1. Gave another teacher a single packet of hot chocolate mix
So we had a staff meeting away from our home schools this morning with our supervisor. He is a really wonderful person and always provides juice and donuts for us teachers. Anyway, another art teacher friend of mine does not like orange juice, apple juice, coffee, or tea - the drinks that he provides in the morning. So I brought along a single packed of hot chocolate mix to the morning meeting for her to enjoy.
2. Helped bring in coffee for my supervisor
He bought it for everyone, it was the least that I could do carrying in creamer, sugar, boxes of donuts, cups, etc.
3. Helped clean up food court area at lunch
There was a family that just upped and left their trash on the tables at the food court area at lunch time. As if the food court 'mommy' was going to come and clean it up for them. The thing that frustrated me about the scene is that they were two tables away from the trash can! Also, three other people walked by the mess - looked at it - but didn't do anything about cleaning it up. Then as I cleaned it up, another person walked by said something like the nerve of other lazy people - but kept walking.
Note - Hey society, if someone else is cleaning - you saying something is not going to assist them. Put your things down and physically help them.
4. Took care of technological items for supervisor
He was running around taking care of some other problems that he accidentally left the computer and LCD projector on at the beginning of lunch - I noticed this prior to leaving for the break and turn things off - to help him & save energy.
5. Helped another presenter pass out materials and assist with the computer as he presented
Regardless if you are presenting in front of 4, 40, 400, or 4,000 people - it is still nerve racking trying to do everything yourself. Simple items like passing out papers or setting up a computerized presentation can be handled by an assistant - this frees up the presenter to do what they were hired to do - present.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
5 Pennies - Day 114
Happy Halloween!
1. Cleaned up a Jack-o-latern activity during Sunday School Sermon from the other children.
Ok, so I am very much done with touch the 'inners' of a pumpkin for this year. This tactile dysfunctional person is having massive issues. But there was a mess to be cleaned - "Do-Dah-Do" my cleaning powers are coming in handy lately!
2. Sent Halloween e-cards to different people at work.
Who doesn't like getting a card, knowing that someone else was thinking about them?
3. Wrote a "Thank you" card to the church's grounds keeper
He set up and took down the rows of chairs for yesterdays parade. He is such a nice guy and works extremely hard. The very least that I could do was to give him a thank you card.
4. Wrote a "Happy Birthday" card to another singer from church
She celebrates her 53rd birthday! She amazes me though, doesn't look past 45! Must be all of that good music, yoga, and walking that she does. I hope that I look like her when I am her age.
5. Picked up trick/treat stuff that another child dropped at a party
So my son was invited to another Halloween party at a church that one of his friends go to. It is always a nice event because the church provides so much for the kids. Anyway, it was a "Trunk or Treat" type of thing - where you decorate the trunk of your car, park it with the trunk open in a well lit parking lot with a whole bunch of other cars, and let the kids come from car to car. It tends to be a bit safer because it is more manageable than traditional "Trick or Treating." Anyway, I noticed that there was a small 'Elvis' that must have had a hole in his bag because he was leaving a path of candy as he moved along from trunk to trunk. He would have made a better Hansel in my opinion. So, I just simply started to gather up his dropped belongings and put them in another bag. I finally caught up with him and returned his treats with a new bag. His face lit up because he thought I was giving him additional candy than what he thought that he had in his original pouch. I had to explain the story to the mother about the dropped candy. She said that I didn't have to gather and that he really didn't need any more candy. I totally agree with her on that point, looking at my son's stash on the table that will take him to Easter to complete - but still, it is Halloween. Extra candy comes with the holiday and is part of the fun!
1. Cleaned up a Jack-o-latern activity during Sunday School Sermon from the other children.
Ok, so I am very much done with touch the 'inners' of a pumpkin for this year. This tactile dysfunctional person is having massive issues. But there was a mess to be cleaned - "Do-Dah-Do" my cleaning powers are coming in handy lately!
2. Sent Halloween e-cards to different people at work.
Who doesn't like getting a card, knowing that someone else was thinking about them?
3. Wrote a "Thank you" card to the church's grounds keeper
He set up and took down the rows of chairs for yesterdays parade. He is such a nice guy and works extremely hard. The very least that I could do was to give him a thank you card.
