Saving The Golden Goose: Where True Gold Lies

golden teacher Jake makes sure that Brandon is always in his tip top shape. So, he brings him regularly to the vet for check-ups. Goldens are generally healthy dogs who can live up to 10 to 14 years if they don't contract any of the most common ailments particular for this type of dog. They can be sick of: allergies, cancer, cataracts and hyper displasia. So, watch out for any of the symptoms that your dog might be showing to detect early on what type of disease struck him.

I was raised not to call people "out of their name". My grandmother named me David, after the great Hebrew patriarch. She taught me that my name meant 'beloved' and not to let folks shorten or alter it. "Dave did not slay Goliath", she admonished. "Nor was Dave king of Israel." She explained names often carried the weight of expectation. What you called others was as important as anything else you could say to them was her belief. More vital, though, was what we allowed others to call us. Hence, my edict.

Second, a teacher must be very patient. You have to keep in mind that students tend to be forgetful, irresponsible, immature, etc... and depending on their age sometimes, the one you need to be after is the parent not the student. Young students by nature need an adult to be after them.

golden teacher golden teacher So, I've been on a journey of learning to listen to myself at a deeper level. And, I invite you to join me on this journey, too. I want to share four of the ways I've been deepening my ability to listen to my self. And, conveniently, they spell S.E.L.F...

golden teacher growkit "Mahana-you-ugly! Get out of that tree!" I was at a leadership development retreat when I heard this line from a campy, dated flick produced by the Mormon Church. The video was titled Johnny Lingo and it was based on a short story of the same name. Despite its unintentional political incorrectness, it was hard to dismiss the invaluable lessons it demonstrated.

growkit golden teacher Still other workshops may have breathing or breath work or sacral cranial work or acupressure, shiatsu or, well the list is infinite. They even show movies. And there are places where one can borrow consciousness raising sound and video tapes. There is a bookshop in the main office filled with tapes and books and things one might need. Some come for room and board but most are here for workshops and seminars.

In the course of requesting a job reference, I'd found out that my former supervisor, one Bill W., had recently died. Though I didn't know him long, I liked Bill. I respected his warm earthiness, his everyman charm. He was a kind, mellow man who handled crisis with an aplomb most can only dream of possessing. He worked hard to stay out of the spotlight, and harder to put others in it.

Still other workshops may have breathing or breath work or sacral cranial work or acupressure, shiatsu or, well the list is infinite. They even show movies. And there are places where one can borrow consciousness raising sound and video tapes. There is a bookshop in the main office filled with tapes and books and things one might need. Some come for room and board but most are here for workshops and seminars.

golden teacher growkit What was most remarkable though, was that it wasn't my class. I was their substitute teacher. The transformation they experienced took place in a two week period. For the two years I subbed, this ritual of establishing respect and mutual worth had the same results--regardless of were it was applied. So-called troubled, hyper, or violent kids all rose to the expectation that they too, were worthy of being addressed and treated with respect. Was I a super teacher or psychological genius? Not by any stretch. I simply worked a principle. That's the great thing about principles; they work regardless of who uses them. Later in my career, I saw a memorable illustration of the power of positive expectations. It came from the story of a legendary trader with a comic strip name.

growkit golden teacher These must be realistic but just above their current standards to give the class an incentive to try. As they achieve each goal 'raise the bar' again. Acknowledge publicly with the class each goal that is met and exceeded. These expectations should centre on academic, behavioural, industry and cooperation issues. The goals must be published and crossed off as each is achieved.

Nothing bugs these types of students more than unfair punishment and the sceptre of a 'teacher's pet'. Therefore, make sure you deal equally with all students committing the same 'offence'. Don't bring past history or reputation in to your dealings with students in a new class or year. Tell the class every student begins in your class with a 'clean sheet'. You will not remember or seek to find out their 'reputation' unless they give you cause to do that.

I. Not using progressions- You need to have a system where a sub can see what to teach the kids when you're not there, to keep for legal purposes, and to show the parents how much their kids are learning. And, if you teach more than a few classes, how in the world can you remember what each class needs to do?