goals

by

STOP in 2015…

Happy-New-Year-2015-balloons-Heart-shapeA group of fifth grade writers meet monthly to ponder life, share ideas, and enJOY general conversation about all manner of topics.  We sat down before the holiday break to reflect on our new resolutions, one word goals, and more…our chance to start fresh, leave the past behind, and move forward in a positive way.  The interesting consensus of the group during this discussion was how a new year takes great courage, strong conviction, and a growth mindset to move forward because the best is yet to come!

During the course of our conversation, we also noted how Happy New Year 2015. 3dimportant it is to STOP doing things no longer in our best interest.  Here are a few of their thoughts to STOP in 2015:

1.  Stop telling everyone everything on social media.  Leave some things to chance and imagination.

2.  Stop comparing yourself to others and worrying about what others think.  March to your own drummer and the positive path you create.

3.  Stop focusing on self and more on others; help others and be good to each other…kindness matters! (#LoveServeCare)  🙂

4.  Stop making everything a competition in life.  Compete with your best self and not with others.  Make your choices, accept responsibly, and deal with the consequences (good and bad) of your choices.

5.  Stop being like others; own who you are, where you are, and tell YOUR story in a caring manner.  There is only one “YOUnique” you…  🙂

6.  Stop fearing failure; no one has it all figured out because nothing in life is perfect, especially on the first time.  Failures bring powerful clarity and change in the most positive way; embrace failure to find personal success.

I think they’re on to something grand as we close out 2014 and move boldly forward in 2015 at LME!  Here’s hoping you create your own STOP list as the new year begins.  Happy New Year!  🙂

by

College Day dreamin’…

You’ve heard me remind learners time and again:  “Plan your work; work your plan; autograph your work with personal excellence daily.”  Having a plan and seeing College_Aheadit through is one of those life lessons no curriculum or state assessment can ever measure.  As part of our dream for our current learners, we always take a day (or more) to talk about college, sharing specifically about the importance of strong study habits, building team with school spirit, and other interesting details about higher education (the appropriate ones, that is!).  🙂  Even now, it is our hope our learners are encouraged to begin thinking about their future plans and expectations beyond high school graduation.

I know what you’re thinking though…why talk to a 5-year-old about college?  As a mom of two daughters (MISD grads) currently in college and graduate school, I speak from personal experience when I share it’s never too early to have these conversations, let alone to financially plan for this continuing educational journey (a topic of many other possible blogs, mind you!).  As with any future goal, we want to encourage our learners to aim high in order to achieve personal excellence.  As Coach Rogers tells our learners everyday:  “We don’t expect everyone to be the best; we expect everyone to give and do their best!”  Without dreams and leaps into our imagination, we lose the excitement of possibilities.  Dreaming is, after all, a form of planning.  Learning to work the plan at a younger age teaches the discipline and responsibility needed to succeed in life.  Higher education, in all its many forms, is definitely a “ticket to dreams” and Every Day Is Game Day at LME!  🙂

by

Do you hear what we hear?

If there’s a song, a sound, or a hand signal in the air at LME on any given day, most likely these talented educators have something to do with it.  Pictured left to right are Judy Williams, Erika Allen, Delaina Wimpee, and Shanna Horton.  Not pictured are Rachel McKee and Leisa Bradley.  These experts are who I affectionately call our “speechies” because they specifically work with our PK – 5th grade learners who qualify for speech services.

Our LEAD (Language Enrichment Articulation Development) Program provides services to learners (ages 3 and 4) in a structured PK setting two days per week.  Classroom activities are specifically designed to build expressive and receptive language while working on articulation goals with each child.  These young students play games, work in centers, sing songs, and work on goals to meet their personalized plans with Mrs. Wimpee and Mrs. Horton.  As one young friend shared, “We tell LOTS of stories!” 🙂  When asked about the kinds of stories, “Well…I like to share jokes and tell scary stuff.”  🙂

Four years ago, our new campus embraced the power of sign language in a really big way.  We are fortunate to have sign interpreters, Rachel McKee and Leisa Bradley, who work directly with our learners with auditory impairments.  In fact, our students and staff work at various levels using SEE (Signed Exact English).  Through a best practices model, everyone benefits from learning basic sign language.

Emphasis in all our speech and language programs (PK-5th grades) is placed on individual learner goals worked on through highly engaging, meaningful activities.  Learners “work smart” with Mrs. Allen and Mrs. Williams to reach successful communication outcomes through various strategies and techniques implemented in each lesson.  Through specific therapy where each child is expected to reach personal best, the work is then transferred into the general educational setting and real life through regular conversation.  The process takes time, but results are noted daily.

Whether it’s songs, games, questions, or challenges, these lessons of speaking and listening provide powerful tools for students to raise their own voices.  Our therapists don’t just focus on the final destination of speech goals; they make the learning journey fun.  Here’s hoping you hear (and see) what they do!