WGTDD Chapter 8 by Susan Jill Dickinson https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr Name 2 ways that complaining about your job as a teacher is analogous to the Eagles' song "Hotel California" ? How can focusing on "students first" help you maintain a positive attitude about your role as a teacher? en-us 2016-10-21 12:31:23 UTC 2017-04-06 17:24:36 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Dartstarget.png vshirah https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132337034 You can join the complainers club any time of year .  You can check out anytime you BUT you can never leave.

Focusing on students and putting them first helps in making the right decisions every day.  
Shirah]]> 2016-10-21 13:33:59 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132337034 Teaching is hard enough.  Complaining my feel good at the time, but it doesn't make the job any easier.  When negativity spreads, as it easily can, it actually makes the job harder.  And be warned:  Once you join the Complainers Club , it's hard to quit.  Any time Negative Nancy and Downer Don have something to complain about, they'll seek you out and share it with you, hoping to add FUEL to their dangerous fire.   Focusing on students first can help you maintain the practices and habits that support your best work.  Focusing on students and putting them first helps great teachers make the right decisions every day, all the way to the end of the year. jarrington1 https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132408910 Janice Arrington]]> 2016-10-21 17:09:40 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132408910 Complaining may feel good at the time, but makes things harder in the long run. Once you join the Complainer's club, it's hard to leave. In the song "Hotel California" it says in the last line "you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave"! https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132434919 Focusing on students helps things stay in perspective everyday, all YEAR!]]> 2016-10-21 18:34:41 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132434919 As the song, "Hotel California" implies, any time of year/you can find it here, you can find complaining anywhere, everyday. The effective teacher takes the negativity and turns it into something positive. Staying focused on students is what makes the difference.   lywalker https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132579701 Walker

]]> 2016-10-24 00:13:33 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132579701 Teaching matters and does make a difference. https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132650040 Denney]]> 2016-10-24 11:23:38 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132650040 Focus on students first, keep your vision broad, and resist the temptation to socialize!  Teaching is hard, but teaching matters every day, and does make a difference!  Just keep everything in perspective! nmcdavid https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132721523
McDavid

]]> 2016-10-24 14:52:14 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132721523 Great teachers focus on students first with a broad vision that keeps everything in perspective. https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132724036 It removes "our perspective" and brings a bigger picture to our perspective. We will see our importance in the big picture as well as everyone else's. ]]> 2016-10-24 14:57:58 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132724036 Just like the song says, "You can check in any time you want, but you can never leave", it's easy to complain.  You can always find someone who is more than ready to complain with you.  But, when you try to stop complaining, those same folks work overtime to drag you back in.  There is LOTS of things to complain about in our profession and looking for the good in things takes a ton of effort.  If we remember why we chose this profession in the first place and focus on our students and not the "crappy" part of our jobs, we can find more things to be positive about. https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132728192
McDaniel]]> 2016-10-24 15:07:19 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132728192 Teaching matters each and every day. The students should be our focus, and we should resist the urge to complain.   ssimison1 https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132770795 Simison]]> 2016-10-24 16:45:01 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132770795 Complaining gets you nowhere.  Don't waste your time unless you can fix it.  You have to remember why you choose teaching in the first place - the kids.  Make your decisions based on what is best for your children.  Nothing else really matters. thughes13 https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132772781 T. Hughes]]> 2016-10-24 16:49:01 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132772781 A habit of negativity, is a hard habit to break. once you've started it, it's hard to unlearn the behavior. Focusing on the needs and achievement of our students will keep our focus from being so inward. kweaver664 https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132779768 Lindell]]> 2016-10-24 17:06:09 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132779768 You can't  just "check-out" anytime you want- your students need you to be "checked -in" :) tsagee https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132824934 Agee]]> 2016-10-24 18:50:42 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132824934    Complaining is a waste of time unless you have a way to make the needed changes-"you can never leave" sdickinson2 https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132831622     So spend time focusing on your students and their needs and don't join the complaining club!
        DeBorah Darrington

]]> 2016-10-24 19:12:01 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132831622 Once you join the Complainers Club you can try to stop, but the complaining often follows because you listened and agreed last time.  It is a hard cycle to break once it has begun.  mcarpenter15 https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132845587
Putting the needs of the students first helps me to stay focused and remember that every second counts.

