Back on track

It's about time I got back up and noted some thoughts about life in general.
The last few weeks have been torrid for me, to say the least.
But all is on the bright side.
They say you have to go through the bad times to make the most of the good. Well I am excited about the time ahead and intend making my own luck in getting the good out of it.
I am getting back into something I really cherish - working with kids and making a positive difference for them.
I have made a definite pledge to change my lifestyle and I am confident this in itself will have a more positive affect on family and friends.
In all I am going to be the old true to myself Fletch again - fun, vitality and honesty.
Thanks to those who have stood by me during this challenging year - your aroha will not be forgotten.
I guess this movie clip hits the nail on the head where I am at in my next steps in life.

The Joy of Teaching

I have been very fortunate of late to witness some outstanding teaching in action. This time of the year we tend to focus on the appraisal of our teachers and to look in depth at the outcomes for our students.
Our teachers are amazing in how they can be so creative, innovative and caring in their approach to the learning needs of our kids.
When the end in mind is about the kids then the result is a wonderful learning environment. I take my cap off to these teachers for their dedication and down right hard work in providing the platform for the kids of today to learn so well.
Teachers are in competition with TV, video games and the out and about activity that is so prevalent out there. Its a consumer world and so often it is targeted at the new generation.We may wonder why kids would want to do Maths and Reading? But they do!
These teachers have stepped up to the plate and have provided very engaging learning activities so the students are able to learn at their personal optimum. It's wow factor!
As an observer of the intensity teachers are subjected to in the five hours of full on student interaction in the school day you can only have admiration for their commitment. No wonder they need a break every 10 weeks. It would be easier being a taxi driver in the heart of the New York CBD?
The point I am making is that although we strive for the best possible scenario in our schools, and for our own kids, it is totally reliant on those teachers that are prepared to commit their heart and soul to the profession. Thank heavens we have these wonderful people in front of our children.
We will be coming up to some tough political times in the near future - lest we forget that our future is in the hands of our kids and the teachers that shape their learning attitude and aptitude. If that is done well then the altitude is no problem.

Friends in need are true friends

I must admit I have been rather skeptical about blogging as a communication tool.I have often wondered if anybody actually reads the stuff you ramble on about.I myself do read others blogs as I find this expands my thinking and offers valuable reflection about certain issues but who would take time to read the mumbo jumbo I go on about at times?
Well I have realised that the cyberworld out there is not as cold as it may seem.
I let my true feelings leak out in my last post(a bit red of me) and low & behold several friends of the past have e-mailed/ skyped me to check up on my state of being. Wow - the power of online thinking has shown its value. These wonderful people have not only installed my faith in what matters when it comes to being an educator but also in my own belief that genuine believers in our quest for making a positive difference for kids is so important.A special thanks to those who did make contact for polishing my faith and being there when it really mattered. I feel much stronger for the encouraging words you relayed to me.
I guess this experience has presented me with another valuable realisation. We hear & read so much how our kids are into the online environment (Face book) etc and we elders(so called digital immigrants) have at times questioned the value of this. Well if they can obtain the immediate moral support and thoughtfulness I got then it has to be plus. Who needs to experience total loneliness or despair if you have others on hand at a fingertip. Maybe we are underestimating the value of this environment for future generations?
Anyway my faith in blogging has been boosted and I as a result also my faith in why I need to make sure we are strong in our resolve to bat for the kids. What we may lose today may well be a gain for them tomorrow! Thanks for the tonic my friends....

Trust in change?

