Blog Post #3
What does your “light-up” look like? Who do you find it the easiest to light up around? Who, right now in your world, might need a little more of your light-up?
Blog Post #8
What does it mean to have a culture of “AND”? What could this (or does this) look like in your school? What part can you play in improving your school’s culture?
My light-up shows up in moments of connection. When curiosity sparks in my students, when laughter happens, and when someone feels understood because I took the time to truly listen. I find it easiest to light up around children and colleagues who bring joy to my life every day. My challenge and commitment is to offer my light more intently to show others kindness and to be present when needed.
ReplyDeleteMy light me up happens the minute I step foot onto the playground and am greeted by my very excited preschoolers who run to me with hugs, smiles, and stories. Not every child shares this enthusiasm for school, but I am sure to make eye contact and greet each of my students when they arrive on the playground or in my classroom.
ReplyDeleteWho needs more of my light up?Former students that I had in my classroom for several years (3, 4, & 5) that come from rough homes, struggle in school, and don't have an adult they connect with. I currently try to connect and greet these former students anytime I see them throughout the day, but after reading these chapters I understand even more how important this is.
My light up is the moments when students use their strengths to figure out their own solutions by themselves, especially when they've been working through it for some time. It takes a lot for students to overcome obstacles when they are experiencing so many changes already so seeing them do that while using their strengths is such a great experience. Which makes being around students, family, and friends who bring happiness and joy to us being the easiest to light up around.
ReplyDeletePeople who might need more light up in their world would be any one going through a difficult transition, family issues, medical issues, etc., especially as we enter the new year. While the new year can be a fresh start for some people, it can also be a challenging time as people navigate new circumstances.
My light up happens when I pick up my daughters from daycare. No matter how my day has been, I make sure I show them how happy and excited I am to see them. We give great big hugs and kisses and talk about their day. I also light up when I see my husband. We work very different hours, so our schedules can get hectic. When we're together we always hug and kiss and be intentional about asking how each others days were and try to be present around each other.
ReplyDeleteIn my life right now, I could be putting more effort into lighting up when I see family... my parents, in laws, etc. Sometimes I can get overstimulated and overwhelmed with too much family time, which causes me to just kind of shut down. I could be more intentional about showing them how much I appreciate them and love them.
First and foremost, my family is the easiest to light up around. I am a mom of 3 beautiful kids- 9, 7, and an almost 5-year-old. My kids bring me so much joy. Their laughter, their jokes, and their stories are always cherished and treasured. My “light-up” for my family begins each day with a simple smile and “good morning!” Followed by our usual conversation of me asking “How did you sleep?” I love those simple interactions we can have each day.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, my students are easy to light up around. I would consider myself a very, upbeat person. There isn’t anything that usually brings down my mood. So right away in the morning, my students are greeted with a smile, and in return, they like to come into the room with their own, “Hey!” or “Good Morning.” Or my favorite, “Guess what…?” That always brings a smile to my face. I also love when we can make connections throughout the day and laugh about something that was done or said. Laughter WITH my students have been such a joy.
Right now, my oldest child could use a little more of my light-up. He is struggling with classmates (changing hormones…yikes!) and worrying about his schoolwork constantly. I also have 2 students I can think of who are in need of some more light-up due to circumstances outside of school.
My “light-up” looks like being with my family and feeling the love and connection we share. I find it easiest to light up around them, as their presence and support naturally energize me and they are of the greatest importance in my life. Next would be my students, who inspire and motivate me daily. Right now, I would say my family probably needs more of this light-up than my students, because the demands of work and providing support to so many students as a School Counselor can take a lot from a person, and I want to make sure I’m giving my family the energy and attention they deserve.
ReplyDeleteTo me light up looks like someone smiling and making eye contact with you. You also share a connection. I find it the easiest to light up around my family and friends. We have a connection and shared experiences that we can talk about and share.
ReplyDeleteI think the people that could use a little more light up in my life right now are the struggling students at the school I sub at. There are struggling students in every class everywhere and I feel like they are sometimes over looked (not to any fault of anyone if happens) and punished because they do not understand a concept that was maybe never actually explained to them.
My light up at school is when a student is able to grasp a concept we have been working on for an extended amount of time. Their face of excitement in that "I did it!" moment is worth all the hard moments feeling as though they may never get it.
