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Directions:

Post your response to the below questions by clicking on the plus sign located at the bottom right corner. Be sure you type your name BEFORE you construct your response. Then, "like" another colleagues response by clicking on the heart at the bottom of their post. Finally, add a positive comment on that peer's reflection that offers support or feedback.

What methods do you use to motivate yourself?

How do you maintain your focus and your momentum?

How can you best transfer that focus and momentum (or improve upon it) to generate positive energy towards your influence and impact each day?

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What methods do you use to motivate yourself?

It does not take a lot to motivate me. I am someone that hates being late, turning in things late and a perfectionist when it comes to things I am passionate about.  If something needs to be done, I will not just sit around and wait for it to be done, I will go do it.

How can you maintain your focus and your momentum?

5 hour energy drinks!  Haha!  I take one of those and I am good to go.  It's amazing how much I can accomplish when I take one!

How can you best transfer that focus and momentum to generate positive energy towards your influence and impact each day?

I try to stay positive and smile in the hallways because you never know who is watching. If I show my frustration or a negative attitude then the teachers and students see that. I also try to help out as mch as possible when I am in classrooms

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The following videos help sum up many of the themes the book spoke about in building relationships, influencing change, and reflection. Feel free to view one, or all, of them!

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Why is it important for teachers and instructional coaches to work to build a quality relationship? What are some things we can do to build a strong relationship and help our students?

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Thought starters

1. What does it mean to coach for equity?

2. How does Mr. Parker coach for equity?

3. Why does Mr. Parker see equity as an essential part of his coaching practice?

School Details

Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
101 N St. NW
Washington DC 20001

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In an interview with Teaching Channel, Tch Laureate Joshua Parker shares his thoughts on how to coach for equity. He talks about ways in which he coaches teachers to reach all students, including giving teachers the supports, strategies and expertise needed to differentiate instruction.

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Coaches and teachers can gain insights from this video showing the coaching cycle in action. From pre-observation through the observation to the de-briefing, learn how both coaches and teachers can improve teaching through the process.

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I utilize the 7 Habits to motivate myself. For example, I will find the "why behind the what" in situations. If you know WHY you do what you do, and it matters deeply to you, then you will find your strength in any situation. I surround myself with catalysts (these people help lift you up & inspire). Additionally, I have a growth mindset which helps considerably when transforming my goals into reality.

In regards to maintaining focus & momentum: I maintain my focus by re-visiting my goals regularly and reflecting on what worked and perhaps what I might have done to produce a different result.

To best transfer that momentum in order to generate positive energy, I believe taking time in the morning to reflect both personally and professionally will allow me to generate enough positive energy to impact each and every day. I feel very fortunate to have this career and I look forward to coming to school each day in order to positively impact both teachers and students alike

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To motivate myself, I just need to look around at my family, friends, colleagues, and students.  When I see others work hard, I know I can too.  We are all in this together and seeing other people try, makes me want to try 10 times harder.

Much like many of the posters here said, I look back to where I've come to see the small changes to keep the momentum going for bigger and better changes.

I think the best thing I can do is be more vocal to others about the change/growth/progress they are making towards their own goals.  I forsee that helping them to keep working towards them and renew their energy, whichh will in turn renew my energy.

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I motivate myself by looking backwards at where I’ve been. I use tracking and journaling to monitor where I am currently, and periodically I look back on old goals and achievements to help re-center my focus on my current goals. Because I do this in a fairly organic way (I like to journal and tracking just falls naturally into that pastime), the goals are genuine. I am able to look back and see how great it felt to achieve certain things in the past, and I can even relive those moments. Going back and remembering the feeling of winning is a very useful motivational tool.

After reflecting on old journal entries, I often come away with a renewed sense of focus. I remember how much work has to go into being successful and how great the payoff feels. If I was losing focus, this is all it takes to help me get back on track. Sometimes it means I have to redefine a goal or adjust my plan, but self-reflection never fails to keep me motivated!

I find reflection and reliving moments of success helps to generate the positive energy needed to keep moving forward. I think that this piece is sometimes missing when teachers and students set their own goals, especially if they haven’t experienced success in that particular area before. I hope that living by example and showing the outcome of meaningful reflection and reliving success can impact others and give them the inspiration to truly work toward a goal. I have heard from people that seeing me track my progress and journey has inspired and motivated them (my journal is public!), so I know this works! As more people experience success, the positive energy grows and influences others…it’s like a snowball effect that can impact anyone with a goal to achieve!

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Time is what motivates me.  I am a stickler for being timely for EVERYTHING!  It is important for me to get things done well in a timely manner.

I keep my focus by making lists and schedules.  I review and revise my lists daily to prioritize, and I get a huge sense of satisfaction when an item is complete and I can cross it off!

