And to be fair, while it wasn't the most revolutionary book I've encountered, it certainly did get me thinking critically about how I teach my lessons, which I think is a good thing.

The crux of the book is this - "I do it" / "We do it" / "You do it together" / "You do it alone"

Now three of those four were standard practice for me. It was the third one ("You do it together") that threw me. I hadn't really thought of it that way. But some of my best lessons unconsciously did just that. I think back to the lessons where I structured the activity so students had time to craft meaning together or even teach each other, and those were always the classes that rocked.

Once I got into the book, I found several really important things - Ch. 2 "Focused Instruction: Purpose, Modeling, Think-Alouds, and Noticing" was probably the most important to me.

This concept was so vital that I actually taught it to my UND students. It's worth your time and will make you a better and more informed teacher.

Week #24 February 17-21

Teaching Thought #103 - Empathy in the classroom

Soft skills are gone in young people today. Or at least that’s what we always here from other adults and employers: these kids are too busy staring at screens to look up and look anyone in the eyes . . . holding a video game controller doesn’t teach them a firm handshake . . . can they even work in groups?

So what can be done about those soft skills? I’m all for teaching an elective that goes in conjunction with Adulting 101 called “Soft Skills 101.” This article is a great read on the five soft skills that improve workplace performance.

The first trait to teach is empathy. The article focuses on how having emotion IQ is vital in the world of work today. In fact, this is one of the traits of Patrick Lencioni’s book, The Ideal Team Player (only Lencioni uses the word ‘smart’ for empathy).

Why is empathy so important? It creates connection and unity. It’s not that workers have to relate to and even been through the troubles others are going through. Workers just have to be able to understand and appreciate what others are going through.

In other words, avoid saying, “I know how you feel” and instead go with “That’s is terrible. How can I help?”

The danger in our media and technology saturated world is that today’s young people don’t develop empathy since they are only focused on themselves. Remember Janet Twenge warns about narcissism in young people today: it’s an epidemic.

I don’t know that it’s an epidemic. I mean Kenzie’s coaches, Marryn and Becca, cared about her deeply. They were about as empathetic as anyone could be. In fact, I saw Becca kiss the skinned knee of one of her players! If that is empathy, I don’t know what is.

Teaching Thought #104 - Developing Drive

How to instill a strong work ethic in students and young people today is one of the most important soft skills of all. This article is a great read on the five soft skills that improve workplace performance.

If you have ever watched a student struggle to figure out an app or work tirelessly on a video game, you know they have a work ethic. The problem is just directing that work ethic to something school/work related.

Steven Johnson notes in his book Everything Bad is Good for You, that gamers get a bad rap. They may stay up late playing Skyrim or spend all their time on Fortnite, but there is a dirty little secret of gamers. That dirty little secret is all the hard work that actually goes in to it.

One thing I often hear from video game detractors is that “they just look up the cheat codes on line anyway.” I thought that too for a long time. Then I actually asked a gamer: my step-son, Casey.

His reaction? He laughed. Actually, he was incredulous. And insulted. “That would be like you not actually reading a book and just reading the plot on Sparknotes and then telling everyone that you actually read it.”

He had me there.

I think our kids aren’t afraid to work. They just need to be made aware of how hard they have worked in the past (whether this is in sports, video gaming, reading, hobbies . . .) and that they can apply that work ethic to school as well.

Teaching Thought #105 - the ability to listen

Listening is a key skill in school and the work place. This article is a great read on the five soft skills that improve workplace performance.

This isn’t just a skill that young people need to re-learn. Adults really need a refresher too.

Do we listen to listen and understand? Or do we listen to respond and refute?

This website takes the ability to listen one step further. Instead of listening simply to understand, the article suggests we learn to listen to ask. If you listen and ask questions, you will make a connection because you will be seeking to understand something about others. That’s vital.

Teaching Thought #106 - Teamwork

Collaboration is more vital today than ever. This article is a great read on the five soft skills that improve workplace performance.

