Dave Week 2

I may add some more to this later, but I wanted to post a few pictures from Monday's Jazz game.

Positive Thinking

You know that person that always seems to be happy? How do they always stay so positive? How is it that they can make you feel a little better, just by being around them? I don't have all of the answers to these questions, but I am very glad these people exist. I try to surround myself with as many of them as possible, because their enthusiasm  for life is infectious.

It is so easy to look for the bad in things, but why do so many of us spend the majority of our time doing just that? After a Jazz/BYU loss, people overreact like crazy. Even when we win, so many people find something to be unhappy about. In some of our jobs the only time our boss talks to us is if there is a complaint, or you need to improve at something. If you are doing your job, then you are doing what you are supposed to. Why  would you take the time to compliment, say thank you, or recognize the things others are doing?

I often wonder if I compliment my students enough. We work so hard at making sure what we are doing looks like, and sounds like it should. Then when they meet our expectations, we just say in our heads, finally, and move on without a second thought. Sometimes I think we are scared that if we interrupt it, we will ruin the moment.

I know the times I receive a sincere compliment it does much more to motivate me than when someone tries to tear me down. There is a time and a place for constructive criticism. If I'm doing something wrong I want to know so I can fix it, but how often we err on that side, and not on the positive. Last week I got a short e-mail from a parent thanking me for making this a good year for her son, and it brightened my whole day. It only took her a moment, and was a little thing, but for me, it meant a whole lot.

I was going to do two examples of how I could think about my life, and how it was going. One paragraph that was positive, and one that was negative. I wanted to show how your attitude can make the same exact thing very different. I had to stop though, because even after allowing myself to think negatively for just a moment, it got dark and depressing really fast. I can't let myself even think like that for a minute.

There is so much bad in the world, the news is full of awful things. Today was an especially hard day with the news of the shooting. However, there are SO many more great things going on out there. We can focus on the bad, and let it take over and paralyze our lives. Or we can make the best with what we've got, be grateful, and focus on the good. I can promise you that the positive one is a lot more enjoyable.

I hope that each of us will try to be that person whose infectious happiness brings joy to all of those around us. Life is never as bad as we may think. The sun will rise tomorrow, and if we learn from all of our yesterdays, we will have a lot of wonderful tomorrows.

I would like to challenge each of you to think positively today, compliment someone, and find a way you can serve and make the world a better place, even if it's just for one person. If all of us did these small simple things everyday, think of all the good we could do.

Mr. Above Average

There they were on the table, our 6th grade class yearbooks! Inside the contents were filled with all kinds of things, stories we wrote, what we did that year, but there was only one thing we were interested in, the awards!

Several weeks ago, we had all filled out who we thought was the best athlete, smartest student, class clown, etc.  I couldn’t wait to see what I was going to be, I really had no idea.  I was good at a lot of things, but what I looked forward to most, was being able to say I am the best at something!

I quickly sat down at my desk. It felt like the yearbooks were staring at me, begging to be opened.  The bell rang, we said the pledge, our teacher reminded us of the schedule for the final day, and then finally, began to pass them out.  

Why did I have to be in the back, I thought. I should have talked more this year, then I could have been in the front with all the kids that needed...a little extra attention.  Wait, I’m losing focus! One more row, two seats away, it’s here!

I flipped through the pages. Where is it? What am I the best at? How am I going to be remembered? I started at the beginning, for each category they had one boy and one girl. First on the list was Stephen and Melissa as the Class Clowns. Then Chris and Lindsay for Boy/Girl Crazy. I wasn’t smartest! Oh, that’s OK, those two were kind of nerdy. Most athletic? Nope...

All the good awards had been taken, I was beginning to worry if I had even gotten one.  Maybe they hadn’t been able to come up with anything. Do you think they had decided after all that I had no talents or special skills?  All of my worst fears were beginning to come true.

Finally, at the very end, I found my name! I was the only one not matched up with a girl, but at least I hadn’t been forgotten! I read it, David Horan -- Best All Around Student. Really? I wanted to cry, they really HADN’T been able to think of anything for me.  I don’t think I could have been more disappointed.  So I’m alright at a lot of stuff, whoopty doo!

While everyone else was winking at the guy/girl that was matched up with them, or smiling about their choice, I just wanted to sign have a great summer a few dozen times and get out of there. See you later elementary school, way to hold back one of the greatest minds of our generation! On to Jr. High, where I might finally be able to find that one special thing I could really excel at.

