January 1, 2018 OneWord: Jump #KidsDeserveIt

         Earlier this Fall my mother sent me a one word text message. She didn’t give me an explanation or the definition. For weeks, I was perplexed how it related to my life all the while it stayed glued in the back of my mind, until today. In 2018 my #OneWord is

Dictionary.com defines jump as, “to spring clear of the ground, leap, to rise suddenly or quickly.” Great, but I don’t think that’s the type of jump definition my mother was thinking of. Steve Harvey, the famous talk-show-host defines jump a little differently. He says jumping consists of the gifts you have: how to network, how to cut hair, how to bake, how to cook, and so forth. Then go out and live the gift. “The only way for you to soar is you have to jump. You have to take the gift you have on your back and you have to jump off the cliff and pull that cord.”

2017 was a tough year: the death of my grandfather, changing jobs, moving 24 hours away from all my family, loss of friendships, etc. But it was also full of celebrations: personal running records shattered, my sister getting married, a new school full of exuberant teachers.  

This year this I will have to let go of my past to take the next step toward jumping. I’ll have to go outside my comfort zone and make decisions that I won’t trust at first. It’s going to be very uncomfortable and uneasy at times. The probability of failing is high. The critics will say, “I told you so.” The pain of failure will be unbearable and embarrassing. People fear jumping. The positives far outweigh the negatives.  It sounds so miserable right?

The possibility of jumping is too great to waste. To soar we must jump! We can’t just stare and watch the clouds pass us by. That’s living life with regrets and not telling our story. We all have so many talents that we’re given or that we’ve crafted over the years. So whatever talents you have use them to jump to new heights and different horizons. If you don’t like where your life is headed don’t be afraid to jump (to a different path.) We only have a limited amount time so don’t waste a moment of it. There is no going back to yesterday. To jump we must get up when we feel defeated and start over. Your desire and faith have to be greater than your doubt. If you want to make your dreams, goals, desires a reality you must jump! Step off the cliff. Ready yourself for what happens next, you won’t regret it. This year I'm going to jump, will you? Don't waste another second, jump!                                                                                                                                                                                                            - Mr. P 

December 29: Can't Stop Running #KidsDeserveIt

Some days you have it and some days you don’t. Today was one of those days that I had it. Maybe it was the conversation I had with a colleague this morning. Maybe it was it was the weather. Or maybe it my desire. Whatever it was, I channeled it from the very beginning of my run.

Run #8 stats: 10 miles, 1:02.51, 6:17 pace

I scheduled 10 miles on my agenda today. For some reason my legs misunderstood that 10 miles is no short distance because immediately I took off running faster than normal. I tried to go a bit slower that first mile, but my legs refused…so I went with it. Mentally I knew running at a faster pace and adding extra mileage I wasn’t accustomed to was not going to end well. I kept running faster anyway. Mile after mile my legs chugged along. My form was stronger and swifter than it had been in months. I was feeling confident. Mile 7, my usual stopping point came around and went like all the other previous miles. Miles 8, 9, and 10 were just like the rest: too easy.

Days like these happen in teaching. For some reason you have an extra boost and pep in your step. Sometimes this energy last as long as my run did, and sometimes it dies out faster than ever. Whenever you do have these days take advantage of them. Enjoy them and use the energy in ways you might not use it again. Days like today don’t  come around often…and not nearly enough. 

- Mr. P

December 28: Dinosaur World #KidsDeserveIt

           Do you ever have those days where you’ve accomplished all that you can by noon? Today was one of those days where I did everything I needed to and I was just chomping at the bit to do something daring. Then I received a text message that transformed my day into another world!

            Half an hour later my students’ family and I were on our way in our Humvee. The trip lasted 30 minutes before our Humvee quickly started sinking in the quick sand we had driven through. We had to no choice to break a window and begin our journey on foot. The Humvee vanished as we were greeted by a wall of trees as tall as the sky. We didn’t know where we were so we kept walking. The forest playground was perfect and shady for 2 (young) paleontologists and 2 (adult) archeologists today.

