Cherie's Random Thoughts

Taking a Me-Day | Psychology Today : Over the past two decades, I have learned how important "Me-Days" are to maintaining our overall wellbeing. Religiously I begin and end my day with me day. Each day's ritual may vary but usually includes reading, listening to music, viewing inspirational videos, or simply being still. When I fail to incorporate "Me-Days" into my weekly routine, I find that my normally healthy body begins to exhibit signs of acute or chronic stress. As an educator and woman, it is essential that I master the art of a Me-Day and would encourage all who not only care about their wellbeing, but others to do the same. 'via Blog this'

The ten top habits of those that live a long life are simple and true, yet we tend to resist making them a reality in our lives. As I reviewed this list, I saw that currently I have eight pretty much down and I am hunting down #1 as we speak. What is number one you ask? Avoiding Stress. Yes, avoiding stress when it is possible is key to a longer life. Over the past 20 years of my life, I have learned how stress can affect your life in very negative ways. Many of which can lead to a premature death, such as increased blood pressure and increase in your weight. Since July I have committed myself to find ways to lower my stress, avoid stress when at all possible, and put into place a plan to make me resilient against the effects of stress. At 41, I aspire to live to 100. I have 50/50 percent chance of doing so but it will depend on what I do with the next 20 years of my life.

This article,  Gallup Poll Finds 70 Percent of Americans Favor More Federal Funding for Pre-K , signifies the importance of having more funding for Pre-K. 70% percent want it according to the poll, yet we continue to struggle to obtain funding that will make quality pre-k a reality for all children in the U.S. The 70 percent should ask the following questions of those that make the decisions about funding: 1) Why hasn't full funding become a reality? 2) Are we in the business of building a society that is destined to be incarcerated either in prison, a hospital, or poverty or would we much rather invest making sure the young children of today become productive citizens of the future?

Corporate eLearning Strategies and Development: 21st Century Learning - Let's Leave 20th Century E... : I'd like to restate something I've learned over the years living through and participating in the latest significant historical,... Great blog on the importance of letting go and learning from the past. As we are past the mid-point of 14th year into the 21st Century, I am amazed at the resistance of some educators to hold on to old ways of thinking. True education occurs through our ability to embrace change and create new opportunities. It is difficult to place a square peg (20th century) into a circle (21st Century). Resist the urge to hold on and purge.

Are Healthier School Lunches Winning Over Students? - Education Week The above article shows that students will eat healthier lunches. It just takes time. I remember when the debate began regarding purging student lunches of unhealthy foods, many believed that it could not be done. They believe that students would never eat the lunches. We must remember building healthy eating habits takes time and does not happen overnight. We can no longer afford giving students foods that will potentially lead to health issues that will shorten their life.

Nearly 75 Percent of Faculty Incorporated Technology into their Teaching | Faculty Focus The above article on faculty's use of technology in the classroom is promising and hopeful. As a GenXer I never really understood the resistance of using technology and really found that the real issue is how to we find a balance between using technology and not using it. As an educator, I feel strongly that this balance must be achieved at all levels of education. It important for educators help facilitate the development of efficient and effective use of technology. It is all about helping students learn not only when it is appropriate to use technology but also learn how to survive in times when technology fails you. We always remember technology is only one tool we use to acquire knowledge. Fortunately for myself I learned both ways and have learned to manage the amount of technology in my life as well.

A Caring Professor May Be Key in How a Graduate Thrives - Administration - The Chronicle of Higher Education The above article is a reminder of the impact one educator can have on the life of a learner, whether child or adult, the impact is tremendous. In the current social climate many adult learners as well children lack role models that will help them thrive not only as a student but in their professional life. I have seen the power of great educator and the power of less desired one. Great educators have keen sense of seeing potential in their students and seeing beyond their rough exterior. They model what they want in their students and because of that the often get back what they give (outside the outliers). Teaching comes with heavy burden. Although it is up to the learner to be willing to try and give their best and educator must never let their heart get harden by the changes in student behavior.