Telling It Like It Is!

"This is Howard Cosell telling it like it is" was a statement I heard often in my youth and early adult years. It was the unique manner in which the legendary  Cosell would close a sports broadcast or an interview with a prominent sports celebrity. This was Cosell's method of providing the viewer or listener with perspective or feedback.  As humans we seek feedback for multiple reasons, including guidance, support, growth, and positive reinforcement. We also are empowered with the opportunities to provide it. 

Our physical and social emotional development from a very early age hinges on the feedback that we receive from others. Ultimately it shapes both our personality and behavior. We must consider this when we deliver it orally or in writing. Before delivering feedback it is essential that we build relationships first, in order to establish trust and respect with those who will eventually receive it. 

As an educator one of the most important parts of my job is to deliver feedback to my students and colleagues.  Experience has taught me that positive comments need to precede constructive criticism. Moreover it is most effective when it is immediate and specific. My students traditionally appreciate a narrative that accompanies the grade for their assignments as it allows them to implement suggestions and build on their performance.  They also appreciate positive affirmations that follow their oral presentations, as they usually light up after receiving them.

My students are also given a voice and provide oral and written feedback often on the structuring and implementation of assignments. Teaching them the appropriate manner to deliver feedback is a vital part of their growth as well. They learn the appropriate manner in which to deliver constructive criticism and feel validated as a result. This reflexive practice continues to be a vital resource for my own professional growth and strengthens my pedagogy.  The feedback that I receive from them, helps to shape the way I design future assignments.

Throughout our lives we will provide and receive feedback for many different reasons and in many different forms. We truly are better as global citizens, when we seek help from each other and in turn when we reach out to help others. This is true at any age. While it is important to "tell it like it is", we are always best served when delivering feedback to do so in a positive manner and then keep an open mind when we are on the receiving end. 

Change is not Always Wise!

My son was recently watching the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary entitled Doc and Darryl which focused on the at times brilliant often times tumultuous careers of Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry.  During the film they must have mentioned  the St. Louis Cardinals of the National League Eastern Division which prompted his question. "Dad did the Cardinals once play in the same division as our Phillies?"

You see, Peter was born in 1998 after the divisions had been realigned and the two central divisions were created. This occurring as a result of the addition of the expansion franchises in Florida and Colorado. He and the fans of his generation missed an era of great divisional rivalries which have since been altered by the advent of interleague play.

My childhood years featured classic battles with the Mets, Cardinals, Cubs, and cross state rival Pirates, at least 18 times during the year.  This weekend as the Phillies and Pirates squared off for three of their seven games of the season I couldn't help but recall the epic battles of yesteryear with Schmidt, Carlton, Stargell and Parker. It brought to mind the question; What have we have we really gained by historic schedule changes since the incorporation of " Interleague Play"?

 These two Pennsylvania rivals will only play each other seven times this season while the Phils and the American League's Chicago White Sox will play a four game home and home series later this season.  How does the fan benefit from this peculiar brand of scheduling? One must ask the question, are these changes actually better for the game and it's fans? Interleague play makes some sense if the geography links the combatants (ie. Phillies vs Yankees) but does anyone really want to see the Philadelphia Phillies play the Seattle Mariners or the Oakland Athletics? This particular fan can provide a resounding "No" as a response. I would much rather see more relevant games with National League rivals as the opposition than suffer through basically irrelevant games with American League teams such as the Detroit Tigers.  I can't imagine that passionate fans of the game feel much differently. 

Recently on the Mike and Mike, morning drive time radio show on ESPN they invited baseball commissioner Rob Manfred to appear as a guest. One must ask, what in the name of Mariano Rivera was he thinking, when he discussed the effects that relief pitching has on the game and some potential changes.  Manfred indicated that they (relief pitchers) are so good that their effectiveness is actually robbing the game of late inning action. ("Ugh") Moreover, he goes on to say that discussions are underway to limit the amount of relief pitchers that a team can use per game.

  Again one must question the benefit of this change for the passionate baseball fan that may be forced to endure more unecessary alterations to the game. Ultimately you penalize the team that has bolstered its bullpen through farm system development and the calculated free agent addition. Shortening the game with stellar bullpen pitching has become a vital part of the formula for championship success of late.

The game of baseball is unique and continues to flourish even though football has replaced it as our national sport.  Baseball's leadership hierarchy neerds to stop tinkering with it in an effort to attract more fans in order to increase already substantial revenues. The game is fine, leave it alone. Please! The pace is slow because there is no clock and strategy is such a huge part of the games culture. The beauty of baseball is that all associated with the game benefit from its cerebral nature.

