Tag Archives: grit

(#379) Accommodations For My Students Made Me A Better Teacher


Being a teacher is more than knowing one’s content and “covering” the material. Effective teachers do what they can to connect with each student and build a community of learners who connect with one another. The Individuals with Educational Disabilities … Continue reading

Posted in accountability, awareness, Being REMARKABLE, Choice, coaching, Community, Discipline, emotional intelligence, faculty development, fortitude, Gratitude, growth, Integrity, intentionality, resilience, teaching and learning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

(#347) Clues At The Tip Of My Nose


The little child had returned to remind and reassure me to believe in my abilities and myself. A few months ago, I sat on a balcony three stories above the Gulf of Mexico in Key Largo, Florida.  The pre-sunrise morning … Continue reading

Posted in Anxiety, Appreciation, confidence, courage, curiosity, empathy, Gratitude, Grit, growth, Life lessons, Personal growth, Personal Wellbeing, resilience, respect, self-love | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

(#346) Video Outtakes: Finding Humor And Moving Forward


Enjoy three-minutes-and-fifty-one-seconds of my miscues. And consider how each miscue you make can strengthen you and maybe help someone else. Don’t be ruled by fear of failure. President Theodore Roosevelt had a way with words. Growing up as a spindly and … Continue reading

Posted in authenticity, confidence, courage, Failure, fortitude, Grit, Life lessons, resilience | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

(#342) Let’s Review


This week spend some time looking in your rear view mirror.  In a few weeks, the calendar turns to 2017.  For some, it will be “good riddance” to 2016. Others will have fond memories and gratitude of the past twelve months.  … Continue reading

Posted in Appropriate Behavior, assumptions, authenticity, awareness, core values, Discipline, Dreams, Goals, Grit, Life lessons, resilience | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#332) 100 Years of Resilience


“Life is not about me, it’s about others.” -Frances Bartlett Kinne- It is 1917 and Oregon beats Pennsylvania (14-0) in the Rose Bowl.  German U-boats stalk international waters. The US Supreme Court upholds the 8-hour workday for railroad workers.  The … Continue reading

Posted in ageing, Appreciation, authenticity, Being REMARKABLE, effective teaching, empathy, Excellence, fitness, Gratitude, legacy, Life lessons | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

(#317) Finding Your Passion Is Just The Beginning


Once we discover what we feel is our passion (or at least, our interest that could become a passion), the work has only begun.  One day in class, a thirty-something student raised her hand to ask a question about my … Continue reading

Posted in accountability, creating your future, Critical Thinking, Discipline, Dreams, focus, fortitude, Goals, Grit, growth, habits, Passion, resilience | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#300) Is Grit A Crutch? An Excuse? A Strategy? A Game Changer?


To disregard fortitude ignores the importance of personal effort. No, it does not always “pay off” like we might want it to. Grit, though, is a contributing factor on our journey. Type in the words grit or fortitude into Google … Continue reading

Posted in awareness, Grit, health, Life lessons, reslience | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

(#299) The First Forty Years


If you held me down to provide the “secret sauce,” I’d say it is simply giving each other space. This week’s blog posting has a more personal indulgence than past posts. Hopefully, in keeping with the theme of this blog, you … Continue reading

Posted in Appreciation, assumptions, awareness, Being REMARKABLE, curiosity, Discipline, Dreams | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

(#284) Gaining Clarity


We would do well to surround ourselves with people who care about us— but won’t allow us to skate by with minimal reflection and action. I first read about the Clearness Committee  (Quaker tradition) in Parker Palmer’s works. This powerful … Continue reading

Posted in assumptions, Balance, collaboration, focus, growth, Integrity, life success, mindset, teaching and learning, tenacity, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

(#274) Igniting Passion: Seven Superlative Student Stars


They spoke directly to the power of teaching and the importance of relationships in life.  This past Thursday I had the honor to deliver the keynote address for the annual faculty convocation at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). The organizers … Continue reading

Posted in Appreciation, Being REMARKABLE, Gratitude, Grit, Living a remarkable life, Making a Difference, Passion, Teaching, teaching and learning, tenacity | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment