Ralph S. Marston, Jr.

 

 

 

ah the joys of high school pre-calculus math...

 

(if you are new to my blog- one of the hats I wear is as a teaching assistant at a suburban Winnipeg high school)

 

It’s exam time.

 

Many are reviewing...

 

Some are panicking...

 

Some are scrambling to try desperately to hand in assignments at the last minute. Work that they have avoided and now, can no longer avoid if they do not want to have to repeat courses.

 

The pressure is on...

The staff feel it, the students feel it.

 

Some are feeling so overwhelmed, they have just given up...

 

The thing about defeat is that in the short term, it is easy.

It excuses you of further obligations for now.

It relieves the burden of having to put in any more effort.

It’s the easy way out.

 

Some look for excuses to fail.

• It’s the teachers fault
• It’s my parents fault
• I'm not smart enough
• I'm too tired
• I don't have my textbook
• I don't have the time
• I lost my pen
• I don't have the energy

 

If you keep looking for reasons for something to fail, eventually you may likely to be successful in your quest to fail.

 

Anyone can justify anything to himself or herself if they want bad enough...

 

This may be a good time to think about what may be motivating you to be doing whatever you are doing.

 

Ultimately, anything of value takes effort...

 

It takes motivation, vision, persistence and patience.

 

If you want it bad enough, you can find a way.

 

Sometimes we need a little outside help...

Here at school, the teachers are willing to assist before or after class. There is a resource area where students can come to get help. I can be of some help in many situations, but in some cases the students can achieve better results by seeking help with more qualified people. You can't force help down someone's throat, though.

 

Sometimes you can't make it on your own... That’s ok.

Resources are all around. Alternatives, the opportunities for success are available to who ever chooses to seek them out.

 

The successful students overcome their obstacles. They contend with distractions. They hang in there even when they may be feeling lost. They seek extra help in their weakest areas

They learn to cope with the pressure. They may feel overwhelmed, but they find a way...

 

Sometimes it's just bad timing...

Too many challenges conspire to interfere with success.

So- perhaps the thing that is being trying to be accomplished may seem temporarily out of reach. It’s not a must give up- put it aside for now and come back to it. Some students find success a little later in their lives- when the conditions for achievement are more favourable. It doesn't mean giving up on dreams, but perhaps spending a little more time preparing to achieve them later. Sometimes students have to first groom other skills to set the stage for their success...

 

In a way, it's easy for me to talk about these things. I am strong, healthy, focussed and fairly together...

I have experience and maturity to give me confidence.

 

Some of these students have a lot on their plates...

Abuse, pressures, changes, their unknown future, insecurities, health issues... Currently, I am without many challenges and pressures. One advantage this gives me is strength; another may be a more balanced perspective- one of vision, patience

and the persistence needed to overcome great obstacles. In the past, I have had challenges. They have helped make me who I am today. I know I will have other challenges ahead. My past has prepared me well for my future...

 

Knowing what things are worth fighting for allows us to stay focussed on the bigger picture...

 

None of us have unlimited energy, it’s in our best interest to pick our battles.

 

Enduring the storms along the way might slow us down. They may be discouraging and draining, but they don't last forever if we plot a course to a sunnier part of the world and stay on course.

 

 

 

never give up on really important things

 

always keep hope

 

 

always hang on to the vision of important successes

 

keep your eyes on the prize

 

: )

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ralph S. Marston, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ralph S. Marston, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ralph S. Marston, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ralph S. Marston, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ralph S. Marston, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ralph S. Marston, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peer tutoring is a term that refers to someone assisting someone else they work with. It may be a colleague or a classmate, or a friend.

 

At the high school I work at as a paraprofessional, I often see students helping each other in various situations.

 

Some students just look for answers. There will always be those looking for quick and dirty solutions, people who look for the easiest way to get things done (unfortunately, this can often be very short-sighted).

 

 

 

“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today.  Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime”—Author unknown

 

 

 

Empowering someone with the tools to succeed is a lot different than just letting them copy the answers from someone who's done the work.

 

Peer tutors can often be more effective partially because of age. Often, someone closer to your own age can communicate easier with you in ways.

 

Some are not comfortable in seeking help. Perhaps they do not want to appear weak. Maybe pride gets in the way. Certain people can be too shy. Overcoming these initial obstacles can often be a bigger challenge than the task it self.

 

 

 

Collaboration shows us the power of teamwork.
Teachers are all around us.
Often, when we need help,
all we have to do is ask for it.

 

 

 

 

: )

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the past 3 days there has been a substitute teacher in one of the math classes I am in. That must be one of the hardest jobs around.

 

They often do not have the respect of the students, much of the time the material they are trying to do with the students they may not be familiar with.

 

Tough gig.

 

This particular sub was a shusher. With one class, I counted... She went shh 54 times (in a 65 minute long class). Do you think that near the end of class her shushes were effective?     Ack.

 

After 3 days of this (twice a day), I'm looking forward to the return of the regular teacher.

 

 

 

 

Taking initiative

 

 

With the sub watching the class, it's interesting to watch how the students problem solve without the regular math teacher in the room to help.

 

Just because there's a sub, doesn't mean there isn't work to do.

