Production 305

This semester was amazing. My students were at their best. The creative energy that filled the classrooms was enough to turn a sad day into the most amazing day of your life. Yes, they encouraged me to keep moving even at 3:05 p.m. By this time of the day, most people are thinking about the next day. It is also a good time to have a snack or take a walk in order to have enough steam for the ride home. My last class of the day was at 3:05 p.m. Well, to my surprise this class was every instructor's dream. The students bonded as a team. They were always waiting for me to come in, their projects were priceless, and the level of integrity was unlike anything that I have ever seen in a classroom. When I entered the room, my energy took on a new form and we had the best time learning. I call them "Production 305." So, here's to you, Production 305. Thank you for making my career better. I will never forget the laughter, the discussions, projects, and your wit. May you move forward to bless the world like you have blessed me. You've added years to my life.

What Does Rain Do For You?

It is raining. Rain has a way of slowing down the day so that I can read a book, sleep, or watch a movie. Its voice is quiet. I hear rhythm in the rain. Did you ever notice that it can rain on one side of the street and not on the other side? As a child, I liked going outside in the rain to splash in the puddles. I really want to go outside today to find some great puddles, but I will stay here and write for now. Yes, it brings out the child in me.

I've heard people describe rain as "liquid sunshine." In elementary school, I was told that April showers bring May flowers. The bottom line is we need the rain. Are you the person, who believes that a day is bad, because it  is raining?  What is that about? The world doesn't stop, because of weather changes. Of course, we have seen some disasters due to excessive rain storms. However, there are some strong messages that the rain brings if you listen.

One of the things that I like to do when it rains is shop. I remember getting a dress for much less than the asking price, because the manager was upset that not enough people were shopping for the end of the season sale and she did not want to return the dress to the stock room. On another rainy day, I received a free lunch at a restaurant by giving the the right answer to a trivia question. It was raining so much that the restaurant staff thought of playing a trivia game to draw a crowd.They had a sign in the window about the contest. I am so glad that I stopped in, because it worked for me.

In short, don't be sad when it rains. Wear bright rain gear. Go to lunch. Go shopping. Hang out at the spa. Take a deep breath and let the rain speak to you. Rainy days can be your best days. Shhhhhhh! Do you hear that? The rain is telling me to call some friends. Well, I have to go. It is time to talk to my girlfriends. That is my message. What is yours?              

Chivalry Forever

On any given day I see people texting or talking on their cell phones. They are so busy that they forget to focus on their surroundings. One day a man was so involved in his telephone conversation that he forgot to hold the door open for me. Did he really forget that I was behind him or had he missed out on learning about chivalry? What is chivalry? It is being courteous to women. For example, holding the door open for a woman or helping a woman to take bags out of the car. You might think that this is practice that has been long forgotten, but that is not true. Many gentlemen hold doors open for me. Most of the time I wait until someone opens the door for me before I precede through the door. Yes, it does work.

As a child, my father opened doors for me. He told me that a gentlemen is always polite. Can we say that today? Of course, a gentlemen has standards about how he treats women. Some men learned about chivalry from their fathers, grandfathers, or other men.

Let's look at this from another perspective. I have heard women complain that chivalry is gone. Well, as women we have to take a step back and welcome chivalry to come our way. I believe that if you want something you have to prepare for it. Yes, it is all in the planning. I know that we live in a busy society, but we have to put an effort into the way that want to be treated. In order to get something, you have to loose something. So, we can slow down and allow a man to hold the door open for us. You may not like to slow down, but it pays off. People laugh at me when I say this, but I am living it.      

Another point is attitude. Several weeks ago, a young lady told me that she began smiling more while on vacation last year. She went on to discuss the friendly people that she met. From what she could remember, this was the first time that so many people smiled at her. As a result of this experience, she changed her attitude. She was determined to not wear a frown anymore. Next, she noticed that more men were holding doors open for her. This lady made a sacrifice. She gave up her frown for a smile and look what happened?   
       

Know Your Place

As a little girl, I used to hear my mother, the late Rosa Lee Nelson, say, "Know your place". My mom was a graceful lady, who was quiet. She taught me what manners were. She also showed me how to be a lady. Yes, etiquette was a way of life for her. My mom's voice was soft, but she spoke clearly and you always heard what she had to say. My mom told you to do something once and you did it.

Looking back, I am thankful to my mother for developing a great child rearing strategy. I often think of those words, "Know your place." Her message was about knowing when to speak versus when not to speak. One of her goals was to help me to develop excellent listening skills. Her words have taught me how to:

• Be patient
• Be observant
• Share
• Be respectful
• Be confident

Today this message has become more meaningful to me as a professional. Knowing your place also means that our lives are divided by seasons. When I think of seasons, I think of the planting process of fruits and vegetables. There is a time to plant and there is a time for the harvest. I remember being a college student. There were days that I longed to be a graduate. I didn't think that graduation would ever come.  Now, after a lot of reading, listening to instructors, studying for tests, failing courses, retaking courses, going to tutoring, taking summer classes, and becoming a graduate student twice, I can say that I have been living my mother's words.

I love my life, because I have been able to embrace my failures. I am no longer afraid to fail, because I am no longer afraid to breathe out of my own lungs. I can forgive myself and keep moving. I do not live off of the opinions of others. I stand on the shoulders of determined individuals, who taught me not to waver. My mother wanted me to stay strong. She also wanted me to live a happy and productive life.       

