The Dragonfly Forest

They have been given names such as devil’s darning needle, ear sewer, horse stinger, skeeter hawk, and the snake’s servant. Actually, Dragonflies are beneficial, peaceful, and stunning. You are a Dragonfly if you are: ADD/ADHD, dyslexic, dysgraphic, Asperger’s, NLVD, autistic…

Showing posts with label video. Show all posts
Showing posts with label video. Show all posts

Monday, September 10, 2018

What to do about Suicide

Today is the start of Suicide Prevention Week 2018.  I am sharing a past post from August 14, 2016.  Both today in 2018 and in 2016 I could write almost the exact same words as I did on May 18, 2014.  Depression and anxiety are real, and we are not doing enough to help people who battle with mental health concerns.  Over these past few years, there have been many stories about children killing themselves.  In my children's own school district there were a few suicides last year and many students with suicidal ideation.  This has to stop.  Adults must keep our children emotionally safe.

Here are the past posts...

From August 14, 2016:
I was thinking about writing something positive and motivating for a Spiritual Sunday post because I've been so busy with work I have not been able to post as often as I want.  Instead, I saw a post about a young boy who committed suicide... again.  He wrote in a note that he was bullied and teachers didn't help. Here's that article: "'I gave up:' 13 - Year-Old boy commits suicide after he claims school 'Didn't do anything' to stop his bullies." 

This breaks my heart!  I just don't understand how the adult who has the power to make life better for children do not step in and really make a difference.  Sometimes adults are the bullies as well.  My biggest concern about this article is it seems the child failed his grade in school.  I see this way too often - students getting failing grades and adults at the school do nothing but let the child fail.  The student is the one blamed for the failure.  This makes me so angry because adults have the power to step in and work on figuring out WHY the student is failing. I will write more on this topic but in the meantime here's the I wrote in May 2014~~

From May 18, 2014:
I woke up today thinking about what I wanted to share on Spiritual Sunday.  It has been a while since I posted a Spiritual Sunday because I've been struggling spiritually.  I just can't seem to understand why people lack empathy. Now, I wake up to read an article in the Columbus Dispatch newspaper about a teenage girl committing suicide and bullying was reported as one of the factors.  Here is the article: Pickerington teen's suicide raises concern: How much was bullying to blame?

My heart is breaking.  I did not know this girl, but I know her pain.  I have felt this pain many times myself.  I work with people who feel this pain or have felt this pain in their past. I wrote about Bullying and Suicide originally on November 19, 2013, after another teen suicide.  I have been making a plea to educators to STOP teaching "Anti-Bullying" programs and start teaching EMPATHY!   What we focus on we expand so if we are focused on bullying we will get bullying if we concentrate on empathy we will get empathy!  I wrote Empathy is the Antidote to Bullying on January 29, 2013, in hopes that we can start making this change.  I'm saddened that we now have lost another unique and beautiful person to suicide. 

Many people struggle with empathy when it comes to a person's depression and/or suicidal ideations.  These topics make people uncomfortable and often the person feeling these ways stays silent, puts a smile on their face, and suffers alone.  They know that no one will really understand or the other person will minimize their feelings.  People need to realize that the person often doesn't really want to die they want the pain to end.  When other's show empathy the pain can stop!!!

















(Image: picture of a black & blue dragonfly & quote from Orson Scott Card's book 'Ender's Shadow' - "In my view, suicide is not really a wish for life to end.'  'What is it then?'  'I is the only way a powerless person can find to make everybody else look away from his shame. The wish is not to die, but to hide.")

So what can you do about suicide?  You can start paying attention to those around you.  You can start showing REAL empathy.  Know the difference between empathy & sympathy- here's a quick video to help you understand this: 



Remember that you do have the power to make the difference in someone else's life.  You can prevent a person from committing suicide, and you may never know that you did because the person will not tell you they wanted to escape this pain (world).  Often people, like this recent teen, Cora Delille, didn't share her pain overtly with family and friends.  She kept most of her pain silent, but if others have empathy, they will see that she is struggling with something and reach out to her.  If covert bullying (relational aggression) was happening in school then teachers need to be more diligent by watching students interact- there are signs of relational aggression (name calling, excluding, teasing, avoidance behaviors, mean looks...).  If administrators know that a teacher and/or coach is treating a child unfairly and emotionally damaging the child they need to protect the child.  Adults have the power to make positive changes and save the lives of children.
(Image: a silhouette picture of a person sitting holding their knees with their head down and a quote titled 'Be a friend save a life' - "Suicidal thoughts happen when pain exceeds the amount of resources needed for coping. Family and friends are often unaware of the suicidal ideations. If a loved one is depressed or under a great deal of stress, be a resource. Listen to his/her worries, stressors, and fears.  Make no judgments.  Just listen and provide support.") 