A little overreaction? Maybe, but sometimes a guy just wants to feel special.  You know how it is don’t you? *Spoiler* I did win an award in 8th grade, but only because a boy in my class was making fun of me, we’ll get to that later.

Dear Future 4th Grader

I had my 4th graders write letters to my future students.  They gave them tips, or information on what to expect, and to help those that might be scared. I know this is a little long, but here are some of my favorite parts from all of the letters. Each paragraph is part of a different student's letter.

Dear Future 4th Grader,

4th grade was my best school year. If you are scared a little at first that is okay. I was too but then I found out that Mr. Horan cares about us and that he is really nice and if you are good that you will get rewarded.

You are the luckiest kid in the school! Mr. Horan is the nicest teacher in the world!  The funnest thing is MATH! It is so fun! And it is really easy once you get it down.

You can earn prizes and Horan bucks. If you are good you can play a math game like buzz. If you come early or stay after school you can get help with your homework. Mr. Horan is funny and nice. Another game you can play is birthday math, it's so much fun!  Make sure you have fun!

Have a great year with Mr. Horan! He's one of the best teachers you will ever get! I have never heard him yell, not once! (If you had a teacher who yells before you'll understand how nice this is) He lets you know you are a special person.  You will have an amazing time in this classroom. You will have so much fun, so don't go home saying it was boring!

It will be a very fun and exciting year with Mr. Horan. TIPS: Don't talk to anyone when Mr. Horan is talking. Fun Things: The field trip to camp Floyd is a very long ride, but very fun, you'll love it. At the end of the year you'll be square dancing and yes you'll be dancing with a boy. Personal Experiences: When or if you get in a fight with a friend or just anyone then tell Mr. Horan as soon as possible. You'll have a wonderful year with Mr. Horan and your other classmates. It will be really fun.

Here are a couple of facts about Mr. Horan. 1. Very nice. 2. Cool. 3. Humorous. 4. Rewarding. 5. Discipline. 6. Very smart. 7. Nice Looking. 8. Likes fitness. 9. Likes Jazz. 10. Likes basketball.

You will really like being in Mr. Horans class he is a great teacher. I had a great time being in his class. Make sure you pay attention and turn in everything because it takes a long time to get them back in. I think you will have a fun time in his class because I think he makes learning fun. That's how it was for me. Tips: Don't talk, pay attention, & have a great time! U will love this year it was the BEST!

Mr. Horan loves it when he gets to work with you one-on-one when you need help. He's patient, but you have to be good or you'll lose points! You can earn "class points" by being good. Once you get 20 class points, you get a class party! Tips: Be good and you'll get opportunities! Don't be nervous, everybody makes mistakes! Don't be embarrassed to ask questions, but try to listen hard! Mr. Horan is funny, but don't think that you can shout things out and get up and dance whenever you want!

You are lucky to get Mr. Horan. You should not debate with him, he always wins. By the time you read this I will be in 5th Grade, so don't come looking for me.

If you are scared, don't be! Mr. Horan is a fun, nice teacher.  Here are some things to look forward to. First, Rendezvous. They are class stores that are really fun! Second, the field trip. You go to a place called Camp Floyd. Third, your year books, you carve things into wood!

I really hope you enjoy 4th grade.  I had so much fun with Mr. Horan this year! You are going to get to do the Utah Program, you might even get a part!

One hint is that fourth grade can get a little hard. So work as hard as you can! You will be smart I know it! Have a fun year and learn lots.

4th grade is going to be hard but fun. You get to learn a lot about science and do projects that are so cool. You'll become super smart. Rendezvous are so much fun. You get to bring things and sell them for Horan bucks and also buy things. You'll do so much new things that you can't do in lower grades. P.S. You have reading buddies!

Try not to be shy at the beginning of the school year. Find some new friends! Do NOT do BAD things in class try to be good. You can do what you want at recess, til then be good in class. P.S. do what Mr. Horan says. Be nice and U R AWESOME!

I moved here in the middle of the school year and I was very scared because I didn't know if I would make any friends, and because I did not know who my teacher was or if he would be nice. But Mr. Horan is a great teacher. You get to do lots of fun things, one of my favorites was when we made pictures and burned them on wood. You will have a great school year Mr. Horan is a great, nice and awesome teacher.

I am going to tell you about Mr. Horan and things about this class. If you are scared about 4th grade, don't be. 4th grade is fun and I loved it. If you have never had a boy teacher before and you are scared about that, don't be. I was but I shouldn't have been. Mr. Horan is the BEST! You should look forward to the school year! I AM SO GLAD I HAD MR. HORAN!