Change Begins with Me - June 3, 2020

Change Begins with Me

June 3, 2020

By, Michael Earnshaw

@EduChefEarnshaw

As an educator and father, I have always believed that I did a good job of teaching my own children about our world, the issues we face, and how to treat others. In the wake of tragic murder of George Floyd, the peaceful protests to bring awareness to the racism that still plagues our country, and the looting and destroying of local businesses, I realize I have not done a good job. Not even close. For this I am ashamed and feel I have let my children down. I need to smash the own distorted window that I have been trying to gaze through these last 40 years.

My window was finally shattered on Sunday, May 30, 2020. My wife and I were watching the 5:00 pm news. We sat close on the couch, phone screens locked and focused all of our attention to the scenes being reported. Some were peaceful protests full of chants, signs, and a message that America must come together to bring an end to racism. These scenes were scarce in the big picture. Many of what was being shown were storefront windows being shattered, vehicles pulling up right to the now open space created by a pipe dancing with the glass window, only to be filled with goods and products that were not paid for. We also saw buildings being set on fire, local family owned businesses being destroyed and ransacked. Many of these scenes were not even three miles from where we were sitting. “Dad, why are they doing that? Why are they breaking into stores and stealing and destroying?” my daughter whispered. I knew that she was not only curious, but overcome with fear. We’ve always kept our children away from many of the scenes the news plays. We don’t hide them from the truth, but there are many images and stories we feel they can be taught about from us and not how the media displays it for adult eyes. I looked at, grabbed her hand, and told her, “Babe, there’s just something going on in the world and people are upset. They are letting our government know that changes need to be made.” This wasn’t the time for me to go into details with my 8 year old daughter on why there was a mix of peaceful protests and looting. Why we needed justice for not only George Floyd, but all of the African Americans being subjected to racism still in 2020 solely because of the color of their skin. For those that lost their lives at the hands of a racist clothed in blue and a badge. Without hesitation my daughter responded. “Is it because that white police officer kneeled on George Floyd’s neck and killed him? Because George Floyd said he couldn’t breathe and the white police just kept doing it? That’s what people are saying on Tik Tok. I know it’s not right, why would he do that?” My heart was shattered. My innocent 8 year old daughter knew more about the horrific situation from her social media platforms than I thought. This was her news. These were her questions. And it is time that I follow the mission I lead by.

I knew in that moment that it was time to no longer hide the true realities of our world from my children. They already know what is going on, whether I share the information with them or not. As an educator, as a father, it is my responsibility to inform them, teach them, and empower them. This all begins with me. I have finally opened my eyes. I have self-reflected on these issues and I must learn, alongside my country, my neighbor, my children, how to be a force, a voice, to bring an end to racism in our country. It is my responsibility, as a white male, to be honest about my faults, my mistakes, my wrongs not only with those I serve but my children and most importantly, myself. I truly believe in my heart that my children, your children, OUR children, are the catalyst that will bring about true change in our world. There is no way this is going to happen if we are not honest with them about the racism that still infects so much of our country. It is our duty to learn ourselves first and then teach them so they are that force empowered and determined to change this world. That is never going to happen if we don’t begin with ourselves.

Don't Let your Passions Swim with Concrete Boots - April 11, 2019

Don’t Let your Passion Swim with Concrete Boots 

By, Michael Earnshaw 

April 11, 2019 

@mearnshaw158 

It was a beautiful afternoon. The sun was shining down our students and staff as they exited our den for dismissal. Some hopped in daycare vans, others skipped towards the community with their comrades, while others ran to their parents with open arms and mile wide smiles. I was strolling through our school parking lot, passing all the busses and burning my nasal cavity by inhaling their exhaust fumes. I didn’t mind, this day was perfect and the blessing from Mother Nature was icing on the gluten free, vegan cake. As I was strolling to the end of the bus line a student stopped me. They looked at me, shot their chin in the air, and said, “Mr. E., what happened to your passion?” I replied with a confused look at responded, “What are you talking about? I’m bringing my passion to school every day!” “Nah, I feel your passion is all spent!”  

I jumped up, confused and not knowing where I was or what was going on. I checked my watch, 1:43. It was a dream, a nightmare more like it. I didn’t even get to catch the end of the movie playing in my mind. What was my response going to be? What would I have said to explain? Honestly, I feel that’s why I awoke. I have been given the opportunity to reflect and see where my passion stands. Is it as strong as the beginning of the year? Has it fizzled down? Am I still getting out of my comfort zone, pushing boundaries, doing what’s best for kids, all while challenging the status quo of education?  

After thinking this over on my morning run, I can confidently say, “Yes.” Is there room for improvement? Of course, there always is. None of us are perfect. We still have 38 days left of this school year (I don’t do countdowns and had to go to a calendar to count) to make a difference, to change students’ lives. I still have many tricks up my sleeve, opportunities for self- growth and the success of those I lead. I’m far from done and this dream has awoken my understanding for keeping the fire of passion burning each day.  

This is an extremely tiring time of the school year for educators and students. State testing, limited breaks, routines thrown off due to end of the year activities. We cannot let our passion simmer. We cannot get dulled down and just go through the motions of the job. Our kids don’t deserve that. Every day is game day. Our students are always watching and know when our hearts aren’t in it. It’s not fair to them. Get some logs on your fire and finish this year strong until that last student steps out of view at dismissal on the final day of school. After that, after knowing you gave your all every day for students, sleep like a baby.  

