 In case you did not know, I run. I run because it pushes me to be a better version of me. I run because I just feel better after I have finished a run. I run because I like to eat good food that is not always good for me. I run because it helps me to think. There are many reasons to run. I know what some of you are thinking... good for you. I don't run and I don't need you to tell me why you do run. Am I right? I am sharing this so that you understand where this is coming from. The Boston Marathon was last Monday. The Boston Marathon is like the Super Bowl or the World Series for running. It is the world's oldest marathon and one of the most elusive marathons to enter and win. That is why their logo is a unicorn. This year's Boston Marathon was one of the most miserable weather days in the history of the race. It was very cold, very rainy, and very windy. Almost half of the elite athletes that started the race quit before it ended. It was a hard day, especially for those that are "made for running". Des Linden made history on Monday. What did she do? See for yourself. It was revealed in the post race marathon that she almost quit in mile 2 or 3. She said she was not feeling well. I am glad she was able to push through. I am sure she is too. As you saw in the video, she slowed down so she could support her fellow competitor, Shalane Flanagan (who won the NYC Marathon in the Fall of 2017) who was having a tough day. That is teamwork. That is placing the needs of other's before your own. We need more of that in the world today. Des ended up leaving Shalane and the rest of the women's field behind at Mile 21. She became stronger and faster as the race went on. She pushed through the reasons to quit. About a month before Boson, she sent out this tweet:  "Every day I make the choice to show up and see what I've go, and try to be better."
What a great attitude about life. She's right. Some days it feels like everything falls into place and other days it feels like everything is falling all over the place. What do you do on those days that everything falls all over the place? Do you give in? Are you giving up on what could be your best day ever? How do you know if you give up? I am sharing all of this to remind you that you need to keep showing up. The last few weeks of the school year are some of the toughest. Even the best educators struggle this time of you. You are not alone. Keep pushing. Keep showing up. I bet you will find that more days will fall into place than fall all over the place. Think. Achieve. Succeed. Jeff
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 Recently, my wife and I travelled to a different part of the country. Instead of renting a car we decided to try out ride sharing to see how that goes. Neither of us have ever used Uber or Lyft before this particular trip and we thought we would do what we often tell others they should do… try new things and get out of your comfort zone.
We are glad that we did! Over the course of our trip we utilized Lyft to get from the airport to our hotel and then around town to the different destinations we had on our agenda. Each experience was unique, enjoyable, and an opportunity to connect with someone for a few minutes. We were able to ride in all kinds of vehicles ranging from a Kia Sorento to a Lincoln Navigator. Each driver had a wonderful personality, very conversational, and a comfortable vehicle. Conversations ranged from the local area, favorite things to do, recommendations for places to visit, favorite sports teams, and even politics. One driver was really interested in the work my wife and I both do as educators and we spoke about education related topics on a longer drive. No, I am not being paid by Lyft to write this. I am sharing this as a reminder of how important it is to do something different and take a risk on a new experience. Sure, we could have rented a car or booked a shuttle or rode a taxi and we would have been fine (all the Lyfts were cheaper than each of those options). But, I think we went into each ride waiting for the next adventure that awaited in the conversation with the next driver and not just looking out the window until we arrived at our destination. I challenge you to take a chance and do something different. Go on that adventure that you want to go on. When you go on that adventure and you find that you need a ride, catch a Lyft. It will be an “upLyfting” experience in ways you will not expect. Think. Achieve. Succeed. Jeff  #LoveMySchoolDay This week is the perfect week to share with the world the awesomeness of your school or district by showcasing the work being done each day because Wednesday is Love My School Day. If you are a teacher, share pictures and examples of the work you and your students do in the classroom each and every day. If you are an administrator or a campus staff member, share the greatness that you see in the different rooms and areas of the school you see on a daily basis. Why? In my school district (and I suspect in others) talk all the time about the narrative around schools. Often, that narrative is not positive because there are those that are wanting to bring public schools down or the press chooses to cover the negative issues instead of the positive issues. We cannot change the narrative if we, the educators, do not take action. The action that we can take is to share the positive that occurs each day in our classrooms and in our school. It really is that simple. When we share the greatness, we drown out the negativity around schools. Challenge Accepted! I challenge you this week, and specifically on Wednesday, to share something that you are proud of that you have done in your classroom this year. Retweet things that you see on twitter... search by using the #Lovemyschoolday hashtag. When we take a moment to focus on the positive we remember why we do what we do. Why wouldn't want to remember why you do what you do? When you remember the why behind what you do, you are more likely to create more moments and days that are memorable and less moments and days that are forgettable. Think. Achieve. Succeed. Jeff  |
Jeff MannA lifelong learner that is committed to asking questions to seek greater understandings. 
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January 2023
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