Dealing with stress as a educator.

Amanda and I joined 27,000 other runners this weekend and ran in the Houston Half Marathon and Half Marathon. We ran in the half marathon with her father. When most people hear that I run in marathons and half marathons they just say things like:

• "I could never do that."
  
• "I would just drive that far."
• "Why would you do that?"
• "I can't even run a mile."

I could continue but I think you get the idea. Most people say things that are more closed mindset than anything.

I get it. Running is not easy. Running was not always fun or enjoyable to me. I was not always a person that embraced running.

I did not grow up in an athletic family or community. The most organized sports interaction I had was watching NFL football on the weekends growing up in the '80's. Other than PE I did not have an opportunity or reason to develop athletic skills until middle school. Like most middle schoolers and high schoolers I absolutely hated running. It was painful. It was used as a punishment when we did not meet the coaches' expectations. It was not fun.

In college I began to realize that I needed to exercise to combat the freshmen 15. I spent more time in the weight room than anything because I enjoyed strength training. As a college student studying kinesiology and athletic training I knew that I needed cardiovascular training and conditioning. To make me feel better about exercising my heart and fighting excess weight gain, I would go on what I thought was long runs of 1 - 3 miles... I mean let's face it... I had no desires to run cross country so why should I run more than 3 miles?

After college ended and the stress of life began to set in, I realized that I needed to find healthy outlets to deal with stress. Running began to play a larger role for me.

Most people that know me know my wife, Amanda, or at least know that I am married to her and know that she is a runner. She has been a runner since she was 5 years old. Did I say she is a runner?

Amanda has taught me that running is a great way to deal with stress. Running allows me time to think, process the stress of the day or week, and pushes out my nervous energy which allows me to focus. Amanda and I began running together before we were married and even though she is an All American collegiate track athlete, she allows me to keep up with her. Thanks Honey.

My first marathon was because of Amanda telling me that I can do it. I wasn't so sure. As usual, she was right and I was wrong. We have been running together ever since. That was in 2005.

In my 13 years of being a runner I have learned that stress needs to be dealt with or it will consume you. In those 13 years I have had periods of increased running and moments that I have said I am not going to run another step. I always come back to running because all I have to do is lace up shoes and go.

I am not sharing this to brag or to tell you that you need to run. I am sharing this to share the best example I know of how I deal with the stress of my work and life. You need to figure out healthy outlets to deal with stress. If you do not, stress will take it's toll on your body.

How do you deal with stress? Does what ever you do help our overall health or hurt your overall health?

My challenge to you is to find something that will help you cope with stress and support your overall health. You owe it to yourself and those that love and depend upon you to be at your best each and every day.

Think. Achieve. Succeed.

Jeff

Copy of Notes

Many special education students require a copy of notes to be successful. Ensuring that students receive their copy of notes can make the difference between success and failure. Check out this infographic for everything you need to know about Copy of Notes!

Chrome Extensions are handy tools to add to Google Chrome that make your web browsing experience better in some way. During the Ditch Summit that many of you followed and participated in, I found a new favorite tech resource. Eric Curts has a website called ControlAltAchieve.

One of his blog posts has tons of cool Chrome Extensions. You will not want all of them but in just a couple of minutes of browsing his list of favorites, you will probably find a few that you will really like. I am excited about the one called Cite This for Me, because it automatically generates citations in MLA, APA, and other formats. Find your favorite!

Monday January 15

• No School -- Holiday

Tuesday January 16

• No School -- Winter Weather Warning

Wednesday January 17

• Jeans Day to Celebrate a Short Week!
• Morning Tutorials 7:50-8:20
• Be at your duty station-- 7:50
• Be at your duty station-- 3:50
• Afternoon Tutorials 3:55 - 4:30
• Faculty Meeting 4:30-5:30

Thursday January 18

• Jeans Day to Celebrate a Short Week!
• Morning Tutorials 7:50-8:20
• Be at your duty station-- 7:50
• 8th Graders to OPAS Performance
• Be at your duty station-- 3:50
• Afternoon Tutorials 3:55 - 4:30

Friday January 19

• Jeans because its Fri-YAY!
• Morning Tutorials 7:50-8:20
• Be at your duty station-- 7:50
• No afternoon tutorials

AMCMS is a 7th & 8th grade campus in College Station ISD, College Station, TX, USA

Email: jmann@csisd.org
Website: http://amcms.csisd.org/
Location: 105 Holik Street, College Station, TX, United States
Phone: 979-764-5575
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AMCMS.Home.of.the.Cats
Twitter: @AMCMSCatPRIDE