Gator Run Friday Focus - April 25, 2014

     Recently I was at a restaurant with my family when I overheard a conversation between one of the wait staff and a customer.  Apparently the waitress was also a teacher and was talking to the customer about her class.  I really shouldn't say "talking" because she was complaining about the students' behavior and using words that I found appalling to use about children.  She made it very clear that she did not like her students and she also disparaged her school in the process.
     I am at the sports fields in Weston many nights during the week with my children.  As you can imagine, parents speak with each other about school.  I also overhear the children talking about school.  A few days ago I overheard a girl tell her father about something that happened at school in the hallway in between classes.  It seems that the girl's teacher was talking to another teacher and complaining about her class.  This teacher called her class "obnoxious" and said that she wished she had a different class.  I wonder how this affected the girl?
     My point of relating these stories is to remind all of us that everyone is listening: students, parents, and community.  What message are each of us sending out about our profession?  When one educator speaks in a negative way about education it demeans all of us.  How are you "telling the story" of yourself, Gator Run, and our profession?  I hope that your message is one of love and respect. 

• FCAT continues next week for our 5th graders.  
• Team Work is scheduled for next Tuesday afternoon.
• Interim Reports go home next Thursday.  

Quote of the Week - "If you can't learn and have fun at the same time, then I'm not sure you have a good understanding of either." - Randy Pausch

Think Like a Detective - Can you determine the Gator Run teacher based on the following clues?

• Was born and raised in Pembroke Pines, FL.
• Went to FAU.
• Loves cooking and going on weekend getaways as much as possible.
• Is a third generation teacher.
• Was just married on New Years Eve in Ireland.