One of the biggest things that I can pass on to other teachers is the art of prioritizing.  It is so easy to get caught up in the urgency of someone else's to-do list.  While that person may have reminded you of some important tasks to add to your own list, it is important that you do not get caught up in any one else's frenzy.  Make your list, add to it, and pluck off items one at a time in order of the highest priority.  This can be done in the classroom and out of the classroom!

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To motivate myself I like setting goals that I know are possible with hard work and dedication. I am a very competitive person so if I set goals for myself I know I can't let myself down, which motivates me to accomplish those goals.

I think my organization skills help me maintain my focus and momentum. It's important for me to schedule everything and put things in my calendar so I can keep a clear focus on what needs to be done and how to get it done in a timely fashion. I also think it's important to remember to "Sharpen the Saw" and take time for myself. If I don't do that it can be very easy to loose that momentum.

I think taking the time for yourself helps to regenerate your mental state and helps you think about what is important in your personal life and in your career. I think it's always important to remember why we are in the positions we are in and the impact we are having on children's education and livelihood. As much as we can get overwhelmed and stressed it's important to remember the why and the compassion that got us where we are and use that to shed positivity on those around us and those we impact on a daily basis. I think it's also important to remember when we bring positivity to others it brings us a sense of happiness and if we are struggling at times, making others recognize positive aspects around them will in turn bring the positivity back into our lives.

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Lately, I've been finding motivation in collaboration with colleagues.  We have a new employee and it has been really refreshing to be working with someone coming in who is already extremely motivated and anxious to make a difference with her new kids.  Speaking with other colleagues and hearing their ideas and what they do in their class has kept me motivated and excited about all the things we do at our school. I also always find motivation in my family. My oldest is in pre-school and it is so great to see him love going to school and being excited to see his teachers and friends. It is something I hope continues for him as he moves in to Kinder in a couple years and I know that what CRTs and classroom teachers can have a huge impact on that either way and I am proud to be working with teachers who want to make the learning experience positive.

To keep myself focused and keep momentum I have taken my planning and scheduling to a new level. I have always been someone who used a planner but I have found I really need to plan down to the minute on some days to be sure I am not only getting done what I need to but also making time for what is going to keep me going and motivated, like the collaboration with colleagues.

The most important thing that keeps me going is first, as I said, planning out what needs to get accomplished everyday helps with that. When planning out a day I am also able to decide what can be tabled for the next day or what can be done after school. For me, it is also important to reflect often. Whether I am reflecting and thinking about something that is going really well or something that needs to be changed I have found that thinking and quite often having brainstorming sessions with our other CRTs has been extremely beneficial. Relaying to teachers and showing them that part of why I am here is to have those brainstorms with teachers during the reflection process is a great way to encourage teachers to be self reflective, as well.

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To motivate my self I continue to think about my long term goals for myself and long term goals for what I would like to see in our school. I make a plan of how I and we can obtain these goals. With our school, I like to get teacher feedback and collaborate to hear their ideas too.

To motivate myself, I continue to work off daily checklists and an "editable" schedule. It's always been said, but I have really realized that as a CRT you are pulled in many different ways and tend to wear many different hats and each day this changes. I have to refocus each morning and decide what truly is of the most importance for each day and what will truly help impact our teachers and students the most.

I think that if I am focused and continue to share my optimistic views and goals with the teachers, they will feed off this. I want to show our teachers that we ( my other CRT and I ) are here to support them and help them, not make "more things for them to do." Also, I want teachers to feel and know they are heard when this is done, I feel it brings positive vibes through the school and with that brings teachers who "want" to be here and be an impact for our students.

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What methods do you use to motivate yourself?
I always try to stay positive and think how much of an impact that we as teachers are making on future generations. I take time to do the things I enjoy including spending time with my family. I make short-term and long-term goals to continually strive to be better.

How do you maintain your focus and your momentum?
I always remember to take one day at a time but continue to look at the big picture. I always have a plan (even though I can't always stick to it) to help keep me moving in the right direction. I have to be organized and have a clear picture of what I want to accomplish.

How can you best transfer that focus and momentum (or improve upon it) to generate positive energy towards your influence and impact each day?
I try to be a role model for the teachers and students at my school, always being positive and supportive of all needs. I enjoy connecting with both teachers and students on a personal level. By taking an interest, I build relationships that extend beyond the academic.

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I have always been motivated by making "To Do" lists and checking them off!  I like to get things done and when I can multi-task and get two things done at the same time, that's even better!  I also find motivation from other things in life,  for example it could be a movie, a quote, something my kids say or do, experiencing something, etc.  You just never know when motivation and inspiration will strike us to do amazing things!

I maintain focus by keeping student achievement at the forefront of everything we do as CRTs.  Everything we do is for the students and when I think about that my focus is very clear.

