"Happiness is the Truth"

It's no secret that I have been completely overwhelmed and stressed out lately.  Sometimes, I feel like I'm standing in a crowded room screaming at the top of my lungs, and nobody can hear me.  It seems that all I do is complain, rant, worry, and stress.

Today, I felt extreme frustration for a few different reasons, and I came home from work feeling defeated.  I sat down after coming home from the gym, and a thought immediately came to me.  It is so easy for me to focus on the negative.  The negative seeps into my everyday routine like an infectious disease, and it's even contagious.  It's bad enough that I'm letting the negative get the best of me, but I certainly don't want to pass it on to other people.  It's so easy to get caught up in the every day funk of life, that the positive is literally passing right by. 

So I have a lot of additional work to do tonight, so I busted my shin last night and couldn't do the full workout today, so my students weren't well behaved or on task today, so I typed out this entire blog post, and my computer deleted it, so there aren't enough hours in the day, so I have several yearbook spreads to proof.

The only word I see here is "SO." So. So. So. So.

You know what guys...So what?! There are things in life that we simply can't control, no matter how hard we try.  The only way you can ever get through the negative is by focusing on the positive.  I need to take a step back and realize that my life isn't even a FRACTION of horrible compared to what some people in this world have to deal with.  I believe that as a teacher, I have one of the most stress-inducing jobs out there.  I know several teacher friends who are struggling with the negative/positive balance just like I am.  Today, it clicked it my brain. 

Just. Be. Happy.

Happiness is something that our society overlooks, and often takes for granted.  We need to re-direct our focus.  We need to start living in the happy.  We need to use the happy, positive moments in our lives to help us deal with the bad, negative moments.  Throughout the years, I've learned that life is too short.  We don't have enough time left on this planet to let ourselves get caught up in what makes us sad, mad, stressed out, or frustrated. 

My challenge to myself is to be happy.  Smiling and laughing are good for your soul, and I can definitely use a little bit of that right about now. 

Here are 10 Things You Can Do Today to Bring Some Happiness Into Your Life...

 

1. Forget about calories and sugar, and just eat the cookie.  You know you want to.  Give in to the delicious, sweet temptation, and allow yourself this one indulgence today. 

 

2.  Sing your favorite song at the top of your lungs.  It doesn't matter if the person in the car is staring at you.  Unleash your inner Whitney or Bon Jovi, and just BELT IT!

 

3.  Spend ten minutes doing something just for yourself.  Forget about everyone else, and focus on something that truly makes you happy like painting your toenails, playing Candy Crush, or blogging (wink, wink).

 

4.  Give someone a compliment...and mean it.

 

5.  Spend thirty minutes watching your favorite guilty pleasure TV show or movie, or reading a few chapters in your favorite book.  Let your mind go blank, and just enjoy doing nothing.  Bonus happiness points if you do this in your PJs!

 

6.  Experience something beautiful.  This could be a sunset on your way home, a baby giggling uncontrollably, an elderly couple holding hands on their evening walk, or an Olympian winning a Gold Medal.  Beauty is not appreciated enough, and can instantly remind you of what's amazing in this world.

 

7.  Make a difference.  Today, after my naughty fourth period 8th grade class, I ran into one of my 6th grade girls in the hallway.  She ran up to me, gave me an enormous hug, and said, "We miss you so much, Mrs. Ebert.  I hope you're having a great day." Heart...melted.  Sometimes we don't realize the impact we have on other people's lives, no matter how small or large.  The knowledge that you created that impact is instant gratification.

 

8.  Doodle.  I don't know anyone that isn't instantly happy while creating fun doodles.  Your imagination is an awesome thing. Have fun with it!

 

9.  Spend time with someone you love.  Love is instantly connected to happiness, and sometimes, just a few minutes with that person is all you need to remind yourself that it's going to be alright.  

 

10.  Have a wild, hair-whipping, arms flailing, epic DANCE PARTY.  Dance like nobody is watching, and let every emotion, negative feeling, and stressor leave your body.  It's my personal opinion that spontaneous dance parties are the absolute best mood lifter known to man.  Bonus happiness points if you dance to this song... I DARE YOU to try not to bust a move to this one...

 

 

The Story...

Last Night, I submitted 3rd quarter progress report grades into the online grade book.  Needless to say, I sadly shook my head at the overwhelming number of low grades.  It's utterly defeating as a teacher when so many students are not excelling academically.  

The first step is to look at the WHY.  Why are there so many low grades?  Is it me?  Is it my instruction?  Is it just my class?  Are grades low across the board?  Is it test grades?  Is it homework?  Are the kids genuinely not getting it, or do they not even care about getting it?  

