It’s Saturday morning and it’s quiet. Ivy was excited to see me this morning when I came downstairs. We we sat together outside for a few moments while I sipped my coffee and listened to the world. She followed me in when it was time to begin the day. It’s always quiet Saturday mornings, before the kids awake and move on to their activities.
Several weeks ago, I alluded to working on a BIG project and handing it in.
from : Quiet Saturday Mornings (9/5) ……. I reached a milestone, too, I finished a big project and I turned it in yesterday afternoon. I got the confirmation this morning. It’s too soon to write about, but I’ll report back when I receive news – keep your fingers crossed for me. Thanks.
Thank you for good wishes. I received the news yesterday morning, and I wasn’t selected. The e-mail is below.
Dear Clayton,
Thank you for applying to the 2016 Understanding Sacrifice Program. The program was highly competitive this year, with 118 teachers competing for 18 spots. The committee commented at several points as to the level of talent, dedication, and commitment on the part of the teachers who applied.
I am sorry, but your application was not selected.
I would strongly encourage you to consider applying to our Normandy Institute for 2016.
Thank you for your time and commitment to your students and schools.
Sincerely,
National History Day
I was excited to learn of the Understanding Sacrifice 2016 Program. It is an 18-month long program of study with a conference in Washington, DC in early November and a trip to visit the American cemeteries administered by the American Battle Monuments commission in Italy and southern France. Sicily-Rome American Cemetery is one of the five, it’s near Anzio beach and south southeast or Rome.
I’ve visited several three of the American cemeteries – all in northern France. If accepted, I would work with other educators and develop lessons and presentations for use in middle school classrooms So, I applied.
It was a BIG project, putting the application together took time and energy. It made me reflect on why I teach, why teaching kids is important, and why learning history is important. I even had a Tuesday’s Tune started and set aside for the announcement of my acceptance – I’ll use it, but on a later date. Certainly, I am disappointed, but it’s one bump in the road of life. I have had many disappointments in life before and I will have several more, possibly even larger, ahead.
In the larger picture, it’s a bump. In the smaller picture, I am disappointed. There will be more opportunities and perhaps I’ll apply and be chosen in the future, but, I am not going to let it get me down or change what I do for kids.
This year we will be at school on Veterans Day – the first time in my teaching career. I am excited, because it is an opportunity to help my students understand what sacrifice and service mean in the context of learning and growing. I don’t have to be in the program to do it. Last year, I created a video to share with my students and wrote a reflective post. Remembrance. This year, we’ll develop a program and lessons for the day. We’ve already begun the initial steps in the planning process.
Meanwhile, early Saturday morning has drifted into mid-morning. So, I’d better get moving and making the day count in other ways besides my writing and reflecting. W has a football game, O has a softball game, and I have chores, planning, and grading coming out of my ears – so to speak.
It’s gonna be a great day, I know it and I can feel it so I’d better jump up, jump in, and seize the day. Making the Days Count, one day at a time, one small step forward for every step back, but moving forward – all the time.
What was your last setback? Did it get you down, or move you forward?