4. Wrote a "Happy Birthday" card to another singer from church
She celebrates her 53rd birthday! She amazes me though, doesn't look past 45! Must be all of that good music, yoga, and walking that she does. I hope that I look like her when I am her age.
5. Picked up trick/treat stuff that another child dropped at a party
5 Pennies - Day 113
1. Let 2 cars go ahead of me while I was driving
They were waiting patiently for the traffic to clear - but it never really did on both sides. So when my side became clear I flagged them through.
2. Straighten up doctor's office waiting area
It is fall now, so everyone and their families are sick. The nurses are working so hard to try to get the patients seen - that the little things like magazines, books, newspapers, pamphlets, etc - well, they just land where ever. I had time before my son was called - so that is what I did. Picked up where they just didn't have time to.
3. Picked up a blanket that was dropped by a baby
The mother had her hands full with taking care of her other son that recently received shots from the doctors. I am extremely thankful that I only have one child to fully devote my attention to.
4. Sterilize the door knobs and seats of chairs in the patient room at the doctor's office
Again, it is fall and everyone is sick - where my menacing OCD problem becomes my best friend for everyone else sake.
5. Helped another husband purchase a special jewelry item for his wife for their up coming wedding anniversary.
He was so nice and thoughtful in wanting to get his wife something, I just had to first compliment him and then help him. Men - it is ok to ask for help especially from women when it comes to jewelry.
They were waiting patiently for the traffic to clear - but it never really did on both sides. So when my side became clear I flagged them through.
2. Straighten up doctor's office waiting area
It is fall now, so everyone and their families are sick. The nurses are working so hard to try to get the patients seen - that the little things like magazines, books, newspapers, pamphlets, etc - well, they just land where ever. I had time before my son was called - so that is what I did. Picked up where they just didn't have time to.
3. Picked up a blanket that was dropped by a baby
The mother had her hands full with taking care of her other son that recently received shots from the doctors. I am extremely thankful that I only have one child to fully devote my attention to.
4. Sterilize the door knobs and seats of chairs in the patient room at the doctor's office
Again, it is fall and everyone is sick - where my menacing OCD problem becomes my best friend for everyone else sake.
5. Helped another husband purchase a special jewelry item for his wife for their up coming wedding anniversary.
He was so nice and thoughtful in wanting to get his wife something, I just had to first compliment him and then help him. Men - it is ok to ask for help especially from women when it comes to jewelry.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
5 Pennies - Day 112
1. Brought in Halloween cookies for a pumpkin carving party after school
If there are any kids reading this - yes, we too adults like to carve pumpkins too. There were about 20 of us. I just wanted to add something nice to the table - other than pumpkins.
2. Gave another teacher a scented harvest candle
This particular teacher is one of my favorite math teachers. She is so down to Earth and I really like her 'dorky' little ways as she calls them. She is completely honest to the students, but is also very supportive whenever they need her. She works incredibly hard because she teaches several different sections of math, different grade levels, and different learning levels. Secretly, I hope to be like her when I grow up. Anyway, I noticed that in her room she has a bunch of different scented candles. We are not allowed to light these candles or even have 'warmers' in our classroom - but still she has a whole collection of them on her desk. I just wanted to add a harvest spice candle to the collection.
3. Helped another person carry in materials for a staff presentation
This was an easy one. Why I work out - ha!
4. Took trash out from the pumpkin carving area.
The custodians cleaned this room prior to us using it for our pumpkin carving party. I didn't want these tid bits to rot in the trash can of the art teacher's room all weekend. So I simply gathered the bags up and took them outside to the dumpster.
By the way - my pumpkin had all of these swirls carved into it. My mother never let up use stencils or 'kits' while we were growing up. We had to use our imaginations and creative skills. She was much better at this than I - but today, my pumpkin did turn out nice.
5. Helped custodians move his materials around the school
One of my favorite custodians was stuck at school by himself moving his materials around - his broom, mop, cart, bags of trash. It was easy to move his cart to where ever he was going next, while he took care of his trash. Again, the very least I could do in order to help him out.
2. Gave another teacher a scented harvest candle
This particular teacher is one of my favorite math teachers. She is so down to Earth and I really like her 'dorky' little ways as she calls them. She is completely honest to the students, but is also very supportive whenever they need her. She works incredibly hard because she teaches several different sections of math, different grade levels, and different learning levels. Secretly, I hope to be like her when I grow up. Anyway, I noticed that in her room she has a bunch of different scented candles. We are not allowed to light these candles or even have 'warmers' in our classroom - but still she has a whole collection of them on her desk. I just wanted to add a harvest spice candle to the collection.