Carpenter]]> 2016-10-24 20:06:00 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132845587 Complaining about my job as a teacher is similar to the song made famous by the eagles "Hotel California" in two ways:  First, there will always be complaining ("Any time of year, you can find it here")   https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132850535 Second, Complaining may feel good at the time, but it doesn't make the job any easier (" You can check out any time you like/but you can never leave.")

Focusing on students first can help maintain a positive attitude about my role as the teacher because it helps broaden the vision and keeps everything in perspective.

Hester]]> 2016-10-24 20:28:30 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132850535 Focusing on students mhknight https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132853678 2016-10-24 20:46:37 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132853678 Focusing on students first helps us keep a positive attitude and maintain habits that support our best work. Negativity is like Hotel California because it is always here at all times of the year mhknight https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132854021 Mary Knight

]]> 2016-10-24 20:48:08 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132854021 Eye on the prize bthornton2 https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132880436 It's a decision that has to be made daily, to focus on why I chose education. I realize that teaching matters and teaching is hard because it matters every day. That's a heavy load. Some days I do better than others with what I choose to focus on. Britaney Thornton]]> 2016-10-25 00:52:29 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132880436 The complainers will do it year-round! Once you join this club, you can never leave! "Welcome to the Hotel California...."  We as teachers make decisions every single day, and that gets hard. When we focus on the students and put them first, and not ourselves, we know that we will make the best decisions every day.  jtravis5 https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132886816 Travis]]> 2016-10-25 01:46:15 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132886816 There's plenty of room at the Hotel California... There are always complainers but there should be more encouragers. Attitudes are contagious and good ones should be spread. Complaining does no good. Making the most of everyday and turning the negative into the positive helps you, your students, and your peers. https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132991826 Donna Courtney]]> 2016-10-25 13:30:38 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/132991826 ktempleton3 https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/133154183
In reference to the song The Hotel California, it has a verse that says this could be Heaven or Hell. We can make this a good place to be or one that is not good. Our attitudes have a lot to do with the environment we create around us. Sometimes it's hard to stay positive when we narrow our vision to the just our classroom or the just this school. We need to broaden our out-look and see the big picture. We are naturally social and want to express our feelings, but that's not always the appropriate thing to do. If we want to make a difference, we have to be professional and do what's best for the kids. 
Templeton]]> 2016-10-25 19:35:14 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/133154183 Any time of year/you can find it here-complaining, it's just wasted energy.  Focus on our kids instead. https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/133766034
Parmer]]> 2016-10-27 20:23:37 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/133766034 I agree with Templeton's remark about the other lyrics in the song that state "this can be heaven or this can be hell". Your environment is what you make it. Complaining may let off some steam but to improve your situation takes action, being positive  and  having a good attitude. We are here to do our job. We are here to put the students first always! csherrod https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/134105636 2016-10-30 20:35:37 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/134105636 Hotel California is a place where a little taste becomes an addiction.  Complaining may allow a little steam letting but becomes a bad attitude that is contagious and becomes epidemic.  Making the effort to bring positivity to daily struggles and frustrations can become a daily blessing to yourself and those you share this space with. https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/134221471 Stubblefield]]> 2016-10-31 13:57:08 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/134221471 Pre-K thelton https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/134768732 Once you go down that path of negativity it is very hard to get off of it. Negativity breeds more negativity. Putting our focus on the students helps us to remember the real reason we teach, making a difference for our students.

]]> 2016-11-02 13:45:39 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/134768732 Vicious cycle snewgaard https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/135087484 Staying in a negative, complaining space just breeds more of the same. It become a habit and pretty soon, you attract only complainers. You will be stuck in the vicious cycle.

By focusing on students first, you are maintaining your moral obligation to your job and the welfare of the child. Your decisions will be based on what is best for the student and not any other factor.

Newgaard


]]> 2016-11-03 14:14:36 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/135087484 Focus cbyrd7 https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/135477751 Keep your eyes on the students as a first priority. Teachers try to keep it student focused and hitting this target can be hard. The great educators take into consideration the larger vision and see the effects of each decision made. They also, question and ask, "is this the best thing for my students?" This focus can help shift the thinking from negative to what is best for students. 

C. Byrd]]> 2016-11-04 18:19:38 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/135477751 Being negative becomes a habit that is hard to break. The students are who we should keep our focus on. swlambert https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/135507032 Lambert]]> 2016-11-04 20:27:38 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/135507032 https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/135845720 You can complain but remember why you are a teacher! For your students. 

]]> 2016-11-07 16:53:24 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/135845720 Complaining does not change anything and it gives a negative atmosphere to everyone around you. gdanzey https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/137566141 Focusing on the students first reminds me what my job is all about.  I need to remember my job is to be a positive influence in the lives of my students.  I need to show my best in everything I do so my students will also want to strive for their best.

Danzey]]> 2016-11-14 21:53:09 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/137566141 Complaining doesn't make the job easier. Being negative only makes the job harder. What ever we put out will come back to us. Positive brings positive, negative brings negative!!! cacreel https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/137896501 Creel]]> 2016-11-15 20:05:02 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/137896501 Complaining about your job can be compared to the Eagles' song "Hotel California" in many ways. The song states, "Any time of the year, you can find it hear." This is much like the negativity and complaining that floats around a school building. There is always someone willing to listen and contribute. Once you've begun to contribute to the negativity, it's difficult to leave it behind. Just like the song says, "You can check out at any time you like, but you can never leave." tdubose https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/138515885 When times get tough and the job gets rough, remembering the reason for our being here makes it all worth while.
T. DuBose

]]> 2016-11-17 18:35:25 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/138515885 thampton2 https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/140989517 Don't wa]]> 2016-11-30 23:35:00 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/140989517 thampton2 https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/140999724 Stay away from complainers and negativity. Once started, it is a hard habit to break. ]]> 2016-12-01 01:56:52 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/140999724 Don't join in with the complaining. It makes things worse than they actually are. Put the focus on the children and work on making a difference in their lives. thampton2 https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/141261387 Hampton]]> 2016-12-01 20:55:32 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/141261387 Great teachers make it a point to put students first. They make decisions with students in mind and avoid the temptation to complain and socialize. https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/144998883 J. Parham

]]> 2017-01-02 19:41:25 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/144998883 IN Chapter 8, he uses the analogy that like in the song lyric, he refers to complaining , Anytime or year /you can find it here, another he quoted was You can check out anytime you like but you can never leave, which I think refers to detacting yourself from your class and responsibility. https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/157818460 When teachers focus on students  it puts everything in perspective and it will keep you positive.
Kemp]]> 2017-03-05 05:22:54 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/157818460 Don't remember lyrics very well, but complaining is like an infectious disease... spreads very easily and quickly. Also like a bad habit...easy to start and hard to stop. I think the key is to stay focused on what you can change...not what you cannot. That in itself helps to curb the appetite for complaining. It's all about what's best for the kids anyway. https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/158467341 M. Slay]]> 2017-03-07 19:14:06 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/158467341 hhmorgan123 https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/160312642 The song states that "you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave". This is true of leaving negativity. It also says "any time of year, you can find it here". This is often true of complaining in the workplace.
Focusing on the students can help you maintain a positive attitude because it will remind you of what truly matters. We can't control what these students come from or go home to, but we can make their school days positive, uplifting, and exciting. 
Morgan]]> 2017-03-15 16:49:35 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/160312642 Complaining will not help, but a positive attitude will. We have to remember we are here for the children! Blair dsblair https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/160330714 2017-03-15 17:44:00 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/160330714 Complaining doesn't help anyone. Focus on the things you can control. daviskristy436 https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/160608603 Davis]]> 2017-03-16 17:22:30 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/160608603 anaugle1 https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/160668149 Negativity does nothing. It creates unnecessary drama and exerts energy that could be better used in creating a wonderful and postive classrrom environment for our students ( which are our top prioroty).

Amanda Naugle]]> 2017-03-16 21:40:50 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/160668149 Stay away from complaining and negativity. The focus should be on the students and creating a positive environment. https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/160793158 J. James]]> 2017-03-17 13:46:51 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/160793158 We must put students first. If we complain, they hear us. Complaining doesn't help anyone. We need to create a positive environment for our students. Stay away from negative people. Once complaining starts you most likely will join. https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/160793248 E. Summersell]]> 2017-03-17 13:47:11 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/160793248 Focus on students first, keep your vision broad, and resist the temptation to socialize! Teaching is hard, but teaching matters every day, and does make a difference! Don't complain, it doesn't help. Create a positive environment. https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/160953946 Linzey]]> 2017-03-18 20:51:40 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/160953946 Negativity does nothing. It is important to keep a positive attitude and environment. Our focus is the students and we must maintain a positive attitude and learning environment in order for them to achieve their best. https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/165213477 C. Green]]> 2017-04-06 17:22:56 UTC https://padlet.com/sdickinson2/dgtzzj5mcnfr/wish/165213477