Justin Horne

Father, teacher, principal who loves to play basketball and ski!

[Justin Horne @jhorneTC]

You can start giving early tonight !!! Funds go towards scholarships. Tuesday is Timothy Giving Day — I'm in! Are you? #TimothyGivingDay https://t.co/L5QB9J15FW

[Justin Horne @jhorneTC]

https://t.co/H9j2Ucn0lT

Awesome Chapel message from the Cubs’ Ben Zobrist today! @TCSchools

[Justin Horne @jhorneTC]

Keeping the principal birthday lunch tradition alive. Thanks @deccarius for the idea all those years ago! @TCSchools

[Suburban Life - Shaw Local @MySuburbanLife]

IC Catholic Prep senior Ava Falduto and Timothy Christian junior Abby Vander Wal are good friends who live five minutes apart in Elmhurst. They recently shared the dream of representing the United States internationally in Croatia and Mexico. https://t.co/Yt9uaM35AL

[Dr. Bryan Pearlman #MaslowBeforeBloom @DrP_Principal]

I received a package in the mail a few days before my first day of school as a brand new teacher. It was from my mother.

Inside the box was a very large file that included my report cards, progress reports, papers I had written that were marked up with a lot red ink, and several tests with a large letter “F” on them.

The feedback on these items included:
-“Not sure how Bryan qualified for the gifted program since he can’t read”
-“Bryan won’t be college material”
-“Bryan doesn’t seem to care about anything but sports”
-“Bryan just needs to focus better”
-“I’m not sure why Bryan asks to go to the nurse and counselor all the time”
-“Bryan needs to learn how to sit still and be quiet”
-“I’m not sure what else I can do, I’ve already taken his recess away most days”

This made me sad. I had not seen these before. I think my mother had tried to shelter me from all of these negatives.

At the bottom of the box was a notecard from my mom that said, “Try to see each of your student’s strengths. I know you will do better for your students. I am so proud of you! Love Mom”.

After my career as a teacher and principal, I became a therapist. The majority of my adult clients can remember both the most positive thing a teacher said to them and also the most negative.

Remember, our words matter. We have the power to build someone up or tear them down.

What comment(s) do you remember hearing from a teacher?

From the book:
“Whatever It Takes!: For All Students to Succeed in School and Life”
(https://t.co/gDlQoij54k)

Join the “Maslow Before Bloom” Facebook group at: https://t.co/i2rhBgHO8G

[Justin Horne @jhorneTC]

@TLSBulldogsPE Great former students and families! Way to go boys! Have a great season.

[Bethany Martino @BethanyMartino1]

Learned this at a recent PD and it’s a game changer!! Project a working clock and highlight the time that will be given for each task. Ss have a visual and can better manage their time. #d181 #sd113a @CCSD181 @drkarobinson181

[Dr. Bryan Pearlman #MaslowBeforeBloom @DrP_Principal]

What Is A Ruckus?
My secretary called and said there was a ruckus in the front hallway. I was really excited to see what was going on. I wanted to know what a ruckus was. I learned that a ruckus was a small boy I hadn’t net yet. The ruckus was ripping our bulletin board off the wall, knocking over a table and cursing.

He turned around & said, “What the F--- are you looking at?” He continued, “You’re fat, bald, and stupid.” I responded with, “You seem to be upset. What do you need? How can I help?” He moved a step closer to me and said, “Are you deaf, too? I just said you’re fat, bald, and stupid.”

My response was, “I heard you just fine. Now I really can tell you are upset. What do you need? How can I help you?” He started crying while re-stating for the 3rd time (in case I missed the other two times), “You’re fat, bald, and stupid.” He then said, “I hate this stupid school; I don’t know why I’m here. I don’t know where my mom is. I hate my foster family.“

He reached his arms out. I asked if he needed a hug and he nodded. I then asked if he wanted to go to my office. He nodded. I let him know that “Dr. P” is here if he needs anything. He sat at my table and put his head down.

He looked me in the eyes and said, “Dr. P, I’m very sorry for everything that I did. I just miss my mom.” I responded by telling him that I appreciate his apology and that I accept it. He then said, “I am also really sorry for calling you those mean things. I didn’t mean it.”

We brainstormed some ideas of what he could do in the future if he was having a tough day. He suggested that he could ask to get a drink, ask for help, or just put his head down. I let him know that these are great strategies. I added that he could always ask to see the counselor or me.

We then discussed how he could be on the lookout for signs that he was getting upset, frustrated, angry, or agitated. He said that he sometimes started to clinch his fists and his breathing changed. I told him that those were good signs and that the body often gives us signs that we are starting to get upset. We both agreed that it was so important to listen to our bodies.

