The Belief System

The Belief System

December 27, 2018

Michael Earnshaw

@mearnshaw158

My son recently turned 10 the other week. Being around 10 year olds daily, and having been one myself for 365 days, I’ve noticed something different about him. This isn’t a bad thing, it’s something that I hope he never loses, because as we climb the ladder of life, many of us let go of this quality. I truly feel that if we all held onto the quality of BELIEF we would all live much richer, happier, and magical lives.  

My son has always loved seeing characters in costumes. It didn’t matter where we were at, if he saw a character stroll by, escorted by high school security in polos, he was all eyes and nothing would break his focus away until he got to meet them. We’ve been blessed to travel to Disney World a few times these last couple of years. It doesn’t matter how many times he has met a character or which one it is, he will want to wait in line, get a photo, and autograph. His sister, who is 7, has somewhat lost the luster when it comes to meeting characters. I honestly think she may have found a time machine and is turning 17.  

Now we have never told my son that these characters are just people in costume. We assumed at his age he was aware of this. His older sister (actually younger, but you know that if you’ve been reading) seems to know. Our last trip to Disney that all changed. He was told (don’t worry, it wasn't by me or my wife), “You know, those are just people in costumes, like you and me.” You could see a little of the magic leave his eye and float towards the sky like Tinkerbell in flight. A few weeks later we attended an annual Santa breakfast, one that has at least 10 characters moseying around for kids to meet. On the way there my son said, “I’m going to be like a big kid and focus more on the games this year.” I'd be lying if I told you my heart didn’t sink a little. I felt like an anchor was tied around it, quickly descending towards the water’s floor. It was after an hour passed that he whispered to me, “Dad, I want to go meet some characters now.” As soon as he went up to the first one, I saw that smile cover his face and a sparkle glimmer in his eye! I knew he still had the belief and that he was just trying to do what the “older” kids did.  

My assumptions were reassured once Elfie, our Elf on the Shelf, came back to visit this holiday season. My son would race downstairs every morning to see where he was hiding. He would greet him every morning, letting him know how much he loved him and couldn’t wait for Santa. Speaking of Santa, one day my son was making some very poor choices, to put it politely. I told him we weren’t going to get anything for Christmas. His reply, “It doesn’t matter Dad, Santa brings the presents, not you.” Even though I was as fuming, I felt that chain on the anchor to my heart give a little. I knew he still had the belief.  

My son’s unwavering belief in characters and the miracle of Christmas has helped me to understand that at no matter what age, we all still want to believe. Where is the rule book that states once you hit a certain age you are no longer allowed to have fun taking pictures with characters or racing to see where your household elf is hiding?  Where is it written that our imagination has to die as we age?  As educators, we must continue this magic, this belief our students possess when they are young. They deserve to have that childhood innocence, regardless of what grade they’re in. There is power in magic, there is power in belief. It’s up to you to keep it going and watch what miracles unfold in your classrooms and schools. 

Baggage Claim

Baggage Claim 

December 10, 2018

Michael Earnshaw

@mearnshaw158

Curbside baggage check is phenomenal! It’s such a great feeling to get dropped off at the airport, walk about 10 feet, not even breaking the airport’s threshold, and free yourself from the heavy bags containing everything that’s going to make you look your runway best during a getaway or business trip. Airports have this service because they know that prior to our flight we should be at our gate with time to spare, getting comfortable. Dragging these bulky, heavy suitcases around would be like driving with the parking brake on, slowly inching towards our destination.  

This is why many, if not all employers, tell their employees, “Check your baggage at the door before coming into work.” Of course, we do our best, checking our main suitcases before parading through the doors, but there’s always a small carry-on we’re allowed to bring. The carry-on is great, it’s got some necessities we need and those items that are going to either expand our minds, or at least distort them for a little while. We’re all human, and no matter what our role is, we’ll more than likely always have a carry-on item when entering work.  

This blog isn’t going to be about checking our baggage before beginning the day of a motivator for our students. Many of us do this and have no issues with it, especially if we are all in for our kids every day. What I want to examine is why it’s crucial to check our baggage on that flight home, when returning to family and friends after a trying day at school. My reasoning for investigating the benefits of checking luggage for the flight home is because it is one that I am struggling with greatly this year.  

Being educators, we hear, see, and encounter stories that are unfathomable. We deal with unrealistic mandates from up above that seem to make our jobs feel like we were set up to fail. The walls that parents put up, questioning what we do, can make the strongest educator question their longevity in our noble profession. The return baggage is always heavier than when you first left for your trip (especially if you have kids and get them some souvenirs!).  

We must, without a doubt, check this returning flight baggage. I have not been doing that this year. I have been bringing it with me, and it is not only affecting me, but the people I love the most; my wife, my son, and my daughter. I’ve been shorter with them, distant, and inattentive at times. This isn’t fair to them. They need me, just as much, if not more, than my staff, students, and parents at school. This isn’t daily, and has only really been the last few weeks, but carrying that baggage home with me once is too much. I have been giving my all for my students, staff, and parents. Now it’s time to ensure the loves of my life are still getting 110% of me.  

