[Applause] good afternoon so I want to start with
good afternoon so I want to start with
good afternoon so I want to start with the story a story actually that happened
the story a story actually that happened
the story a story actually that happened just a few short weeks ago I was driving
just a few short weeks ago I was driving
just a few short weeks ago I was driving and I ended up going to the high school
and I ended up going to the high school
and I ended up going to the high school I graduated from I went into the high
I graduated from I went into the high
I graduated from I went into the high school office and I picked up my
school office and I picked up my
school office and I picked up my academic transcripts and once I picked
academic transcripts and once I picked
academic transcripts and once I picked up my transcripts I went back to my car
up my transcripts I went back to my car
up my transcripts I went back to my car and I sat down in my car and I opened
and I sat down in my car and I opened
and I sat down in my car and I opened them up and the first thing I saw were
them up and the first thing I saw were
them up and the first thing I saw were the classes that I took and right away I
the classes that I took and right away I
the classes that I took and right away I began to have multiple flashbacks so I
began to have multiple flashbacks so I
began to have multiple flashbacks so I went back to the 80s and I don’t know
went back to the 80s and I don’t know
went back to the 80s and I don’t know about you but going back to the 80s is
about you but going back to the 80s is
about you but going back to the 80s is kind of a scary thing so here I am is
kind of a scary thing so here I am is
kind of a scary thing so here I am is like a scene from Hot Tub Time Machine
like a scene from Hot Tub Time Machine
like a scene from Hot Tub Time Machine all right if you ever saw that movie and
all right if you ever saw that movie and
all right if you ever saw that movie and don’t pretend you didn’t see that movie
don’t pretend you didn’t see that movie
don’t pretend you didn’t see that movie because you have so I go back into the
because you have so I go back into the
because you have so I go back into the 80s and I remember I had a Members Only
80s and I remember I had a Members Only
80s and I remember I had a Members Only jacket I remember my parachute pants and
jacket I remember my parachute pants and
jacket I remember my parachute pants and all the men here I know you had a mullet
all the men here I know you had a mullet
all the men here I know you had a mullet at some point so mine was short on the
at some point so mine was short on the
at some point so mine was short on the top feathery in the back and I remember
top feathery in the back and I remember
top feathery in the back and I remember the girls at the time had shoulder pads
the girls at the time had shoulder pads
the girls at the time had shoulder pads that were bigger than the jet team and
that were bigger than the jet team and
that were bigger than the jet team and the leg warmers so having flashbacks and
the leg warmers so having flashbacks and
the leg warmers so having flashbacks and then I look at the other column in my or
then I look at the other column in my or
then I look at the other column in my or on my high school transcripts and I see
on my high school transcripts and I see
on my high school transcripts and I see my grades and once I see my grades I
my grades and once I see my grades I
my grades and once I see my grades I start remembering other things one is
start remembering other things one is
start remembering other things one is well I graduated in the bottom 10% of my
well I graduated in the bottom 10% of my
well I graduated in the bottom 10% of my class that’s very hard for me to say
class that’s very hard for me to say
class that’s very hard for me to say knowing what I do for a living and it
knowing what I do for a living and it
knowing what I do for a living and it actually reminds me of a very
actually reminds me of a very
actually reminds me of a very interesting quote that I stumbled across
interesting quote that I stumbled across
interesting quote that I stumbled across a few short weeks ago when you are in
a few short weeks ago when you are in
a few short weeks ago when you are in school you are taught a lesson and then
school you are taught a lesson and then
school you are taught a lesson and then given a test and in life you are given a
given a test and in life you are given a
given a test and in life you are given a test that teaches you a lesson
test that teaches you a lesson
test that teaches you a lesson and for me I totally remember failing
and for me I totally remember failing
and for me I totally remember failing lots of tests not only in school but in
lots of tests not only in school but in
lots of tests not only in school but in life and I remember the lessons that I
life and I remember the lessons that I
life and I remember the lessons that I learned
learned
learned so not only did I graduate in the bottom
so not only did I graduate in the bottom
so not only did I graduate in the bottom 10% but my guidance counselor said I
10% but my guidance counselor said I
10% but my guidance counselor said I really was in college material and so
really was in college material and so
really was in college material and so once that experience was over I started
once that experience was over I started
