Week of October 13

                Thursday Thoughts October 13

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is not just about wearing pink or thinking about the numerous women and men who have fought the disease.  It is also a reminder to many of us to stop putting off our  mammogram and make the time to get regular check ups.  I am reminded of a former Medlock parent who moved away at the end of last year.  She had a child who attended Medlock from Pre K through 1st grade.  I recall the day that this parent told me that she had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She explained that she went for her very first mammogram shortly after her 40th birthday.  She received the call that she needed to come back for further tests.  She had a biopsy and it was determined that she had cancer.  She and her doctor made the decision that a double mastectomy was in her best interest.  I remember visiting her and her child at their home a few weeks after surgery.   All I could do was sit and listen and reassure her that we would be there for her child as she recovered.  She was a single parent and was concerned about simple things like how she would get her daughter back and forth to the bus stop .  She was worried about the fact that she needed several reconstructive surgeries and would be out of work for several months.   In fact, this was one of the families that we were able to bless with our staff holiday gift card drive that year.

It was wonderful to watch her get stronger over the months and begin to "live" again.  In fact, over the course of her recovery, she got married and recently had a new baby.  She told me that early detection definitely saved her life.  Her perspective on life and the things that she considered to be important completely changed.  I know that there are more MBES parents and even staff members who have triumphed over Breast Cancer.  I am sure these people would agree that the best thing we can do to honor them is to schedule our mammogram.  Wearing pink is great but taking care of ourselves is better.

STUDENT CENTERED INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

I’m a teacher. Now what do I do?

There are several ways to engage learners in the classroom. Here are a few ideas if you get stuck.

Staff Spotlight

This week I would like to shine the spotlight on Andrea Hidock.  After several years of teaching 3rd grade, Andrea agreed to move up to 4th this year and serve as grade chair.  What she may not have expected was to have a grade level with two brand new teachers.  In just nine short weeks, Andrea has cultivated a team that works well together and has fun.  Moving to a new grade level can be a challenge for even the most veteran teacher.  Supporting new teachers means anticipating what they will need and showing them things that we often take for granted.  It also means maintaining a positive attitude to ensure that our new teachers do not get discouraged.  Andrea does all of this and more. In addition, she is doing great work with the PBIS Committee and changing the way we approach discipline at Medlock.  I am thankful for Andrea's dedication to our students and staff and I know her grade level appreciates her as well.