A former colleague of mine several years ago told the tale of how one of her friends who trained new employees at Digi Key. There new employees go through an exhaustive training session before ever even handing a phone call. Then, apparently, they do some mock calls that have specific problems they must individually solve by relying on their training.

Well, my colleague’s friend mentioned how the new employees, most of whom were millennials, struggled to rely on their training. Instead when the problems popped up, they consulted their colleagues.

This frustrated my colleague’s friend. Worse, my colleague used this as an excuse to trash the millennials.

I stopped her by saying if her colleague didn’t want her trainees to consult each other, she was fighting a losing battle. My colleague wanted to know why. I said that is just not how millennials are wired. You can’t train the Millennials the way you could train and motivate Gen X, just like you couldn’t train and motivate Gen X the way you could train Baby Boomers. Millennials - and maybe even more so - Gen Z are built (or wired) to collaborate.

Plus, if she didn’t want them to work in teams, then why do we always hear (and the state standards reflect) that teamwork is so important for the workplace?

Apparently, it still is important, even if it’s considered a ‘soft skill.’

Teaching Thought #107 - Own it

This is my favorite soft skill: ownership. This article is a great read on the five soft skills that improve workplace performance.

This might just be the hardest skill for anyone of any generation to acquire. Unfortunately, we live in a social media and special interest network dominated world that does the exact opposite of this. Don’t want to own up to the fact that your side of the political spectrum failed? Tune in to CNN or Fox News. Don’t want to believe you should vaccinate your kids or that climate change are significant issues? Follow as many conspiracy theorists on Twitter or Facebook as you want.

But to actually own a mistake (or even change your mind) is rare. I wish I had an answer for this one.

I saw this from one of my favorites, Leah Kainz. She must have put it there under my desk before she graduated! I saw it when I was packing my room away for the summer. It brought a tear to my eye!

It didn't seem that long ago that I sat across from her on our way to New York City for the choir trip at the end of her freshman year. And now here she was gone from my classroom. I'll keep this Sticky there forever!

What rocked me was how he mentioned coming back from his service and being racked by "survivor's guilt" so much so that he found himself in a closet with a loaded pistol. He was married with a beautiful family, but he was suffering. Luckily for Mann, his son came home early from school and called out his name when he walked in the door. That was all Mann needed to hear to put the gun away and work hard to become healthy and happy again. Now he shares that stories with young people, veterans, and CEOs.

What I love about his message is that we shouldn't hide our scars. We live in this fake world of Snapchat and Instagram filters where everyone pretends to be happy. That is fake. The real growth and the real health comes from acknowledging we are all broke and are all works in progress. That unites us and inspires us.

More people - especially students - need that message.

I can't wait to see what my students think.

I can see this used in a number of ways in classes -

1. Debates

2. Seeing what students actually know (schema)

3. Debunking myths and fallacies

4. Generating content knowledge on a topic

5. This would be great for formative assessments and feedback

6. Supporting claims

7. Weighing facts vs. opinions

8. Fleshing out a thesis or topic

When did you graduate from LHS?

I graduated from LHS in 2006.

Where did you go to college and when did you graduate?

I graduated from NCTC in 2011 with my Associate’s Degree. Graduated in 2014 From Minnesota State University Moorhead with my Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts and Literature Education. I earned my Master’s Degree in 2019 in Educational Leadership from MSUM.

Where have you taught?

I teach 7-12 Language Arts in Grygla, MN. I am in my sixth year. I have really enjoyed the atmosphere of being in a small school. There is something special about the small school and being able to fit entire classes into single classrooms.

Are you doing any coaching or advising?

This is my first year not coaching football after 12 years at different levels for the Goodridge-Grygla program. I also advise the Grygla Chapter of the Minnesota Honor Society, Knowledge Bowl, and the Class of 2023.

What do you enjoy most about teaching?

The relationships we form with the students is amazing. I love being in the small school environment. Seeing kids grow from when they first come into the high school as seventh graders until the day they leave at graduation is absolutely phenomenal. While it was a little intimidating at first to see I was the only English teacher, I would not have it another way. Very few people will be able to have the same impact on the kids as I have been fortunate to have over my career. Being visited by former students and players and hearing about how well they are doing is also a huge bonus!