Please start paying attention to those around you (especially if they are a student who has learning disabilities - see picture below)! Practice empathy on a daily basis.  Let's teach all our children to be emphatic so they will be kinder to one another.  Please pass this on to help save the life of someone in pain.  Finally, remember I really do care about the lives of everyone and always here.  If you are in pain, know you are not alone!

Here's a link to a recent post about Asking for Help.  This is another critical post for parents!

(Image: student sitting at a computer desk with books in front of him and he is holding his head in his hands looking down as if defeated and a quote from Stephanie Sergent Daniel's article 'Reading Disabilities Put Students at Risk for Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors and Dropping Out of School' - "In our study, poor readers were three times more likely than typical readers to consider or attempt suicide ant six times more likely to drop out of school.  Educators and parents should be aware of the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adolescents with reading problems.")







Friday, November 24, 2017

Things I learned from Randy Pausch

Randy Pausch touched my heart and changed my life.  Although he was on my list of people I admire and people I wanted to meet so I can learn from, I never had that opportunity because he passed away July 25, 2008.  I still visit with Randy frequently from re-reading his books, re-watching his videos, and talking to him in the universe usually asking, “Randy, what would you do here?” or “Randy, what advice do you have for me today?”  

Things I learned from Randy:

1.    “It is important to have specific dreams.”  The key to this isn’t knowing your dream but knowing what precisely you want from your dream.   Sometimes what you think is the dream is not the real dream and people achieve this dream and are disappointed or people can’t reach this dream and therefore they quit altogether.  So it is vital to know exactly what it is you are really dreaming of achieving!

2.    “Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted.”  This is sometimes a hard one but I have to remind myself that I didn’t get what I wanted and my expectations did not occur but I sure did learn a lot of lessons.  Life is about lessons.  When I have events that are disappointing because I did not get what I want I often ask Randy, “what was I supposed to learn from that?”
  
3.    “When it comes to men who are romantically interested in you, it's really simple. Just ignore everything they say and only pay attention to what they do.”  This was advice to his daughter and he's right; actions really do speak louder than words so you must remember to watch the behaviors of others --they are very telling.  Also, pay attention to your own behaviors because others are watching your actions and that is how you are being judged – they are not judging you by your words! 

4.    “Proper apologies have three parts:
1) What I did was wrong.
2) I feel bad that I hurt you.
3) How do I make this better?”
I work hard to practice this and want my children to own their mistakes and practice this apology as well.  The world would be such a better place if everyone had the courage to say they were sorry.  (A Previous blog post on saying sorry).

There are many more quotes I love (some added as picture quotes for my Facebook pages  – see below).

Watch Randy’s video of The Last Lecture!  I promise you will not be disappointed and your life will be impacted!






























(Image: photo of a metal sculptured dragonfly on a brick wall and a quote from Randy Pausch's book 'The Last Lecture' - “The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.  Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough.  They’re there to stop the other people.” "





















(Image: photo of a sun rising or setting and a quote from Randy Pausch's 'The Last Lecture' - “When you see yourself doing something badly and nobody’s bothering to tell you anymore, that’s a bad place to be.  You may not want to hear it, but your critics are often the ones telling you they still love you and care about you, and want to make you better.” )




















(Image: clipart of a group of multi-racial children playing cards and a quote from Randy Pausch's book 'The Last Lecture' - “We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” )





















(Image: photo of a Caucasian child wearing a cape and mask with his/her fist in the air and a quote from Randy Pausch's book 'The Last Lecture' - “There’s a lot of talk these days about giving a child self-esteem.  It is not something you give; it’s something you have to build.” )

Sunday, July 9, 2017

Elie Wiesel - lessons learned and how to have a better world!

Spiritual Sunday~~ I continue to be heartbroken at the loss of Elie Wiesel!  In the 1980's I was in high school and learned about Mr. Wiesel and read his book "Night."  Reading his book was not an easy task because I'm dyslexic. I struggle at pronouncing unknown words and I'm an exceptionally slow reader but Mr. Wiesel's book kept me inspired to keep reading and motivated me to do a lot of self-reflection. How can I live in a world that allows such injustice?  How can I just stand by and let bad thing happen to others?  I knew I couldn't! I knew that I had to help others!  Although I was just a teenager I knew my purpose in life was to work on making the world a better place. 

