Strengths

Today, I would like to write a bit about strengths and using them to excel at what we do.

On January 8, Guernsey-Sunrise teachers will participate in a staff development opportunity on using strengths to get better and helping students succeed by using strengths. All staff has taken the StrengthsFinder assessment from Gallup to determine their top five signature themes. Knowing these themes, each individual can then work to develop them into strengths.

I have found that by focusing on strengths and managing "non-talents," we become better at what we do. Even in areas of non-talent, I have found that focusing on a strength to work in the non-talent area helps me to perform better in that non-talent area. For example, a non-organized person (or a person without Discipline as a theme) might use one of their other strengths to become better organized. For instance, I've got competition as a theme. Persons with Competition as a theme tend to compare themselves to others and have a desire to win.
By putting themselves in a competition, whether real or imagined, to have the best organized system, those persons have managed a non-talent and gotten something done that might otherwise not have been done.

Everyone has strengths. If we look positively at each person as having those individual talents and strengths, and accept the fact that each person is unique, more and better work gets done. Parents and teachers can help their students excel in their strength areas and learn to help them manage their non-talents. As we continue to look for ways to increase the success of our students and staff, we will expand on the idea of working with strengths and include students in the discussion.

Gratitude

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of all virtues, but the parent of all others." -Cicero

In the spirit of the holidays, beginning with Thanksgiving, I would like to take the time to express my gratitude for the many opportunities I have been given. Getting to work with the wonderful staff and students in the Guernsey-Sunrise school district has definitely been a blessing for me.

As I have stated in my first post, I would like to welcome any and all comments. In an article I wrote for the Guernsey-Gazette, I stressed the importance of open, honest, and respectful communication. As a life-long learner, I believe we only grow and get better with interactions among persons, both those who have similar viewpoints and those who oppose our perspectives. The ability to critically look at our opinions, beliefs, and values allows us to continue to search for those that truly reflect a better world.

Once again, I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to continuing the discussion that will lead to excellent student achievement.

Starting out

This is the first post in what I hope is a continuing dialogue between Guernsey-Sunrise schools and patrons of the district. It is our wish to maintain a site that allows input into issues that affect the school and community, and, at times, the world around us. I hope you enjoy the posts and look forward to hearing from you.
Dave