001 You are what you think
Hi,
Welcome to my first ever email. It feels a bit weird to be writing one at last.
But why…
This email will definitely not be classed as CPD. I won’t be preaching about current educational issues and reviewing research papers. Instead, I’ve used social media and creating a website during this time to become more reflective. I like the idea of having a deadline to share what I have done and learnt.
I hope it will be a two-way dialogue, that you feel able to contact me and share how you are doing. I love that teaching is a profession of people trying to be better with the goal of helping children reach their potential.
Topic – You are what you think.
I want to talk to you this week about how we think. I managed to get outside and read my kindle this week. I read ‘As a man thinketh’ by James Allen. This is a really short read and you can get it on kindle for 99p. Written in 1903 Allen discusses the power of thought.
‘man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts.’It is hard to change the thoughts you have. It seems that there are two types of thoughts, some that you force yourself to have, and ones that unconsciously surface up to you. In my experience, you can choose the thoughts that you wish to ‘feed’. By focusing on the thoughts you want, you can change your surroundings.
‘Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound.’Over the next school year, I have decided that I will become more efficient, more reflective and more collaborative. That may mean that my classroom is more organised, or I have more free time at home. But that change starts with thinking about improving and helping others to do the same.
Three things
One thing that I have found out – You can put a .pdf file into Microsoft Word. https://smallpdf.com/blog/insert-pdf-into-word
One thing that may help you. – I use an app called notion to organise my school and work life. To see my thoughts on that read this. https://www.argonprimary.com/blog/using-notion-as-an-educator
One person I think is worth listening to. Matt D'Avella – A minimalist who shares his thoughts about creativity and living a good life.
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ24N4O0bP7LGLBDvye7oCA
I hope there is something of value for you here. I’ve enjoyed the process. If you have anything to add, please contact me, I’d love to hear from you.
Mr T
