TALK ABOUT AN URBAN HERO

Do you have an urban hero? Maybe you will decide to share your thoughts about an urban hero to help all of us think about the important work that is being done every day - work that makes a difference in the lives of other people. In recent years I have worked with many young men and women who have dared to take the challenge of teaching in the city. From each and every one of them I have learned new things about this urban journey. Recently one urban hero shared her thoughts on purpose. At one point she felt that teaching was her purpose and she worked hard at making that become her reality. It was a difficult day when she realized that this was not her purpose, but a new way of serving others had taken over her life. She had found a new purpose. Do not be afraid of the seasons of your life. If God gives you a purpose for a time, accept it and work at it. If in time that purpose ends and a new purpose takes its place then accept that with the same energy and go for it. Love the opportunity that you have today and embrace it fully. Be someones hero.

Give Thanks

Thanksgiving Day is a traditional time when the people in the United States celebrate with grateful hearts the blessings that they have experienced. Last Sunday the message from the TIME OF GRACE broadcast urged everyone to be thankful for the things that we don't have. When we suffer setbacks and losses it is God's way of reminding us that we are dependent on Him. Our God is in control. Join me in being thankful for that!

Thanksgiving blessings to all!

Dream a bigger dream

How are you doing on your goals? If you are getting close to fulfilling your goals then it is time to dream a bigger dream. Growth will be found within the challenges that we accept. Enjoy the opportunities that are waiting for you!

Your Non-negotiables Please

What are your absolute beliefs? I wonder if we have become a nation that would compromise and negotiate rather than live a life driven by conviction and the purpose that emerges from our beliefs. It seems that beliefs guide behavior. If we are not getting the behaviors that we want - either from teachers or students - then we need to address what we believe, especially those beliefs that are the strongest. This is the substance of character. Now to be fair I will share an example from my list of non-negotiables. Mine is RESPECT. I want it from everyone, for everyone, everytime. I want this because without respect there is no trust and without trust there is no open communication. For education to work, for relationships of any kind to have a chance, there must be respect. That's mine, now you can tell me about your non-negotiable.

High Expectations

An essential component of success in the urban classroom is the ability of the teacher to embrace a high expectations philosophy for teaching. High Expectations respects the ability of the learner. Reaching for high expectations does not negate the responsibility of the teacher to make that which is difficult appear to be easy. A key is to move academically through a series of smaller steps that support the learning process. Can we agree that rigor for the sake of rigor is meaningless?

My Pet BHAG

In 2006 I spent a month in Houston, Texas and I came home with a pet BHAG. Some people don't know what a BHAG is, and even when they know they have trouble identifying one. For my readers who don't already know - a BHAG is a Big Hairy Audacious Goal! My pet BHAG is to improve urban teaching, and specifically to improve urban teaching in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This blog is dedicated to the exploration of my BHAG. Thanks for sharing this journey.