I am continually trying to improve my teaching instruction.  No lesson is perfect, and no method always works.  There will always be students that get it, and students that don't.  It's my job to make my lessons engaging and rigorous while adjusting when needed for students that aren't getting it, or already have it.  I DEFINITELY don't consider myself a perfect teacher, but I would absolutely say that I am a good teacher.  Most of us are.  We are doing everything in our power to help these kids succeed.  We are giving them all the tools necessary to excel both behaviorally and academically.  So, where is the breakdown happening?  Why are these grades so low?

In my opinion, it's not the teachers, it's not the parents, and it's not the administrators, or school board.  I feel like we are directing and placing blame where it doesn't need to be.  We are becoming so obsessed with test scores, and observations, and the politics of teaching that we are forgetting all about the very center of education.  The kids.  

Many of my students are getting low grades in my class right now.  The reason is not because they don't have parental support at home, or because my class and the standards are too hard.  The reason is because they lack intrinsic motivation.  They don't know how to persevere when things get tough or hard.  They lack grit.  What do we do about this?

The number one cause for D's and F's in my class right now is missing homework and classwork assignments.  They just aren't completing the work.  They don't want to complete the work.  

I know some teachers who won't assign homework because the kids won't do it.  That way, their grades won't drop.  I refuse to do that.  What is that teaching my students?  Will they not have homework in high school or college?  I don't think so! I will not stop assigning homework, I will not hesitate to enter a "M" or "0" into the grade book if the work is not completed, and I will take off points if assignments are turned in late.  I will teach my students to be productive members of society.  Holding them to high standards will eventually teach them to be college, career, and life ready.  Instead of lowering the bar because I have so many low grades, I will keep the bar high, and help my kids reach it.

My focus the remainder of this quarter is going to be putting everything I have into trying to teach my students how to become motivated.  How to WANT to complete homework and assignments.  Not because I asked them to, or because their parents asked them to, but because THEY want to SUCCEED, and because THEY want good grades, and because THEY want to be proud of themselves.  Pride in themselves is way more important that the pride they receive from their teachers and parents.  

I might be crazy, I might not be able to turn some of them around, and it will not be easy.  But you know what?  Even if I can reach one student, just one, and help them improve, then it will be worth it.  

It's time to tell them The Story.  Every year, I wait for a time just like this where my students seem to be really struggling.  I take a few minutes in class, and tell them this true story about myself...

Guys, nobody is perfect.  Not even teachers.  When I was your age I decided to trade in my brains for my social life.  I started to become much more interested in my friends than my school work.  My previously straight-A average started to drop.  It wasn't that I wasn't capable of getting excellent grades, but that I wasn't trying.  As I entered high school, it got worse.  My parents were frustrated with me, they grounded me, and took away something else every time I brought home a bad report card.  Some of you know the feeling well.  I would get a sinking, empty feeling in the pit of my stomach when I knew I had to show my parents my grades.  Still though, it didn't sink into my brain what I was doing, and how it was affecting everyone around me.  I officially hit rock bottom my sophomore year of high school.  My lack of grit had caused me to literally fail Ecology for the semester.  This meant I was short a credit to move on to my Junior year.  Up until that point, I hadn't had a real consequence for my actions.  Teachers and my parents would tell me what was going to happen, but it wasn't happening at that moment, so in my head, I felt my bad grades weren't a big deal.  Now, I was starting my junior year in a sophomore homeroom which was HORRIBLY embarrassing.  I had to attend night school to make up the credit five days a week until 8pm with kids who did drugs, and skipped school.  I didn't belong there! How had I gotten myself to this point?  It took the humiliating and humbling experience of failing a class, and the true and utter disappointment I saw in my parents for me to realize what I had done.  To be honest, it wasn't my parents, my teachers, or my peers that finally made me turn around.  I just woke up one day and realized that I WANTED to be somebody someday, and that I WANTED to succeed.  For myself.  I was sick of hearing that I was headed to a future at McDonalds, and that I would never get into my dream school, The University of Florida.  I was so angry at myself, and I wanted to prove everyone wrong.  So, I did.  I never received below a B from that point forward.  I was always capable, I was just lacking grit, lacking tenacity.  I was able to recover my GPA enough that I got into USF, but that wasn't my goal.  I wanted to be a GATOR.  Unfortunately, my grades weren't high enough to get in, so I decided to attend St. Petersburg College for my first two years.  I literally worked my little determined butt off, and I graduated with an Associate's Degree with at 3.9 GPA.  I applied to UF as a transfer student, and I was accepted.  I will never forget the day I received my acceptance letter, and how amazing it felt knowing that I DESERVED it.  I made mistakes, but I realized how those mistakes were affecting my life, and I made the choice to change.  I proved everyone wrong who told me I wouldn't accomplish my goals.  Most importantly, I proved myself wrong when I started to believe those people.  The day I graduated from The University of Florida with a Bachelor's Degree in English was one of the most profound and important days of my life.  So you see, I've been there.  I know what it's like to struggle, but I also know what it's like to start from the bottom and work your way back up.  I can be the best teacher in the world, and give you all the tools you need to succeed, but in the end, it doesn't matter.  You have to WANT to get good grades, and set up a bright future for yourself.  So, I challenge you.  Turn it around now.  Bring those grades up before it's truly too late.  Set your goals, and accomplish them.  I know you can do it, but do you know you can do it?  

