From the category archives:

Guidance

Teacher, thou art a Santa Elf

December 5, 2009

This is the first Christmas my children are no longer in school, for they both graduated from college this past May, at the conclusion of the Spring Semester.
It has given me this curiosity about what they will give me this Christmas, and not because I need any gift in particular, but because I know that [...]

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Tacit approval in the classroom

November 29, 2009

In a recent article entitled Tacit Approval: Don’t you dare give it! Rosa wrote the following (I have taken the liberty to edit into a classroom setting):
Tacit approval happens when:
a) a student does something wrong
b) you become aware of it
c) that student and/or others within your classroom are aware of both a) and b)
d) you [...]

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Following and leading

November 22, 2009

Bottom line, we underestimate the power of a good influence.

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With a good-by in mind

November 2, 2009

Aloha is also a word of parting. In our well-ordered structures, we plan our year and know when things are going to happen. It’s the nature of being a teacher. However, life does not always fit into our plans. Today, several teachers’ plans radically and permanently changed.
Across the street from my office is our local [...]

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Marks of a Mentor: Releasing Others

September 30, 2009

Mentoring can develop into vital relationships; thus, when there is a parting it can be very difficult. Transition is a natural and necessary part of mentoring. In fact, it might not be healthy to extend a mentoring relationship beyond its intended time. Perhaps the one who has been mentored needs to be released to become a [...]

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Identifying your students’ hidden talents

September 25, 2009

Ho‘ohanohano respects each students strengths and talents. Aloha teaching is not so concerned with how smart students are but how they are smart. Therefore, one of the teacher’s joys is discovering her student’s hidden talents. Here is a simple guide to help you:

Turn a compliment into an interview. When an student does an excellent job, [...]

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Marks of a Mentor: Addressing Weakness

September 23, 2009

Last week I shared with you one of the marks of a mentor that we all enjoy: affirming others with trust. But there’s another side of the coin that’s just as important. Good mentors also address weaknesses. A discerning mentor addresses weaknesses that need to be strengthened and wrongs that need to be corrected. That’s one [...]

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Marks of a Mentor: Trust

September 16, 2009

Admit it…trusting is not easy! However, effective mentoring requires appropriate trusting. What I mean by appropriate relates to when the time is right and when the task is fitting. Entrusting prematurely or with something that cannot yet be managed is not good mentoring. Mentoring is not, “Here you do it.” It is not premature or [...]

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Marks of a Mentor: Taking the Long View

September 9, 2009

Perhaps the greatest benefit that comes to those being mentored is that they cultivate perseverance.

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Get off the field, coach

September 8, 2009

The 2009 college football season is underway. The kickoff to the season took 5 days and nights! There were surprises, shocking plays, disappointments, rising and falling in polls – an exciting beginning. As there were major distinctives to each game, I noticed something missing. In not one game did a coach put on a jersey [...]

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