once that experience was over I started thinking well it’s interesting I don’t
thinking well it’s interesting I don’t
thinking well it’s interesting I don’t know what I’m good at and I don’t know
know what I’m good at and I don’t know
know what I’m good at and I don’t know how good I can be at something I don’t
how good I can be at something I don’t
how good I can be at something I don’t know where my talents are and I don’t
know where my talents are and I don’t
know where my talents are and I don’t know where my potential is and how much
know where my potential is and how much
know where my potential is and how much of the lid
of the lid
of the lid I may have so with that I started
I may have so with that I started
I may have so with that I started thinking about school and the one thing
thinking about school and the one thing
thinking about school and the one thing about school is we all have this shared
about school is we all have this shared
about school is we all have this shared experience of being in school good bad
experience of being in school good bad
experience of being in school good bad or indifferent right we are in school
or indifferent right we are in school
or indifferent right we are in school whether it’s a public or a private K
whether it’s a public or a private K
whether it’s a public or a private K through 12 we are there 14,000 hours we
through 12 we are there 14,000 hours we
through 12 we are there 14,000 hours we are in school now for something that
are in school now for something that
are in school now for something that could be a good thing for some you’re
could be a good thing for some you’re
could be a good thing for some you’re like I can’t wait to get out of this box
like I can’t wait to get out of this box
like I can’t wait to get out of this box of being in school for quite so long so
of being in school for quite so long so
of being in school for quite so long so interesting enough the shared experience
interesting enough the shared experience
interesting enough the shared experience of being in school it brings back
of being in school it brings back
of being in school it brings back memories I can guarantee you if I ask
memories I can guarantee you if I ask
memories I can guarantee you if I ask you who your favorite teacher is you can
you who your favorite teacher is you can
you who your favorite teacher is you can remember like it’s yesterday whether
remember like it’s yesterday whether
remember like it’s yesterday whether it’s 10 years ago 20 30 years ago it
it’s 10 years ago 20 30 years ago it
it’s 10 years ago 20 30 years ago it doesn’t matter but for me my K through
doesn’t matter but for me my K through
doesn’t matter but for me my K through 12 experience can be summed up with
12 experience can be summed up with
12 experience can be summed up with light bulbs for distinctive images that
light bulbs for distinctive images that
light bulbs for distinctive images that I think many of us can relate to a light
I think many of us can relate to a light
I think many of us can relate to a light bulb that’s on a light bulb that is
bulb that’s on a light bulb that is
bulb that’s on a light bulb that is flickering a light bulb that is often a
flickering a light bulb that is often a
flickering a light bulb that is often a light bulb that is shattered and I think
light bulb that is shattered and I think
light bulb that is shattered and I think this is has happened for generations of
this is has happened for generations of
this is has happened for generations of people who have been through a school
people who have been through a school
people who have been through a school system in elementary school I loved
system in elementary school I loved
system in elementary school I loved being and I just loved being in school I
being and I just loved being in school I
being and I just loved being in school I remember it so much I remember all the
remember it so much I remember all the
remember it so much I remember all the things I got to do there was lots of
things I got to do there was lots of
things I got to do there was lots of play there was lots of creative
play there was lots of creative
play there was lots of creative opportunities my teacher used to come in
opportunities my teacher used to come in
opportunities my teacher used to come in with their guitar I don’t remember the
with their guitar I don’t remember the
with their guitar I don’t remember the magic garden I always thought she was
magic garden I always thought she was
magic garden I always thought she was one of the you know I gotta stand in at
one of the you know I gotta stand in at
one of the you know I gotta stand in at some point just an amazing experience so
some point just an amazing experience so
some point just an amazing experience so my light bulb was about 120 120 once I
my light bulb was about 120 120 once I
my light bulb was about 120 120 once I moved up to junior high and I graduated
moved up to junior high and I graduated
moved up to junior high and I graduated I remember that I wanted to be a
I remember that I wanted to be a
I remember that I wanted to be a laughter or I thought I could be a
laughter or I thought I could be a
laughter or I thought I could be a doctor but what happened in junior high
doctor but what happened in junior high
doctor but what happened in junior high that I think is indicative of our school
that I think is indicative of our school
that I think is indicative of our school systems is that we started ranking and