I try to always put myself in other people's shoes when transferring that focus to positive energy and thinking of ways I can help from their perspective. I never want to forget what it is like to be a classroom teacher so I always consider ways that I can impact them in a positive way

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What methods do you use to motivate yourself?
My motivation comes from the anticipation of the end result.  I look forward to seeing what impact I had on the big picture, and then what I can do differently next time in order to have a better result. My motivations are usually very intrinsic. That sense of accomplishment drives me.

How do you maintain your focus and your momentum?
I try to be a role model for others, set a good example and encourage others by leading by example.  This puts pressure/motivation on me to always be focused and working toward a common goal.  I draw my motivation from seeing others succeed.

How can you best transfer that focus and momentum (or improve upon it) to generate positive energy towards your influence and impact each day?
Model and lead by example. Setting a common goal and working with a team to get to that goal, and celebrating the successes along the way. Part of it also comes from my general outlook on everything, I could expend energy on being negative and unhappy, or expend the energy on being happy and positive. I choose positivity.

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What methods do you use to motivate yourself?
To motivate myself I like to set long term goals with short term goals. In my personal and professional life I have tried to keep to this, because I have often found if I don't set those short term goals, then I am less liking to reach my long term goal. Whenever I found myself struggling in my professional and personal life I will contact my mentors to try and get some perspective. When surrounding myself with those people, their positive attitudes tend to help me refocus and get back on track. My mentors will focus on my strengths as a person or professional which cause me to self reflect and remember my strengths.
I also find that helping to motivate others helps me to motivate myself. When I help others set and accomplish goals it makes me realize that my own goals are attainable and that if you put your mind to it, anything can be accomplished. I also always try and remember to do something for myself throughout the week to try and find a work-life balance.
How do you maintain your focus and your momentum?
I have really found that becoming more organized has helped to maintain my focus. My tracking my goals and keeping myself on task when it comes to my small to do lists have helped me accomplish the big things on my to do lists ( long term).
How can you best transfer that focus and momentum (or improve upon it) to generate positive energy towards your influence and impact each day?

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What methods do you use to motivate yourself?

I have learned at an early age motivation comes from within. You can try to motivate someone with physical things like money but it is the feeling of ownership, of being proud, and that sense of accomplishment that really motivates people. Those are exactly the ideas that motivate me. I always have a set of goals to strive for and once I reach one of those goals I add another.

How do you maintain your focus and your momentum?

I always take time to take a step back and enjoy the journey. It is important to have balance in one’s life. We all have to make sure we Sharpen the Saw and maintain that balance between work and our personal life. I also reflect on a daily basis and think about what worked and what I could have improved upon.

How can you best transfer that focus and momentum to generate positive energy towards your influence and impact each day?

It is important to get to know whom you are coaching and how you can help them achieve their goals and aspirations. Find ways to elevate your teacher’s high-potential status. Helping the teachers increase their relevancy is important and will help cultivate increased momentum, a “have their back” attitude. If they know you are looking out for their best interest, it will generate positive energy, focus and momentum.  TRUST is a very powerful motivational tool.

ALSO, as a CRT I feel it is important to be aware of whether or not your teachers are happy.  Happiness fuels ones self-esteem and gives people hope for a better tomorrow. An employee that doesn’t believe, will never achieve. I try to help generate that positive energy by teaching them to embrace the unexpected and navigate uncertainty and change. Give them the necessary perspectives that they need to maintain that positive energy.

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Motivation for me come from the end in mind.  I set goals and seek to always meet those goals and never stop growing.  This starts within.  I have to seek what is important to me and be driven by that power. I am also motivated by the successes of those around me.  I do not know if its the competition within me or the joy of seeing others meet their goals, or both.  But like I said overall is is the end result that keeps my focus and motivation.

Keeping the momentum can at time be difficult.  But as some say it is not always the result that is key but the JOURNEY that brings your to the end result/goal. I learn more from the tribulations that I do from the successes.  Within that, and this year as I am a new CRT i am learning that it is key to always reflect and seek ways to continuously be growing.

To influence those around me i believe that giving the reason behind the what and modeling self reflection is key. Supporting and helping teachers achieve their goals will not only boost positive morale but will also create a level of trust. This will allow for teachers to come to you to reflect and or "vent" which in turn will give me the opportunity to support their needs and help them seek their own resolutions. Overall we are all here for the students and when a teacher is positive and feels supported and understood the positivity reflects towards the students and how they perceive themselves and school.

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Motivation for me comes thinking with the end in mind. I love setting goals and being able to accomplish them. Sometimes accomplishing some goals might be tougher then others but when I put my all I know I will reach the end. I enjoy being able to check things of my list and know that I successfully accomplish tasks.

I also find that I tend to be a motivator to others. My energy and my determination influences others to get motivated in something thy need to get done in life. I look back and reflect on what as well on what worked and what didn't. As I get older I see myself doing this more.

