FBLA State Leadership Conference

We have students that will advance to the National FBLA Conference in Nashville this summer. Our Entrepreneurship Team placed first and we had a 1st and 2nd in Cybersecurity, 3rd in Public Speaking II, 3rd in Intro. to Technology, 3rd in Business Law and 4th in Business Law. Some of my students were disappointed that they only gave out the first five places instead of ten. Now comes the hard part, getting all the paperwork, reservations and travel plans completed. If you are not an FBLA member, check out their website.

Practicing What I'm Preaching

If we want our students to blog, we have to set the example. I get busy with trying to keep everything up to date and often forget to write in my blog. This week is hectic with the writing assessment taking place and the State FBLA Conference begins Friday in Charleston. I am going to take Ingrida Barker's advice and set a goal to blog at least twice a week. Hopefully, the next time I will be able to report a lot of FBLA winners from our school.

It's Been a While

Since we have had "8" straight days of class, we have been busy trying to get back on track. That's a good excuse for not writing in my blog. This is usually the time of the year that things begin to get hectic. With FBLA competition, the writing assessment and spring break approaching, it is difficult to get the students' full attention. Before you know it, school will be out! I guess it is time to pick up the pace!

New Olympic Event??

Well, we have been off from school for the last three days and who knows about Friday. It does give you time to keep up-to-date with the Olympics. After we finished our daily routine of shoveling snow, I wondered if they would ever consider adding such an event to the winter olympics. We could practice right here at home!

How Many Days Until Spring?

We have missed two more days of school this week. When we are in school, there are students that are absent. I am really tired of all the snow. We are getting behind in class and all these missed days really add up. How many more days until Spring? I know I'm ready for a change in the weather!

Entering the 21st Century at Warp Speed

Wow! Starting Globaloria has been a big change in my class. The students are getting their e-mail, wiki and blog set up. They are anxious to get their pictures on their wiki and are ready to start customizing it. Some are already comfortable with the new setup and some are still dazed and confused--but I think they will catch on quickly. It is a new challenge that I think we are all ready to undertake.

Motivating Students

Anyone that has taught in the classroom has experienced the problem with motivating some students. You always have students that will do anything you ask, ones that do what you ask most of the time, and then the ones that no matter what you do, it's hard to get anything out of them. It is frustrating, but you have to look at each individual student to see what is going on with them. For different reasons, they don't come to school or they don't complete work or turn anything in. Most of the time, there is an underlying reason for this behavior. We just don't know what it is. These students sometimes do not have any support at home and are pretty much raising themselves or the family unit does not exist for them. As a teacher, I have found that you have to let them know that you are interested in them and want them to do well. Most students need praise and encouragement. They need to know that you are there for them. Sometimes you find out after they have graduated and moved on that you made a big impact on their lives. If you're really lucky, they get a chance to tell you face to face!

Enough Snow For Me!

We have been out of school all week--which the students love! Semester exams are quickly approaching and a lot of things need to be done. On the other hand, shoveling snow does provide much needed exercise. I will just be glad when it isn't a daily regimen.

Snow! Snow! Snow!

Well--to say we had some snow would be an understatement! We had about a foot at my house but I know that other areas had as much as 2 feet. Our electricity was only off for about 90 minutes and for that I am very grateful. Other people were not that fortunate. It always seems to get worse close to semester test time which is around January 15. I have been hearing about another storm for New Years. I hope it is not as bad as the last one.

Special Christmas Present

We've been waiting for 9 months, and Friday we got the best Christmas present we could ask for. Our daughter had a baby girl. She was 8 lbs. and 7 oz. Her name is Jasmine Shea. Mother and baby are doing great!