systems is that we started ranking and
systems is that we started ranking and sorting kids at a very early age even
sorting kids at a very early age even
sorting kids at a very early age even back in the 70s and 80s smart kids went
back in the 70s and 80s smart kids went
back in the 70s and 80s smart kids went to these classes other kids went to
to these classes other kids went to
to these classes other kids went to those classes and that really stuck in
those classes and that really stuck in
those classes and that really stuck in my craw for a very long time in fact it
my craw for a very long time in fact it
my craw for a very long time in fact it was part of my honest a downward spiral
was part of my honest a downward spiral
was part of my honest a downward spiral but I was disengaged from school and so
but I was disengaged from school and so
but I was disengaged from school and so after that when I went to high school
after that when I went to high school
after that when I went to high school because my lightbulb was flickering in
because my lightbulb was flickering in
because my lightbulb was flickering in junior high it was off by the time I hit
junior high it was off by the time I hit
junior high it was off by the time I hit 10th grade I’m going to throw another
10th grade I’m going to throw another
10th grade I’m going to throw another 80s reference out there from The
80s reference out there from The
80s reference out there from The Breakfast Club I wanted to be John
Breakfast Club I wanted to be John
Breakfast Club I wanted to be John bender so John bender was really cool by
bender so John bender was really cool by
bender so John bender was really cool by that time I was a class clown and by the
that time I was a class clown and by the
that time I was a class clown and by the time I graduated barely graduated high
time I graduated barely graduated high
time I graduated barely graduated high school my lightbulb was shattered I
school my lightbulb was shattered I
school my lightbulb was shattered I couldn’t wait to get out and I swore I’d
couldn’t wait to get out and I swore I’d
couldn’t wait to get out and I swore I’d never go back into a school system again
never go back into a school system again
never go back into a school system again clearly I lied to myself and I became a
clearly I lied to myself and I became a
clearly I lied to myself and I became a teacher which is a wonderful calling for
teacher which is a wonderful calling for
teacher which is a wonderful calling for those of us who are in education because
those of us who are in education because
those of us who are in education because it is and over 20 years I have seen the
it is and over 20 years I have seen the
it is and over 20 years I have seen the education landscape change and not for
education landscape change and not for
education landscape change and not for the better
the better
the better so seeing it from a teacher’s
so seeing it from a teacher’s
so seeing it from a teacher’s perspective from a principals
perspective from a principals
perspective from a principals perspective an assistant superintendent
perspective an assistant superintendent
perspective an assistant superintendent and now the fortunate opportunity to
and now the fortunate opportunity to
and now the fortunate opportunity to work as a superintendent with a
work as a superintendent with a
work as a superintendent with a wonderful outstanding Board of Education
it’s very interesting what has been
it’s very interesting what has been happening within our school systems
happening within our school systems
happening within our school systems itself and here’s my first example it
itself and here’s my first example it
itself and here’s my first example it may be hard to see but I’ll just share
may be hard to see but I’ll just share
may be hard to see but I’ll just share this with you as far as what this
this with you as far as what this
this with you as far as what this statistic is back in 2015 in October
statistic is back in 2015 in October
statistic is back in 2015 in October council of big city schools it was a
council of big city schools it was a
council of big city schools it was a survey of 66 urban school districts
survey of 66 urban school districts
survey of 66 urban school districts across the great nation of the United
across the great nation of the United
across the great nation of the United States they quantified on average a
States they quantified on average a
States they quantified on average a child starting in pre-kindergarten so
child starting in pre-kindergarten so
child starting in pre-kindergarten so we’re talking pre-k
we’re talking pre-k
we’re talking pre-k kindergarten we’re talking before
kindergarten we’re talking before
kindergarten we’re talking before kindergarten all the way up through 12th
kindergarten all the way up through 12th
kindergarten all the way up through 12th grade takes an average of 112
grade takes an average of 112
grade takes an average of 112 standardized tests before they graduate
standardized tests before they graduate
standardized tests before they graduate 112 I didn’t misspeak when I said that
112 I didn’t misspeak when I said that
112 I didn’t misspeak when I said that 112 that actually equates to 250 hours
112 that actually equates to 250 hours
112 that actually equates to 250 hours of tests and if you further that it’s 40
of tests and if you further that it’s 40
of tests and if you further that it’s 40 school days that is a massive amount of