Being in the field of education we carry many roles. We have many, many individuals counting on us daily, both at home and in our classrooms. A great resource is Balance Like a Pirate by Jessica Cabeen, Jessica Johnson, and Sarah Johnson. It has great strategies to help find that balance. I also recommend checking out the #BalanceLAP group on Twitter. It’s a great support to remind you that you’re not alone.  

Please make sure that you are not limiting what someone is getting from you. Your students deserve all of you, your family deserves all of you, and YOU deserve all of you. It is important to find that balance where you are giving your all for everyone, including yourself.  

RPM & Watts

RPM & Watts

November 27, 2018 

By, Michael Earnshaw

@mearnshaw158

Comfort zones are a tricky thing. I’m sure you’re aware of what your comfort zone is. If not, it’s that thing inside that keeps you from taking a risk, trying something new, making yourself look like a fool. We’ve all got one. Some of ours cover a bigger proximity than others, but we all have one. The funny joke that comfort zones like to play with us is that they continually grow and expand. The more we push ourselves out of ours, the more ground it covers. I’ve been stressing to our staff this year that each day they should do one thing that takes them out of their zone, whether it be professional or personal, doesn’t matter. Last night I began reflecting on my comfort zones when a light bulb ignited and I realized I haven’t been practicing what I preach.  

This past school year started off on fire! I was motivating, encouraging, leading our great school like I never have before. Mobile desk, visibility in the halls, all day every day, skateboarding everywhere. Then this continued. Quarter 1 flew by with me doing this every day. Halfway through Quarter 2 and I am still doing the same thing. It’s somewhat losing its effect. My mobile desk, skateboarding, and visibility has become the norm. What started as challenging the status quo has now become the status quo for me and our building. This doesn’t digest well with me. How’d I flick this light switch to realize it? By getting out of my comfort zone on a personal level.  

Fitness has always fascinated me. The dedication, the physical and mental challenges and changes they bring forth are all so inspiring. I’ve been an avid runner since grade school. After college I got into weight lifting. I’ve always shown some gains and progress, but I have never had the strict dedication to make a difference. This is especially true with my inconsistent diet. But that’s a topic for another post. My running and lifting regimen have stayed stagnant for awhile. I’m not seeming to gain any traction or ground towards the goals I want for myself. I’m not getting out of that comfort zone I’ve established years ago when I began working out. Until last night.  

My wife has been taking spin classes for a little over a year now. She’s been a runner, practiced yoga, and has now found a love for pedaling a stationary bike in a dark room with colorful lights and music pumping like the club while an instructor in yoga pants, tank top, and bandana yell instructions like, “Get up! Hover! You can push harder!” I think you get the drill. My wife’s been telling me to take a class for some time now. My response, “Nope. I’m good with running. I’ll go lift some heavy things.” Last night it was too snowy and icy to run outside, I didn’t feel like driving to the gym and follow my usual routine, and I was in no mood to pull out the treadmill. “Why don’t you try spin tonight? There’s a class at 7,” my wife responded. After a lot of contemplation and scouring my brain for excuses I caved. I threw on some workout gear, got a bottle of water ready, and drove over to my first, FREE, spin class.  

It was just like in the movies! A dark room lit with colorful strobe lights and mirrors opposite the bikes with motivational quotes written on them in fancy paints. Dance music playing. Excited pedal pushers ready to get their sweat on. Then little old scared me, not knowing what I got myself into. I felt like that freshman entering high school for the first day, surrounded by upperclassmen that knew what was going on. It was a small class, only 6 of us, which I thought would make it less intimidating until I realized the less people the bigger your output info was on the display monitors. Class begins, Rhianna is blaring (which was ok, I secretly dig Rhianna), and 7 minutes in I'm out of breath. Then we cool down, next circuit begins, and I'm second guessing this decision. I start thinking of all the other things I could have been doing tonight and after the math, I came to the conclusion this would be my first, and last spin class.  

I’m glad I did it, I did feel accomplished and proud of myself for completing it. It’s then I began reflecting on how I have not been getting out of my comfort zone in any aspect of my life, even though I encourage those around me to do this daily. I began writing a recipe on how I can spice up my professional practices, getting out of the comfort zone that I stretched a little after the beginning of this school year. I came to school today, sprinkled a few of those new ingredients and have felt amazing! The oven is back on and ready to go! I’ve even gotten comments from a few staff, noticing the change.  

It’s important to know your comfort zones, but it’s even more important to self-reflect on them and keep stepping out of them no matter how large they grow. As they grow, and you push them, YOU will grow. That is a secret to happiness and success. Today I challenge you to acknowledge your comfort zone, both personally and professionally, and devise a plan to step out of it...daily.  

By the way, my spin experience was not a one and done. I purchased a 10 class package!  It’s time for me to get back to changing the game, breaking the mold, and challenging the status quo everyday!