Every year that I tell this story to my students, I'm not sure if it makes a difference.  Some of my students take it to heart, and start to bring their grades up.  Some do not.  It might seem strange that I am willing to tell my students something so personal about myself, but I'm not ashamed.  I feel like I can take my mistakes I've made in the past, and use them as learning experiences for my students.  I would never take back my choices from the past, because I feel like they've made me a stronger person.  

As a society, we really need to start looking at the WHY.  Why are our kids not meeting standards, why are they not getting good grades, why are their test scores low?  The answer does not lie in how we can be better teachers, or better parents, but the answer lies in how can we help our kids be better people.  How can we motivate them to want to persevere?  How can we get them to WANT to do homework or to get a good grade on a test?   

We need to teach GRIT.  We need to teach TENACITY.  I'm pretty sure there isn't a test our kids can take to help them master these qualities.   Are these qualities even measurable?

Maybe my story will make a difference, maybe it won't.  But at least I can try.    

Say Something, I'm Giving Up on You...

Billy is the type of student that spends more time in the principal's office than in an actual classroom.  He doesn't complete work, he refuses to follow directions, he has low test scores, and he doesn't get along with his peers.  He often sits at his desk, with a brooding look on his face, and either falls asleep, or creates a paper gadget to throw across the room.  He has no motivation, no grit, no tenacity.

Billy lives at home with a single mom who has to work two jobs to make ends meet.  His father abandoned the family when Billy was seven years old.   Billy is responsible for taking care of his two younger siblings, and he doesn't have anyone to hold him accountable for the choices he makes at school, both academically and behaviorally.  

At school, Billy is on a team that has had two language arts teachers, and one math teacher quit in the middle of the current school year.  The school just keeps juggling subs between the two classes.  His other teachers are trying the best they can, but they are overwhelmed with trying to maintain a stable learning environment for their students in the absence of two core teachers.  

Billy has no adult to turn to.  He has no outlet for his anger and frustration other than to act out in class.  He doesn't have anyone to model appropriate behavior, or to help him figure out the difference between right and wrong.  

Billy has been abandoned by almost every adult figure in his life thus far.  His father moved out, his mother never has time for him, and three of his teachers have decided they were going to leave their classes.  

To Billy, it feels like everybody has given up on him.  Is it really a surprise that he's the kid that has secured a permanent seat outside the principal's office?

Sadly, this is a situation that happens all too often in our public schools today.  This situation especially occurs in Title I schools where the population has high poverty levels, and is know for "the rough kids."  I know this because I work at one of these schools.  

I see it in the grimaces on faces when I tell people what school I teach at.  I have been told by many that I am "insane" or that I should move to an affluent school where the kids and parents care more.  

My school has one of the highest teacher turn-over rates in our county.  Every year, we see as many as ten or twelve teachers leave their students in the middle of the year for various reasons.  Some have family or health issues, some  have chosen to make a career change, but the majority leave to go to another school because they can't "handle the kids anymore."  Once a teacher chooses to leave, it often takes weeks or even months to fill that position with a quality candidate.  In the meantime, subs take over the classes.  The fact is, no matter how great they are, most subs are just not equipped with the skills necessary to foster meaningful and effective learning in a classroom.  Our students are expected to maintain excellent behavior and grades while they are sitting in a class completing worksheets day after day while the sub tries to sustain control and babysit.  

Who are we kidding?  I know I couldn't learn in a situation like that, even if I wanted to.  How can we expect our kids to?  How can we be surprised when test scores drop, or when referral numbers skyrocket?  

Don't get me wrong, there are definitely situations in which a teacher leaving mid-year is justified.  Lack of administrative or teaching support can definitely be understandable factors.  However, the reality of the situation is that 85% of the time, it's not justified.  Are the kids really that bad that they couldn't stick it out until the end of the year?  Did they really use every resource and learning experience available to help maintain a better learning environment for their classroom?  

The fact is very simple.  We need the best teachers in our worst schools.  PERIOD.

Our "at risk" kids are the ones who need routine, they need structure, they need someone who does not give up on them.  

I don't have the magic answer of how to deal when times get rough in your classroom.  Of how to make it better so you don't have to abandon your students who need you so desperately. 

I personally feel that the relationships that we foster with these "difficult students"are the key to succeeding as a teacher at a Title I school.  Have conversations with your kids! You can usually figure out the source of their behavior if you simply sit down with them and find out what's on their mind.  They need to know you care.  And guys, you can't foster those relationships if you leave.  

