So, as the title of my post states- “Are we getting anywhere?”  In teaching?  Well, are we?  I would say yes when it comes to the technologies that are available.  We have so much at our fingertips, literally!  But are we using the technologies to get anywhere?  I sometimes struggle with this.  There are so many websites, devices, software and hardware choices to choose from that it is hard to know what can be of the most benefit to our students.

There are new things to learn, new technologies to try, and students who crave the interaction with these technologies.  They crave engaging learning and interactions.

“It takes time to learn new technologies”

“I have enough to worry about”

“I don’t think I would use it”

So, I ask again- Are we getting anywhere?

Integrating technology isn’t about using technology to teach.  It’s about engaging our students.  It’s about changing something in the way we teach.  Instead of reading about the people in Russia, we can  talk to them via Skype.  Why not engage the students in fractions via You Tube.  It means taking our teaching to the next level.

Does this require some work?  Yes!  When we decided we would be educators, we committed ourselves to life long learning.  And if you didn’t, well…maybe you should take a second look at what you are doing with your life! It is part of the calling of being in education.  There’s learning involved.  What I am writing is probably not a shock to anyone.  However, there aren’t too many who may say it out loud.

Looking back a the photo above, I can tell you that both phones will get us in touch with the people we try to contact.  The old ways of engaging students versus the new ways of technology- both ways will get the information across.   Are we getting anywhere?  Yes, slowly.  However, how we get to where we are going is up to us!

During the budget discussion, it was as bad as I thought.  Like many Lutheran schools and Churches across the nation, we are hurting.  We continue our spending freeze for the second straight year.  There is talk about decreasing the staff and combine classes.  There is talk about taking a salary cut.  There is talk about how much fat can we cut.  We have cut a lot out already, how much more can we cut?

How do you as a teacher stay motivated?

When we as a voter vote on these issues, I get frustrated at times.  Some voters forget that their vote is impacting people lives directly, with mine being one of them.  When they vote not to give us a raise, that affects my life greatly when cost of living continues to rise.  I am not in it for the money, but it would be nice if people think a little before they decide to fire some teachers.  If they fire, who do they fire first?  Last Hired? Those who are the least effective?  Those who are contracted versus those who are called?

How do you stay motivated?

It is hard!  you can’t do it by yourself, that is for sure.  If you think about King David and all that he did that was good and bad.  Anytime David did something on his own accord or for himself, bad things happened.  We need to put our prayers to God.

This past weekend I went to see “The Book of Eli” with our DCE and a few high school students. I don’t promote the violence or cuss words, but I do promote the message and think the movie was really good.  In the end Eli talks with God about his quest.  That he fought the good fight, he ran the race, he had faith!  The main message of the movie is walking by FAITH not by sight.  Throughout the movie it was his path and keeping the faith that kept him motivated to complete his quest (a 30 year journey)

How do you stay motivated? KEEP THE FAITH

So here is your plan to keep motivated

1. Pray
2. Pray
3. Read your Bible
4. Confide in POSITIVE friends that will ENCOURAGE you
5. Pray
6. Write your doubts on paper
7. Write positive plans that will counter your doubts
8. Rip up and throw away your paper of doubts
9. Tell Satan to stay out of your head and do not plant seeds of doubt.
10. PRAY!

Am I missing anything?