school days that is a massive amount of
school days that is a massive amount of time to focus on testing children
time to focus on testing children
time to focus on testing children ranking and sorting children and the
ranking and sorting children and the
ranking and sorting children and the question is what is it for what do we
question is what is it for what do we
question is what is it for what do we get out of that what is the return on
get out of that what is the return on
get out of that what is the return on that investment so basically the present
that investment so basically the present
that investment so basically the present paradigm I hate to even use that word
paradigm I hate to even use that word
paradigm I hate to even use that word but the system that we are now enveloped
but the system that we are now enveloped
but the system that we are now enveloped with and under consists of two main
with and under consists of two main
with and under consists of two main focal points English language arts and
focal points English language arts and
focal points English language arts and mathematics
mathematics
mathematics thanks to No Child Left Behind which
thanks to No Child Left Behind which
thanks to No Child Left Behind which came about in 2003 it federally mandated
came about in 2003 it federally mandated
came about in 2003 it federally mandated every single school system public school
every single school system public school
every single school system public school system to take assessments in grades
system to take assessments in grades
system to take assessments in grades three through eight now the bottom line
three through eight now the bottom line
three through eight now the bottom line is if you’re in kindergarten through 2nd
is if you’re in kindergarten through 2nd
is if you’re in kindergarten through 2nd grade you’re still preparing kids to
grade you’re still preparing kids to
grade you’re still preparing kids to take those tests which means we are
take those tests which means we are
take those tests which means we are attempting to get children college and
attempting to get children college and
attempting to get children college and career ready when they’re five-year-olds
career ready when they’re five-year-olds
career ready when they’re five-year-olds when we should be having making sure
when we should be having making sure
when we should be having making sure that they’re having friends and
that they’re having friends and
that they’re having friends and developing relationships and loving
developing relationships and loving
developing relationships and loving school so we start this and when you
school so we start this and when you
school so we start this and when you look at this particular formula which I
look at this particular formula which I
look at this particular formula which I don’t think has fared very well you look
don’t think has fared very well you look
don’t think has fared very well you look at repressed talents and potential
at repressed talents and potential
at repressed talents and potential because ultimately the reason why we
because ultimately the reason why we
because ultimately the reason why we have our children go to school is to
have our children go to school is to
have our children go to school is to reduce their talents and potential and
reduce their talents and potential and
reduce their talents and potential and that isn’t happening
that isn’t happening
that isn’t happening right now so I don’t know about you but
right now so I don’t know about you but
right now so I don’t know about you but I love the show Undercover Boss anybody
I love the show Undercover Boss anybody
I love the show Undercover Boss anybody here liked the show Undercover Boss now
here liked the show Undercover Boss now
here liked the show Undercover Boss now I don’t know about you I always know
I don’t know about you I always know
I don’t know about you I always know what’s going to happen in the end but I
what’s going to happen in the end but I
what’s going to happen in the end but I still cry I mean like what’s wrong with
still cry I mean like what’s wrong with
still cry I mean like what’s wrong with me you know the boss is gonna go
me you know the boss is gonna go
me you know the boss is gonna go surprise here’s $10,000
surprise here’s $10,000
surprise here’s $10,000 so in this school system working with a
so in this school system working with a
so in this school system working with a wonderful executive team that I work
wonderful executive team that I work
wonderful executive team that I work with and administrators and my
with and administrators and my
with and administrators and my outstanding teachers who are just out of
outstanding teachers who are just out of
outstanding teachers who are just out of this world they have allowed me to
this world they have allowed me to
this world they have allowed me to shadow students that’s not one of them
shadow students that’s not one of them
shadow students that’s not one of them because I saved this particular young
because I saved this particular young
because I saved this particular young lady who is my four year old Sadie and
lady who is my four year old Sadie and
lady who is my four year old Sadie and Sadie happens to have Down syndrome and
Sadie happens to have Down syndrome and
Sadie happens to have Down syndrome and here’s the thing that sticks in my craw
here’s the thing that sticks in my craw
here’s the thing that sticks in my craw with the current system that I shadowed
