Exciting News! Supt. Dr. Aleesia Johnson, along with Mayor Joe Hogsett and RISE Indy and MSD Warren Township leaders, proudly unveiled the kickoff of the Circle City Readers program. This incredible high-dosage literacy tutoring initiative is set to make a real difference at 10 schools across the city. #WatchUsWork
📢 PSA: Let's talk about diversity! It's important to remember that a person can't be diverse. Though well-intentioned, the phrase unintentionally presents one race as the default. Let's celebrate and embrace the tapestry of different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.
Mikey was a student who exhibited some of the most extreme behaviors for a young student. He had already received three superintendent level suspensions before he completed third grade. Mikey had more days out of school than in school. The behaviors included many physical altercations with students and staff, destruction of school property, consistent and significant disruption of the classroom (and school), and eloping from campus.
As principal, I really should have been listed as the teacher of record for Mikey, since he was in my office every day for several hours. Mikey was off-task pretty close to 100% of the time. Nothing in my toolbox worked well to reduce the negative behaviors.
A colleague suggested that we give him a “special job” in the building with more responsibility than his behaviors had warranted. At first I thought this was a very bad idea. But what choice did I have? Nothing else had worked. Worst case scenario, this too wouldn’t work and I would be in no worse place than where I had started. I asked for his recommendation. He suggested that we put him in charge of announcing the buses at arrival and dismissal. I told him that this sounded like a really bad idea. The thought of giving Mikey a walkie-talkie seemed to be a recipe for disaster. Mikey used words that even made me blush. Each classroom had a walkie in it too. I could just picture the damage control that I would have to do after Mikey used a four-letter word for the whole world to hear. My colleague reminded me about what I had to lose and the fact that nothing else had worked.
I went digging in our school’s basement and found an old bright orange crossing guard vest (circa 1985), a really beat up “Lil Captain” badge, and a Radio Shack walkie-talkie. On Friday afternoon, I called Mikey down to my office. I asked if he would be interested in a job at school. He asked for some information about the job. I told him that we really needed help with buses arriving and leaving each day since Dr. P was really bad at it. Mikey agreed that Dr. P was really bad at it and he said that he would like that job. I gave him his uniform and asked that he report on Monday morning.
Very early on Monday morning, I heard a mini-van door slam closed. I looked out the window and recognized the mini-van and the student walking up our sidewalk. Mikey walked straight into my office with a dry cleaning bag over his shoulder. He sat the bag down and pulled out a perfectly cleaned and ironed crossing guard vest with a very shiny badge on it. Mikey put these items on and saluted me. He said, “Captain Mikey reporting for duty sir”. He then took out the walkie-talkie. It had a “Captain Mikey” label on it (his mom must have used a home labeling machine to make this for him). I looked carefully at him and realized that he was completely serious, completely excited about his new job, and had a big smile across his face (I had never seen him smile before).
Mikey was very successful with calling buses as they arrived. In addition, our dismissal process ran like clockwork with Captain Mikey on the job. I have to admit that he was much better at this job than I was. Captain Mikey expanded his job description to help younger kids as they crossed in front of the buses. He even became the king of giving fellow students high fives and morning greetings. Mikey’s behaviors reduced by at least 95% almost immediately.
Even students with the most challenging behaviors have the potential for turning it around. Mikey rose to the occasion, felt needed, experienced success for perhaps the first time, and his behaviors improved significantly.
Thank you for doing whatever it takes to help students to succeed in school and life!
Join the “Maslow Before Bloom” Facebook group: https://t.co/015cLKjJ1m
Two teachers can teach the exact same lesson and get completely different results. The variable? The teachers’ passion and creativity.
The power is not in the program. The power is in the magic the teacher brings.
#multiplyexcellence
Students sometimes feel silly when I'm able to troubleshoot their issues so quickly....when in reality I'm able to troubleshoot quickly b/c I've made the same mistake they have a million times before...no mistakes are silly, just learning experiences
the older you get, the more you realize it's not about who knows the longest. it's about who makes you feel seen, heard, understood, appreciated, supported and loved.
In the early 1900s, the shortage of rubber and the challenges associated with filling tires with air during the First World War led to a significant need for alternative solutions. In response to this problem, German engineers devised a groundbreaking invention in 1916—a steel spring tire.
The tire was specifically designed by the Germans to address the scarcity of rubber and the unreliable nature of traditional rubber tires. Their goal was to create a tire that not only offered a viable alternative to rubber but also provided enhanced reliability, particularly for military vehicles that required robust and durable tire solutions.
The innovative steel spring tire was first implemented on a Protos vehicle, showcasing its potential for military applications. The tire design incorporated a series of steel springs arranged in a circular pattern, which replaced the conventional rubber construction. These springs were strategically placed to provide both support and flexibility, allowing the tire to withstand the rigorous demands of military operations while offering improved traction on various terrains.
One of the key advantages of the steel spring tire was its resistance to punctures and damage, which significantly reduced the need for constant maintenance and tire replacements. This attribute made it particularly attractive for military vehicles operating in challenging environments, such as battlefields or rough terrain.
Furthermore, the German engineers believed that the steel spring tire's performance would not be affected by adverse weather conditions, a common issue with traditional rubber tires. The tire's unique design was expected to maintain its reliability and functionality even in extreme temperatures, making it well-suited for military campaigns in diverse climates.
While the steel spring tire initially gained attention due to its potential military applications, there was also significant interest in its civilian use. The tire's durability and puncture resistance made it an attractive option for commercial vehicles, especially those that frequently traveled on rough roads or encountered sharp debris.
Although the steel spring tire demonstrated promise, the end of the First World War and subsequent developments in rubber technology led to a shift back towards traditional rubber tires. Rubber became more accessible again, and advancements in tire manufacturing techniques and materials improved the reliability and performance of rubber tires. As a result, the steel spring tire gradually faded from use, becoming a fascinating but short-lived chapter in the evolution of tire technology.
Nonetheless, the German engineers' ingenuity in developing the steel spring tire during a time of resource scarcity and technological challenges remains a testament to human innovation and adaptability in the face of adversity.
Why do toddlers love hide and seek?
It may be because they take pleasure in both parts.
The act of hiding provides young children a rare form of autonomy - a chance to briefly (and safely) distance themselves from caregivers in a location of their own choosing.
But being sought and found may be even more exciting.
In life we seek out the things we care for. So the process of being sought/found is both affirming of the child’s value and a demonstration that they are loved.
You’ll note that the point for this little one isn’t so much to hide, as it is to be found. Watch her delight at the end.
@KeeannaWarren I was just talking to NMB about this. “The punishment to not doing the work is doing the work.” What incentive is a kid going to have if the grade isn’t going to accurately represent their knowledge.
@KeeannaWarren@BankerDemetrius You should have seen him carry his drink with his mouth the other day when I was quite literally next to him with nothing in my hands 😂
Indiana University and Purdue University are officially parting ways after a 53-year partnership. IUPUI will officially end on June 30, 2024. https://t.co/lnXx4AwySV