 I have recently been asked to take over an 8th grade Language Arts class for one month to prepare them for the FCAT Writes Test at the end of February.  These students have had TWO language arts teachers leave them already this year, the most recent one left one month before the big test.  In addition, last year, many of them were on a 7th grade team, that at one point had THREE instructional vacancies because content area teachers left mid-year.  It's going to be difficult for me to juggle two groups of students, I'm taking over classes that have had limited writing instruction this year, and that are not the best behaviorally, and I am leaving my own students for eleven instructional days.  As hard as this is for me, I know that I am helping out my school for the greater good.  

Today was one of the hardest days I've faced as a teacher when I had to tell my students that I was leaving them for a month.  It was like taking a bullet.  I honestly didn't anticipate how difficult it would be for me to tell them since it's only for a few weeks, but their sad little faces broke me.  

It was in those moments today that I realized how much of an impact we make on our students every day.  I got a first hand look at the effect a teacher leaving can have on a child, and I'm only leaving for a short time.  I can't imagine ever leaving them permanently, no matter how tough things got.  

We can't possibly teach our kids how to have grit, and how to persevere and not quit when they most want to give up if we don't display those qualities ourselves.  I will never teach at an affluent school, because it's the kids in high poverty areas that need us the most.  We can make the most difference in their lives.  This is just my personal opinion, so take it as you will, but I believe wholeheartedly that my school needs good, quality teachers that will stick it out, and will provide our students with the quality education they deserve.  Until we achieve that, we can't expect much to improve.

We all have bad days, we all have times where we want to give up, and we all get frustrated and complain to the point where we literally don't think we can take it one more day.  The fact it, we need to suck it up.  Remember the ONE reason why we do what we do.  It's for the kids.   

Even the naughty, defiant, profane, violent, disrespectful, and lazy kids like Billy. 

Those kids, more than others, need teachers who won't give up on them.  

Can One Person Change the World?

Sometimes, one of my students does something so powerful that I have to share it with the world.  This week has been very draining mentally for me, and I needed a wake up call.  I needed a reminder to stop complaining, stop focusing on the negative, and most importantly, a reminder of why I get up and come to work every day.  Sometimes you have to take one for the team, you have to step up to the plate, you have to do something you don't want to do, in order to help the greater good...sometimes you have to do these things to try and change the world.

The past few weeks, my students have been learning about Malala Yousafzai as a part of our unit on heroes.  We read the text of her United Nations Speech as we watched video footage of Malala actually giving the speech.  We then had a very deep class discussion about Malala's words and how they impact us as individuals.  

For those of you who don't know, Malala Yousafzai is a teenage from Pakistan who was shot by the Taliban in 2012 simply because she fought for her right to an education.  Malala is an inspirational activist, and she has never given up on her dream for all women and children in her country, and world-wide, to receive the gift of knowledge through a valuable education.  Her grit is infectious.  I felt it deeply, and I wanted my students to feel it as well.  

My classes discussed the fact that Americans take their educations for granted.  We complain about having to study for a test, or take notes, or grade papers, or sit through a meeting.  When, if you think about it, Malala literally took a bullet to her head for the chance to study for a test, take notes, or do homework.  The conversations I had with my students were simply incredible, and I am so thankful to have had that experience with them.  Whether or not the conversations linger with my kids, I can only hope they had a lasting effect.  

As a reflection on our experience learning about Malala and her story, I had my gifted/advanced students write letters to her.  I wanted them to think about what we discussed, as well as how Malala affected them on a personal level.  

I absolutely had to share this one with all of you.  

This student is a very special one to me, and she might be one of the most talented writers I've ever come across.  Keep in mind, this is an assignment she did in just 30 minutes, and she did not have time for revisions or editing.  It literally makes me giddy when I am so frustrated with all the "naughty" students, but then I see through an assignment like this, that some of them really do get it.  They really do care.  

This letter sums up why I come to work everyday.  This letter was the perfect relief this week during a very stressful time.  It's a breath of fresh air, and it's a reminder that our students and children do listen, they do learn, and they do want to make something of themselves some day.  

Now it's just our job to help them get there.  

To quote Malala, "One teacher, one child, one pen, and one book, can change the world."  Let's not let her down...

Dear Malala,

        I have absolutely no idea where to begin. Maybe thank you for the inspiration. Your story makes me feel powerful and full of hope. Because of you, I have decided that I need to help an issue too. I'm still contemplating what one small person in this world can do, but you're living proof that one person can change the world and turn it upside down. I'll bet you never thought that you would create the impact that you did. It's an incredible thing to comprehend, I suppose. I, J.U., a twelve-year-old girl, can change the way things are. What an odd thought.

        I am hugely blessed to live in a country like the USA. We have the freedom to go to school. A good percentage of us live a life of first world problems, and I'm grateful every day for that fact. When I learned that not all countries in the world are just like us, it like hitting a brick wall (or being a Muggle trying to get past Platform 9 3/4, if you're into Harry Potter). I applaud the bravery of you and your family to continue running your father's school despite the Taliban's orders.  I've read a few of your blog entries and have began reading your autobiography, and I must say that 1.) You certainly have a gift for writing and the ability to paint a picture of words to create the authentic emotions of what you went through. 2.) I have no idea how you do it. I have a heart attack when the toaster pops, I seriously doubt I would've been able to stand up to the Taliban. Many children in the US truly despise school and homework, and going to school is the most awful thing imaginable. There are some days when even I would rather take a twenty-four hour power nap instead of school. When these thoughts come to me, I quickly remind myself of the children in your country that don't have the choice of education. I've heard it said that worst things come to the best of people. You are a beautiful and exquisite person who has severely impacted the world for the better. Being shot by the Taliban was such an awful thing to happen to such a lovely person.  One of my favorite things that you have said was in your United Nations speech. You say how being shot only made you a stronger and fearless person. The fact the you keep fighting despite what you've been through is such an inspiring thing, it brings determination and persistence to an entirely new level.

        Personally, one of my favorite things to study is the Civil Rights Movement, when African-Americans were segregated and treated less than human in the southern states of America during the 1950's and 60's. For me, a stand out segment about the Civil Rights is the non-violent approach of Martin Luther King, Jr., and many other leaders. You mention MLK and Ghandi in your UN speech. Another brilliant point brought up in your United Nations speech was that you said that even if you had the chance to shoot the Talib man who shot you, you would not, that you still love him even after what he did to you. That you feel compassion towards him because he is not educated. To be honest, I don't know if I possess that level of self-control and love. I thank you for standing up for the women and children of Pakistan. It's sometimes hard, as an American, to watch suffering that the Middle East  experiences. I can only imagine what an actual resident must feel. Bullying and bystanding is a huge issues all over the world. In America, it is primarily kid-on-kid in schools and extra-curricular activities. In a way, the Taliban are the bullies of Pakistan and under their rule is the victim as well as bystander. You stood up for your country even though you knew the cost would most likely be awful, which it was. It's so inspirational and beautiful. I want to be you when I grow up, and I'm sure I'm not alone in that.

        In the above paragraph, I compare the Taliban to bullying. I think we can help the women and children of Pakistan like we deal with bullying. It all starts with that first domino to fall, that first single voice to speak up. In this case, you. Next, we need a bigger group, a gathered nation to help. The bully begins to feel intimidated, but not enough to back down just yet. The nation expands to a world, a world where everyone is fighting together for the same because they want change for the better, then it stops. The bully stops torturing. The victim/s stop living in fear and crying. The world stops fighting because they know they've won. We have our nation mostly gathered, all we need now is the world. I know the situation is much more intricate and complex than my format, but it is a start nonetheless.

        You are definitely one of my heroes.

        So many of your qualities are that of what most consider a hero. You're courageous, intelligent, compassionate, and determined. I once heard that the difference between brave and courageous is that brave is when you unintentionally run into danger and face it then and there, courageous is when you know full well what you're doing, but you do it anyway because you know that's what's right. If that happens to be true, you certainly fall under the courageous category. You knew how cruel and ruthless the Taliban are, yet you ran head first into it because there was a change you needed to see happen. As I mentioned before, you said in your UN speech that you feel compassion towards the Talib man who shot you. That's such a wonderful trait to have. I'm notorious for holding grudges, and only forgiving when I feel they've proved themselves. You forgave because you know it's pointless to hold grudges. That's another valuable lesson I've learned from you. Also previously brought up, your determination and can-do, never-gonna-give-up attitude is amazing. You literally almost died, and yet you still continued the campaign that leaded you to that state. Remarkable, just truly remarkable.

        Once again, I cannot thank you enough for the fire you've ignited not only to the world, but within me as well. I feel as though I  can do anything because I constantly remind myself of your courage. I even use you to push me through the day. J, if Malala can stand up to the Taliban, you can get out of bed. Jor, if Malala can change the world, you can stay awake in class. You are beautiful and wonderful, please don't ever change that. God bless you and your family. Best wishes!

                                                                                                                                                            With Deep Love and Admiration,

J.U.

How to ACTUALLY Achieve those New Year's Resolutions!

I know, I know.  Social media is FULL of people making resolutions and goals for the New Year.  I feel like I can't log onto Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram without seeing a ton of posts all about eating healthier, working out more, becoming financially savvy, or spending more time with family.

