What is your impact?

A friend of mine from Twitter, and Voxer, and in person once, Todd Nesloney, elementary principal from Texas, was invited to do a TEDtalk recently.  Here is the link to his TEDtalk.  The video is 15 minutes long so maybe today's not the day to watch it.  But please bookmark it so that you can watch it soon.  It will make you think about your impact as an educator.  You make an impact every day, so why not make it be a positive impact?  I think about my impact every day and hope that I am making a positive impact.  If you've seen the movie "Saving Private Ryan", the scene at the end, in the cemetery, always gets me.  Here it is.  Lots of people make an impact in that movie, but Tom Hanks' character, Captain Miller, a teacher turned soldier, shows the care and compassion he has for his unit and for saving Private Ryan.  Whether you want to believe it or not, you are a Captain Miller for a lot of our students.  They may not let you know about the impact you have had, but trust in the fact that they are thankful about your efforts, and so am I.

Calendar
Week of June 12th
I am volunteering at the US Open golf tournament at Erin Hills on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday in the evening so would be able to meet if you would like.  I will be out on Friday all day celebrating my birthday and Father's Day with Jen and Lauren at the US Open.
Week of June 19th
I will be around all week, but not necessarily at school.  If you would like to meet, just let me know.
June 24th-July 3rd
Family vacation in Virginia Beach for national dance competition.  Wish me luck!

Tweets, blogs, and quotes
"Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside themselves was superior to circumstance."- Bruce Fairchild Barton, writer, advertising executive, and politician

5 Videos That Show How Technology Can Deepen Face-To-Face Relationships (from George Couros)

Adapt to, embrace, and create meaningful change (from George Couros)

Forget Guide on the Side...Students Need a Guide on the Ride (from AJ Juliani)
@mertonint on Twitter
#mertonint on Twitter
Merton Intermediate on Facebook
Merton Intermediate on Instagram
Family smore for 6.8.17

When we started the school year, our first blog post ended with three words- Be the one!  It was inspired by Gene Wilder's character in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory".  I watched you all this year find ways to "Be the one" for our kids and for each other.  Don't forget that you have a chance to make a difference every day, so why not make it a good difference.  If you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out.  I'm around most of the summer.  Take time for yourself and your family these next couple of weeks.  They deserve to have you back full time.
Be the one for them!
Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell