It is merely a phase in the cycle of a school year.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Communicating the Positive

I noticed that Parent Teacher Conferences are coming up in early November.  I noticed that the link was getting ready to send to parents about a week ago.  I love meeting with the parents of my students.  My schedule usually fills up in the first 2-3 days of parent sign-up and I end up with about 30 extra sessions of email, face to face, or phone calls to make after the actual conferences.  This makes for about 70 sessions out of the 167 students that I teach.

I decided to get a jump on things last week and started sending out 5-positive emails home each day.  I expressed something personal about my students with respect to their personality, work ethic, and academic progress.

So...I am about 35 emails in and almost all parents that have received emails from me have replied with very positive and thoughtful responses.  The part of their emails that makes me the happiest is that they often say that their students talk about what we are learning in class.  They also talk about their student noting my teaching style and feeling very connected to me, the class, and the learning.

Communication as a teacher is so important.  It is so easy to get bogged down with regular school work and forget the importance of partnership with our students' parents.

I am hopeful to reach out to all of my parents by mid-November. 

What I have noticed as a fun consequence of my emails...students are reporting their parents talking about school to them more.  They are hearing how proud they are of their students and having conversations about how much work school truly is today for our kids.

I am busy.  Very busy.  But somethings need to become a priority, if only for a few weeks...to make a difference where I can.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

SA Bodeen visits

Today, we were lucky enough to have another author come to our school.  We were visited by the wonderful SA Bodeen.  She is the author of Compound, Tomb, and so many other great books!

The effects of having authors to our school who talk about writing books, their lives, the process... And then selling and signing the books for our middle school kids...

Books are being read.

Books are being taken from the library and teacher's libraries.

Books are being talked about.

Students are writing.

Students are talking about writing.

Students are going to the public library.

Students are going to the bookstores.

Students are cross recommending books to each other.

Teachers are buying books so students have them in their hand NOW!

Students are getting excited about reading and writing.

Books are back to being the culture of our school!

It feels and looks wonderful.  I could not be more proud of our school and our students.  Our librarian in an amazing feature in our school as she works so hard to get these incredible authors in front of our kids!

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

A lonely pain

Last Night.

I got a phone call from a past student.

She told me that one of my 7th grade student's father had died the night before.

I sat and stared into space as I imagined my student going through this pain.  The death of a parent is a lonely pain.  I was lucky enough to be well into my adulthood when I found out how lonely this pain truly is.  I had tons of loving people around me.  The support was immense.

But the pain still sits within me.  All alone.

For my student, I am at a loss of what I can do for her.  Has this happened before...to my students?  Yes.  But for sure, this doesn't get easier and answers are no better than before.

This post is NOT for or about me.  It is about this child.  I want to do everything for this child.  But this child doesn't even know what they want. Or need.

Our students come to school, expected to learn and behave.  Many have so much trauma in their lives that they are lucky to get out of bed.  We need to address the student and their needs first.  We need to be there for our students.  We need to let them know, if and when they are ready, that we are there for them.

Checking in.  Being aware of the said and the unsaid.  Just being there.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

It is time to write

I opened up an old start to a novel that I haven't looked at for about a year.  The Young Adult novel has 68 of about 170 pages written.  It needs a little cleaning up and re-working.  Maybe moving a couple of chapters around...but I really like it.  I still like it after writing it some time ago.

So What?

I have been itching to move beyond this blog in multiple ways starting November 1st.  After the new year...I plan on visiting this blog now and again, but not daily. It is time for the real writing to take its place.  It is time for both professional books and novels to flow from my mind and on to paper-or the screen.

I have ideas.  Many ideas.  I have never experienced "writer's block" and I am not sure if that is a good thing.  Maybe I have not persisted with my writing enough to truly know.

I know I have many ideas.  I know I write quickly.  I know a hundred pages can take me about 10 days.  I know I enjoy reading what I write.  I know I am ready to bring my words out to be trialed. 

So...

It is time.  It feels good.  It is time for me to make commitments to myself that I will not want to break.  It is time to move up a step or four.

