3rd quarter wrap up...Mac 7th grade 2013

I have been very busy with coaching.  The "D" License course has been an eye opener for coaching the game of soccer.

The 3rd quarter ended last week on Friday March 22nd.  So far, I have taught 3 weeks into the 1st quarter, the entire 2nd quarter, and now just finishing the 3rd quarter.  We have 1 more quarter left.  School starts back up on April 8th and goes until the first week in June.

This has been a great year so far and so much has been underway and planned for this to be a successful 2013.

Soccer: 3 keeper camps and a indoor Fustul tournament.

Teaching: One Glogster 1 credit class, TCI class should be done by the end of summer, and I was made director of the SOCSS.

So many positive aspects this year and so much to be thankful for.

I'm looking forward to starting the Renaissance unit and wrapping up the year.  Hopefully teaching summer school and getting a permanent job lined up for the fall.

SPRING BREAK....

Until next time....

-Mr. Belzberg

Mac Feb 24th 7th grade

this week has been exciting.  brain bowl ends this coming week.  the first formal evualuation is on tuesday and we are studying the middle ages this month.  lot of exciting events and opportunities to get involved with.  spring break is only a month away and the school is almost over.  myself, hoping to gain a permanent teaching job soon and looking forward to coaching again soon.  the more im working the better.  as spring begins, disrtractions loom and the teacher must continue to motivate and inspire.  signing off and looking forward to much to come...

Feb 14 Teaching at Mac

The word that as summed up last month and this month is simply BUSY.  With keeper camps, brain bowl, Southern Oregon Council for Social Studies and teaching I'm busy and I'm enjoying it.  There is so much to do and never enough hours in the day to complete all that needs to be done.  This is a great thing though because I always have something productive to do.  Never stuck with boredom, I have a multiple of jobs to complete.  Trying to manage all is a challenge.  The key is by taking it slow and steady and not getting overwhelmed or burned out.

The students are beginning to see me as there teacher for the whole year.  This is great, but would have been awesome had it happened 2 months ago.  The students are great and they seem to learn a lot everyday.  I'm now starting to be scheduled for observations and evaluations.  This will be good depending on how I take the feedback.  I'm hoping to learn more about what I'm doing right and what I'm doing wrong.

The staff at McLoughlin gets a bad impression from others.  I find it awesome and a great place to teach.  The freedom and ability to do what I think is best makes me feel like a true professional.

Happy Valentines day and may today be a great one.

January 28 2013 Mac 7th

what a first day back from the long weekend.  i was rudely awakened to the fact that im really struggling in soccer and teaching.  almost to think that im not very good at this.  then i think back to how i was able to grow and learn in the first place and it required me to feell this same way.  i first started out confident then realized that i wasnt doing a great job and then got better again.  now im seeing myself really struggle.  however, if i can bounce back i will really grow.  learning can be tough and challenging.  what makes us great is our ability to get back up and try again.  its easy to do what is comfortable, you must challenge yourself to grow and get better.  its a process yet i feel like i only notice the down feelings.  i wont notice much when everything is simple and easy.  

im looking forward to a lot and need to remember to take it day by day with the big goals still in line.  confidence is important and i believe i will find my rythym again.

we struggle and then things will get better...

1/18/2013 Mac 7th grade

Today is Friday which means that there is a weekend and a even longer break with a holiday on Monday.  I have been having a great time teaching this year, so far.  Of course this is my first actual year teaching and there are many challenges.  Burned out teachers dragging, administrators being there when you don't want them to be, and when you do want them they are not there.  Many, many challenges.  However, this is one of the most awesome opportunities I have ever had.  With coaching soccer at a local high school and teaching 7th grade social studies.  The goal set many years back, is on track.

I hope to gain enough respect and a reputation that I'm permanently hired at one of the schools in the area.  I'm going to continue to give my best effort every day and not cease to work until it is finished.  The greatest part about teaching is there is never a dull moment, or a boring moment.  There is always aspects of the craft that need to be worked out.  I'm loving many of the kids.  They are wonderful.

With all the positive there are of course some negative.  Such being, trying to get along with every student and making sure that all the students are working hard and learning.  My management is challenged on a daily basis.  My rigorous academics and high expectations come more naturally to me.  The management piece is at times is very arduous.

With each passing day I learn more and gain more insight into the greatest profession of all.

"The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet" -Aristotle.

--Mr. Belzberg 

Start of the new year 2013 at Mac

Tomorrow starts the first day of the New Year of 2013 in school.  Many people make new year resolutions and what they want to achieve, change, or improve in the coming year.  Many choose exercise, still some choose mental goals such as read 10 more books than last year.  Still others try to improve their spirtual self.  I will mediate or pray for 20 minutes everyday. 

Whatever the goals that are set, and whether they are reached or not, are they not what is great about existing.  The stiving to be better or go farther each day.  The only problem I observe is many people give up or tend to forget their commitments. 

If I can state one resolution for this upcoming year, it would be to impact more students lives in a kind way.  I hope that when June rolls around the students I have worked with, leave with the thoughts and words of kindness to others and themselves.  The most painful part of learning is making mistakes and many of the most painful mistakes I have made this year have been making decisions or actions without kindness. 

I will hope for the best and look to value in each student as this new year comes and I encourage all humans to treat others with kindness....

Holiday Break 2012-2013

december comes to a close and january starts very soon.

as the new year starts and the second half of the scholl year nears i realize that im extremely lucky and blessed to have a job for the rest of the year.  even though im temporary, im having a great time and learning so much.  i hope im able to get a teaching job that is permanent and i get to stay at the same school long enough for kids to have kids and they will be in my class.

as i approach the end of the year i reflect on the hard work i have put in and knowing that i will need to put in even more effort to give these wonderful young minds the ability and skills to be successful and make huge gains.

i expect to make a huge impact on these great seventh graders and llok forward to working with them more.

to make a difference for the leaders of tomorrow is the reason, to help these young people choose harmony and peace over violence and hatred is a huge purpose for all us parents and teachers.