I am at home at the moment feeling pretty grotty with a good dose of flu. I have had enough lying down so thought I might try and stir up the brain cells to see if that makes me feel any better.
When you have lots of time to think about the issues that surround you one seems to have more clarity. I guess when you are running on the hoof the other things spring up and cloud the depth of your thoughts.
An issue I am grappling with at the moment is dealing with change and how others react to this. Lately there has been a lot of change, not only in my personal life, but especially in my professional undertakings.
It is very interesting, and sometimes perplexing, to see how people react to change.
From the advent of the National Standards to the changing of expectations of people in contributing to the good will of the school community certain people react in strange ways.
I see some who immediately throw up their hands in horror and seek devious ways to destroy those who are responsible for making the change.
Others huddle in groups of common fear and mutter to each other hoping a ground swell will rise up and wash it all away.
Thankfully those who are reflective and have the best interests of kids learning in-hand, take time to juggle the pros & cons and then come back with possible solutions.
Its all about trust I guess.
When people see their way of life or doing things fade away then it is understandable to think they would put up a fight and that the person who is instrumental in this change is the bad guy.But unfortunately I am seeing in society that the depth in reasoning doesn't go beyond that.It's an 'about me' agenda.
We are going through an era of intense change - if we are not reflective,adaptable or willing to offer positive ideas for the good of all then we are making the fight that much more disagreeable. As it is said 'we can beg to disagree but no need to be disagreeable'
It is great to see in the next generation that will soon be the adults of today they are prepared to look at change and make it work for them. So there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
In the meantime I guess if one wants to keep the ball rolling for the future good of most then one has to expect the odd bounce smacking you in the head!
I guess if you believe you are turning the wheel on the bus in the right direction for the good of most the journey will work out at the last stop. They may be nervous about the trip but if they trust the driver then it will be worthwhile.
Now do I feel any better for writing this?
Ok I guess - as long as I don't end up like the Eskimo fishing?
Of course I do - now what else can I go and think about....

Being in 'The Zone'

I have been reflecting of late about my own ability to help and inspire others. One thing I have felt about my self being is that I am certainly in a better place physically and psychologically than I was, a few months ago.

To be of support to anyone else you need to be in a healthy place yourself. This is being in 'the zone'. Sportspeople and high achievers often refer to this term when they know they are performing at their best. But it doesn't take much to slip just out side this positive aura.

During the months before I had my knee reconstruction I was in considerable pain and as a result felt exhausted, demotivated and intolerant of trivia. I also felt it difficult to focus my mind on the important aspects of my career and personal life. I guess I was of little value to others at this time because I was so consumed with my own challenges.

Lately this has improved. I feel a greater peace and resilience within, and am finding the will to face the harder aspects of life with greater awareness and zest.

To be able to keep in this zone for most of the time I guess is one of the secrets to effective leadership [and being a good husband & father].
My goal for the next few months is to ensure I uplift my personal health and well being so I can more readily support others as well, in their life challenges. This will be a test of my self belief, as during the past year or so I have dug myself into some unruly habits and developed some cyncial perspectives. I need to kick out of these. 

I guess I need to get on the right bus now and look around for some positive, optimistic people to journey with. Herein lies the success of my venture into the future. Don't wish me luck as I am ready to make my own but if you have a helpful hint please feel free to push it my way.

Maybe there is a lesson here - we just need to find the right bus & mates to go with ?

Loser or Winner

I was discussing with a group of senior students about the desire to achieve and be a successful learner. It was interesting how some of them found reasons, almost excuses,why they could not reach their true potential.
I shared this little list below with them. I was given this many years ago by a notable rugby coach and academic, I had the pleasure to be associated with in my growing years [Carwyn James].Carwyn was a great thinker and an up front bloke when it came to looking at yourself. He used to say is the problem with you or is it with what you do. If either is the case then you can do something about it!
This is the list and it was framed around being a winner which if you have any inkling of who Carwyn was - he certainly knew what it was to achieve.
Losers procrastinate
Losers see a problem in every answer
Losers make mistakes and live with them
Losers spend time on trivia
Losers grumble about the past
Losers say.. but we’ve always done it this way

Winners make commitments
Winners see an answer in every problem
Winners make mistakes and learn by them
Winners make time for the important tasks
Winners look for opportunity in the future
Winners say... there must be a better way!

So as you see - if you don't achieve then the problem may lie in your attitude.

'Attitude gives aptitude & altitude'