Sure, I have been working on being a writer for most of my long long life...but it is "better late than never?"  I sure hope this is the case.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Filling the Sunday Cup

What do you do on Sundays to fill your cup?

It is essential for us to intentionally take some time and effort to fill our cups on Sunday allowing us to have all that we need to begin the week at our best on Monday.

We give so much during the week of ourselves, of our family, of our time and energy, of our soul.  It stands to reason that by Sunday, we are drained.  We are lucky if there is much more than a drip on the bottom of our cup by Friday night.  For many of us, Saturday is simply a time to catch up on errands, sleep, or a quick outing.  In my family, this means groceries and household goods must be obtained to survive another week,

My Sundays begin, where and while I write this...that is with a wonderful group of people who work together, laugh together, cry together, reflect together, and write together.  This is the beginning of the filling of my cup.  Yes, lots of coffee is involved.

Other endeavors might include a little therapeutic shopping, a walk, some frivolous TV watching, cooking and eating...

How do we know when our cup is full?  When we might be tired, we are truly ready for the week.  We are ready to meet the week with enthusiasm and energy.  The more we can practice true self care, the more we will be ready to meet the week with vigor and love.

For me, I need just a little more.  I need some quiet time and some time to meditate to clear my head and to visualize the most positive week that I can possibly have.  I review my calendar and prepare myself emotionally for what I am up against.

What do you do to fill your cup on Sundays?

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#MIndfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Renewed energy and focus

I am having one of those days where I feel like re-inventing myself with renewed energy and focus.

When I get like this, I am aware that I do a few things, or at least think about a few things.

1.  I want to become a minimalist.  I want to cleanse myself of stuff.  I also want to cleanse myself of various commitments and responsibilities to free myself for what I want to do and who I want to be.

2.  I want to surround myself with ONLY people and things that lend themselves towards my goals, so as to keep my focus straight and on course.

3.  Instead of getting involved in many things that I can only give so much attention, I want to dive deeply into the things that matter.  This requires limiting the things that matter so I can focus my energy and attention on them to the fullest.

4.  I become more aware of my health when I feel like this.  I want to work towards a healthy and moderate lifestyle.

5.  I want to read more and become even more reflective of my presence in my own life.

I have looked back at various journals, etc. and I have found that this time of year lends itself to these feelings that I woke up with today.  I am not sure if it is the time of the year as a teacher, or the imminent changing of the seasons, or some type of seasonal-emotional response.  Regardless, I appreciate that I get to this place as in the scope of the rest of my life it gives me balance as it offers me an opportunity to reset.

I would not be able to notice or pay attention to these changes, minor or major, if I was not reflective and mindfully aware of where I am with life.  There are many advantages to sitting back and looking at your life from the outside-in and inside-out.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Riding their wave

My students were overwhelmed today.  They had just taken a high stakes test this week and I could tell that their heads were still swimming in the abyss as they were seemingly brain dead today.

There are so many tests.  My poor students sometimes have 4-6 of these types of tests in a week.  It is rough.  It would be rough for anyone...including the teachers.  But...we have no say in when or even that these tests are given. They are all district directed and tied to progress towards PARCC testing.

It is times like these that I make sure to take care of my students.  I make an intentional effort and choice to lighten the load, lighten the intensity of the lessons, and have some fun injected into the class time.

Also...it is Friday.  For some reason, Fridays of short weeks tends to be crazy days for my kids.  Always has been.  And since this was a four day week with Columbus Day...today lived up to its reputation for sure.

As time goes by, I am realizing more and more, the importance of taking care of my kids and allowing them the self-care that they ask for...directly or indirectly.  They spoke.  I listened.

Although today was an exhausting day, it was a good day.  It was a day to prepare for the weekend before we hit the grind hard again on Monday.

As I noted to a parent last night at a school event, I ride the waves of my students instead of making them all ride my wave.  I follow their needs.  Sometimes, that means taking a break.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Night at the Museum

Once a year we have what we call Night at the Museum at our school.  