Suddenly the flock of Pterosaurs went in the opposite direction. Something wasn’t right. Before we knew it a Tyrannosaurus Rex as was coming right for us. We ran as fast as we found in the opposite direction, but knew we were no match for the humongous creature with tiny arms. We braced for our final moment when out of no where a team of Triceratops bulldozed the T-Rex to the ground giving us our perfect opportunity to escape in the shadows. Our archeologists stood in amazement at the sight they just witnessed.  They used to words “cool” and “gruesome” to describe the carnivore’s actions.

            As we walked to a nearby river to replenish our hydration a man named Phil appeared swinging in the trees. He seemed knowledgeable because of his age and white hair so we took him as our own kind. He shared numerous facts of the creatures that lay hidden in the forest we were deep inside of. As our knowledge grew so did our hunger, so he gave us eggs from shaped just like camofloudge soccer balls. They were anything but nutritious, rather rubbery in fact. We thanked the caveman and continued on with our journey.

            We made our way to the Brachiosaurus hoping they’d be our exit ticket out of the forest. Instead, we were back to where we started. While the paleontologists played on a fossilized Stegosaurus, the other archeologist noticed a sign that said “Exit”. Could it be true? We called the boys and headed out. We followed muddy, twisting path before us. We were home free…until a trinity of vicious Velociraptors surrounded us. Not to fear Caveman Phil appeared and sounded his horn. Intimidated, the raptors ran away instantly. Then we walked out of... Dinosaur World.

 -Mr. P

December 27: Fuel #KidsDeserveIt

              As I’m currently training the Gasparilla Half Marathon in Tampa Bay, Florida several of my blogs in January and February will be about my post run reflections.

Run #7 stats: 5 miles, 31:49, 6:21 pace

            This morning I woke up later than usual. I saw my clock and panicked when I read 9:01am. Alexa (my Amazon Echo) proceeded to tell me it was sunny and already in the high 60s. I scurried to grab my iPhone, earbuds, and lace up my Brooks as my Garmin watch quickly calibrated the GPS satellite.  I locked the door and started running.

           

           I got into my usual running pace, but the problems arose just as fast I got there. My stomach to start grumbling, my mouth watering, and sweat was pouring down like a waterfall. My legs slowed and as my time climbed. I knew what I failed to do: fuel up.

           

           My body was telling me I needed to fuel up before I ran, but I ignored it for selfish reasons (time constraints, weather, etc.). The result: pain, less mileage, and disappointment. As educators we oftentimes try to power through the long dog days of teaching because we have to (be on time, make copies, sharpen pencils, attend meetings, etc.) immediately instead of making that quick pit stop to Starbucks or the vending machine to grab fuel. Don’t get me wrong those things are important and necessary, but having fuel to be at your best is important. Without fuel, you won’t be at your best.

          

           Combat this dilemma in two ways: plan ahead and/or ask. If you know what you need, prepare: get up earlier, set an alarm, plan ahead. Also, don’t be afraid to ask others.  Your teacher besties and staff will gladly grab you whatever you need. They are your biggest supporters! Make sure you grab the fuel to be at your best! Fuel up everyone!  

-Mr. P         

December 26th: Ready...Set...Blog! #KidsDeserveIt

           Today is the day! I’m starting something new: a daily blog post about my life in The Jungle: the successes, the failures, and maybe my deepest secrets. Ever since I typed my first blog last December called, “I Don’t Mind Mondays” and felt the rush of view seeing my first blog and I was hooked! I was trying to think of the next best idea no one had read about. But I was also skeptical about being judged and the number of views dropping. Now I’m ready because if there’s one thing I’ve learned in education is that     EVERY VOICE MATTERS.

         I could wait until January 1^st to start this as a New Years Resolution or until tomorrow morning, but there’s no time like the present to share so I’m starting TONIGHT!

Stay tuned and visit as often as you like because you never know what you’ll find in The Jungle! Don’t forget your bug spray!

-Mr. P