with the current system that I shadowed
with the current system that I shadowed is that it’s not built for children such
is that it’s not built for children such
is that it’s not built for children such as her and I hate to use the word
as her and I hate to use the word
as her and I hate to use the word children with special needs I hate to
children with special needs I hate to
children with special needs I hate to think about english-language learners
think about english-language learners
think about english-language learners and what it means for them all these
and what it means for them all these
and what it means for them all these labels all these classifications when
labels all these classifications when
labels all these classifications when the bottom line is we are all people and
the bottom line is we are all people and
the bottom line is we are all people and they are all children thank you and the
they are all children thank you and the
they are all children thank you and the bottom line is what happens to them as
bottom line is what happens to them as
bottom line is what happens to them as they enter this system because it’s not
they enter this system because it’s not
they enter this system because it’s not built for them and we have to change
built for them and we have to change
built for them and we have to change that narrative so we will and here’s how
that narrative so we will and here’s how
that narrative so we will and here’s how it starts you see the lens of a child’s
it starts you see the lens of a child’s
it starts you see the lens of a child’s day through their perspective and let me
day through their perspective and let me
day through their perspective and let me tell you something shadowing a child but
tell you something shadowing a child but
tell you something shadowing a child but the full day whether it’s kindergarten
the full day whether it’s kindergarten
the full day whether it’s kindergarten all the way up through twelfth grade it
all the way up through twelfth grade it
all the way up through twelfth grade it is an exhausting experience and I’m
is an exhausting experience and I’m
is an exhausting experience and I’m still recovering barely made it out here
still recovering barely made it out here
still recovering barely made it out here but it’s one of the best things I ever
but it’s one of the best things I ever
but it’s one of the best things I ever did and I recommend this to every
did and I recommend this to every
did and I recommend this to every administrator who may be watching this
administrator who may be watching this
administrator who may be watching this at some point because the reason why we
at some point because the reason why we
at some point because the reason why we are here doing our job from a leadership
are here doing our job from a leadership
are here doing our job from a leadership standpoint is all in the name of making
standpoint is all in the name of making
standpoint is all in the name of making the best decisions for them so we want
the best decisions for them so we want
the best decisions for them so we want to figure out what’s working and what’s
to figure out what’s working and what’s
to figure out what’s working and what’s not working so through our teachers and
not working so through our teachers and
not working so through our teachers and our administrators and shadowing
our administrators and shadowing
our administrators and shadowing students there are lots of things that I
students there are lots of things that I
students there are lots of things that I learned three of them our children need
learned three of them our children need
learned three of them our children need to play and they need to play often
to play and they need to play often
to play and they need to play often children also need recess and I’m not
children also need recess and I’m not
children also need recess and I’m not talking about a scratch-and-sniff recess
talking about a scratch-and-sniff recess
talking about a scratch-and-sniff recess for five minutes
for five minutes
for five minutes I’m talking about recess where it’s
I’m talking about recess where it’s
I’m talking about recess where it’s child directed and the third thing I
child directed and the third thing I
child directed and the third thing I learned is that children need to learn
learned is that children need to learn
learned is that children need to learn how to self-regulate their emotions
how to self-regulate their emotions
how to self-regulate their emotions these are all skills that we certainly
these are all skills that we certainly
these are all skills that we certainly need as adults but we specifically need
need as adults but we specifically need
need as adults but we specifically need to teach them I call it the Batman
to teach them I call it the Batman
to teach them I call it the Batman utility belt we need to make sure they
utility belt we need to make sure they
utility belt we need to make sure they have enough items in their tool belt to
have enough items in their tool belt to
have enough items in their tool belt to make sure that they are ready to rock
make sure that they are ready to rock
make sure that they are ready to rock and roll once they leave this system so
and roll once they leave this system so
and roll once they leave this system so two quick stories one is when I was
two quick stories one is when I was
two quick stories one is when I was playing kickball with a third-grade
