What I'm reading now...

I'm currently reading the book "Switch" by Chip and Dan Heath.  The book boils down the essentials for making lasting changes in your life.  For example, I let my running slide this year and I'm committed to getting started again this summer so I can be in good shape for the upcoming school year.  I get off to a good start, but soon I encounter some kind of a barrier - it's too hot, I'm too tired, or I don't have time to run.

The author's talk about your brain having two opposing motivators:  The Rider (your rational brain) and The Elephant (your emotional brain).  In order to make long-term changes a reality, both motivators need to be united in meeting the goal.  Chip and Dan site many examples of ordinary people making changes that have an unbelievable impact.  I am fascinated by the fact that most of these changes are very simple and would be overlooked by many because they are not the changes that are most obvious. 

I haven't finished the book, so I'll have to let you know what I think when I'm done.  Hopefully by then I'll have a good solution that makes running a regular part of my day!

Learning at the BEST conference

Have you ever wondered what principals and teachers do during the summer?  Yes - we definitely take some time to relax, but many of us also continue to learn in one way or another.  I was lucky to be able to attend the Vermont Agency of Education's BEST conference in Killington with 11 other people from across the district.  Mrs. Hayes, our reading teacher, was there, too.  We attended four training sessions led by Charlie Appelstein on using a strengths-based approach in working with students.  Mr. Appelstein was an entertaining presenter who kept us engaged with his humorous, yet meaningful stories about how his strategies worked for different students.  We both felt good about our experience and can't wait to share what we learned with everyone at Porters Point School.