Geriatrics and Anger Management

Colleagues,
I am presently dealing with the care of my 97 year old father. I recently placed him in a skilled nursing facility and he is extremely upset with me. I have in his words " took over his life, stole his money, keep him from going places he wants to go and I am not the daughter he thought I was." I take quite a bit of this verbal harassment but eventually I blow up and react to his assessment of the situation. I physically was not able to care for him in his home or mine. I do not feel guilty about the placement but about losing control of my anger and reacting to his.

Comments or suggestions anyone?

Busy! Busy! Busy!

It has been a while since I have written anything. I have been busy. My boyfriend made his transition in September and I have been grieving. I have been busy. My 96 year old father has been in the hospital twice and has been under my care. Have I said I have been busy! Christmas Dinner was at my house but it was a great blessing. Family gathered around so that I was not so melancholy and my sons cooked the whole dinner.

My second career in coaching has taken a different turn. I am now a Mathematics Coach for an elementary school in Detroit. I am also involved in TWO comprehensive Coaching seminars. One is Cognitive Coaching (8 days)and the other is a state-mandated three day course in Coaching 101. I need a course in Time Management.

I also worked on my jewelry at the Christmas season with a dear friend and colleague and it was gratifying. Analytical thinkers also need creative balance.

Hope to share something more interesting next time.

Reviewing Completed Blogs and Wikis

I am enjoying reviewing the completed blogs and wikis from 23 Things. There were many good ideas. I was especially interested in ideas for wikis and learning podcasts. I am going to research teachertube.com since it was introduced at a WRESA inservice this week. Great opportunities to engage in teacher dialogue and collaboration on how to make the product (TEACHING) better.

School Improvement Conference

I have just returned from a three day stint at a School Improvement Conference in Lansing, Michigan. It was intensive and gratifying. The tools we received with support our work in the High Priority Schools. I enjoyed the reflection journaling and practicing different protocols. The camaraderie of the vintage people and the exuberance of the youthful people made the experience interesting and exciting. Our presentations on the School Improvement Process - Common Voice - One Plan was comprehensive and well done. The day with Dennis Sparks from National School Development Council was stimulating and thought-provoking. I hope my other colleagues attend in September.

Adult Learning

I had an experience a couple of weeks ago providing an inservice to a group of adults on Microsoft Word. I was pleased and honored that I was asked to train this group of educators. Did I have enough knowledge to meet their needs? As a teacher, I surveyed my group to assess their needs and adjusted my presentation to fit them. Knowing the group was varied in skill levels, I also attempted to hit all modalities of learning ( visual, kinesthetic, auditory). The group was excited and well-behaved for vintage personnel and WE learned a lot that day. They have already asked for another session so that was a good evaluation I believe.

Karooba Endless Educational Trivia Quiz

Adventures in Creating

I recently worked with Microsoft Publishing and Word to devise a possible template for a newsletter. I love designing these types of projects and look forward to being a part of a team of colleagues that create together. Perhaps we can find a way to work onsite in different locations. Was that with Slideshare, Delicious or Wikispaces? We learned so much in 23 things I will have to revisit my notes. It was Wikispaces. Anyway, gathering pertinent and relevant data, and then adding a little spice with photos and quotes is my idea of FUN!