Change is good when it effects the safety of the players and rules are implemented that ensure longer careers for the players. However, ownership needs to pause and pump the breaks, when frivolous rule or scheduling changes don't have the best interests of the fan at heart and are only motivated by increasing the revenue within an already billion dollar industry.

The Voice ( A Tribute to Vin Scully)

For the passionate baseball fan there are many ways to enjoy the baseball experience. You can attend the game live, listen to it on the radio, watch it on television or stream it to your favorite electronic device. More often than not though we cannot attend the games and must rely on one of these electronic mediums to watch or listen to the game unfold. We then place our needs as fans to be entertained and informed in the hands of a third party. The third party of course being those men and women who are broadcasting the game live on television or radio.

These broadcasters essentially become our entrusted storytellers night after night over the course of the 162 game season. We look forward to their perspective of the action as it unfolds, and there are times that we hang on their every word.

Historically there have been many men and recently women who enrich the baseball experience for the listener and viewer by spinning their nightly yarn in their own unique manner. 

One man however stands alone in terms of service, longevity, knowledge and devotion to our national sport and its fans.  In this his 67th and final season as the voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Vin Scully continues to entertain and inform his audiences about the on field action and the nuances of the game.

When Scully retires at the end of this season it will conclude a very long chapter in Dodger and baseball history. As a Dodger broadcaster he has been there for every World Championship, Pennant and Division Title. He was there in Brooklyn in 1955 when they beat the Yanks in seven games. He was there for Koufax's perfect game. He was there for Fernando Valenzuela and the mania that followed. He was there for Gibson's miracle blast against the A's in the World Series. He could easily write a history of the Los Angeles Dodgers because he has been there for it all. 

As for baseball, when he started there were only 16 teams. Today there are 30. There was a National League and an American League without divisions and the World Series began shortly after the regular season ended. Today there are six divisions and the post season lasts almost a month, sometimes finishing in November. There were no teams west of St. Louis. Today there are five teams in California and one in the state of Washington.  A great deal has changed structurally and organizationally throughout Scully's broadcasting tenure.

While the game has undergone transformative change for almost three quarters of a century, Scully's presence continues to bring needed consistency and stability for the avid fan. As a young fan I fondly recall his melodious voice calling the action as I watched National Game of the Week telecasts. His sunny disposition and knowedge always made the games more enjoyable.  I recall several friends commenting that it was as if he was singing the game as he was calling it. The more I listen today the more I realize that is true.

Recently thanks to the Extra Innings Baseball package I have had the opportunity to reconnect with the melodic sounds of a Vin Scully telecast. More importantly I have had the chance to share the experience with my son Peter who shares my passion for baseball. Along with the rich voice quality the thing that separates Scully from his peers today is that he provides both the play by play and the color commentary. 

Throughout the telecast he sprinkles in anecdotes relevant to both the Dodges and their opponents that day. At 88 this man still does his homework and is still at the top of his game. As a New Jersey native, I remember one late evening last season watching the Dodgers play the Reds. Todd Frazier was batting and Scully starts talking about Frazier's heroic performance as a pitcher helping Tom's River Little League win the Little League World Series in 1998. This further solidified for me the great respect and admiration that I have for the manner in which Scully approaches his craft each and every game. Clearly he continues to go to great lengths, conducting pregame research on player profiles, in order to establish a connection with his audience.

Three short months from now the sun will set on yet another baseball season and with it the end of Vin Sully's stellar broadcasting career. For the past 67 years Scully has steadfastly remained committed to his passion for both baseball and his craft. When the lights go out on the 2016 season, take a moment to tip your hat or raise your glass but be sure to pay tribute to this American treasure. This gem of a man who for the past 67 years has worked selflessly to bring joy to our hearts, by enhancing for us the thrill that only sport can bring.

Why I Write

Recently I read a post authored by my friend and colleague Blake Kilgore. This post was featured as part of colleague Jason Armstrong's "Write on Fight On" website.  In this post Blake details the reasons as to why he feels compelled to write. He is a man who I deeply respect. His writing is rich in substance and reflects strong faith and passion. His depth is what I admire most about him as a person and a writer.  

After reading his post I began to consider the same question Why do I write?. The following post is my comprehensive attempt to provide an answer.

Authenticity- I want my students to develop a life long love of learning. When I write and share my product with my students, I am modeling my life long love of learning and allowing them a glimpse at the benefits.

Passion- Writing gives me an opportunity to share ideas with an audience about topics that excite me and are extremely important to me. These include my family, my students, my craft and other interests. Furthermore my blog has given me a platform in which to reignite my passion for writing.

Inspiration- Since becoming a connected educator I have read hundreds of blog posts, many have left me feeling inspired upon completion. When I write about  topics that I am passionate about, it creates the opportunity for me to return the favor and inspire my audience. Each time that I craft a new post it is my sincere hope that I can elevate the spirit of my readers.

Tribute- My blog " The Power of Inspiration" along with other writing platforms allows me to pay tribute to people who have inspired me or positively influenced my life in some manner.

Reflection- My goal is to consistently improve in the various roles that I fulfill in my life. When I write,  it allows me the time for deep contemplation of the way things are currently, or how they can improve in the future. Ultimately my personal and professional growth occurs as a result of the time that I invest in reflective practices. My writing contributes tremendously to the growth  that I continue to strive for and hopefully attain.

Why do I write? There is no easy answer. 

 I write to elevate a love of life life long learning. 

I write to celebrate others and their achievements.

 I write to inspire. 

I write  to show gratitude. 

 Hopefully my writing will continue to have a positive influence on my life and with a little luck the lives of my readers.

What's Next?

The last school bus has pulled out of the driveway for the last time. The routines that featured early rising, meeting friends at their locker to catch up on the latest gossip, participating in engaging activities and completing homework has quickly been replaced by summer vacation.  

Educators and students have once again been liberated from their daily responsibilities that binds them together for ten months.  Each now faced with that daunting question that only accompanies that last bell each June. What's next?

For the educator; some will press on, first tying up loose ends and then steadfastly preparing for the reopening of school in September. Some will head off into retirement and begin to transition into a life that is more tranquil and slow paced. Some will travel about the globe, absorbing the earth's majestic beauty. Some will "sharpen their saw"reflecting on the experiences of the past school year, attend conferences or pursue the written word  in order to fine tune their craft. Some will change hats and head off  to their summer employment. What's next? always leads to the writing of new and exciting chapters in our lives.

 

For our students,the fast paced, five day a week rigorous schedule has been replaced by a more leisurely life offered with the arrival of an eleven week summer vacation. For them it's time to reflect upon their recent social and academic growth. It's time to enjoy their recent success, consider failures and begin to set goals for the near future. 

Some will spend the upcoming days, sleeping in, earning money at summer jobs, spending time with friends and even looking to enrich their academic skill set. One thing is for certain. There will be plenty of time for joy and amusement as the summer of 2016 evolves.

The most promising element of life's journey is that while continuous, there are always beginnings and endings intertwined along the way. For students and teachers alike summer vacation offers us once again the opportunity not only to ponder but more importantly to explore , What's next? 

Exploring what comes next allows us to exit our comfort zone and invite adventure. We can approach the crossroads with apprehension or we can embrace the unknown with passionate enthusiasm. The decision will ultimately bring change and the need for adaptation. However, growth is only possible when we are willing to courageously pursue new opportunities, regardless of understanding the outcomes in advance.  

What' next is the  question, are you ready to search for the answer?

 

Steps

Two years ago my neice Molly courageously left the comfort of her mother's care and headed off to preschool. Certainly there was trepidation as she headed into an unfamiliar environment, but her mother carefully prepared her for the challenges that awaited and she was willing to take the risk.

Yesterday on a sunny May morning I attended her preschool graduation and witnessed her finding courage once again, this time as she was preparing to leave the comfort of her preschool home and head off to Kindergarten. 

As the ceremony evolved I was immediately impressed by the strong relationships that had been fostered by the teachers with their young students.  This was never more evident as the students concluded thier singing performance and the program moved on to the distribution of awards.

Each graduate received an award and a comment about their future aspirations. Some were "most kind", while others were, "most funny"or "most dramatic." We learned that some of the children wanted to be firemen or policeman or teachers, and we were told of the inspiration behind each one.  Clearly these teachers had invested time and energy in building relationships with each one of their students over the course of the past two years.

As the ceremony neared conclusion it was time for one final song. This  was perhaps my favorite moment. I watched and listened to the graduates proudly and confidently sing " I don't know but I've been told that Kindergartens the place to be." 