ReplyDeleteMy easiest people to light up around are my family and friends. The way we are able to share life with all the joy and frustrations connects us. As they talked about in the book, relationships come from time being spent together. We surround ourselves with those who we want to spend time with and make life easy. My kids have active schedules, but I tell people constantly there is nowhere else I want to be. Being around my children and seeing the joy they have for their activity brings my heart content.
There are a few students who might need a little more of my light up moments. They are the "hard" ones causing a disruption to the classroom for their teacher and I get to be the one who handles some of those behaviors when I am aiding in the classroom. I have tried many approaches to helping de-escalate them while in the classroom but the most effective method I have found is taking a walk and talking. The conversation more often than not will give them an outlet to voice their side and make those connections.
My light up is when I visit my grandchildren. As soon as I see my grandchildren, I give them hugs, kisses, tell them how much I miss them, right before I tell them how much I miss them.
ReplyDeleteWho needs my light up more is my daughter. Sometimes Grandparents forget about our children when we focus to much on our grandchildren:) Recently, I have made a point to call her and not visit with my grandchild. Since I have started doing this I notice she has started calling me more out of the blue.
I coach high school baseball, and I 'light up' the most when I am around the guys on the team. Our practices are always in the evening after I have been teaching middle school and running a small business all day, and at those practices I feel like I can put everything off to the side for 2 hours and help a dedicated group of kids achieve what they all want to achieve at the end of the season.
ReplyDeleteRight now, my students might need a little bit more of my 'light up'. I will say that in middle school, for me anyway, it gets harder to teach when I'm 'lit up' because middle school students often mistake my enthusiasm as a sign that I want them to mess around. As a result, I've had to teach with a little bit less enthusiasm these last few weeks just so we can get stuff done in class. At times throughout my teaching career, I have struggled to find the sweet spot between being too dull and too enthusiastic. I believe that there can only be so much energy in a successful class. Different groups of kids need different levels of energy out of their teacher. Some, like my students right now, need less energy from me because they provide so much of it by themselves. Other students, like the high schoolers from the beginning of my teaching career, need me to be more energetic.
What does your “light-up” look like? Who do you find it the easiest to light up around? Who, right now in your world, might need a little more of your light-up?
ReplyDeleteMy light up is a smile and a fist bump with my students. I try to greet all students at the door with this gesture. It is easiest to light up around high-energy, positive, engaged students. These are the students who want to be here and want to learn about everything. The students that need more are generally quieter or more defiant. They either present that they want to blend in or that they don't want to be here and don't care what the topic is for the day. These types need it the most because they need connection. By recognizing and being excited to see the quiet kid they may feel loved and seen. The defiant student needs connection as well. I will do my best to reach these types with my light up!
What does your “light-up” look like? Who do you find it the easiest to light up around? Who, right now in your world, might need a little more of your light-up?
ReplyDeleteMy light up looks like smiling, laughing, high energy, and connecting with my students. Every morning I greet each one of them at my classroom door and use their first name. As they go out for the door they chose from two options of end of the day greetings and some days I let them chose their own. It is easiest to light up around my co-workers and students that bring the same energy as I do and who truly love people and having fun/working hard. It is hardest to light up with my students who have a bad attitude and don't even like to try. I'm really passionate and get really excited with my students when they finally get something that has been a challenge for them. The last unit that I taught was on Area and Perimeter it was way harder for my 3rd graders than I anticipated, we have continued to practice these skills. I moved on to the next unit which is Fractions they have been doing fantastic. I have been verbally praising them. Yesterday I threw in a create your own area and perimeter problem and solve with a partner. They did so well as I was looking at them I was smiling and saying, "yes yes you guys are getting this, I'm so happy for you." When I looked around the room they had proud written all of their faces and one of them even said, "See guys we can do this even after moving on to fractions we remember how to do area and perimeter."
My math interventions could use more of my light up. I didn't realize I wasn't giving them enough of my light up until I did give them one of my full out kinda loud- very excited light ups. They finally got rounding to the nearest 10 the other day after struggling with it all year. They were giggling and smiling they were so proud of themselves. Now they are excited to move on to rounding to the nearest 100.
My light up is my co workers within my department. We are a group of social studies teachers that get along so well. I consider them my second family and they are the best support system there is. We have Friday morning coffee where we talk about what's going on in our lives, what we are doing for the weekend, and any crazy stories we want to share. We are a group that fit really well together and are friends outside of school hours as well. They are someone I can always lean on for help that extends outside of my contract hours.