The social studies department has students come up with ways of reflecting
on their learning in some manner in which they can display.  As we have just finished
learning about the Gilded Age, noting immigration and child labor, I asked my students
to compare the life of teens in the year 1900 to their own lives today, in 2018.

I love having my students see themselves in their world and reflecting upon what life
might have been like for them if they were born at a different time.  It creates an
emotional response of appreciation for what they have and empathy for those
that have so much less. In 8th grade, they are at the age

that they can begin to decide to do something about injustices in their world.

Parents come in and are also taken to an emotional place as they recognize that their
children are capable of this level of empathy while learning about people like
them at different times, in different places.

Then, the best part of all...the parents of my students and I get to brag about the
thinking and work of their kids while we partner in setting goals and expectations
for the rest of the year.

And...Parent-teacher-conferences are coming in a few weeks. That is the next time
to celebrate the wonderful young people that I get to partner with in learning.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy

@LevineWrites

I care, and that's okay.

"Mr. Levine, why do you care so much about your students?"

I was taken by surprise when one of my 7th grade honors students asked me this question this morning.

"I am not quite sure what you are asking."

"Well, every day, you go out of your way to say hi to all of your students.  You don't favor one student or the other.  You really seem genuine in your responses when students ask you stuff.  You act like a real person."

"How should I act?"

"I am not complaining.  I am just not sure why you are like you are when so many other teachers are just here to teach us.  You seem like you are here to care for us and teach us the way that you do because you care for us."

"I do care about you, all of you.  How am I teaching you like I care about you?"

"You always make sure that we understand what we are learning.  You also ask us how we want to learn things and make sure that it feels right to us.  Are teachers supposed to do that?"

"I am not sure if teachers are supposed to do that.  It is who I am.  Did you want me to change?"

"No.  No, please don't change.  Maybe you can ask other teachers to be like that?"

"I am sure each of your teachers have their way of teaching you and caring about you...otherwise, I am guessing that they would be doing something else."

As I walked away, I have to admit that I felt proud.  I am the teacher and person that I want to be.  I am proud to be the teacher who teaches through caring about each student.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Karma

Networking is such an amazing exercise.  You never know what might come out of it.  I was at a literacy conference last week and had many chances to meet up with so many new and old friends.  I got to see two of my favorite people at a local University.  After some conversation, and mutual respect and appreciation...I was told of a teaching opportunity that fits me perfectly.

Today, as promised, all of the information that I needed was waiting for me in my inbox and I am in process of getting them what they need to start right away.

Knowing people is wonderful.  Keeping connections alive and nurturing them is incredible.  You never know what waits for you around the corner.  There might just be someone with a great and exciting opportunity waiting for you where you least expect it.

Making friends in the field of your passion is always a great idea.  Having friends that look out for you and are there for you is a bonus.

I have found that I am as much a giver as I am a receiver in this light.

I have helped countless people get into the right situation and to help bring them to opportunities for most of my life.  Yes, I believe in Karma.  This is not why I do things.  This is not why I am kind or giving.  But positive Karma is a wonderful benefit of giving of yourself naturally and genuinely throughout your life.


Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Returning to school

I have been away from my students for a number of days due to being out at a conference.  This is s struggle for me in a couple of ways.

I feel out of sync with my kids and need to have that reconnection.

I am not completely sure where they left off on things so I am not sure where we will begin.

I strive on routine and momentum, and every time I am gone, there is a new start to the momentum.

My personal momentum is out of sorts due to the schedules of the conference and the days off after.

So...

Fortunately, or unfortunately, I am used to regaining this momentum and reconnecting with my students.  I missed many days last year due to an injury which taught me a lot about flexibility and resiliency. 

Setting routines and having strong connections with students allow for these types of absences from my students.  They know what I expect without me being there because expectations are consistent from day one.  My students as I have a mutual respect system in place which allows me to take care of them when needed, and them to take care of me when I am needing it.

With the use of Google Classroom as an assignment platform as well as a communication source, I can be anywhere I can get internet and be a part of my students' experiences in my classroom.  Conversely, if my students are absent for a day, a week, or a month...I have the wonderful luxury of keeping in touch with them and making sure that they are not overwhelmed by missing things in my class.

