Commitment? Huh? You mean I actually have to do what I said I was going to do?

In keeping with the theme of Excellence and Integrity, I asked my students today to define the word commitment. Once again they were great at using words and coming up with a pretty accurate definition. They gave examples of different kinds of commitments like marriage, being on a team, even individual goals. Unfortunately, they don't have much of an idea of what it is like to actually follow through with your commitments.

I hope that they learn how to make commitments and keep them. I hope that they make choices about what they really want in life and focus on attaining those goals. I have great hope that they will grow into people that can accurately prioritize their commitments. For now, I will hope that they make it through their years in school alive, well, and with a knowledge about how to honor their commitments.

That's right it is TAKS time again. I am happy to report that it is actually over. Today was the last and final of the four days of torture. This picture is a photo of a sketch that I worked on yesterday. It is one of my students while they are taking their TAKS test.

I am an excellent test administrator. I follow all of the guidelines that have been laid out by both the state and the school district. I actively monitor my students. It really isn't that hard to do. I will not complain about what is required of me in that respect nor will I complain about the students that are in my testing room. They are good kids who have not given me any trouble and have done what has been expected of them. All of that said, I do have complaints.

#1- Why do we have to test four days in a row. I don't mind two days but the third day is very difficult. I think we should break the days up a bit.

#2- Why can't we get rid of our testing material after everyone is finished instead of sitting their in silence for hours waiting for them to be collected.

#3- Once all the classes are finished on the hallway could we please shift some student around because I am tired of looking at the same 16 people for several hours each day. This is why I don't teach elementary, I need a break from the same students all day.

I guess those are the only complaints that I have that deserve a mention. At least these are the ones that I think could be fixed. (Notice: I did not mention the fact that there was some problem with the water pressure and we didn't even know if we were going to be able to send students to the bathroom. I also left out the fact that it is extremely cold in my room and no matter what I try I can not seem to regulate the temperature. )

I will end on a positive note, IT IS OVER!! YEA!!!!!

Excellence and Integrity

It seems to me that these words are not foreign to most people. I asked my students today what the work excellence means and they said things like, "When you do something very well." "goodness" "perfection" "being sucessful". They are right this is a part of excellence. I feel confident that if I were to ask them what integrity means they would give me answers that would define integrity. So if a bunch of junior high students understand these words, it is safe to say that most people probably understand them. I don't think people have a problem with word meaning. They have a problem with taking those words and applying them to the way they live their lives.

Living your live with excellence means challenging yourself to be the very best person that you know how to be. It means that you treat others with kindness and respect. It requires you to examine your short comings and learn from them. It means that in the face of adversity you stand strong and fight. I don't think people know this. They say they understand excellence but you can look at this world and see that there are lots of people fooling themselves. I don't want to be one of those people.

Integrity is when you do what is right not matter if someone is watching you. People who have integrity keep their commitments. They don't lie, they don't cheat, and they don't walk around full of pride. I aspire to be a person of integrity.

This is what I am learning now. I am learning what it truly means to strive for excellence and pratice integrity. This is what I want to share with the world around me.