What made you want to be a teacher?

Both my parents went into teaching, and my older brother did as well, so I don’t think I was left much choice. I also have had some awesome teachers throughout my life. Teachers like Coach Mumm, Kurt Reynolds, Shane Zutz, and Carter Rogalla in TRF were huge influences in how you can be more than a teacher or coach, but can truly impact young people forever. Also, they seemed to really have fun in the room, which is exactly how I try to handle each day in my classroom. I have tried to leave a positive impression on every aspect of the school, and it is due in large part to the teachers and coaches I had at Lincoln. Even when I made those teachers and coaches so mad they chewed me out, it made a huge impact on my life as a teacher and coach, and I owe those people a lot in shaping the person I am today.

What advice do you have for teachers?

I would say the old saying “They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel” is absolutely true. Spend time each day getting to know your students, and let them know you. Be invested in your students and their lives, as the rewarding part of this job is not just teaching the content. I have always felt that if students leave my room and the only thing I taught them was English, I have failed them. We know we didn't get into this for the money and if it is only about the content, you could make more in another field. We got into this field for the kids, and we need to make sure that we remember that we are some of the most impactful people in their lives. Do not simply be the body in the room. Let your freak flag fly. If you are a sci-fi geek or a sports nut, let the kids know. You will grow that relationship into something lifelong and meaningful. Think back on your own experience. No one remembers the teacher who only taught them grammar, but they all remember the teachers who were genuine and truly cared about them.

I am married to the most amazing person in the world, Kristie. It was love at first sight. At least for me. And it still is.

We have four wonderful children, Casey, Koko, Kenzie, and Cash. I also happen to have the greatest job in the world: teaching English to high school students.

I am about to begin my 22nd year of teaching at Lincoln High School. I graduated from Lafayette High School in 1992. I decided to enter the field of education because of two amazing teachers, Mr. Mueller, my fourth and sixth grade elementary school teacher and assistant baseball coach, and Mrs. Christianson, my 9th grade English teacher.

I attended Northland Community College, and had my life changed by the amazing Dr. Diane Drake. Then I transferred to Bemidji State University in 1995. There I had amazing professors who further inspired me to teach English (Dr. Helen Bonner, Dr. Mark Christensen, Susan Hauser, and Gerry Schnabel). I graduated with my BS in English Education in 1997.

I student taught with the wonderful Lisa Semanko and then began teaching full-time at LHS in 1998.

I took a year's leave of absence in 2001-02 to return to BSU for my MA in English. There I had the privilege to teach and work closely with my greatest mentor, Dr. Mark Chirstensen. I earned my MA in English in 2006 and was honored with "Thesis of the Year" for my creative non-fiction, braided, multi-genre memoir, "Meeting Myrtle: A Biography."

In 2013, thanks to my dear friend and mentor, Dr. Jodi Holen, I was offered an adjunct teaching position fall semester at the University of North Dakota. Tuesday nights I teach Intro to Education: Teaching and Learning 250 from 5-8. Those three hours fly by in about ten minutes.

Then in 2016 I was blessed to win a WEM award (thanks to a nomination from a former student (and now an elementary school teacher), Ciera Mooney.

In 2017 I became part of the #pineconepd podcast club along with Brian Loe, Jeff Mumm, Kelsey Johnson, Kelly Weets, Josh Watne, Tevia Strand, Megan Vigen, Mariah Hruby, and Laura Brickson. This has been one of the best forms of PD I've ever been a part of. They make me a better teacher every time we meet. Please think about joining us in the summer at the Pine Cone Pub from 6:30 - until we've solved all the world's problems. For that evening anyway.

Thanks to the inspiration of Shane Zutz (our former principal) I devised this as a way to distribute my Teaching Thoughts and add more content to, hopefully, help out and inspire others.

Email: kurt.reynolds@myprowler.org
Website: http://teacherscribe.blogspot.com
Location: 101 South Knight Aver Thief River Falls MN 56701
Phone: 218-686-7395
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kurt.reynolds.5?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: @teacherscribe