He asked if he could get his backpack and coat. I thought that was an unusual request for 10 a.m. I asked him why he would need his backpack and coat. He replied, “Because I’m going to get suspended like I did at my last school.” I let him know that there may be another plan. He scrunched his face and looked puzzled.

I asked, “How do you think you could fix what you did this morning?” He thought about it for a minute or so and responded with, “I can pick-up what I threw and fix anything that I broke.” I let him know that this seemed like a good plan. He picked up the items that he threw and helped put the bulletin board back on the wall.

I went over the plan for the next time and we made sure he knew what to do in case he got upset, frustrated, angry or agitated again. I said, “Since we’ve agreed on the plan, let’s shake on it to make it official.” He reached out his hand and shook mine. I let him know that he could go back to class. He picked up his bookbag and his jacket and started off to his class. I called his teacher to let him know that he was on his way. His teacher was so happy to welcome him back to class. I never had another problem with him.

A teacher stopped by later that day. She couldn’t understand why he wasn’t suspended. “He called you fat, bald, and stupid.” My response was that it never was about me. I then asked the teacher if any of the comments were false. She looked at me like I was crazy. I let her know that I am fat and bald. Those were both true statements. I also argued that stupid is a relative term. She didn’t like my answer.

How do you deal with colleagues who are fixed mindset, focused on punitive methods or who believe that alternatives to suspensions equate to being soft on discipline?

From the book “Maslow Before Bloom: Basic Human Needs Before Academics”
(https://t.co/IsFQnYpsnh)

[Emily Paschall @EmilyAPaschall]

It’s about that time, y’all.

CLASS LISTS.

Administrators across the country are meticulously finalizing class lists, and teachers are anxiously waiting to see which kids will become their new babies for 180 school days.

It’s also that time of year where the chatter starts…

…about THAT kid.

The one who has a reputation for being “low”.
The one who “can’t behave.”
The one who is “lazy”.
The one who _______.

Don’t be the teacher who judges a child based on another person's opinion.

🔹Every kid deserves a reset.
🔺Every kid deserves more chances.
🔹Every kid deserves a champion.

Many kids are on the road to failure because of reasons beyond their control. Be the person who redirects their path this year.

Be their merchant of hope! People don’t need us to be merchants of hope during the easy times. It is in the darkest moments that they need their merchant of hope to selflessly carry them through the storm.

We chose the profession where we are helping raise other people’s kids. As you receive your class lists over the next few days, receive them with love, clean slates, and lots of grace.

The reality? We are all doing this really hard thing called “life” in the best and only way we know how.

Never judge a child based on another person’s opinion.

And while we’re at it, let’s replace "child" with "person" (friend, colleague, parent, acquaintance, stranger).

Patient. Loving. Understanding. Forgiving. Grace giving.

These are the attributes of a person who can reach
another person's heart and change their pathway. I have so much work to do on myself so that I can better help others. I'm especially thankful for grace.

#multiplyexcellence

[George Couros @gcouros]

"...having students reflect and ask themselves, “Is that the best you can do?” can be a pretty valuable reflection question.

The highest standards we will ever attain will be those we set for ourselves."

“Is that the best you can do?” https://t.co/TSw4WnMdRt

[Alice Keeler @alicekeeler]

What do you notice??
No paper or pen!
First contemplate then Calculate #cvmn

[Furman Basketball @FurmanMBB]

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: 𝐁𝐞𝐧 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐖𝐚𝐥 🤝

#AllDIN #BetterTogether

[Justin Horne @jhorneTC]

@drkevinbrussell @deccarius @ccsd89 Nice work @deccarius!

[Justin Horne @jhorneTC]

A great morning of supporting our students away from school. Principal, athletic director, and superintendent are Timothy student super-fans! @TCSchools @TCSAthletics

[Justin Horne @jhorneTC]

Did you know that our parent run “Picture Lady” program has been going for 52 years! Mr. Horne got to pose for students after they learned about artist Hans Holbein. I think they captured me perfectly! #proudprincipal @TCSchools

[Justin Horne @jhorneTC]

What a great morning having our first Preschool chapel. Our preschoolers got to experience what all the big kids get to do each week in K-12. Thanks to our 3rd graders for being their buddies and leading by example! #ReflectingJesus @TCSchools

[Justin Horne @jhorneTC]

Mr. Horne got in on the fun in our 5 day preschool this morning. Look at the snowman I made mom! @TCSchools

[Justin Horne @jhorneTC]

Our preschoolers are making amazing art this morning. So creative! @TCSchools

[Justin Horne @jhorneTC]

Merry Christmas from Timothy Christian and Principal Horne! @TCSchools

[Furman Basketball @FurmanMBB]

OH MY!!! 👀Ben VanderWal!!!!