According to an article on Forbes, some estimates say that over 40% of Americans make New Year's Resolutions.  That's awesome! Or is it?  The University of Scranton research suggests that just 8% of people actually achieve their resolutions.  Where is the breakdown?  Why is this happening?

Setting goals is a part of life.  As a teacher, I try to make it a habit to have my students create goals all throughout the school year.  It's human nature to want to better yourself, and a lot of times, the possibility of becoming a better version of yourself is what keeps a lot of us getting out of bed every day.  The problem is not that people are setting goals, and then just giving up on them, or forgetting about them.  The problem is...

GOALS NEED TO ACTUALLY BE ATTAINABLE! 

Don't get me wrong, long-term goals are extremely beneficial, and it helps to look down the road ahead to give yourself some direction in life.  However, it's the smaller, short-term goals that are the vehicles to get you to that end destination.  

Why even create New Year's Resolutions, or any goal for that matter, if you have no intention of achieving them?  One of the biggest reasons why people don't achieve their resolutions is because they are too broad, too in the distance, and too generic.  

When I created my list of resolutions, I definitely had a few long-term goals listed.  But I also made sure to give myself a timeline with short-term goals.  I want to accomplish certain things by a certain time, and having this timeline is going to make it easier to make my goals a reality. 

Create goals that are...
1. Short, and that lead you to a long-term goal.  At my gym, Tampa Bay Athletics, we have created 3 Month goals.  This way, we have an end date in the horizon, and we are much more likely to actually hold ourselves accountable. 
2. REALISTIC! Don't say that you are going to run a marathon in 6 months if you've never run a distance race before! Start with a 5K goal, then work your way to a 10K goal, etc.
3. Personal and Specific- Be careful about choosing vague goals just because "everybody else is doing it." We all want to lose weight, eat healthier, save money.  Make your goals personal and specific.  Instead of "losing weight," make your goal, "losing 15 pounds in 3 months."  
4.  Measurable- You need to have a way to hold yourself accountable.  Create a food diary for a weight loss goal, keep track of expenses or create a budget for a finance goal, or find an accountablillabuddy that can help keep you on track.  My husband and I are both going to push each other to obtain our 3 Month Fitness and Health goals.  If he reaches for a cupcake, I will remind him of where he wants to be.
5.  VISABLE! Put your goals somewhere you can see them like your computer screen, or a mirror in your bathroom.  That way, you are reminded every single day of what you want to achieve.  It's a constant reminder to be tenacious, and not to give up, even when it gets hard.

The bottom line is simple.  We are a country full of people who want to better themselves, but we have a big problem with actually following through with the plans we create.  If you want to achieve ANYTHING whether it be long-term or short-term, you won't achieve it if you are not in the correct, positive mind frame.  You have to be positive, you have to push yourself, and you have to be gritty.  There are times that I think, "I will NEVER lose 3% body fat in 3 months!"  (Usually this is when I am faced with chicken wings or a piece of chocolate cake).  Guys.  If you have those thoughts, then you probably won't achieve your goals.  My hubby reminds me of this all the time.  

So, what are your goals this year?  How do you want to become a better version of yourself?  What plan are you going to put into action? I would LOVE to hear your goals!  I am a firm believer that if you truly put your mind to it, have a positive attitude, and work hard, you really can achieve ANY GOAL.  Period. 

In closing, I want to share one of the most motivational and uplifting videos ever created.  At least in my opinion.  I am lucky enough to witness people achieve goals and resolutions they never thought imaginable, every day that I walk through the door at Tampa Bay Athletics.  My cousin, Jimmy Myers, started training people in parks, and on the city streets of San Fran when he had down time from his corporate American job.  He knew that he wanted to help people change their lives, and become strong and healthy.  His goal was owning and working at a gym where he could do just that, every single day.  It was a long road full of short term goals, and that road is still winding as he looks at the future.  He sets new goals for his business every day.  This video is a testament that goals are achievable, you can make changes in your life, and that this year, you might actually accomplish some of those New Year's Resolutions...

Well....get to it! After watching the video of course... ;) 

What is Tampa Bay Athletics?- Video

Halfway to The Fabulous New Me

Happy November! It's been a few weeks since my last post, and I wanted to update you all on how my 90 Day Body Composition Challenge is going! We are about at the halfway point...and I am feeling AMAZING! 

Here are my 10 "Ah-ha" moments thus far...

1.  I LOVE FOOD! This challenge has reminded me how much I love the taste of good, clean food, but also how much I love what that good, clean food does to my body.  Let's face it, fueling our bodies is the main reason we eat.  I never realized how much damage I was doing by eating crap, even as delicious as that crap tasted.  My skin is clearer, I have more energy, excuse my TMI moment-eating clean regulates your "system," and gets rid of toxins.  I'm even going to try a 3-5 day juice cleanse in a week or so...more information on juicing coming soon.