3. Helped another person carry in materials for a staff presentation
This was an easy one. Why I work out - ha!
4. Took trash out from the pumpkin carving area.
The custodians cleaned this room prior to us using it for our pumpkin carving party. I didn't want these tid bits to rot in the trash can of the art teacher's room all weekend. So I simply gathered the bags up and took them outside to the dumpster.
By the way - my pumpkin had all of these swirls carved into it. My mother never let up use stencils or 'kits' while we were growing up. We had to use our imaginations and creative skills. She was much better at this than I - but today, my pumpkin did turn out nice.
5. Helped custodians move his materials around the school
One of my favorite custodians was stuck at school by himself moving his materials around - his broom, mop, cart, bags of trash. It was easy to move his cart to where ever he was going next, while he took care of his trash. Again, the very least I could do in order to help him out.
5 Pennies - Day 111
1. Gave another teacher some hair decorations
So in an earlier penny, I talked about how an Administrator was planning a teacher and student football game. This particular teacher is actually playing in the game and wanted to show some extra school spirit. I knew that she was either going to paint her face or dye her hair. I got her extra football ribbons to use in her hair. I saw them in a sports store, while picking some items up for myself this past weekend from the walk that I did, and instantly thought of her.
2. Cleaned up the auditorium from the previous night's parade event
Again, it was a slight mess. Just trying to keep everything organize for the music students and neat for the morning bus staff.
3. Cleaned up art magazines that were left on the floor
It is collage time in the art area again. The students and teachers get so involved with this activity that everyone loses time. It was easy to just simply bend over and pick the magazines and straighten up the shelves. Organized for everyone.
4. Put away another students band equipment so that she wouldn't be late for school
This is a really good kid that was just having an off morning. I hate that frazzle feeling. So in order to help de-stress her out and let her get to class on time, I offered to put away her color guard rifle back in the supply closet. Please understand that there is a difference between a real rifle and a color guard rifle - one you shoot with and the other you twirl. Obviously, she's a twirler.
5. Helped clean up the football field after the special activity
This activity had its ups and downs - but overall was successful for the students. There were some odds and ends to take care of before leaving the field to return back to the school. My students were already being watched by another teacher - so I helped in gathering up the bits and piece from the game. "Always leave the place better than how you received it."
6. Got water for another person who was seated at the same table as me for an evening meeting
After school and evening meetings are the worst for an educator. We are already exhausted from the day's work, but they are often necessary. This particular teacher was extremely thirsty because they too played in the football game activity. Getting them water was the very least that I could do to help.
7. Reminded another husband to tell his wife that she is beautiful everyday
So at the meeting, another teacher was starting to talk to me about how he just found out that his wife will be having their 4th child - yes, 4th! He was beaming and as excited as if it was his first one all over again. He went on and on about how much he loves his wife and how wonderful he thinks she is - mark of a very devoted and deeply loving husband. So I just simply reminded him to make sure that she knows this - how beautiful she is to him. I remember being pregnant and inwardly not feeling that pretty because outwardly I was of a very different shape.
Note: Husbands do this. Tell your wife that she is beautiful - especially when she is pregnant. And find particular things to comment on - not just a generalize statement. Wives - let your husbands do this and simply say thank you.
Wow - 7 pennies - busy day :-)
So in an earlier penny, I talked about how an Administrator was planning a teacher and student football game. This particular teacher is actually playing in the game and wanted to show some extra school spirit. I knew that she was either going to paint her face or dye her hair. I got her extra football ribbons to use in her hair. I saw them in a sports store, while picking some items up for myself this past weekend from the walk that I did, and instantly thought of her.
2. Cleaned up the auditorium from the previous night's parade event
Again, it was a slight mess. Just trying to keep everything organize for the music students and neat for the morning bus staff.
3. Cleaned up art magazines that were left on the floor
It is collage time in the art area again. The students and teachers get so involved with this activity that everyone loses time. It was easy to just simply bend over and pick the magazines and straighten up the shelves. Organized for everyone.
