Cherie's Random Thoughts

Ignite. Incite. Inspire.: Who Speaks for Our Students? : All caring adults do. We empathize with their emotions and advise them on their actions. All parents do. We understand them - profoundly -... The above article is a wonderful blog post on the importance hearing our students. Regardless of a student''s age, whether they are 2, 12, 20, or 50 we as educator need to listen. The author is right. Students deserve to be heard.  All too often we hear our voices and the the students of voices get lost. It becomes a them against us scenario when it should be a "we" one.  The power of the student voice is powerful. It provides educators with valuable information on how to work with them and help students achieve their dreams. Because in the end it is where they end up that matters most. Not where we want them to be at the time.   Just image if every student regardless of age were allowed a voice, a revolution would occur, and we will would presently be surprised at...

This You Tube video of a Michael Jackson Tribute by Ohio State's Marching Unit epitomizes the three D's that a person needs to be successful in life.  Whether you are student, teacher, Doctor, or artist.  The three D's are: Determination, Dedication, and Discipline .  Webster defines determination as "a quality that makes you continue trying to do or achieve something that is difficult.”  Otherwise known as one part of GRIT.  Success is only achieved when we overcome what we once thought was not achievable.  Although our difficulties or challenges may be different, the ability to push through is necessary if we want to see that rainbow at the end of a storm.  Dedication is defined by Webster as " a feeling of very strong support for or loyalty to someone or something: the quality or state of being dedicated to a person, group, cause, etc.  Dedication to anything requires sacrifice and requires us to be present in the MOMENT.  Wh...

In an article on Marc and Angel Hack Life,  5 Core Skills Your Life Depends On , the authors provides us we 5 key skills we need to be successful in life.  The first three or CCR (Creativity, Curiosity, and Resilience) I feel are most important and essential to getting through life.  The ability to be   creative   helps us be able to solve-problems during our lifetime.  This skill allows us to understand that there are many solutions to our problems and it is important for us to take time to explore these solutions.  This is where   curiosity   kicks in.  The ability to be curious helps a person to be willing to try these solutions and be interested in the new possibilities they may bring.  When we work through our problems, sometimes failing and sometimes succeeding, we develop the skill of   resilience .   When we are resilient, we are able to move past our problems and/or adversities and do so with grace. ...

The poem below epitomes why it is so important to start your workday on good foot. Your mood, spirit, and state of mind have the power to make significant change for you, your company, and the people you come into contact each day. And as the poem says it begins with YOU. Be in instrument of change verses one of destruction.  One song can spark a moment One flower can wake the dream One tree can start a forest One bird can herald spring One smile begins a friendship One handclasp lifts a soul One star can guide a ship at sea One word can frame the goal One vote can change a nation One laugh will conquer gloom One step must start each journey One hope will raise spirits One touch can show you care One voice can speak with wisdom One heart can know what’s true ONE LIFE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! That difference starts with you…. Unknown

Perseverance is a skill that is necessary for our survival. It is the different between life and death. It is the skill that helps a person beat Cancer time after time. It is the skill that helps a person who lived a childhood of abuse survive and become one of the great leaders of the world.  It is the skill that helps you move your greatest challenges in life. Perseverance is born out of faith and hope that things get better. No matter how dark things may seem a person with perseverance rises to the occasion and comes out of the darkness into the light.  We must remember we have choices in life and that we must understand what lies on either side of the line. The question is what side do you want to be on? 

The following quote epitomizes ways we can love our life:  You've got to dance like there's nobody watching,  Love like you’ll never be hurt,  Sing like their's nobody listening,  And live like it's heaven on earth.  -William W. Purkey  Line one: This line is all about being comfortable in own skin and being about to find joy first within ourselves.  Line two: This line is about forgiveness.  No matter what life brings always lead with a loving heart.  Leading with a fist only leads to misery.  Line three: This line is about doing good work and not expecting a reward.  Good deeds are inherently rewarded when we least expect it and often when we need it.  Line four: This line is about living life to fullest.  Taking time to smell the roses and see each rainbow everyday of your life, regardless of what life brings. 

In honor of the 12th Anniversary I would like to share my thoughts on that faithful day. September a time for anew but who knew it would be a time for tragedy. September 11 began a day that began ordinary and routine, but ended tragically. The event is one that one should never forget but many have forgotten the lost that occurred. On September 11, I was a 28 years old early intervention teacher. At the time, I did know that terrorism could occur on such a grand scale on US soil. I quickly learned shortly after the first tower was hit that that was not the case. All I could think when my colleague and friend, Cynthia came into the bathroom to tell me that plane had hit the trade towers was: this is not possible.  Sadly I learned that it was. All I could think was that WW3 had arrived and we needed to get these kids home to their parents. Luckily for us their parents came to them. As the days followed 9-11, I grew anger. Angry that we were not aware that this was a pos...