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As An Educator Thank You

Recording Science Class

As an educator there is a likelihood that unless you are teaching summer school, you are nearing the end of school. Even if you are working in the classroom this summer, this ending is worthy of a pause.  Whoa. Another year. That’s worthy of a much more than a deep exhale, yet take one anyway. There is a lot to be proud of, for sure. Some of you wondered whether you would make it through the 1st semester, let alone the second. Some of you powered through both and even some (whether ‘sinking or swimming’) helped others to make it a more positive, productive and future-focused year…definitely more than the year before. There is a lot for past and non-educators to be proud of with respect to this year’s front line teachers, staff and administrators.

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Today’s note was just that, a thank you. As my own daughter completes here sophomore year, I know how hard she worked to stay positive and benefit from the in/direct lessons from her educators. After you finish, pause, reflect (hopefully on a stay/vacation) you will find yourself thinking about how to be even better for next year…whatever craziness it brings.

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If you are interested, here are some to the ways I can support your efforts for personal and professional development before going back and while you do what you do this summer (hopefully lots of fun!):

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  • Add to your pleasure reading list: On Fire Leadership for Educators and Learning Professionals

  • Classroom Management and Advanced Facilitation Techniques

  • Breathing – Meditation – Reiki – Sound Healing

  • Zoom Based: Educator, Leadership, Life, Family, Conflict or Spiritual Coaching

  • Advanced Conflict Management: Successfully managing relationships with students, staff and parents

 

As a former High School teacher and educator of fellow teachers and administrators I, again, want to thank you for all that you do. If I can support you to make life easier, less stressful, more productive and with increased energy for life…please get in touch.

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If you are still reading…awesome…reach out to my awesome assistant Megan at Megan@synergydt.com and she will send you a COMPLIMENTARY (no charge but with solid value) PDF version of the “On Fire Leadership for Educators and Learning Professionals” as a gift. Have a great end of year, finish strong!

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Much love,

Dave

20 Considerations About Cyber-Bullying

Classroom Lecture

While not a new phenomenon, cyber-bullying is 24/7 because so much can happen after school hours. Usually cyber-bullying is accompanied by in-person bullying, so look for the connections and behavior changes. Here are some tips and reminders that might help you to take new actions.

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  • Remember how important this is to get involved early: The effects of cyberbullying also include mental well-being, increased tension and anxiety, possible depression, low self-esteem and much more.

  • Stay Calm

  • Be sure teachers, students and parents understand how and who to report the cyberbullying to

  •  Know the rules of the game: what is in the school’s handbook?

  • Have a signed ‘Computer Use’ contract between yourself and your child that includes cyber bullying.

  • Update privacy settings on all social media and block this person(s) after there is enough evidence captured with screen shots and printouts

  • Children should only add people to their buddy list that they know, and reject requests from others to join their list.

  • Keep the computer out of his/her bedroom

  •  If a child is bullied or harassed by IM, the service provider should be informed giving the nickname or ID, date, time and details of the problem.

  • Do not share passwords, ever.

  • Never give out the name of their school.

  • Talk with your child's teacher. Make sure they are aware of what is going on and include the guidance counselor and assistant principal.

  • Children should not respond to the messages, but should seek help from a parent or teacher.

  • Don't delete the message but keep it as evidence of bullying and print all relevant pages.

  • Many email programs also provide facilities to block email from certain senders.

  • If the email address of the sender is not obvious, then it may be possible to track the address using special software.  Search online for resources and programs to deal with this problem.  You could also speak to a knowledgeable salesperson at any computer store.

  • No child should ever agree to meet anyone from a chat-room, they need to be reminded, more!

  •  Keep personal information private, always. Remember everything written in emails and on the web is a historical document!

  • If it is happening from a cell-phone, those records can be requested from the phone company.

Be sure to review your school’s in-school and out-of-school suspension and classroom policies…there is a chance the discipline system is inadequately teaching behavior modification (I can help, please ask me about the S.M.A.R.T. Discipline system).

 

Here is to the mental, physical, social and emotional health you try to promote every day!

Much love,

 

Dave

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