Thrive in Unfavorable Conditions - July 9, 2025

Thrive in Unfavorable Conditions

In my last blog, Peaks and Valleys, I mentioned how Chicagoland has been experiencing a heat wave these past weeks of summer. This has made for some very unfavorable temps for runners training for the Chicago Marathon on October 12, 2025. As I look at my lawn, and basically everyone’s in the neighborhood, it’s brown and hasn’t really moved any closer to the sun in about two weeks. When I place my foot on it, there is a brittleness I can feel through my eardrums and I immediately think how this is not the yard I would have gotten grass stains from as a kid. The only things that seem to be growing are the unattractive weeds and crabgrass that thrive in these unfavorably parched conditions. 

As I finished my four-miler I walked to the side of my house and saw something that clutched my eye. Five vibrant pink roses, close together, high above any of the weeds making their statement, declared their dominance. It was an amazing sight, not something I was expecting, but needed. 

These five roses don’t care that the current spiced temperatures are not what they typically thrive in. It doesn’t matter to them that they are lacking the proper amount of hydration to prosper. These five roses agreed to use teamwork and said, “Screw it, we’re not going dormant, let’s show everyone and everything how beautiful and strong we are together.” 

Throughout life, we all will find ourselves in a drought, gasping for water to quench our thirst and find shelter from the temperatures that are draining the moisture out of our bodies. We will find ourselves slowing, crawling, and dragging our bodies against the sharp, crisp blades of grass. Our mind will begin to tell us that it’s no use, just give up, stop clawing at the Earth, trying to move forward. It’s during these times we must think of the five pink roses. We must find and rely on our team, knowing they bring strength when we may not feel it inside. Together, we will rise up and stand strong and thrive despite the unfavorable circumstances we may find ourselves in. We must remember that it’s not the environment surrounding us that determines our growth, but ourselves. 

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Pick up my book, The Educulture Cookbook: Recipes & Dishes to Positively Transform Classroom & School Culture with EduMatch Publishing.

Peaks & Valleys - July 1, 2025

 Peaks & Valleys

A few weeks ago I kicked off my official training for the Chicago Marathon which will take place on Sunday, October 12, 2025. This will be my 8th running of Chicago, and one thing that I have learned is that no two runs are ever the same. 

Chicagoland, much like the rest of the country, has been experiencing a heat wave these last few weeks. Even with lacing up and getting out the door by 6:00 am, the humidity is disgusting, leaving you feeling like you’re running endraped in a wet blanket. This heat and humidity will naturally force a runner to take a slower pace most times. Every once in a while I’ll finish a run through Hell’s Furnace, glance down at my watch to have my sweat filled eyeballs jump out of my skull while my jaw dives like it’s wearing concrete filled boots towards the ground to see a pace I was not expecting. Then the next day, pretty much the same temps and humidity, a pace slower than a turtle crossing a four-lane road. 

Many of my runs have been of the latter mentioned. What I’ve noticed while I’m grinding through them, whether it’s a three-miler or a nine, there is always a pattern. I feel great and am grateful to get to run every day. Then my legs will feel heavy, my lungs searching for a good, deep breath, sweat engulfing my body, my mind asking me if this is even worth it and reminding me that I didn’t hydrate properly, I ate too much junk, I’m getting too old for this running thing. Then, I’ll be back to enjoying the time on my feet in the neighborhood, again sharing gratitude that I am able to and get to run. 

These phases of my runs, they always differ. Sometimes I’ll be in the euphoric, blessed state for 90% of the run, while other times I’m in the pain cave for a majority of the time my feet are pitter-pattering against the warm concrete. These different phases, I call them my peaks and valleys. The highs are when I’m at the peak, soaring above everything else, overlooking the beauty of this world. The lows, those are when I’m in the valley, fighting through the trenches when all I can see is dirt and shadows, fighting the inner dialogue in my head. 

As I was running 6 this morning, I was out of the valley pretty quick, only lasting a minute or two in there. As I was summiting the peak, inching towards the end of my run, I asked myself why I thought every run always ends at a peak and not a valley? Looking back throughout my life, I could not remember one single run that ended in a valley. As I was finishing, about to stand on that peak today, hands in the air and a smile covering my face, I realized why. The valleys that are traveled through during a run, they’re just a path to get to the peak. We need the valleys, they are a necessity to travel from peak to peak. By finishing a run, by completing the mileage that was stated to run for that day, we fight through those valleys. By not staying in the valley shows our character, our determination, our drive to keep fighting, knowing that the valley we’re currently in is only a path, a route, and not our destination. 

The next time you’re on a run and find yourself in a valley, remember it’s only temporary. Don’t stop, keep moving forward and you will find that peak. And if you’re not a runner, still remember this, because I’m not talking about running here. 

