Many of you have heard the phrase, "if you do something you love, you'll never work a day in your life!" More days than not, this has been my experience in working with the Awesome Aviators at Round Top Elementary! So, what part is "work" you might ask? Umm....let's be honest, greeting the dawning day before most nocturnal animals begin to even think about turning in is not on my top-10 list of life's most enjoyable moments. I am a night owl being forced to function during 'normal' business hours. The other downside? Meetings, meetings and more meetings. This is ok though! We MUST collaborate with fellow stake holders to ensure we are providing a holistic educational experience. This means that a love for learning is encouraged by not only addressing students' academic needs but also their personal, social, economical, health-related and future vocational needs. If you are a parent or caregiver reading this blog, the fun and joy of this job comes primarily from your student. Each day they amaze me with their insight, perspective and pure desire to please others and just "do good". Throughout November and into December, my classroom guidance lesson has related to developing an attitude of gratitude. I've been stressing to the students that gratitude takes practice...just like learning to ride a bike. If one doesn't remind him/herself to practice gratitude, the result is taking important people, places and things for granted. Admittedly, this has been a hard concept to deliver to the K-2nd grade crowd. The focus with them has been more aligned with saying thank you and appreciating the things others do for them. The older students have been encouraged to explore gratitude at a deeper level. They've been encouraged to practice perspective when they begin to feel entitled to the things they already have or want in the future. Sharing what other same-aged peers around the world experience in everyday living (like what their bedrooms look like) has been an eye-opening experience...and sometimes tear-inducing. The point made with the students is to understand that privileges include responsibility, especially to those less fortunate. They've been reminded about all of the hard work they already do to provide for others (canned food drive, Boosterthon, etc). Part of this lesson requires the students to decorate a leaf on which they've either drawn or listed three things they are thankful for. Initially, most of them start writing things like "my xbox, my Iphone, etc". I then redirect them to consider the things in their life that, if they were unexpectedly removed, they would truly be affected emotionally or physically. The responses quickly change to "my mom/dad, my health, heat in the winter, fresh water, clothing". The culmination of this classroom guidance series will result in the RTE Gratitude Tree. Ask your student about the story of the tree who once felt his leaves were dull but now shine with vibrant colors....all because he's been reminded of the things he already has and to be actively grateful for them. The tree remains incomplete (still needs 4th grade students' leaves) but it is looking pretty good so far (see pic). The students have been told that the tree is a daily visual reminder to remember and celebrate the people, places and things in their lives on a daily basis. This is such an important part of remaining healthy spiritually and emotionally!
p.s. what else is fun about my job at RTE?.......a principal willing to roller skate around the school all day and be pushed around in an undersized tricycle by students, all in the name of celebrating the students' abilities to set goals and meet them!! (see video)
https://youtu.be/bu6U0CDcRzk
Wishing you the best throughout the holiday season and in all things!
Mrs. Tanner, School Counselor, Round Top Elementary School