Surfing through the Storm: 3 Tips when Facing an Ever-growing "To Do" List

Surfing through the Storm: 3 Tips when Facing an Ever-growing “To Do” List 

By, Michael Earnshaw 

March 7, 2019 

@mearnshaw158 

Today I celebrated my 39th birthday. From the minute the alarm on my Garmin Vivoactive began vibrating, the weighted blanket of depression began to cover my body. I didn’t want to get out of bed and face the day. This had nothing to do with entering the last 365 days of my 30’s, but with the ever growing “To Do” list I've been facing the past 9 days.  

February is always an extremely busy month for me professionally. Basketball season, Family Peace & Kindness nights, Science Fairs, meetings, students and staff getting cabin fever. I’ve always been pretty good at finding that balance. This year was different. This year my scale was sitting balanced, but both sides were stacked.  

Personally, I've been juggling getting a side hustle going, getting blogs out consistently, training for a half marathon, being an amazing husband, and advocating for my son whose current ADHD medication seems to be having 0 positive effects.  

The scale is balanced, but how much weight can these plates hold? 

If I told you I had the answer and everything in my life is perfection now I’d be lying. But I can tell you 3 tips I've implemented to start to shake that weighted blanket off and begin chipping away at the items balancing like a carnival clown car on my scale.  

1. 1. Close your eyes and take 6 deep breaths. If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, close your eyes again and take 6 deep breaths.  
2. 
   

2. 2. Write down all the items and tasks you need to complete. Now, write down the title of each day of the week and place no more than 5 items of that original list in each day. These are the 5 things you will need to complete. Just 5.   
3. 
   

3. 3. Find at least 30 minutes each day to do something for you and only you. You may need to get up earlier, or go to bed later, but this will far outweigh the feeling of running all day for others and a multitude of “To Do’s”.  
4. 
   

Are these 3 tips going to take away all the stress, frustration, and depression your rocky mountain of tasks you face every day bring? No, it’s not. But it will hopefully help you stay focused on what needs to be done, realize it doesn’t need to be completed all in one day, and stay focused on your overall goals.  

I Visited an Art Museum While at the Drive-In

I Visited an Art Museum While at the Drive-In

By, Michael Earnshaw

February 16, 2019 

@mearnshaw158

I never get upset when I’m waiting for a train to pass by. Ever since I was young, I loved watching trains. I loved, and still do, getting to witness some of the most creative and expressive art whizz by, one portrait after another, like a modern day View Master. It is extremely relaxing for me to throw my car in “Park” and just watch modern day Van Goh’s click by.  

Tagging was a skill I always wished I could master. I spent many hours during my high school career perfecting my craft on paper, but when it came to mediums throughout town, I was less than an amateur. Hence, why I love to admire those that have perfected their craft. The art that whizzed by was filled with shading, color combinations, and shadowing that lowers my jaw to the salt covered floor mats.  

I began to think of these young artists. I began wondering if they had a teacher that spoke to them. Do they have a teacher that knows their story? Do they have someone that has discovered their talent? Is there someone guiding them to share their story on the proper medium?  

All student possess talent. All students yearn to have a means to express themselves and tell their story. There is only one way that we can bring this out of them...relationships. We need to listen to them. We need to show we are there for them. We need them to know we believe in them, no matter what their outside story says or how they perform in front of us and their peers. If we truly stick to just our curriculum and test scores, many of our students will never shine and share with the world their talents and passions.  

The next time you are held up by a train don’t get frustrated. Sit back, enjoy the art show, and start thinking of the students in your classroom, the students in your school. Do you truly know them? Can you appreciate and incorporate their skills into your classroom? If they were able to express themselves their way, with their talents, what kind of difference would that make for your class? What kind of difference would that make for that student? 

The Evil Witch had Facetime & Skype First!

The Evil Witch had Facetime & Skype First! 

By, Michael Earnshaw

February 6, 2019 

@mearnshaw158

“It wasn’t my fault!” As an educator, how many times a day do you hear this, or an iteration of the phrase? My guess, it’s more than you can count on your hands, and your grade level teammates hands all added up together.  We are constantly trying to teach our students that they need to take ownership and responsibility for their choices and actions. “It wasn’t my fault!” was a phrase we shouted when we were young but have since learned how to be responsible, honest, and productive adults. Or have we?  

With the turning of the new year I have been doing a lot of reflecting. I’ve been staring into the mirror and analyzing everything reflected: childhood, teens, early adult hood, parenting, being a husband, educator, principal, and the list goes on and on. What makes me chuckle is that most of the images playing like an old filmstrip movie are ones that did not end happily. Of course, I have happy memories, but when I begin reflecting, it’s always about what has gone wrong in my life. With each of these situations I found one common theme...my response, always some version of, “It wasn’t my fault!”  

Every time something has gone unfavorable in my life, I have been able to respond and explain by stating why that was the outcome. There was always a reason, always, and it was never me. I had always explained that there were other forces that caused these negative outcomes, factors outside of my grasp. 

After staring into the mirror, I realized I had not truly learned what I try to teach 550 students daily. The one factor for all these less than favorable outcomes were the same...me. I am in control of my choices, my actions. It’s time to accept that and take ownership and responsibility for what I've chosen in the past, and the choices I will make going forward. 

As educators, as adults, we need to teach our students, our children, how to take responsibility for their choices, to think of the outcomes before they make them, to consider the feelings of others that will be affected.  

I ask you to stop and look in the mirror. Have you truly learned the lesson that we are trying to teach daily? You’re never too late to learn, and I am so grateful that I finally have.