playing kickball with a third-grade
playing kickball with a third-grade class family I’m gonna throw another
class family I’m gonna throw another
class family I’m gonna throw another movie out there Billy Madison I don’t
movie out there Billy Madison I don’t
movie out there Billy Madison I don’t know if you love that so I was ready I’m
know if you love that so I was ready I’m
know if you love that so I was ready I’m ready to play I’m getting all serious we
ready to play I’m getting all serious we
ready to play I’m getting all serious we you know we divvy divide the teams up we
you know we divvy divide the teams up we
you know we divvy divide the teams up we go outside I’m ready to kick the ball in
go outside I’m ready to kick the ball in
go outside I’m ready to kick the ball in the whistle blows and I’m like what is
the whistle blows and I’m like what is
the whistle blows and I’m like what is going on are you kidding me I have to go
going on are you kidding me I have to go
going on are you kidding me I have to go back inside now I’m ready to kick this
back inside now I’m ready to kick this
back inside now I’m ready to kick this ball a mile
ball a mile
ball a mile and I have to go back inside now I can
and I have to go back inside now I can
and I have to go back inside now I can imagine how children feel when that
imagine how children feel when that
imagine how children feel when that happens and it happens to them every
happens and it happens to them every
happens and it happens to them every single day during that time that’s
single day during that time that’s
single day during that time that’s sacred time the other one is and this at
sacred time the other one is and this at
sacred time the other one is and this at the high school level I shadowed this
the high school level I shadowed this
the high school level I shadowed this beautiful just so intelligent young
beautiful just so intelligent young
beautiful just so intelligent young woman she took all AP classes so I’m
woman she took all AP classes so I’m
woman she took all AP classes so I’m thinking I am NOT smart I am not smart
thinking I am NOT smart I am not smart
thinking I am NOT smart I am not smart I’m going from one class to the other I
I’m going from one class to the other I
I’m going from one class to the other I think I had five thousand steps in my
think I had five thousand steps in my
think I had five thousand steps in my Fitbit by the time the third period came
Fitbit by the time the third period came
Fitbit by the time the third period came around and she bypassed lunch and she
around and she bypassed lunch and she
around and she bypassed lunch and she took a course instead so her day is take
took a course instead so her day is take
took a course instead so her day is take a class took a class took a class and
a class took a class took a class and
a class took a class took a class and these are hard classes after school of
these are hard classes after school of
these are hard classes after school of taking all these classes than what she
taking all these classes than what she
taking all these classes than what she would do is she would have a club after
would do is she would have a club after
would do is she would have a club after school then she would have a sport for
school then she would have a sport for
school then she would have a sport for two or three hours and then she have
two or three hours and then she have
two or three hours and then she have about three hours of homework and then
about three hours of homework and then
about three hours of homework and then it’s rinse and repeat rinse and repeat
it’s rinse and repeat rinse and repeat
it’s rinse and repeat rinse and repeat every single day and we wonder why some
every single day and we wonder why some
every single day and we wonder why some of our children are anxious and or
of our children are anxious and or
of our children are anxious and or depressed so what we did in our school
depressed so what we did in our school
depressed so what we did in our school system and I’m very thankful for this we
system and I’m very thankful for this we
system and I’m very thankful for this we doubled recess thanks again to a
doubled recess thanks again to a
doubled recess thanks again to a progressive Board of Education and
progressive Board of Education and
progressive Board of Education and wonderful faculty we went from 20
wonderful faculty we went from 20
wonderful faculty we went from 20 minutes to 40 minutes and let me tell
minutes to 40 minutes and let me tell
minutes to 40 minutes and let me tell you it’s like the floodgates opened I
you it’s like the floodgates opened I
you it’s like the floodgates opened I have never seen so many children smiling
have never seen so many children smiling
have never seen so many children smiling before in my life happy to be in school
before in my life happy to be in school
before in my life happy to be in school when I talk to teachers administrators
when I talk to teachers administrators
when I talk to teachers administrators parents because that feedback is so
parents because that feedback is so
parents because that feedback is so important you see kids just releasing
important you see kids just releasing
important you see kids just releasing all this energy because it’s so
all this energy because it’s so
all this energy because it’s so important what we also did was we
important what we also did was we
important what we also did was we brought play back into school