ReplyDeleteI think right now, all the staff needs some light up. We are tackling time change, parent teacher conferences, and proctoring the ACT on a Monday and Tuesday. It's a lot going on and uncertainty with the testing. We are going to be extremely tired this week and have to push through a full 5 day week.
My “light-up” happens during moments of genuine connection with my students—when we greet each other in the morning, celebrate accomplishments, or navigate challenges together. I find it easiest to light up around my students because their curiosity, energy, and authentic emotions are contagious and remind me why I do this work. Right now, my biological children might need a little more of my light-up—offering them extra attention, encouragement, and presence to help them feel seen, supported, and loved.
ReplyDeleteMy light up is when I see my kids. Two if my three are now off to college and living their lives, so I do not see them as much, although they are only an hour away. I realize they are busy with their new normal. But when I see the 3 of them together it makes me light up. They can still behave like they did 10 years ago, but I look forward to those moments. I have a group of students that could use a little more of my light up. I think most of them have things going on at home that make school a struggle. Some of them being in a survival mode. I need to do a better job with this group of lighting up for even the small things that happen in class.
ReplyDeleteWhat does your “light-up” look like? Who do you find it the easiest to light up around? Who, right now in your world, might need a little more of your light-up?
ReplyDeleteMy light up is always my family. They are always there to support me with a smile and hug or fist bump whenever I need them. Easiest to light up around are the students and athletes that always show up to work hard even when its hard for them. Once they figure something out the joy they receive is great. Plenty of students that could use some more of our light up. Each student deserves some attention everyday and I need to do a better job of getting to that.
My light up is my family. Especially my son when he gives us a call or stops in to visit as he is grown and on his own now. It is a true joy each time he visits. I have a group of students that I struggle with and I would like them to be more of a light in day. They are getting to the end of their education career and a couple are making school a struggle for others who would like to be there and learn. Each of the children in our classrooms and lives has a right to be "a light" and learn to their best ability each day.
ReplyDeleteMy light up happens when my students show they are excited to see me and I know that this is the opposite of what is supposed to happen, but it's the easiest to do. It also happens when I see students in the hallway from other grades that I know. It also happens when my bigs come home for the weekend, because I don't get to see them much. It's easiest to light for the my students who are respectful and come to school willing to learn. This year, we have several students who come from homes of trauma and then are carrying it into their school day. These are the students that need my light up the most, but sometimes are the hardest to give it to. I try to remember that every day is a new day with all students, but especially the students who carry trauma.
ReplyDeleteMy light up moment: When a student comes to tell me how they applied my advice and how it made their life better/easier. It is so amazing to see them do better and make sound choices. Sometimes I think my advice is going in one ear and out the other, but my students prove me wrong often and I truly adore those moments.
ReplyDeleteI find it easiest to light up around my kids ( my son and daughter). There is nothing like being a mother!
I think my students need a little more light in their life. I work in a lower class community, and many of my students come from traumatic homes situations. They need all the light and love they can get!
What does your “light-up” look like? Who do you find it the easiest to light up around? Who, right now in your world, might need a little more of your light-up?
ReplyDeleteMy light-up looks like smiles, laughing, and engagement. I find it easiest to light up around my kids. They are open to receiving my happy energy and they give it back. My husband might need a little more of my light up right now because he is very busy at work.
My light up at school is when the students walk into the classroom and see me subbing. "yesssss, you are the best sub...." How do you not just light up!?! They fill my bucket without even knowing it. It's easy to feel good, smile, and have a fun time when students are upbeat and happy to be in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to give my daughter a little more light up from me. We just returned from a vacation, and she has makeup work to do. Also, softball practice has started and they had morning practice today. Definitely going to keep her lifted up!
My light up at school are those kiddos that are the "toughest" wanting to spend their free time in my room, making small talk or simply just asking how my family is doing. When they are initiating that connection and seeking it out truly makes me happy and is a "light up" for me. My special education staff would be the easiest at school for me to light up around. They are constantly finding ways to support each other, lift my spirits up and help me remember my why for teaching. My son could really use more of my light up. I need to be more intentional with our time and would like to do better with making more light up moments for him even on those tough days at work for me.