Having the routines, connections, respect, and the tools, I am able to go to conferences like I did this last week, and know that my students were well taken care of, and they will help me to catch up with THEM tomorrow when we all return to hit the ground running again and doing the great work that we do daily.

I am lucky.  I am well aware of this.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Kindness has no on/off switch

I have been asked several times in the past few weeks, mostly on Twitter, "How do you get your students to be kind to each other?"

I think this is a question bigger than the...How do I get them...

Kindness, like most anything, is a mindset.  It comes from the culture that we exist within.  If we exist in a culture of violence or selfishness, the results are going to be pretty obvious.  We will see students that our violent or self-centered. It is the culture that teaches the students while setting the expectations of actions and thoughts.

To create a culture of kindness, it doesn't start with a teacher or school telling students to be kind.  This never works.  It especially never works when the teacher or school engage in a "Do as I say, not as I do" mentality.

We have to live kindness and gratitude to create the culture that will eventually lead to the mindsets and habits of kindness.  It must be genuine.  It must be authentic.  It must exist within every corner of the school and honestly in the hearts of all of the staff at that school...not just the teachers.

Kindness is not something that we expect to be temporary.  It must be anchored in the foundations of who we are as people.  Kindness does not have an on/off switch.

To speak to the original question...How do I get my students to be kind to each other?  It all starts when I am kind to them.  And I am kind to others.  And I am kind to all of the staff.  And I am kind when I am not at school.  It is real.  It is organic.

Be mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Reflection is a place of learning

So...I got back from a 3-day conference today.  As I reflected on what I got out of the conference, I realized that the answer was a more grounded me.

Sure I learned many ideas for the classroom.  I was given deep thinking and fodder for hours of thought on trauma in our students.  But...every session forced me to look in the mirror at my own teaching and more so...at me.

I enjoy these types of conferences for many reasons.  I get to see old friends, and new ones.  I get to network.  I get to present new ideas.  I get to learn various new tricks for the classroom.  But this one, for some reason...probably because where I am in life, with life, with the ways of the world and the universe, has hit me in a place that I have not found as of yet.

It is somewhere deep.  It has caused me tp consider things like my future in education, my retirement, and my writing.  I guess, it has caused me to reflect on my identity as these things all relate to who I was, am, and will be.

Reflection is such a place of learning.  It is a lot like a practice such as mindfulness and meditation.  It takes you places and with practice, out of the blue, it takes your soul somewhere new.

I am not sure where this place is just yet.

I am here and I am not sure how I feel about it.

I am not feeling positive or negative about it.

I am simply aware of it.

And because I get to be me, regardless of where I am...I will appreciate it with those that I love.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Trauma Informed

I sat in a session today about people with trauma in their lives and the impact that it has on them.  Trauma mostly defined as emotional, physical, and sexual abuse.  I is amazing to hear how much research is being done on this.

What I realized today is...

That student that seems to make the same mistake over and over- could come from an abusive home and his emotional brain has no space to worry about what we see as important for him right now.

That student that we help and makes great strides and just as he is about to be a success, creates a failure out of everything- could have endured emotional abuse beyond our wildest imagination and only knows feeling like a failure.  He is not ready or not used to success.

That student that is starved for negative attention in class- could be so neglected at home that they hunger for any type of attention.  They learn very quickly that negative attention is easier to get and that they can control when they get it...without even doing it intentionally.

We have so many students that hide a world of pain, a world of trauma that we will never know.  They are doing their best, they are just being human.

Sure, it frustrates us because they are off task.  It is irritating when they are giving little effort or self-sabotaging...but us pushing does not help.  We can't talk them into not being an abused person the same way we can't talk a person with a broken leg to ski down a hill in the snow.  We are asking and expecting the impossible.

Become Trauma Informed!

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

The essential SEL

I am at a literacy conference in Illinois and I was at a session where some administrators were talking about their school.

There was a very smart girl that was great at sports and one of the top students academically.  She got into too many fights and was sent to a residential school at age 11.

