Executive Functioning and Work Environment

In addition to starting to a new year, I also recently started at a new school. I have combined this new school start with attempts to change my diet and workout routines. Those goals are going okay (I've actually been cooking and trying different workouts), but let me tell you, changing schools has been a huge change.

I enjoy going to work now. I actually get to teach! It's exciting, and fun. But also calm. My admin and co-workers have been very supportive so far, and I have had mostly positive interactions with students and parents/guardians. Knock on wood. I swear I can feel my blood pressure going down, and people have commented that I look calmer and happier. Work environment can have a huge effect on your overall well-being, and I can only hope that my work experiences stay positive. 

With my new found calm, I've been able to do some reading and writing, and I been able to spend time on activities outside of school. I've had lunch/breakfast with people, started planning a trip to Hawaii, and found a free yoga class (shout out to the Dixon Gallery and Gardens). 

I've also had time to learn about executive functioning, and how our students lack these skills. Apparently, executive functioning refers to our focus, organization, and self-control. You know, those skills needed to succeed in school and life. They have a fancy name now. Anyway, our students need these skills, badly. They lose focus very easily (even more than you'd expect from kids), and are always looking for shortcuts or opportunities to retry and redo. So I've been doing some reading, and the first book I read on the topic was Brain Hacks. It's the executive functioning for adults book I ordered, but there are things I can practice with my students such as utilizing physical activity, chunking information, and using nature to help calm and focus the mind. I have other books to read that focus more on kids/teens, and I am on the hunt for new strategies to try.

Executive Functioning is a thing now.

I also read this book called The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. It's in Orpah's book club, but I wasn't super enthralled. It had lots of dogs though, so that's a positive. 

This book could have been 200 pages shorter.

Anyway, my next 30-day challenge brings me right up to Spring Break. I'm not going anywhere, so it will be a break to rest, clean, etc. To wrap up, I will leave you with a pic of Coco all bundled up during our ice days.

She's adorable.