ReplyDeleteMy light up at home are my grandchildren. It's so easy to get excited around them, showing them the love and attention that they deserve. I have had a harder time lighting up in school this year. My class is tough, quite a few behavioral issues. But every day, I enter my classroom with a positive attitude wanting to make learning fun. I need to remind myself that my students deserve my best, every day. I need to do a better job of doing that.
ReplyDeleteI am a pretty reserved and low-key person so I don't have a huge light up. I think that my light up is probably a smile and body language that indicates that I am happy to see someone. It is easiest to light up with my own kids after school. I am always happy to see them and hear about their day and give them a hug. I think that the "Caillou kids" the author talked about in chapter 3 might need a light up the most. For me, the most powerful part of the book so far is the author's phrase changing "that kid is attention seeking" to "that kid is connection seeking." I have had quite a number of students recently who fit her description of "Caillou kids." I hope that I can do a better job of showing interest in these students and "filling their bucket" so they don't feel the need to seek attention.
ReplyDeleteEvery morning when my students walk in my classroom, they get to pick how they want me to greet them-sometimes it’s a smile and sometimes it’s a hug. There are many greetings to choose from and it’s fun to see what they’re going to pick each morning. This is the first “light up” of the day for me and it’s for all of my students. I also have “light up” moments during writer workshop (one-to-one time) and also during math rotations when they work with me. I have always felt making connections with my students is important. If students feel loved and appreciated, it’s easier to help them when they are not ok.
ReplyDeleteI do admit that the well-behaved kids are easier to “light-up” around. There’s usually so much to celebrate with those kids who work hard and follow rules. I do agree that the ones who need those “light-up” moments the most are the ones who aren’t behaving and getting their work done and I will work harder to have more “light-up” moments with these kiddos. I understand it will take many, many more of these moments (more than with the well behaved students) to get through to the students that really struggle with behavior and completing assigned tasks, but for them, I’m willing to shine my light.
Looking at my class right now, I’d say there’s a very quiet girl who I feel could use a lot more “light-up” sessions with me. She works hard and respects others- it’s the quiet part of her that makes me think she may not have the skills she needs to cope with issues that come her way. I’ve never seen her “flip her lid” which makes me wonder if she just doesn’t know how to put her lid back on. When problems come up, she tears up quietly and struggles to tell me what she’s thinking. Right now, she is the focus for me-I need to work on deepening our connection.
My light up is when a student gets accepted into the school they want to attend after high school and they got a scholarship to go there. They are so excited and thankful. It is really cool to see these young people starting to plan their next adventure after high school. They are just growing into young adults and making adult decisions.
ReplyDeleteWhat does your “light-up” look like? Who do you find it the easiest to light up around? Who, right now in your world, might need a little more of your light-up?
ReplyDeleteWhen I see students that have successful days. For example, they meet their goal on their check in check out, seeing them smile and giving them encouragement that they can do hard things. I feel my light up around any of the students, as I try to be a positive figure within the building even if things aren't going great. I hope they look at me and tell themselves that they too can be successful even if things are tough and challenging. The one's that I would say need the most light up right now are staff. It is a tough time of the year with testing starting and spring fever, the last push to the end of the year.
What does your “light-up” look like? Who do you find it the easiest to light up around? Who, right now in your world, might need a little more of your light-up?
ReplyDeleteMy light up is my family. After school when I go to pick up my kids is the absolute best! I can usually hear my son and daughter screaming with excitement! It makes my day every day. It's easiest to light up around my kids and my husband. My husband is such a chill and easy-going guy that he just makes my day better.
I think a particular 5th grade class that I teach needs more light up. For the past month or two they have been pretty negative about everything in and about school. It has been really hard to get them motivated and excited even about our games in PE. Hopefully I can find something that lights up their day and makes school a more positive experience. My plan is to do a pickleball unit to finish out the school year and I'm hoping they enjoy it!
My light-up is when I stop multitasking, make eye contact, and give someone my full attention with a sincere smile. I find it easiest to light up around the students who are naturally curious or who use humor to engage with the material, as their energy makes the workday feel less like a checklist. Right now, the students who are quiet, withdrawn, or consistently struggling with the content probably need more of that light-up, as they are the ones most likely to feel invisible in a busy classroom.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved this! Jody Carrington said we need several adults in our lives who light up for us. It is so easy to light up with my 6 year old. She thinks I am obsessed with her and I am. She said, “Your hobby is cuddling me.” And, it is. My voice has enthusiasm when I greet her. I can’t wait to hear her speak, because she uses such interesting words. I have another daughter who has a trauma history. She needs more light up due to her poor self worth. Interestingly I can give the youngest 5 minutes, but my other daughter needs constant affirmation.