There was a 12 year old girl who loved poetry and was amazing at painting with oils.  She developed an eating disorder and is now in a long term care facility.

There was a bot who loved music.  He studied music and musical equipment.  We was loved by all of his peers.  This 15 year old ran away and has not been seen for over two months.

There was a boy, 16, who loved telling jokes.  He finally got a part in a musical at the town's big production.  Week's before opening night, he hung himself.

This school district is NOT a poor district by any means, in fact it is affluent.  What was the district lacking? 

An educated staff on social emotional learning.

Early awareness training.

Student needs and wellness assessments.

A culture of students that looked out for each other and cared.

There was so much that could have been done, that is being done now.  Too late for the four students mentioned above.

I am so very lucky.  I teach in a building and district that makes sure that all of these pieces that were lacking in the above district are in place.  We are new to the SEL piece, but we are making strides to get there daily.

Be Aware!!!

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

It may be me

I had two students come to me during work time and ask me if I was okay.  They told me that they weren't sure what it was, but I was off some how.  They sat and talked to me for about 5-minutes.  They care. (yes, they were done with their work and not trying to get out of it.)

It has always amazed me how students can read us, their teachers.  They can tell is we are down, happy, afraid, proud, angry, and...lying.  They can read us...always.

Once we make special connections with students, they become so in-tuned to the smallest of actions or variations in the way that we are that...they notice.  Not only do they notice, but they respond.  Most of the time, they are reflective and can articulate that they are noticing the subtle changes in us, thus they are acting differently.  But, there are times that we do not know that we are showing our stress or other emotions and our students are responding without knowing it.

We need to be mindfully aware of why our students are acting strangely...

It could be simply because we, ourselves are acting strangely.

I have found that if my students are having an off-day, I need to take a step back and assess the way that I am feeling as well as what I am projecting to my students.  Very often, I find after reflecting, that offering an honest assessment of what is happening as a dynamic between us, my students seem to feel relieved that all is okay with the world, and start to normalize for me.

We need to look in the mirror before reacting to student/class behaviors.  It may just be us...

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

A wonderful event

Tomorrow night I will be heading to the Illinois Reading Council Conference as I have for over 12 years.  There will be thousands of educators, hundreds of presenters/authors, exhibitors from all of the major players in education, and many pre-service teachers.

This is THE event for educators in Illinois.

I also present at this event.  I have presented almost as many times as I have attended.

An event like this can easily be overwhelming.  There is so much to learn, so much to see, so many old friends that you only get to see once a year.... and so many people that you only get to spend time with via social media.

The best way to enjoy this event or any event like it...

Be in the Moment.

If you are thinking or over thinking and worried, and stressed, and trying to rush to make it to everything possible...the end result is- You miss it all!

By taking moment by moment, you can savor each drop of new ideas or new thinking.  By only being present with those in front of you, you can enjoy the people you came to see and drink in each of their words.  By being mindful of each step that you take, you can breathe and enjoy this journey.

An event like this is meant to slowly taken in, to be tasted and enjoyed.

Here's to a wonderful event.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Today was Monday

Today was a Monday.  Other than by name...it wore its name proud.

My kids, all grades, all classes were wild today.  They were loud, unsettled, hard to get on task, hard to contain...

But...

NONE were disrespectful.

It is part of the world of teaching that there will be days that the students are simply off of the wall crazy and it is futile to try to exert too much frustration on attempts to cage them.  Sometimes...it is best just to join them.  This is especially true if they are jumping out of their skin and in terrific moods.

So...

I joined in.  I laughed.  I listened.  I joined in the silliness.

Maybe it is just what we all needed.  To break the stress.  To cut through the intensity of the work that we have been doing so far this year.  We made it strong to the first grading period with high expectations.  Sometimes, it is okay to be...to be where the kids need to be.

Will I need to make up for some lost time today?  Yes, so will the students.  I think, though, that we will all reflect on today and recognize the value of the day while we dig in next class and get back to the work.

Students often know what they need.  Sometimes, my students know what I need.  Being aware and being okay with it...is the magic!

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#MIndfulliteracy
@LevineWrites