Elie Wiesel's life lessons became a part of the fabric of my soul and I re-read his work often, especially on audio.  There is so much to learn about ourselves and the world around us.  I guess this is why I struggle to understand why people have hate and negativity?  I just don't get it!  How can someone intentionally harm someone else - physically, mentally, socially, emotionally...? It makes me sick to my stomach when I hear someone justify their actions - tell me that the other person had it coming, that they had to right to defend themselves, that it's the person's own fault for being poor....  How can you not see from another person's perspective?  

I work daily to live with integrity and yet see and experience so much hate and indifference.  I don't understand how some people don't comprehend that what we focus on we expand.  When we attempt to make the world a better place by fighting the "War on drugs" or the "War on guns" or "Anti-bullying" all we are doing is magnifying drugs, guns, bullying... We need to teach empathy, compassion, and HELP those addicted.  War begets war and eventually there is so much war, hatred, violence that people become immune and indifferent.  I learned from "Elie Wiesel "Indifference to me, is the epitome of all evil."  

People are so self-absorbed with material items, money, status, and number of "likes" and followers on social media that they have lost most of their humanity.  I have sat in school meetings where the staff fights hard against providing an education to a child. Often they blame the child or parents for the fact that the child is not learning instead of taking responsibility and teaching the child appropriately.  I could tell you some horrific stories about how those who are paid to educate our children attack them by blaming and shaming them.  Educators are not paid to crush the self-esteem of children yet is accepted and condoned all the time. Sports coaches often do the same things. But why is all this allowed - why do people in power think they have the right to break the spirit of another person.  

As a counselor I am helping many people overcome the traumas from their childhood.  It is heartbreaking to hear the stories about teachers, coaches, and even parents causing such damage to another human-being.    "Every single human-being is a unique human-being and therefore it is so criminal to do something to that human-being- he or she represents humanity."  

So here's what you can do to make the world a better place... YOU CAN MAKE YOU BETTER.  YOU CAN LIFE YOUR LIFE EVERY DAY WITH INTEGRITY!  YOU CAN WORK HARD TO SEE ANOTHER PERSON'S PERSPECTIVE AND YOU CAN FOCUS ON HOW TO THINK AND FEEL DEEPER!  







Tuesday, May 2, 2017

What you need to understand about for-profit and nonprofit

Hi Dragonfly Friends!  Yes, I’ve been off for a while due to being exceptionally busy professionally.  I'm always on a mission to make the world a better place for EVERYONE & this is very time consuming but worth all the hard work!  

Today I wanted to correct a misperception. Someone once made a comment about not wanting to support businesses, companies, or people who are for-profit and only wanted to support nonprofit companies that were truly not in it for the money.  Wow, this person has no clue on what it means to be for-profit and nonprofit.  There is a perception that nonprofit companies are better because they are “not in it for the money” but this isn’t really true.  I used to work in nonprofit mental health and it was ALL about billing (aka money), which meant face-to-face time only because we couldn’t bill for phone calls or emails.  We were required to meet monthly billing quotas and if you did not meet your billing quota you were in trouble (reprimand and no raises).  This is not a good practice for clients because it creates unhealthy co-dependent relationships. 


Here’s a video of Dan Pallotta explaining “The way we think about charity is dead wrong”



Having a private practice that is not a nonprofit does NOT make me greedy or all about the money.  I have a passion for what I do and put in exceptional amount of volunteer time for these passions.  I created a business helping people with disabilities (dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, Asperger's, Anxiety, Depression...) and their families.  No one does exactly what I do because it requires much more time and energy for little financial compensation.  There are some people who do similar jobs but my business is very unique and it is people centered not money driven.  I am not against nonprofits I’m against bad business practices especially when these business practices do not help the people we need to help – we need to really understand the way profit and nonprofit companies are run so we can learn more and do better. 

I am also a person who is willing to promote and support others, especially if it helps bring awareness to my passions.  I don’t care if the person, organization, company, or business is for-profit or nonprofit.  I will support everyone equally!  The world is a wonderful place and we all need to make a living and there is nothing wrong with growing a business because “Profit is not a dirty word.”  
























