T.G.I.F. Newsletter - Inquiry Pizza, Social Media, and Double the Stress

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Hello Friends and T.G.I.F. 😁 Here are some things I thought were worth sharing this week. Also, a big welcome to our newest members 👋. I'm happy you joined us.

The News

Here are some articles that grabbed my attention.

• Are students ready for an "inquiry pizza"? This article explores what happens when students steer assessment. I particularly like the analogy at the end where assessment is compared to teaching a child how to ride a bike. Usually, a parent is generous in their use of reinforcement phrases. The assessment process should be full of these phrases too.
• Social media use is a controversial topic in schools. The dangers of its use have led many schools and parents to ban its usage. Here is the counter-argument. I think many of the concerns regarding social media are valid. My children both had to wait until they were 13 in order to use any form of social media. I do think, at some, we have to teach children how to use social media for all of the positives it has to offer.
• I was fortunate enough to have two excellent mentor teachers when I started 23 years ago. This Twitter thread from Edutopia explores what makes an outstanding mentor teacher. There are some great replies in the "reply" area. Every new teacher deserves an excellent mentor teacher.

Growth

Personal Development and Wellness Resources

• I'm not ready for retirement yet, but this headline grabbed my attention - A 67-year-old who "un-retired shares the biggest retirement challenge "that no one talks about". You'll find the results of a survey completed by 15,000 retirees over the age of 60 who responded to one question: "What is your single biggest challenge in retirement?". I can see the benefit of thinking it through before taking the plunge.
• Teachers have double the stress of the average American worker. At the end of the article, there is some advice on how teachers can make the most of their summer break.
• How can being healthy save your money? Here are 14 ways.

Inspiration

Here is a quote I’ve been revisiting this week:

“Often, the journey to greatness begins the moment our preferences for comfort and certainty are overruled by a greater purpose that requires challenge and contribution.” -High-Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard*

Favorite Things

• 💪 Epic Adventures - When was the last time you did something that scared the "crap" out of you? What adventure would you choose for yourself? I enjoyed this video.

• 🥾 Hiking - We are about a month away from our hiking trip to the Porcupine Mountains. Not only do I enjoy the preparation like organizing gear, ordering food (my wife is the food magician), shopping for new gear, and trying to get in shape just as must as the hike itself. This year I have my eye on a new stove - the Jetboil Minimo*. I'm excited about the upgrade.
• 🔥 Gadgets - Here are some of my gadget and gift picks for the summer. It includes items that contribute to relaxation and reflection.

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