While I am quite sure that my niece has mastered all of the necessary skills to be  "Kindergarten Ready", listening to the confident rendition of this song signaled to me that she also posesses the necessary social/emotional skills to take the next step on her educational journey.

Taking these steps into her kindergarten classroom will again force my neice to face new risks, but I am reminded of a Henry David Thoreau quote that calls for us to "go confidently in the direction of our dreams." Due to the guidance, support and nurturing of her preschool teachers, she is ready to do just that.

H is for Honor

For the past few months I have struggled with how to best craft this post. My greatest challenge has been to share the news of this wonderful honor with others and still come across as humble. What you are about to read is a reflection of my gratitude for the honors bestowed upon me, since being named the 2016 Teacher of the Year at Pond Road Middle School.

The past several months have featured administrators, colleagues, students and parents going to great lengths to honor my professional commitment to the community of Robbinsville. 

 It all began on a mild Friday afternoon in early January, when a celebratory party  including my Asisstant Superintendent, my Superintendent, my Principal, my Assistant Principal and my teammates arrived on my classroom doorstep and then proceeded to make their way inside.  My long time friend and our Assistant Superintendent then announced with great enthusiasm that I had been selected as our school's honoree for the 2016 Teacher of the Year.  A bouquet of flowers, hugs and congratulatory wishes followed from everyone present.I was overwhelmed with joy and overcome by emotion.

Later that afternoon came an announcement over the school intercom that I was the Pond Road Middle School Teacher of the Year. My 8th period class was estatic and voiced just how thrilled they were, raising the decibel level exponentially in the room. Outside in the hall students began to excitedly chant my last name and again I became emotional.  As the day came to a close many colleagues and former students stopped by with congratulatory wishes and hugs. This would become a day etched in my memory not to ever be forgotten. Telling my family that evening of the honor bestowed upon me was one of the proudest moments of my 21 year career.

A few months later, the sign in front of our school posted the news that I was being honored as the 2016 Teacher of the Year . In the days that followed, many people throughout the community have extended congratulatory wishes via cards, emails or in person. I've been touched by their gestures. I must admit to feeling a great deal of pride upon arrival and departure from school each day, as I take a passing glance at that sign.

Today I had the special privilege of attending two celebrations with the two other outstanding educators being honored by my district. Both Amanda Matticks and Jason Armstrong are exceptional educators and amazing people.

Jason is a reflective high School educator who understands the value of the written word. He uses writing to inspire and empower his students. Moreover, he continues to use writing as a transformative tool to assist with his own professional and personal growth.

Amanda is a primary school educator who gives tirelessly of herself to engage her students and empower them to adopt a lifelong love of learning. As a technology coach she also goes to great lengths to help her colleagues grow professionally, as 21st century educators.

The morning celebration started witha breakfast reception at our district offices. All of our district administrators rolled out the red carpet for us and treated us like royalty. They went to great lengths to make sure that our day was off to a great start. Mission Accomplished! I am grateful for all that they did to make this experience a special one I and will never forget their kind words and generous contributions in making this day memorable.

A short ride into Princeton and a luncheon honoring the Teachers of the Year recipients from throughout Mercer County at ETS followed our breakfast reception.  Brief welcome remarks and a moving speech from the 2016 New Jersey Teacher of the Year, started off our afternoon. Being in a room of passionate innovative educators who shared this award on this day was an honor in itself.

 A special bonus during the program was the inspiring speech by the 2015 Mercer County Teacher of the Year, our own Ed Holub. Ed's reflections included his own professional transformation toward becoming a student centered educator along with thoughts on the many daunting challenges that face our students today.

When the time came to recognize Robbinsville's recipients, again we were honored by the eloquent and heartfelt comments delivered by our acting Superintendent Kathie Foster who was accompanied by board member Tom Halm. The afternoon came to an end following the closing remarks.  We headed out into a steady rain but our hearts were full of sunshine as we made the trek home.

I am grateful for the measures that have been taken over the past several months by the various stakeholders within our school community, honoring my service and professionalism to our community.

I am especially honored by the steps taken by two cherished collegues and friends that believed me worthy of this award, early on in the nominating process.

While I am honored to represent the Robbinsviile School District as one of their three Teachers of the Year for 2016,  my greatest honor continues to be inspiring, educating and motivating  today's learners, as they prepare to make an impact on the world tomorrow.

( This post is dedicated in honor and memory of the late Dr. Steven Mayer who championed both kids and teachers and inspired me to inspire others.)