brought play back into school
brought play back into school meaning that in kindergarten first
meaning that in kindergarten first
meaning that in kindergarten first second grade it is so important to bring
second grade it is so important to bring
second grade it is so important to bring back the kitchen sets the blocks the
back the kitchen sets the blocks the
back the kitchen sets the blocks the Legos the Lincoln Logs that were
Legos the Lincoln Logs that were
Legos the Lincoln Logs that were scrapped because we were so prepared
scrapped because we were so prepared
scrapped because we were so prepared getting kids ready for 112 tests that
getting kids ready for 112 tests that
getting kids ready for 112 tests that they have to endure very important and
they have to endure very important and
they have to endure very important and then I think most important is we
then I think most important is we
then I think most important is we brought mindfulness into our schools for
brought mindfulness into our schools for
brought mindfulness into our schools for the social and emotional regulation of
the social and emotional regulation of
the social and emotional regulation of of how we can deal with things as they
of how we can deal with things as they
of how we can deal with things as they move through our
move through our
move through our yoga mindfulness meditation very very
yoga mindfulness meditation very very
yoga mindfulness meditation very very important which leads me to where I
important which leads me to where I
important which leads me to where I believe school systems should be going
believe school systems should be going
believe school systems should be going and this is an acronym that’s very easy
and this is an acronym that’s very easy
and this is an acronym that’s very easy to remember P EAS physical growth plus
to remember P EAS physical growth plus
to remember P EAS physical growth plus emotional growth plus academic growth
emotional growth plus academic growth
emotional growth plus academic growth plus social growth so physical emotional
plus social growth so physical emotional
plus social growth so physical emotional academic and social growth if you have
academic and social growth if you have
academic and social growth if you have all of those pieces together you will
all of those pieces together you will
all of those pieces together you will maximize human potential and the talents
maximize human potential and the talents
maximize human potential and the talents that every single child has it’s very
that every single child has it’s very
that every single child has it’s very simple and it’s steeped in research but
simple and it’s steeped in research but
simple and it’s steeped in research but as far as us moving it forward
as far as us moving it forward
as far as us moving it forward we’re hitting barriers across this great
we’re hitting barriers across this great
we’re hitting barriers across this great nation for some reason so the CDC just
nation for some reason so the CDC just
nation for some reason so the CDC just came out with the report not too long
came out with the report not too long
came out with the report not too long ago just a few months ago and it
ago just a few months ago and it
ago just a few months ago and it highlights the importance of recess and
highlights the importance of recess and
highlights the importance of recess and play it highlights it to the point where
play it highlights it to the point where
play it highlights it to the point where you almost scratch yourself scratch your
you almost scratch yourself scratch your
you almost scratch yourself scratch your head and you say why aren’t we doing
head and you say why aren’t we doing
head and you say why aren’t we doing this because right now recess and play
this because right now recess and play
this because right now recess and play are on the endangered species list soon
are on the endangered species list soon
are on the endangered species list soon to be extinct and we need to make sure
to be extinct and we need to make sure
to be extinct and we need to make sure we bring that back because if you have
we bring that back because if you have
we bring that back because if you have those two components you have improved
those two components you have improved
those two components you have improved concentration you have improved focus
concentration you have improved focus
concentration you have improved focus you have improved social and emotional
you have improved social and emotional
you have improved social and emotional skills that is and this is the trick it
skills that is and this is the trick it
skills that is and this is the trick it needs to be child directed our kids are
needs to be child directed our kids are
needs to be child directed our kids are so over scheduled from the moment they
so over scheduled from the moment they
so over scheduled from the moment they wake up until the moment they go to bed
wake up until the moment they go to bed
wake up until the moment they go to bed we tell them what to do how long they do
we tell them what to do how long they do
we tell them what to do how long they do it for what to wear when to go to bed
it for what to wear when to go to bed
it for what to wear when to go to bed they need time to make their own
they need time to make their own
they need time to make their own decisions it’s so important the Long
decisions it’s so important the Long