Mommy, I know my place. I have learned to appreciate each season of my life. You embraced me as I was and you planted some wonderful seeds. I am discovering more about myself everyday. I know that no one will take what is mine if I remain focused. Thanks mommy. I will love you forever.           
   

Student, What is Your Plan?

Well, I heard a conversation today between two students, who decided that they did not want to stay in college. As the conversation continued, they also discussed the fact that they did not want to work either. Okay, what do you make of this kind of mindset? They don't have a plan to succeed, but they have a plan to fail.

I remember listening to my parents' conversations about planning vacations when I was younger. One of the things that they kept in my ears is the fact that I needed to write things down and plan. When I was a teenager, my mother always said, "Before you invite your friends over on a Saturday for lunch, you need to plan it." That phrase always made me mad, because I never heard anyone my age ever talking about planning a luncheon for their teenage friends. Let's push the "fast forward" button to my lifestyle as an adult. You guessed it. Yes, I plan everything. Wow! My parents did an excellent job! I get it. A plan is a guide that helps you to achieve. That is how I can best describe it.

Due to the advancement of technology, the ways in which we do everything has changed.  In the traditional classroom, there are computers and smartboards. If you happen to be an online student, you use a computer as your tool to login to your courses. Our depency on technology has placed a limit on our face-to-face communication skills. I enjoy technology, but I realize that we have to keep a balance. I find that when students struggle in a particular subject they won't talk to anyone, because many of them register online. I've asked students about their college advisors. They don't know who these people are. Okay, it is time to come up with a plan, because students need to know who to go to when they need help.

Student's Success Plan

• When you register in person find out the name of the person, who registers you.
• When you register online, call the main office and ask who your advisor or student support representative is.
• Acquire the advisor's name, office number, and email address. 
• Place the advisor's information in your cell phone.
• Introduce yourself to your advisor via email, phone, or in person.
• Read the college's website to find out where the tutoring center is.
• Find out the name of your instructor, the email address, and the office hours.
• When you have a problem with your course work, see the instructor first. The schedule and contact information is included on the syllabus. Discuss your concern with your instructor via email and the telephone. Call and email until you receive feedback. *Call more than once.
• When you have the conversation with your instructor, write down your instructor's suggestions. 
• If you need to have tutoring contact the office. 
• Meet two people in your class that you can study with. Ask them for their email addresses and cell phone numbers. This is your in-class support system.
• Visit or call your advisor periodically to discuss your college career plan and your post college plan.
• See your school's website or your advisor for presentations and events that are of interest to you.
• Attend online webinars about your specific field of interest.
• Attend seminars, symposiums, workshops, and other networking events within your field of interest.
• Apply to internships.    

Congratulations, you are on the road to a successful journey!        
  

The Classroom Plan

It has been eight years since I began teaching as an adjunct instructor. My desire was to teach speech courses at the college level. Now I teach speech communication courses and English composition courses. In 2008, I graduated with a Master's degree in Education Technology and in 2010, I completed my MBA degree with a concentration in marketing. Returning to school has helped me to understand how the advancement of technology has changed education forever. The classroom of the 21st century requires educators to have a plan that makes them more marketable. Many educators have their on consulting businesses. They network and have a following through websites, social media, and blogs.   

My mission is to help students to discover themselves. It is my responsibility to set the tone for classroom success by how I strategize my training. Yes, when my students struggle, it is my job to ask why and offer a plan.

My plan for success in the classroom includes:

• Enthusiasm
• Dedication 
• Strong Listening Skills
• Patience
• Creative Projects    

I developed this plan, because I want my students to experience learning. It is exciting to see students succeed. Over time I have learned so much from them. I believe that there is a plan to fail and a plan to succeed. However, it is my goal to help my students to value education as an investment. This is the way I see it:

Portfolio

• Education    

Products

• Pre-School
• Elementary School
• Middle School
• High School
• College
• Graduate School

Planning

• Lectures
• Classroom Technologies
• Discussions
• Homework
• Classwork
• Parent/Teacher Conferences
• Group Projects
• Class Trips
• Guest Speakers
• Presentations
• Networking Events

Solutions

• Parents
• Administrators
• Teachers
• Instructors
• Guidance Counselors
• Tutors
• Tutoring Centers
• Study Labs
• Study Partners
• Study Groups

   The Best Return

• A lifestyle with endless opportunities. 

Using Hands-On Projects To "Break the Ice"

Since I am visual, I map out the type of projects that students enjoy. This also is a great way to help them to break the ice. Working with a generation that has spent a lifetime with technology, interactive projects that include technology creates balance. They have options to create products (example: by making a couch out of cardboard) or plan an event (example: a fashion show as a fundraiser that takes place in the classroom). These projects help to strengthen listening skills, social skills, and etiquette skills. I focus on these skills, because we need to know how to communicate effectively with one another in the world. Sometimes I do "the meeting project, which is so much fun. Students solve a corporate problem by conducting a meeting.

Moving Forward 

This recession gives us the opportunity to reassess our values. As educators, we need to change the way we think. Teaching is a service. It is necessary for us to understand how to incorporate technology in the training process. Make networking a daily goal. There are many people to talk to about education. Begin to communicate via social media. You will find many educators, who are waiting to brainstorm with you.

Students can have great success, but it begins with dedication to self. As students, it is important to make sacrifices now. Begin to journal. Through writing daily, you will get to know yourself. Be a leader. You owe it to yourself to think for yourself so that one day you can make decisions for others.