To influence those around me I believe that using the best strategies and modeling will help with supporting and helping teachers reach their goals. As a coach I have learned that the ultimate way to influence someone is through TRUST and guidance. I want my teachers to know that they can come to me for anything and that I will be there to help. The ultimate goal for all is student success and we need to work as a team in order to see that success in the end. If teachers are happy then students will be happy. It is super important to make that a priority because our students rely on us for just about everything.

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My biggest motivator is my daughter. I think about the person I want her to be and I try to emulate that so I can be a good role model for her.

I maintain my focus and momentum by self reflecting and also asking my peers to reflect on my performance. By doing this I can strengthen by weaknesses and maintain or even renew my focus and momentum.

I believe as teachers we are perfectionists and we expect every child to meet proficiency but that is not also the case. As such to maintain that positive focus and momentum I have to instill into teachers a different mindset. One that is focused on growth and the general well being of the students. Especially for a school like Woodmont where the demographics are quite different.

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Like other posters, I get motivation from thinking about the end in mind. From there I can set long and short term goals that I need to accomplish to get reach the end. Thinking about the goals and actually setting them keeps me motivated and to stay on track.

To maintain focus and momentum I have become more organized with my school and personal life. This year I have tried to have a balance between the two and tried to maintain that balance. This has helped me greatly in keeping my focus and momentum throughout the school year.

I think the best way to transfer the focus and momentum is by modeling and guiding others. I believe that positive energy goes along way, so showing your positive energy (no matter what type of day you are having) will help a lot and guide others into thinking positively.

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What methods do you use to motivate yourself?  Goal setting and high expectations I set for myself is my motivation. I know that motivation can be inspired by others but must come from within. I have had many  events in my life that have showed me that I am in control of my destiny and when or if I rely on others for the motivation then I often don't meet my goals.I feel accomplished my the impact my accomplishments have on myself as well as others.

How do you maintain your momentum? To maintain focus and momentum I have become a refective person. I have also found that I had to learn to be open to constructive criticism as well as advice. Through the reflection and advice from others I am able to use this valuable information to either continue on the plan I set or make adjustments along the way.

How can you best transfer that focus and momentum (or improve upon it) to generate positive energy towrads your influence and impact each day? I believe that as a CRT and looking at those I work with , I trully need to seek to understand before I am understood. I can't forget what it was like to be them. By doing this I find myself asking those I coach their thoughts and ask them to reflect before sharing my own ideas. I also like to share the why behind the what to keep the momentum going. Most people are willing to perservere when they understand the back side of the project.I also find that sometimes we just need to point out the small success along the way to help us stay motivated when the goal seems to loft or to far away.

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What methods do you use to motivate yourself?

Responsibility - knowing that I need to get things done and others are depending on me is a big motivator.  I’m not much of one for extrinsic motivation, but rather one that is driven by being competent, determination and finding the positive in all things.  I don’t just apply being responsible at my job but also in my personal life.  Knowing that my husband and I have been blessed with 3 kids to raise it’s a big responsibility, but guiding them in the best path possible with determination, positivity and skill is something we face daily.

How do you maintain your focus and your momentum?
I maintain focus and momentum by setting small and attainable goals.  Rather than say “I’m going to lose 30 lbs by the summer” I rather work on 5lbs at a time and celebrate those successes.  The same has been this journey as CRT at a new school.  I quickly realized that all could not be done at once, but rather through baby steps and with the help of the network of co-workers.  Just as Rome was not built in a day, neither are the things we wish to accomplish.

How can you best transfer that focus and momentum (or improve
upon it) to generate positive energy towards your influence and impact each
day?

I’m pretty big on being positive, and no matter how hard things seem today, there’s always tomorrow and we need to try to instill that positivity to those around us.  Even when things seem at their worst or lowest or that nothing is being accomplished, always find the positive and share those little wins with others around us.

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My motivation has always been seeing students succeed academically. Whether I was in the classroom or in my current role as CRT, academic outcomes is, and always has been, my focus. It is on which I rate my own success. I feel as if we are all in a unique situation...being able to make a positive difference in the lives of so many young people. That should never be taken lightly.

I maintain my focus through analyzing impacts we are seeing in the classroom and by the culture that is being developed in our school. Being driven by success, school-wide, I stay motivated to be a part of improving academic achievement in our students and overall job satisfaction in our employees. Every year, I begin with goals in mind that will bring about the changes I seek and, throughout the year, I work toward achieving them.

The best ways to transfer my focus and momentum is to always be transparent in what I do, be honest and true to myself and my values, and to always make decisions based on doing the right thing by the students in this school. When one exemplifies those traits, I believe others begin to trust and believe in what he/she is doing. I try to be someone others want to model themselves after. My current administrator is someone I have always looked up to, for the simple reason that, everything she does is for the benefit of the students. I hope I can influence others in the way she has influenced me.