2.  CHEATING ISN'T ALL IT'S CRACKED UP TO BE.  When I first started the challenge, the urge to cheat was super strong! I still craved chocolate, greasy food, and chips.  Even though I was enjoying the clean food I was making, I found myself looking forward to my cheat day.  Now that I am almost halfway through, I have realized that urge to cheat is decreasing more and more.  Don't get me wrong, on Saturdays when watching my Gators play, I still might eat a chicken wing or 5 or 10, but then I have to deal with an upset stomach and sluggish feeling, and I instantly regret my decision.  I still allow myself to indulge once a week if needed, but it doesn't make me feel great, so my cheat "days" are dwindling to cheat "meals."  

3.  I AM SEEING RESULTS AT THE GYM!  The past few weeks, I have felt stronger, more conditioned, and have had WAY more energy during my workouts.  I don't get fatigued as quickly.  For example, I pushed back my weight maxes for many of my lifts because my form was starting to break down.  That really hurt my ego at first, but now, I am so happy with my decision.  I am seeing a HUGE improvement with my form, and I feel much more confident when attempting a big squat day, or when doing heavy deadlifts or cleans.  

4.  I FINALLY FEEL LIKE A RUNNER! WAHOO! I ran a 5K on Oct. 26 with my Tampa Bay Athletics family, and I KILLED IT! This might not seem like a big feat for you 15K or half marathon runners, but I can't describe how proud I was of myself! One year ago, I ran the same race, and I received a time of 33:20.  My goal was to run under 35 minutes, and I met that goal.  I also set a new PR.  Well...during the past 4 months or so, my 5K times haven't been super great.  For the race this year, I told myself I wanted to beat my PR of 29:37 (when I was taking deer antler), and I wanted to run it in under 29:00.  My official race time was 28: 36!!! I not only came under 29 minutes, but I also shaved a whole minute off my PR.  I 100% believe that this challenge has helped me accomplish this huge goal!! I HATE running, and I have never considered myself a runner, but for the first time, I am actually enjoying running, and I have goals to keep improving! Who knows, I may even try a 10 or 15K...but let's not get ahead of ourselves! 

5.  WATER, WATER, WATER!  The easiest part of this challenge for me so far has been my water intake.  I have pretty consistently kept my intake to 80-90oz a day.  On the weekends, I don't drink as much since I'm not talking all day like I do while teaching, but I still drink a decent amount.  Drinking a ton of water is SO SO SO important!! 

6.  FOUR PANTS SIZES! FOUR PANTS SIZES!  Last week, I wore a pair of Anne Taylor pants to work.  THIS WAS A HUGE DEAL FOR ME, because one year ago I was wearing pants FOUR sizes bigger!!  I even danced around the bathroom, and did a little cheer.  I haven't been able to wear them for at least 3 years, AND today I put on a BCBG skirt that I bought my second year teaching.  Last time I wore it, I had to un-do the clasp, zip it down a bit, and then pin it to get it to fit me because I couldn't close the clasp.  It was even a little loose today- and fully zipped!  These were probably my happiest moments during the first half of the challenge.  Most days, I get frustrated because I'm not seeing results (or so I think).  So, when I was able to put the skirt and pants on, and button them comfortably, it gave me the proof I needed.  It's working.  I never care what the scale says, but what I do care about is how my clothes fit, and how I feel.  I weighed myself today, and I literally weigh exactly the same as I did before the challenge, but I am down 4 sizes!

7.  PROTEIN...INTIMIDATING and IMPORTANT.  One of the hardest parts of the challenge for me so far has been including enough protein in my diet.  My goals were to lost body fat and to gain muscle, so I should have about 100-120 grams of protein a day.  This is a HUGE increase from what I was used to.  I'm really trying to vary my sources of protein, and for the second half of the challenge, I am going to introduce protein shakes using the protein from the fabulous Ten Institute!  I still feel like I'm not having enough protein every day, so I think the protein shakes after working out will help supplement the small amount I'm lacking.  

8.  GETTING IN A RUT.  Another challenge for us has been trying to avoid getting in a food "rut."  When the challenge started, we had our staple items that we ate every day.  We spent a lot of time trying recipes, and finding ways to eat clean and organically without breaking the bank.  After a while, we started to get bored of eating the same things.  I was tired of having my mid-day snack EVERY DAY be celery with natural peanut butter.  Or,  I was tired of green beans and chicken AGAIN for lunch.  I've realized that it takes a bit of time to try different foods and recipes, and to plan out your menus for the week.  We are trying to vary our protein sources, our snacks, our breakfasts, and our dinners.  I got so sick of eating hard boiled eggs and bananas every morning, so I tried a fabulous egg muffin recipe that someone on the Challenge Facebook page posted.  I loved it!! 