We need to remember this:



Monday, February 8, 2016

3 tricks to get motivated and stop procrastinating! Motivational Monday

I'm often told - "I just can't get started"  or "I can't seem to finish what I get started."  These are common for everyone but especially someone who has ADHD or other learning disabilities.  Here are 3 things you can do to get started and keep going until you are finished:

1: Know why you are procrastinating!  Most people procrastinate because they have a terrible concept of time.  We often want instant gratification and think that we will deal with something later.  Our brain is easy to convince that it's okay to eat that cupcake now because it wants to have its pleasure center touched.  We tell ourselves we will work it off later at the gym or it's just a few extra calories we will eat less later...  Or we have to get a project done and we tell ourselves we have all week to complete the project thinking we will start later on - we have time.  Also, some people procrastinate because they are afraid of failure or success.  They believe if they start something it won't be good enough.  So, you need to really think about why you are procrastinating and be very honest with yourself!  

2: To get started give yourself a set time limit or goal.  So you want to workout and lose weight.  Set up a 10 minute time to just do it! Tell yourself it's only 10 minutes.  If you need to clean a room set a goal for cleaning up for 20 minutes or picking up/cleaning 20 thing. You can do this same thing for a project you need to get started or studying for a class/test.  The key is to set a time limit and or goal for how much you want to accomplish.  Don't set these too high - make them manageable.  Once you get started you can keep going if you want but don't make the time limit or goal so high you are overwhelmed and don't start at all.  

3: When you are starting to have the desire to quit tell yourself these two words: STOP IT! Watch this video clip below of Bob Newhart telling a client to "STOP IT" and talk to yourself the same way! This will do a few things.  It will hopefully make you laugh every time you tell yourself to "Stop it" and it will make you keep going until you reach your time limit or goal.  See, sometimes we procrastinate because we have a negative inner voice telling us our work isn't good enough, we are not good enough, or other negative comments.  I want you to tell this negative inner voice to "STOP IT!"  

Now, tell yourself you can and will get things accomplished! You may not complete everything but you will get things started and finish what you start.  I believe in you so now you need to believe in yourself!  

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

What is the impact of video games on the brain!





Researchers such as, Daphne Bavelier, are analyzing the brain and video games.  This is a great video you should watch to answer the question "What is the impact of video games on the brain."  


So are you surprised?  I'm hoping that there are some researchers out there doing longevity studies so we can see impact over many years!  

Friday, November 20, 2015

Understanding the brain- The McGurk Effect!

Freaky Fun Fact Friday!  We can't always believe what we see and hear.  Do you know about the McGurk Effect?  Watching this video to learn all about it - hmmm interesting right?  This is why it is difficult for some people to fully understand what people are saying and can cause miscommunication.  




Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Understanding shame

We don't always understand another person's perspective because we do not live the same life or have the same experiences and emotions.  Sometimes we may not even agree with another person's choices due to our own experiences and beliefs. 

What we still need to do is work on accepting others unconditionally so the other person feels understood and not shamed.  

Shaming happens often even when it is not intended. Shame is very powerful and we need to work on stopping the shame.  

I've shared this video before a few times but will share it again here- Brene Brown discusses shame with Oprah...  


(Direct link: Shame is lethal
So thinking about your own shame and that others may be dealing with.  It may help you understand yourself and others better!  Here are some other past posts on shame: Shame and why it needs to Stop & Shame it needs to stop and how to help



Wednesday, May 27, 2015

How to let go

I've been productively busy but I've also been dealing with some challenges in my life that make me perseverate on events, situations, and people I have no control over.  No matter how much I recite the Serenity Prayer it doesn't help.  My brain is still stuck on obsession mode and it makes it difficult for me to be productive.   


I know the difference between the things I can and cannot change & I know that these are people, events, & situations that I cannot change.  I know because I've tried.  I've done everything in my power to make positive changes but nothing (maybe someday the seeds I've planted will sprout but I will probably not be around to enjoy the fruits of my efforts).  

So, how can I let go of these thoughts that haunt me and drain my energy?   

First, I have to let go of the belief that I will be able to fully let these thoughts go because things really are personal.  Even if they are not intended to be personal they become personal to me as soon as they influence me emotionally. When someone does something that we feel has been wrong to us or someone we love that feels personal and sometimes it is very personal.  I have the hardest time when I know the intent is personal because I live my life with integrity.  