4. Put away another students band equipment so that she wouldn't be late for school
This is a really good kid that was just having an off morning. I hate that frazzle feeling. So in order to help de-stress her out and let her get to class on time, I offered to put away her color guard rifle back in the supply closet. Please understand that there is a difference between a real rifle and a color guard rifle - one you shoot with and the other you twirl. Obviously, she's a twirler.
5. Helped clean up the football field after the special activity
This activity had its ups and downs - but overall was successful for the students. There were some odds and ends to take care of before leaving the field to return back to the school. My students were already being watched by another teacher - so I helped in gathering up the bits and piece from the game. "Always leave the place better than how you received it."
6. Got water for another person who was seated at the same table as me for an evening meeting
After school and evening meetings are the worst for an educator. We are already exhausted from the day's work, but they are often necessary. This particular teacher was extremely thirsty because they too played in the football game activity. Getting them water was the very least that I could do to help.
7. Reminded another husband to tell his wife that she is beautiful everyday
So at the meeting, another teacher was starting to talk to me about how he just found out that his wife will be having their 4th child - yes, 4th! He was beaming and as excited as if it was his first one all over again. He went on and on about how much he loves his wife and how wonderful he thinks she is - mark of a very devoted and deeply loving husband. So I just simply reminded him to make sure that she knows this - how beautiful she is to him. I remember being pregnant and inwardly not feeling that pretty because outwardly I was of a very different shape.
Note: Husbands do this. Tell your wife that she is beautiful - especially when she is pregnant. And find particular things to comment on - not just a generalize statement. Wives - let your husbands do this and simply say thank you.
Wow - 7 pennies - busy day :-)
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
5 Pennies - Day 110
1. Gave a teacher a bookmark of her favorite Bible passage
So I have a teacher friend who asked me awhile ago about this passage from the Bible - 2 Corinthians - the one that is about "Love is patient, etc." Anyway, she said that she really likes this passage and wants to do something with it to surprise her husband for their anniversary. So I was at the Christian Bookstore the other day because a new Rob Bell book was announced and I wanted to get some more information. So as I was leaving the store, I noticed that they had a container of bookmarks and on top was this Bible passage. I thought of her instantly!
2. Cleaned up and put away materials from previous night's event
Last night was a parade - a very late night. Sorry about being grumpy. Anyway, I am only an assistant and just help out where ever needed during the actual parade. So this morning when I got to school, I was a little surprised to see the auditorium a bit disheveled. Some missed placed gloves, a hat box here and there, the chairs were in clusters as oppose to lines etc. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, however we have morning bus duty in the auditorium - so things needed to be straighten up prior to the first bus dropping off.
3. Helped another student finish his test during my planning period
There are many teachers in my building that regard their planning period as sacred time. I figure that I am always on call - whenever a student needed me. Today was the case. Even though I was tired from the previous night - this student needed me to read his test so that he could finish.
4. Stood in the middle of the walk way for another woman to pass with her small child
Drivers, please stop your vehicle to let people cross the path in front of the store. Please also be patient when a parent is walking with their child. Yes, I know that it may stall you an extra minute - but showing this respect is so crucial.
5. Gave and share my dinner with a hungry student
So teenage boys constantly eat. This particular student had a little something for dinner, but kept telling me that he was still so hungry. I believe that it was because he had basketball practice before he showed up tonight - oh, another parade - tis the season of Fall Halloween Parade. So, I shared the majority of mine with him. It was ok, I can't eat a lot and ride a bus anyway - motion sickness sometimes. Besides, he was going to be carrying a heavy drum and march - me, I was only going to walk along beside him.
So I have a teacher friend who asked me awhile ago about this passage from the Bible - 2 Corinthians - the one that is about "Love is patient, etc." Anyway, she said that she really likes this passage and wants to do something with it to surprise her husband for their anniversary. So I was at the Christian Bookstore the other day because a new Rob Bell book was announced and I wanted to get some more information. So as I was leaving the store, I noticed that they had a container of bookmarks and on top was this Bible passage. I thought of her instantly!
2. Cleaned up and put away materials from previous night's event
Last night was a parade - a very late night. Sorry about being grumpy. Anyway, I am only an assistant and just help out where ever needed during the actual parade. So this morning when I got to school, I was a little surprised to see the auditorium a bit disheveled. Some missed placed gloves, a hat box here and there, the chairs were in clusters as oppose to lines etc. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, however we have morning bus duty in the auditorium - so things needed to be straighten up prior to the first bus dropping off.