ReplyDeleteWhat does your “light-up” look like? Who do you find it the easiest to light up around? Who, right now in your world, might need a little more of your light-up?
ReplyDeleteMy "light up" is for sure right away in the morning when my kindergartners run to me and yell my name and give me huge hugs! We are so happy to see each other and it's my favorite part of the day for sure. This happens throughout the day but the morning hugs and excitement are the best!
I think as educators we all pour ourselves into our students and they get a huge amount of our energy which is wonderful. However, sometimes there is little left for ourselves, family, friends and colleauges. I need to be better about letting those people know how much they mean to me just like a let my kids and students know how much they mean to me.
What does your “light-up” look like? Who do you find it the easiest to light up around? Who, right now in your world, might need a little more of your light-up?
ReplyDeleteMy light up looks like genuine happiness on my face. It's sincere conversations and feeling connected, valued, and trusted. I definitely find it easiest to light up around my wife, my family, and my closest friends. I do light up around my students. I am reminded at times to seek out those moments...they are there. It can be a particularly trying day and and moment of connection, humor, of finally grasping a concept can really snap me back to remembering to seek out the positive.
I have a couple of students who could maybe use a little more of my light up. A friend.
My “light-up” shows up when I’m in spaces where I can connect, tell stories, and bring energy into a room. As a high school history teacher and coach, I feel most like myself when I’m teaching, competing, or just sharing moments with kids where something clicks for them. I also get a lot of energy from being active and competitive, so coaching and athletics are a big part of where I naturally come alive.
ReplyDeleteThe person I find it easiest to light up around is my wife. There’s a comfort and ease there that makes conversation, humor, and everyday moments feel effortless. I also feel that same kind of natural energy with colleagues and friends, especially those I share common interests with, whether that’s teaching, sports, or just good conversation. Those relationships don’t feel forced, they just flow.
When I think about who might need more of my light-up right now, it would be all of my students across every classroom and team I work with. With over 80+ students and athletes in a day, it’s easy at times to unintentionally miss moments or overlook certain kids simply because of the pace and volume of the day. But I know each of them could benefit from feeling seen, encouraged, and valued in small but meaningful ways. That’s something I want to be more intentional about, making sure my energy and attention don’t just go to the loudest or most visible, but are shared as evenly and purposefully as possible.
My light it up happens when the mood is happy and cheerful. The people that most often do this for me are my children and my husband. My kids are at the age of fighting right now, so it is the best feeling in the world when they are joking around, laughing or telling stories. Sometimes they are even practicing how far they can get away with sarcastic remarks that are funny and at appropriate times- that amazes me! Also, my light it up can happen just about any time that one of my family members give me a hug. They all know that I am a "hugger" so every morning the kids right away give a big hug and if we have been away from each other for a day or better, they address me with a "hi mom, how are you" and a hug. It is just the best!
ReplyDeleteIn my world right now, the person that needs a little light-up action is all my kids but probably my middle schooler the most; the emotions are all over the place and in his mind the world can be against him some days. I try to just give him a little more attention when he is talking and also, a reminder email to have a great day and sneak in something recent that he has done that I appreciate.
My 'light-up" is when we have been working on a concept for a long time and finally I can see that the light bulb has turned on. I love to see the look on my students faces when they realize they have mastered a concept that previously was really hard for them. Math has been a hard subject for a lot of my students this year. We are doing our end of the year tests using Aims Web and my students were so proud of their results. Everyone scored at grade level or above so it was such a great moment to see their faces when I showed them their results and how well they did.
ReplyDeleteI find it very easy to light up around my friends. When I am around my people I feel so comfortable. Many of my friends are co-workers so we all can understand what each of us are going through. It nice to spend time with people who can relate to you.
I have one student who I am always concerned about. Her home life isn't always the best. I try to be someone she feels safe with and knows that I am here to help her. She has grown so much this year and I am hopeful that things will continue to get better for her.