9.  WE ALL NEED A CHEERLEADER!  When trying to complete a challenge like this one, it's so vital that you have an accountabillabuddy to complete it with you, or to cheer your on, and keep you motivated and on track.  I am lucky enough to be going through this journey with my fabulous husband, Brett.  On days that one of us wants to break, the other one gives a reminder of why we are doing this in the first place.  On days where we are getting bored with our meals, one of us finds something new and yummy to make for dinner.  And most importantly, we encourage one another, and we let each other know that the results can be seen! I have noticed a HUGE difference in Brett, and I make sure to let him know, especially when I see that he is getting frustrated.  This is NOT something that you can, or should do alone!! 

10.  WE ALL SLIP SOMETIMES.  I admit...there has been a week or two where I fell off the wagon.  Whether it be that work was so insane that I couldn't bare to put on gym clothes and get myself to TBA, or that my monthly hormones were raging and I just HAD to have those french fries or giant brownie or I would just DIE.  Either way, I cheated.  It's okay.  It happens.  It doesn't mean that I am going to lose ALL the progress I've made, or that the brownie was going to push me up two pants sizes.  Although, at the time, I felt so guilty, that I was SURE I was going to gain 15 pounds.  The important part is that when trying to complete a challenge like this, you have to realize that you are human, you might fall off the horse, but you can get right back up again.  I have not lost determination, I have not lost the drive and will, and I have made a PERMANENT decision to live an active, clean, healthy, and strong lifestyle for the rest of my life...even if there are a few bumps in the road along the way.

Needless to say, it's been a long journey, and we are only halfway done.  It's been hard, and I've learned SO many new things so far, but the one thing I know is that I am NOT giving up.  I love how I feel inside and out, and I refuse to give that up.  This isn't a diet I'm on, it's not some "new" thing.  It's a lifestyle change, and I am committed.  

I don't like to think of it as, "I still have so far to go."  I like to think of it as, "I am halfway to the fabulous new me!" And I mean this in every sense...both mentally and physically.

I will post another update on the challenge soon...in the meantime....keep on keeping on :)

Do you have Grit?

"WE HAVE TO GET GRITTY ABOUT GETTING OUR KIDS GRITTIER..."

I am a huge nerd as we've already established, and one of my obsessions this year is TED Talks.  I can't stop watching them.  They inspire me.  They make me want to change and rule the world.  Obviously, since I'm a teacher, the education talks are my favorite.  But, I strongly feel like this one sends an essential message to the masses.  It can apply to kids in school or to anybody trying to accomplish anything in life.  

We. Need. More. GRIT.

Think about your job, or your hobby, or your favorite sport to play.  How do you approach things that you set your mind to?  The words grit and perseverance go hand in hand.  In life, it's not about how intelligent you are, or what you have or don't have, it's about having the will, the stamina, the yearning to push forward no matter what.  Not for a day, or a month, or a year, but forever.  

This TED Talk is by Angela Duckworth, a professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.  She was a classroom teacher for many years, and she left after realizing that there was a key component missing in how we view education in America.  She became a psychologist, and began to study different schools, jobs, and corporations.  She did endless research and finally came to the conclusion that what was missing is...grit.  

One of my favorite parts of this talk is when she mentions that as a nation, we have an issue with accepting failure.  She mentions that we need to get our kids to understand that failure is not permanent.  We have to be willing to fail, then try again.  It's a vital part of life.  

I am dealing with an extremely difficult student right now.  I have kept myself up at night thinking about what I can do differently to help her succeed.  She is has a very low IQ, and she has several behavior issues.  Can she change?  Can she be successful?  Will she slip through the cracks?  Angela mentions the "Growth Mindset," which comes from Stanford University.  This is the concept that the ability to learn is NOT fixed, and that it can change with effort.  This concept really has sunk in deep for me, and I am working through my brain how I can apply it with my own students, and even with my own life.  This student in my class...is she a hopeless case?  I believe it's much more than what I am teaching her, how I am teaching her,  the environment she's in, the interventions I've tried, and what her home life is like.  Those things are important, but they aren't going to make a difference in changing her direction in life.  SHE has to have the tenacity, the perseverance, and the drive to want to change.  To me, ability level or IQ don't matter when it comes to this child.  If she has the inner motivation to WANT to do succeed, long term, then she will.  She could have all the tools in place, but the one tool she truly needs, grit, is one that she needs to find within herself.  

This is the hard part, how do we instill grit in our children?  Is it possible for a middle school aged child, or a teenager, or even an adult to find and establish grit? Is it ever too late?  Is it something that can even be taught?

Think about what internally drives you.  How do you approach the responsibilities and obligations in your life?  

Do you have grit?

"GRIT IS LIVING LIFE LIKE A MARATHON AND NOT LIKE A SPRINT."

http://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_the_key_to_success_grit.html