 

Some cheat, and copy a classmates finished work. Some give up and shut down. Some plow through with a little encouragement, and some get together with others to try and find solutions.

 

 

 

Young adults have a lot on their plates. They are at an age where expectations of them are greater. They are trying to adjust to how they might relate to the world as an adult, and they are finding out how well they cope with many new challenges.

 

In some ways they have advantages over us older folk too. They can be more open minded, and better equipped to deal with many of the things thrown their way.

 

Often I can see myself in some of these students. I remember the awkwardness and insecurities.

 

Growing pains often stay with us through our lives. They colour our personalities. We remember the people who helped us and the ones who hurt us.

 

 

We learn lessons along the way (some of them, hard ones).

 

 

Sometimes we may see a person as 'disruptive' and 'trouble'.
Odds are pretty good, there's a reason.

 

What we don't see is their home life. We don't see how much sleep thy are getting, what they are eating (or smoking). We don't have the full picture, and only see the tip of the iceberg.

 

I sometimes wish I could get a glimpse of why they are the way they are.

 

We are all products of a variety of influences. Parents, friends, the media, our own body chemistry- all contribute to who we become.

 

Along the way when we get the right kind of encouragement at the right time, we have the opportunity for growth.

 

By the time they arrive at high school, most young adults know that they are responsible for their own success. For most of them, lessons learned along the way have hopefully helped to equip them with the tools they need to persevere.

 

Successes and failures help to shape our self-esteem. Our confidence grows or falters, depending on our experiences and how we have reacted to them.

 

Most of us have differing advantages and disadvantages. Each of us are skilled at some things, and not so skilled at others.

 

Potential is often all around us. The resources available to us are usually only limited by our own perceptions.

 

Sometimes life can seem unfair, and often we can grow through pain and struggles.

 

People who take initiative, who attempt to utilize possible alternate avenues of success will have a greater opportunity to accomplish more.

 

Certain situations lend themselves to mentoring. Being able to acquire assistance from people around us can be an effective choice.

 

For many of us, fear is our biggest enemy.
Fear of failure.
Fear of ridicule.
Fear of change. 
Fear of rejection.

 

We all have obstacles, distractions and temptations
to overcome along the way.

Some, more than others, and for them
the rewards are often more cherished.

It’s not rocket science…  effort = results

 

In the end, the bottom line is - we usually get what we deserve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude. Excellence comes not from education, money, ability or connections alone. It comes from a commitment to do the very best with whatever you have available.

 

Excellence is very valuable, and it is open to anyone who commits to follow it. Excellence is always in demand, in any field of endeavor, in any economic climate, in any set of circumstances.

 

Excellence comes from thoroughness, from attending to the necessary details while staying clearly focused on the purpose. Excellence comes from a sincere desire to make a positive difference.

 

No matter what the task, if it is followed through with excellence people will take notice. The effort you put into creating excellence will be effort wisely invested. Everyone has the opportunity to produce excellence in their own way, and it is an opportunity that anyone would do well to capitalize on.

   

 

Ralph S. Marston, Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Empower yourself.

 

 

 

Need to improve how well you are received?
Want to be a more effective communicator?

 

Through out the day remind yourself to be friendly and cheerful. Concentrate on being helpful and supportive. Focus on being positive and open.

 

Being approachable and non-threatening can help you accomplish good things.

 

 

 

Tweak your attitude during your day. You can avoid unnecessary stress and enjoy happier days when you say it with a smile.

 

 

 

Want to improve some other part of yourself? Focus on it.
Use self affirmations to help you achieve great things.

 

 

It can be easy to get caught up in the rush rush events of the day and forget about goals that can help you do what you do better.

 

 

Remind yourself every once in a while about how you can be more effective.

 

You’ll be making your own life easier…

 

 

: )

 

 

 

 

 

I couldn’t resist.

 

 

 

After work today, I came home, changed and went for a bike ride. The weather is nice, and I wasn’t as tired (or hungry) as I have normally been when I arrived home. The autumn leaves were calling my name…

 

I loved feeling the crunch of the crisp brown leaves as I cruised through the streets. Today’s journey was 20 km. (I have put over 300 km on my new bike since getting it a few weeks ago.)

 

I headed downtown. There is a park that I haven’t visited this year yet, so I took a cruise through it. The park lies where The Red River meets The Seine River here in Winnipeg. This little chunk of trails, paths and fields is tucked away in St. Boniface and is called Lagimodiere Gaboury Park. It’s a nice walk, jog or bike ride.

 

I zipped through St. Boniface and was about to head toward The Forks, when I noticed that I could also go straight, underneath a bridge. I had never explored this route before.

 

“Where does this go?” I asked myself, and decided to check it out.

 

Well.

 

I discovered a whole new part of the city I had never ridden through. It was a trip down Lyndale Drive that followed the Red River South.

 

What a lovely ride…

 

I am so glad I decided to choose a different way to go for a change.

 

I could have gone down the route I know, the route I am familiar with.

 

 

When you decide to explore new paths,
you can discover some wonderful new places…

 

 

: )

 

 

'success lies not in being the best
but in doing your best'