decisions it’s so important the Long Island Center for mindfulness also has
Island Center for mindfulness also has
Island Center for mindfulness also has all specific pieces of research and
all specific pieces of research and
all specific pieces of research and literature on there as far as what
literature on there as far as what
literature on there as far as what mindfulness does it decreases anxiety it
mindfulness does it decreases anxiety it
mindfulness does it decreases anxiety it decreases depression so so important and
decreases depression so so important and
decreases depression so so important and to think like I said before this isn’t
to think like I said before this isn’t
to think like I said before this isn’t rocket science so what we need to do is
rocket science so what we need to do is
rocket science so what we need to do is to get Boards of Education we need to
to get Boards of Education we need to
to get Boards of Education we need to get superintendents we need to get
get superintendents we need to get
get superintendents we need to get school communities our teachers our
school communities our teachers our
school communities our teachers our administrators on board and say listen
administrators on board and say listen
administrators on board and say listen there is no hierarchy when it comes to
there is no hierarchy when it comes to
there is no hierarchy when it comes to these four components it’s not academic
these four components it’s not academic
these four components it’s not academic and then everything else is secondary
and then everything else is secondary
and then everything else is secondary and tertiary everything else is equally
and tertiary everything else is equally
and tertiary everything else is equally as important and that means and this may
as important and that means and this may
as important and that means and this may be hard for some of us to hear but too
be hard for some of us to hear but too
be hard for some of us to hear but too bad I’m going to share it anyway because
bad I’m going to share it anyway because
bad I’m going to share it anyway because music and art are just as important as
music and art are just as important as
music and art are just as important as ap science physical education and gym
ap science physical education and gym
ap science physical education and gym which people you know they think it’s
which people you know they think it’s
which people you know they think it’s like the same thing and there is no gym
like the same thing and there is no gym
like the same thing and there is no gym there is no gym it’s physical education
there is no gym it’s physical education
there is no gym it’s physical education and of course we’re talking about recess
and of course we’re talking about recess
and of course we’re talking about recess it’s just as important as social studies
it’s just as important as social studies
it’s just as important as social studies it’s just as important as language arts
it’s just as important as language arts
it’s just as important as language arts and we have to thank you we have to get
and we have to thank you we have to get
and we have to thank you we have to get rid of the higher status of what we feel
rid of the higher status of what we feel
rid of the higher status of what we feel is most important and break it down to
is most important and break it down to
is most important and break it down to all four it’s interesting a great man
all four it’s interesting a great man
all four it’s interesting a great man once said that the symbol of the United
once said that the symbol of the United
once said that the symbol of the United States isn’t the bald eagle
States isn’t the bald eagle
States isn’t the bald eagle it’s the pendulum and when the pendulum
it’s the pendulum and when the pendulum
it’s the pendulum and when the pendulum swings too far in one direction it will
swings too far in one direction it will
swings too far in one direction it will swing back our collective responsibility
swing back our collective responsibility
swing back our collective responsibility is to ensure that we take this
is to ensure that we take this
is to ensure that we take this educational pendulum all of us
educational pendulum all of us
educational pendulum all of us collectively and we hang on to it and
collectively and we hang on to it and
collectively and we hang on to it and make sure it goes back right in the
make sure it goes back right in the
make sure it goes back right in the middle where there’s balance Pease is
middle where there’s balance Pease is
middle where there’s balance Pease is balanced where we are focusing on all
balanced where we are focusing on all
balanced where we are focusing on all those different components we are not
those different components we are not
those different components we are not standardizing children anymore they are
standardizing children anymore they are
standardizing children anymore they are not widgets and ultimately in the end in
not widgets and ultimately in the end in
not widgets and ultimately in the end in the end when we move this system into
the end when we move this system into
the end when we move this system into the right direction we will make sure no
the right direction we will make sure no
the right direction we will make sure no other light bulbs are ever shattered
other light bulbs are ever shattered
other light bulbs are ever shattered again thank
”
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