3. Helped another student finish his test during my planning period
There are many teachers in my building that regard their planning period as sacred time. I figure that I am always on call - whenever a student needed me. Today was the case. Even though I was tired from the previous night - this student needed me to read his test so that he could finish.
4. Stood in the middle of the walk way for another woman to pass with her small child
Drivers, please stop your vehicle to let people cross the path in front of the store. Please also be patient when a parent is walking with their child. Yes, I know that it may stall you an extra minute - but showing this respect is so crucial.
5. Gave and share my dinner with a hungry student
So teenage boys constantly eat. This particular student had a little something for dinner, but kept telling me that he was still so hungry. I believe that it was because he had basketball practice before he showed up tonight - oh, another parade - tis the season of Fall Halloween Parade. So, I shared the majority of mine with him. It was ok, I can't eat a lot and ride a bus anyway - motion sickness sometimes. Besides, he was going to be carrying a heavy drum and march - me, I was only going to walk along beside him.
5 Pennies - Day 109
1. Gave another staff member a "Congratulations" card
This other staff member just found out that she is going to have another grandchild later on this school year. It was really wonderful to watch her spread the news. I mean, she already has 5 other grandchildren, but she was as giddy as if it was going to be her first. Really nice to see her happy and just wanted to share my congrats with her on the exciting news!
2. Placed snack recipe cards in another teacher's mailbox to use with her students
One of the aspects of this particular teacher's job is to work with her students in a regular on going cooking unit. I over heard her talking about how she was getting tired of making the same things with the students. So when I was grocery shopping this weekend and noticed that there were some free recipe cards at the end of the baking isle - I gathered a few of them together - knowing that this would help her out. I don't know if she can use these cards verbatim, but it make bring about some yummy inspiration.
3. Wrote a thank you card to the special guest dance teacher from last week
I really owe this particular parent a lot of thanks - more than what any card could ever hold. However, I did get a card and asked all of my students to write a little message and their name. I want them to learn that showing appreciation should be automatic. I also bought a separate card and wrote about my own appreciation in her giving her time and talents to my students.
4. Bought extra candy for son's school Halloween party
We were only required to buy/bring 1 bag of candy. However, I know that there are some parents that were not able to do this for whatever reason - ran late at work, couldn't afford, didn't want to, etc. So I bought a couple of extra bags. Besides everything is going to directly to the kids. Wait - what did I just do - did I just buy extra candy that my son is going to bring home? Ugh! :-)
5. Served refreshments to other children at son's party
So I noticed that the 'cook' was having difficulty in keeping up with both serving the punch and snacks. I jumped right in and started to dish out the drinks while she just kept up with the food. It was easy to help and she was appreciative.
This other staff member just found out that she is going to have another grandchild later on this school year. It was really wonderful to watch her spread the news. I mean, she already has 5 other grandchildren, but she was as giddy as if it was going to be her first. Really nice to see her happy and just wanted to share my congrats with her on the exciting news!
2. Placed snack recipe cards in another teacher's mailbox to use with her students
One of the aspects of this particular teacher's job is to work with her students in a regular on going cooking unit. I over heard her talking about how she was getting tired of making the same things with the students. So when I was grocery shopping this weekend and noticed that there were some free recipe cards at the end of the baking isle - I gathered a few of them together - knowing that this would help her out. I don't know if she can use these cards verbatim, but it make bring about some yummy inspiration.
3. Wrote a thank you card to the special guest dance teacher from last week
I really owe this particular parent a lot of thanks - more than what any card could ever hold. However, I did get a card and asked all of my students to write a little message and their name. I want them to learn that showing appreciation should be automatic. I also bought a separate card and wrote about my own appreciation in her giving her time and talents to my students.
4. Bought extra candy for son's school Halloween party
We were only required to buy/bring 1 bag of candy. However, I know that there are some parents that were not able to do this for whatever reason - ran late at work, couldn't afford, didn't want to, etc. So I bought a couple of extra bags. Besides everything is going to directly to the kids. Wait - what did I just do - did I just buy extra candy that my son is going to bring home? Ugh! :-)
5. Served refreshments to other children at son's party
So I noticed that the 'cook' was having difficulty in keeping up with both serving the punch and snacks. I jumped right in and started to dish out the drinks while she just kept up with the food. It was easy to help and she was appreciative.
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