Second, you have to remember that even though you cannot change an event, situation, or person you still can make choices about what you do with your time, effort, and energy.  We often hear that we can change our attitude and that's true but I know how hard it is for me to stop perseverating on my thoughts.  Even when I'm working on being happy and positive, the thoughts and emotions keep creeping back into my head disrupting my ability to be productive. Heck, these thoughts are even a broken record in my dreams like an earworm (song you can't get out of your head).  When I get stuck on a thought or feeling related to the person, event, or situation I then work harder to get mentally caught up in a different task.  The key here is to get caught up in a task that requires you to think and use your cognitive skills in a different way.  Yes, this could mean that you do something academic (reading, writing, math...) but it also means that you could watch a movie or listen to an engaging book on audio.  You could play a game - physically like a sport or mentally like a computer game or Xbox/PS game. The goal is to get your mind focused on something different than what you are obsessing about.  

Finally, you need to get this song stuck in your head so every time the thoughts of the situation, person, or event invades your brain, you can sing the words and tell yourself to just FUCK IT ALL!  

This does work but it has some side effects - you will gain power and strength you didn't know you had and if not careful you may actually say things you might regret.  If you have a teacher, boss, co-worker, or friend that has done something intentionally on unintentionally it is still not wise to say - Fuck You. Remember you need to live with integrity.  I'm not saying that you should continue to let bad people treat you like shit, I'm not!  I'm saying that you take care of yourself and make sure you don't get burned by others but don't attack them.  Even when you are getting attacked remain professional - have dignity and class (that's another lesson by the way).  This lesson is about letting go of those thoughts and feelings that haunt you, so you can move on with your life and focus on being productively busy!  

If this help print out this picture and post it by your computer or mirror so when those thought start invading- you can start singing! 

** How do I know this works?  Well, I sing this all the time and I have not felt this good and powerful in a long time.  So trust me on this and give it a week!  HUGS 







Sunday, December 7, 2014

Spiritual Sunday~ The importance of Outrospection


I teach a lot about being introspection and being mindful - so we are fully conscious of ourselves - strengths, weaknesses, values...  If we do not know ourselves it is more difficult to have empathy!  To make the world a better place we all need to be empathetic of the lives of others.   We need to have outrospection! 

Today on Spiritual Sunday take some time to learn about outrospection!  








Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Things to do for International Day of Persons with Disabilities!

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities and I would like to point out that we, as a society, should be more open to discussing all types of disabilities!   It makes me sad that when schools teach about diversity they exclude the diversity of disabilities and yet disabled people make up the largest and most disadvantaged minority in the world!  

Diversity education programs completely ignore the largest minority group in the world!  Wow that's something to really think about!  We as a society need to do better!  We need to stop discriminating against students with disabilities!  

We really do need to embrace all types of disabilities and stop the shame!  I continue to post that students with disabilities are more likely to commit suicide in hopes that teachers, parents, and school counselors will read this article and make changes to the way they deal with students with disabilities - especially hidden disabilities because these students are NOT lazy!  Stop the Shaming!!!  

Stop teaching anti-bullying because that only focuses on bullying and start teaching empathy because what we focus on we expand and I would rather students aware of being kind to others than looking out for bullies and bullying behaviors - to learn more check out: Empathy the Antidote to Bullying, Bias, and Bigotry!   

Also, teach about disabilities in your diversity education programs - really stop excluding this important minority group!  

Finally, practice EMPATHY!  Watch this video to learn what the difference between empathy & sympathy!  Help make the world a better place!  


Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Want to know what I'm thinking?

Well, today is Wednesday & I just felt like saying HI!  Have you ever had so much to do that you don't even know where to start so you just procrastinate?  Yep, that's what I'm doing right now! Wishing I was somewhere else but hey, that's not going to happen so am posting a video of where I want to be.... 


Who wants to go with me? No takers?  Oh well...  Sigh... back to my work!  I guess this will only be in my dreams.  


Monday, September 8, 2014

Motivational Monday!



It is Monday and for many of us that means a week of new frustrations!  Don’t worry; remember that failure is a good thing.  Look at this week as the beginning of great new adventures!  Never give up! 

Monday, August 4, 2014

Motivational Monday - listen to the sound of inspiration Luca Stricagnoli



I'm a sucker for the Acoustic Guitar and The Last of the Mohicans so I have to confess this video made my Monday.  I hope it makes your Monday too! Thanks Luca Stricagnoli for doing what you do!

Share his link if you like what you just saw!

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Spiritual Sunday - Scott Sonnon someone you should know!

I speak and write frequently about the importance of TENACITY and GRIT! Today on Spiritual Sunday I want to share a story demonstrating this TENACITY and GRIT.   

To say Scott has grit is an understatement.  I also give credit to his mother because I too am a mother like his; a mother who will let no obstacle stand in her or her children's way.  

