Recognition for Behavior & Effort (not for performance)

For every class I teach, I recognize one or more students for their ability to follow behavioral expectations or for doing something above and beyond what I expected in terms of effort or participation. The student(s) I choose stand in front of the class at the end of the day and I explain why I chose those student(s). I then have a clapping, jumping, and stomping routine that all of the other student(s) do with me to congratulate the recognized student(s).

In addition to being recognized that day, those student(s) who were chosen are responsible for leading stretching the very next day and for presenting an interesting fact (related to health/PE) before leading the class in stretching.

I would like to make one suggestion for those of you who may use this method in your classes. Whenever I recognize a student who may be uncomfortable with being in front of the class, I will make sure to pick at least one other person to be recognized in addition to this student. This cuts down on the one student being singled out.

I also keep a roster of all the students in my class with me each day. When I recognize a student, I put a check mark by their name. By keeping track of what students have earned that honor, it allows me to be aware of the students who may be getting lost in the mix. This doesn’t mean that one student can’t earn this honor 2, 3, or 4 times before another student earns the honor once. What it means is that I can see which students have not been recognized or have not been recognized in a while and make sure to watch them to see if I can find anything positive worth recognizing.

"Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition. "

- Abraham Lincoln

Why Did I Choose Education?

Many people have asked me why I decided to become a teacher

The answer is simple.

My life has been overwhelmed with adversity. I was born to two teenage parents who were not financially or intellectually ready for a child. Neither parent finished high school and I was only six years old when my parents separated for good. Until this past year, I could count the number of times I have seen my father on one hand.

To make an extremely long and emotional story short, my mother and her boyfriend experimented with drugs when I was young, I spent time in a foster home, and I called the nearest campground home for a significant period of my life. My mother died unexpectedly in her sleep at the young age of 38 two years ago, drug free and redeemed from the poor decisions she made earlier in her life. She was a great mother and did what she could with what she had. Still, for the majority of my life I have faced enormous obstacles that have stood in my path to success.

The reason I write about these hard times is because it is apparent to me that I could not have become what I am today without help. Throughout my life, God has strategically placed various people in my life, including teachers that offered much needed support. Whether it was helping me before or after school, offering sound advice, employing me from their own pocket, or giving me a place to sleep, I could always count on those teachers to be the one constant in my life.
In addition for the love I have found in watching someone become successful, I believe that I would be doing the world a great disservice if I did not enter the teaching profession and return the favor that those teachers have given me.
One last note.

Coaching is a huge part of my life. I received my first coaching position when I was 17 and I have never looked back. My specialty is in football, but I have spent a lot of time on the basketball court as well. However, my coaching philosophy and expectations of athletes can be applied across any sport. I am big on attitude, leadership, and motivation, both in the classroom and on the field/court.

I would encourage all educators to be involved with students outside of the classroom. Now, it doesn’t have to be coaching. Whether it is through being a club advisor, a coach, or other influential figure, educators must invest in their students, especially in the areas that interest the students most. The students will apply themselves more when they know that they are cared about and accepted.

Consistency and Organization in the Classroom

Consistency and organization are two of my biggest focuses in the classroom, especially in the first few weeks of a new class and when a new activity is introduced.

I find that if you want a certain behavior, you cannot simple expect the students to know what that is. You have to teach them exactly what you want and then you need to be consistent in your expectations. If you constantly flip back and forth on what you expect, the students will never know how to behave. As a result, the students will revert to their own way of behaving, which is rarely the same behavior that a teacher would desire.

"Everything must be done in a proper and orderly way"

- 1 Corinthians 14:40

Should we be concerned with attitude in the classroom?

In addition to curriculum and instructional ideas in the physical/health education field, this blog also focuses on the importance and the development of a winning attitude. Whether it is in sports, in the classroom, at your job, or at home, the difference between success and mediocrity can be found in your attitude.

However, today's average educational curriculum devotes less than 1% of its focus on developing the winning attitude. Ironically, the majority of the problems found in the classroom, both behavioral and academic, can be solved with a positive change in the attitude.

"It's not what happens to you that determines how far you will go in life; it is how you handle what happens to you."

- Zig Ziglar