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Pick up my book, The Educulture Cookbook: Recipes & Dishes to Positively Transform Classroom & School Culture with EduMatch Publishing.

Gym Shorts - February 11, 2020

Gym Shorts

By, Michael Earnshaw

February 11, 2020

@mearnshaw158

I took a “Brain Break” today and allowed a few minutes to tick by as I scrolled through Instagram. Yes, I know, we wouldn’t want our students to take a “Brain Break” by checking social media, but I consider it a little mid-day PD. I stumbled across a quote that got the wheels in my mind spinning. It’s actually attached itself to my mind and keeps reappearing, making me think more and more about its message. Here’s the quote:

sometimes it’s better to just let things be, let ppl go, don’t fight for closure, don’t ask for explanations, don’t chase answers, and don’t expect ppl to understand where you’re coming from. you got to keep fighting for you bc no one got you like you got yourself

Deep, right? I know. Now I can write about 17 blogs based off of this quote, and I just may. Like I said, it keeps nagging me like that mosquito bite in the summer that you thought was finally done itching, until you subconsciously began scratching again like a rare non-de-clawed house cat.

Tonight I’d like to share with you about a pair of running shorts of mine. They’re black and gray, Under Armour. I’ve had them since 2013, the year of my first marathon. They cost about $50, which was more than I’d ever like to pay for a pair of running shorts, but because I was planning on running for 26.2 miles for the first time I wanted to have a quality pair of shorts on my wheels.

The marathon training plan I followed was 18 weeks long. These shorts were purchased about 4 weeks into my training. I wore them for at least one mid-week run, every long run of the training plan, and finally the marathon. They held up and were definitely one of the nicest, most comfortable pairs of running shorts I ever donned on my legs.

Since that marathon in October of 2013 I have run four more full marathons and numerous half-marathons. Training plans have differed. Nutrition plans have differed. Running routes and playlists have differed. There was always one constant...my black and gray Under Armour shorts.

These shorts have been with me for every long run, every official race, and hundreds of lower mileage runs over the years. Until September of 2019.

“I got you something today when I was shopping,” was what my wife said as I helped to unpack the groceries she had just brought home, praying to find some tasty plant based junk food.

I gazed up at her. I was intrigued. “Oh yeah Babe, what’d you get me?”

“These!” and she pulled a solid black pair of running shorts out of a plastic bag.

My lips refused to part, yet a million letter combinations I can’t share in an educational blog were slam dancing in my mind. After a lifetime of 24 seconds passed, I had an inquiry.

“What are those for?”

My wife gave me the look like I’m an idiot. “Uuummm...to run in. Have you seen the shorts you run in, they look like Shredder from Ninja Turtles did your laundry. I just don’t get why you don’t wear the other pairs you have.”

“Because they aren’t the same. I’ve had mine forever. Fine. Alright. I’ll try them out. I guess I could use a new pair. Thanks, I do appreciate it,” and I gave her a kiss.

I did try these shorts out for a run. In fact, our first run together was 15 miles, so we had a good 150 minutes or so to get to know each other. We didn’t need that much time, after about 10 minutes I knew I had made a new friend for many miles to come.

So how does that quote I read on IG, my old worn out running shorts, and education go together? Simple.

Educators need to throw away what doesn’t work. 

Teachers that have been in the game for years have lessons that they have taught to every class they have ever had. They are comfortable with this lesson, they believe it’s their “Go To”. It was a hit, a success, an Oscar winner years ago and every student should be oh so blessed to get to experience it.

I’m sorry to say, not every movie that has won an Oscar still holds up, or ever did. Times change, audiences change, interests change, and the world changes.

My old running shorts were a security blanket, something that I had emotional ties to. I didn’t want to let them go. I thought they were the only pair of shorts that could get me through a multi-digit mile run or race. They aren’t. They’ve had their fair share of runs and it was time to put them away in my dresser and enjoy the comfort of a run with a new pair.

I’ve accepted that it’s alright to get new running shorts frequently. I don’t have to keep wearing the same pair over and over, mile after sweaty mile. I’ve learned to let go of what I was so comfortable with, figuratively and literally, and upgrade with the times. I didn’t realize how ineffective my original pair was until I tried on a new pair. My lower body is so thankful for the switch.

Educators, try new lessons, take new approaches, create new experiences that are out of your comfort zone for your students. Times have changed, students have changed, and now it’s time your lessons change.

All of my new(ish) shorts were dirty the other night I went for a 5 mile run. I grabbed that original pair out of my dresser, excited to relive some memories. Only the memories quickly faded as I realized these shorts were not the same after so many miles. They’ve run their race, past their expiration date. After I got home and ripped them off I vowed that was our last run together. I’m at peace with that. I’m letting go and not questioning why.

