Blog Post: Post final overview/evaluation of book, how it has changed you as an educator, and 5 things you can
do differently to apply and/or implement the book into your building or classroom.
April 5-10 Final Evaluation
Blog Post: Post final overview/evaluation of book, how it has changed you as an educator, and 5 things you can do differently to apply and/or implement the book into your building or classroom.
10 Comments
Holly
4/6/2015 03:26:43 pm
I think one of the biggest impacts for me from reading this book (and hearing Ron speak at the OMLA conference) is to always go for the positive. It makes me sad how negative teachers have become. I puzzle at this, but I when I think about it, I think it comes from the loss of control and the loss of respect. Teachers used to be highly regarded and we had a lot of autonomy over our classrooms. Now we've become the bad guys and we constantly have to prove our worth. No wonder we're all stressed out and unhappy all the time. I want to try and be as positive as I can both with my students and with my coworkers. If nothing else, it will make my days better, and perhaps I will have a positive impact on others.
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Molly
4/11/2015 11:34:03 am
Holly, we had several of the same points! Teaching students how to study and be organized are going to be specific and daily tasks for me next year.
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Bobbi Ingraham
4/7/2015 04:48:08 am
Well said Holly! I just commented on last week's blogs before opening this up and you said what I just commented on. I think, from what I have read over the course of this on-line class, we all took away one main theme "focus on the positive." When I heard Ron speak at the conference I felt his energy, his positive attitude, and his love for the profession. The first year I walked into a classroom I had teachers just look at me with the "I wonder how long that will last" look. I believed I could move mountains. I am a positive person but it is very easy to get lost in the daily grind of our profession and loose site of what is truly important…the students. I still believe that I am positive and I give it my all but I am stressed. Why are we so stressed? Is it the loss of control, is it the increase in rigor, is it the demands coming form every direction, or is it our own feeling of not doing what we know we can do or do what we feel is right for the students? When I read the book I often thought about that last statement….doing what I know I can do or do what I feel is right for our students. This was a statement that hit me last summer when I was floating in the pool. It was the aha moment and I decided we were going to do what we were told we had to do BUT we were going to do it our way. We started off the year that way but once the PARCC season hit us I think we derailed. The staff I work with is incredible. They know what our students need and they know what is expected. We need to "do it our way" to get our students to that point. That is what Ron is doing. He is doing it his way to get his students to the point that everyone is expecting them to get to. Looking back at the book the five practical things I would like to implement are:
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Jenny
4/7/2015 10:42:58 am
The biggest message I have taken away from my Ron Clark experience is to "take the slide". In other words, do things differently. This was from his speech, more than the book. I think we often get caught up in doing things the way we always have, and changes make many of us anxious. The problem is the expectations have changed, the students have changed, the resources have changed, so now we need to change. I will admit, I am not a huge fan of the book "The Excellent 11". I feel there is a lot of Ron patting himself on the back. However, as I look back over my notes, there are several ideas I will try to put to work.
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Holly
4/9/2015 02:55:59 pm
Right now I am in the process of trying to get a field trip rescheduled going against a district policy on field trips at the end of the year. I figure, I have nothing to lose, so why wouldn't I try to do the best for my kiddos? Plan your trip. You'll figure out how to get it done!!
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Molly
4/7/2015 04:26:21 pm
The biggest influence Ron's book has had on me is to keep my enthusiasm up and don't be afraid to try anything that might work for my students. I thought his book was an easy read and teachers can relate to the content. I have to agree with Jenny about not being a huge fan of the book. It was full of great reminders about the need to be reflective, enthusiastic, and creative. Having said that... I found him a little to full of hubris. I enjoyed his presentation at OMLA much more. His people on the bus analogy really resonated with me and he was so funny and engaging. Reading The Excellent 11 was not a waste of time by any means because I am more reflective and thoughtful that before I read it. I was a good nudge at the right time.
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Holly
4/9/2015 02:57:30 pm
I think we sometimes have to work at being positive. It's just like everything else...it won't happen by magic. We have to MAKE it happen. With that mindset, we can impact our classrooms and our colleagues with lots of great annoying positivity!! lol ;)
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Kristi Weisenstein
4/8/2015 09:30:11 am
I have enjoyed reading this book and the blog posts by other colleagues as I end my 30th year of teaching and find myself still willing to learn and make changes to the way I teach. I can honestly say that even with the politics that goes all with it...I love working with 5th graders. I feel that Ron has put some enthusiasm back into my teaching with the reminder to stay positive and leave the negative. I, also feel like it was the right time in the school year as I was becoming caught in the cycle of testing, parents, administration, etc. I think that we need to remember that parents send us their best and we need to do our best with them.
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Holly
4/9/2015 02:58:12 pm
I'm impressed that even in your 30th year you're looking to better yourself. I hope that I am that way when I hit year 30. Way to go! :)
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Kelly Boggs
4/9/2015 06:44:02 am
Overall, Ron Clark’s The Excellent 11 is a very encouraging easy read that reminded me of why I am a teacher. I want to be the teacher who inspires students through creativity, compassion, and enthusiasm. I thought his book was full of lots of practical ideas that I can implement in my classroom or suggest to my team or administration. This book has helped me refocus on my students during the most frustrating year of my career and to positively focus on what is in my control.
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