As you know I am on a mission change the world, so that no child will ever have an experience like Scott had to endure.  I too, carry with me the scars of the battles I had to fight through my educational experiences but like Scott, it has made me stronger and with my innate tenacity and grit I am unstoppable. 

This is a must watch video for every person, parent, teacher, administrator... Remember to really have empathy we need to be open to learning about the experiences of others.  The year 2014 is the year of EMPATHY (click there to see old posts on empathy from previous years - search empathy in this blog to see posts from 2014).



To show your support for Scott please vote for Scott for "The Ultimate Men's Health Guy Search" (click link to vote and learn more about Scott!!).  Proceeds from this win will go towards Dyslexia.

This post is not about getting votes for Scott this post is about getting the world to know about Scott life experience!  Scott has a purpose and message that not only benefits people with dyslexia but every person who has not fit in or felt different (a Dragonfly).  Scott is an inspiration for all and everyone can learn from him.  I encourage you to follow Scott on his webpage/blog, some wonderful articles to keep you motivated physically and emotionally. 

I have now added Scott to my list of people I admire & would like to meet so I can learn from him, be motivated by him, and connect with a kindred spirit! 

**(Coaching note: if you don't have your list of people you admire & would like to meet - get one started today!)

High five to all my Dragonfly friends out there!  I love the quote below from Scott because this is exactly the mission I am on - helping everyone find their learning style, purpose, and inner spirit!   





Friday, May 23, 2014

Freaky Friday Fun! The Truth of Lies & IPODS


Watch Macro Tempest use 3 IPods to teach us about truth, lies and deception.  This is a short video that you will want to watch a few times - very fun!  Happy Freaky Friday my Dragonfly friends!  

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Words from Parents and Dragonflies Wednesday - Stories about the impact of one teacher

For Words from Parents and Dragonflies Wednesday I will be sharing information about teachers who impacted the lives of students. 

As a teacher you may have an idea of what life is like for your students but you probably have no idea what is really happening in their private life.   

The student may be performing poorly for a variety of reasons without your knowledge.  


  • The student may have a learning disability which makes learning VERY hard and therefore they may avoid all types of academic work.  
  • The student may have an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol because they got caught up with the wrong group of kids.  
  • The student may have one or both parents addicted to drugs and/or alcohol.  
  • The student may come from a family that is on the verge of bankruptcy or eviction and therefore the student may have to work long hours on just has to live with the stress of never having enough money.
  • The student may be living in a physically, sexually, and/or emotionally abusive environment.
  • The student may have a family member that is sick (cancer, depression, MS...).

As a teacher you really don't know exactly what the student is dealing with outside of your classroom, especially if the student appears to have a "perfect" home environment.  If you assume that a student is NOT participating or studying because they are LAZY you are wrong.  Students avoid the work for a reason- it's hard, they are overwhelmed, they have more pressing things on their minds, they don't see the value in academic work, or they are experiencing so much shame trying hide what is really happening in their lives. 

The list above are just some of the reasons why students may not be performing up to their potential in school.  Most of the time it takes just one teacher to make a positive impact on the life of a student.  This one teacher can help the student know they are valued and worth saving.  This teacher can see beyond the bad grades and poor performances and make sure the student does not fail. Here is a clip from one of my favorite movies: Freedom Writers that shows what it would be like to have a teacher care.  Think how this interaction from one teacher could change the life of a student no matter what they were dealing with in his/her personal life.  I pray we have more teachers like this and less teachers who shame, blame, and assume a student is LAZY!







Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Lessons from Chris Varney on how to parent a child with a disability- words from Parents and Dragonflies Wednesday

For Words from Parents and Dragonflies Wednesday I'm going to share a video of a Dragonfly - Chris Varney.

When you have children that are different - maybe they are on the Autism spectrum, ADHD, or Dyslexia you have to be a more diligent parent.  The world is challenging when a child has a disability and even more challenging for a parent who often can feel alone, overwhelmed, confused, and even hopeful.  A parent has a special gift of being able to see the child's strength even when others cannot.  

Please watch this video of Chris Varney if you are a parent of a child with a disability - he shares some valuable lessons!

Monday, February 17, 2014

Motivational Monday with Kid President from SoulPancake!

Motivational Monday:

Today is President's Day so I'd like to share some great videos from Kid President!  Oh you don't know him... Well you are in for an exciting surprise!  






See.... Isn't he just great!  Hope you are more motivated, have a smile on your face, and a spring in your step!

Want to see another video go to my Facebook page: The Dragonfly Forest