Educators, is there a lesson that it’s time to say goodbye to? 

Maui

Maui

November 20, 2018 

By, Michael Earnshaw

@mearnshaw158 

It’s that time of year where everyone is giving thanks to their loved ones, co-workers, & other individuals holding a special place in their hearts. Of course, I’m thankful for these people.  My wife, my rock, my mentor. My beautiful, healthy, busy children. Our caring families. My amazing staff that supports me and works hard for our students. My District Office that trusts me to do things my way. Our amazing students and parents that know our children are the future. If I wanted to be cliché, I'd write a whole blog on all of these. But that’s not me.  

I recently had the privilege of seeing Dave Burgess speak at his Teach Like a Pirate workshop. If you haven’t read the book, do so without hesitation, regardless of your role in education. This book is a game changer. If you get the honor to see Dave live, DO IT! His workshop is nothing but eye-popping motivation! I drink gallons of coffee a day. I wouldn’t leave to use the restroom unless it was a break. Yeah, that’s how good he was. During the workshop Dave discussed how his past, his background, has helped to mold him into the experience delivering educator he is. I pondered about this a lot, about my background. I came up with three aspects of me that I am thankful for that make me the leader I am today.  

Endurance. Ever since I joined the middle school track team I was a distance runner. This wasn’t by choice. I wanted to sprint the 100 M, do the hurdles, launch the shotput, you know, the exciting and entertaining events in track. My coaches at the time said Mike, “You’re doing the 800 and mile.” My first thought was, “Nobody is jumping out of their seat cheering for an underweight, gangly kid running around a track for 6-8 minutes.” I’ve been raised with the trait that you never quit something once you start. So, I stuck with it. And you know what, I was actually pretty good. I kept with it and ran cross country through high school, running on the varsity team as a freshman and sophomore, a pretty huge accomplishment! After college I began running again, multiple half-marathons & now 4 full 26.2s! The reason I’m thankful for my endurance racing background is that in my role as a leader, I’m constantly on the go. I’m up and down the halls with my mobile desk and skateboard. Getting down on the ground with students and working. Lots of long days. I typically try to get up at 4:15, get a run in or lift weights at the gym, go to school (I never call it work), and have some late evenings with meetings. When I get home I need to be there for my beautiful family, and my kids keep us active. If I didn’t have the grit and motivation to get through a 26.2 mile marathon, I may not successfully get through my days as a leader. The staff, parents, and most importantly the students, deserve me at my best.  

Punk rock. Punk rock changed my life, and it’s still affecting it for the positive. When I was a teenager it was bands like Rancid, The Suicide Machines, Good Riddance, and Propaghandi that got me through some rough patches. Hell, they still do. Music is my go-to whenever I’m stressed out or confused. I’m thankful for the punk rock attitude, the DYI ethos, that I have. For the first few years of my administrative career, I led like I thought I was supposed to lead, a cookie cutter. I wasn’t myself. This past year I have done things my way, ways that are unconventional, out of the box approaches. Faculty meetings are hands on, collaborative, culture building hours. I’ve been in my front office only 5% of the school year. Friday’s you can find me teaching some aspiring skateboarders tricks out on the back playground. I’m visible, working with staff as a teammate to solve those Rubik Cube puzzles we all encounter. Punk rock has taught me to not worry about the perceptions others have on you or what you're doing. I do my thing because I know it’s the right thing to do, even if it’s not what your “typical” principal does.  

Defamation of character. Ok, this isn’t as bad as it sounds, or maybe you will have your jaw jumping to the floor when you hear this story. Sticking with the middle school theme, when I was in 8th grade, the year I was introduced to punk rock, I had hair that liked to change colors depending on my mood. Sometimes green, sometimes blue, but never its original dirty blonde. As I was strolling down the hall with my crew, the principal at the time was standing next to a paraprofessional and whispered, “That kids gotta be on drugs.” Now you’re probably asking, “Mike, how do you know he said that?” Well, here’s how. That paraprofessional, she was my best friend’s mom! Yep, always think before you speak. Of course, my mom caused a stink, he had to meet with me and apologize, and then left our district at the end of the year. That comment has taught me the cliché saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” As a leader we need to accept differences in all our stakeholders. I know what it’s like to be judged and not taken seriously simply because of how I looked. I will never do that to a staff member, student, parent, or any human being. Oh, just so you know, that principal couldn’t have been more wrong. If he truly knew his students, he would’ve known I was an Honor Roll student that went on to take all Honor’s courses in high school. And I was straight edge, sXe. 

These traits have helped make me the leader I am. I’m thankful for my past, all the ups and downs. Some of these experiences left me confused and depressed at times, but now I see the light. Without them I wouldn’t be able to change the game, break the mold, and challenge the status quo.