"Watch the ball hit the bat…"
These are the words my father used with me 30 years ago and I find myself echoing these same words to my son. They are the words used to help a little leaguer learn how to properly hit a baseball and the essence behind this phrase, "watch the ball hit the bat" is focus. My dad never used the word focus since it was not a term that registered, Instead he told me to "watch the ball hit the bat"....
Words and language are important - they give us direction and let us know where we are and where we are going.
At Dade Middle School you have likely heard the following phrases used over and over again. "Get behind the W" ,"Growng forward" Just like my father's phrase these phrases have meaning and substance behind them. They are our school mottos
“Growing forward” is our teacher motto. The essence of this phrase is that as educators, we are constantly growing because we are constantly learning. We want to model for our students and parents what a life-long learner looks like. A part of being a life-long learner is realizing that mistakes will be made and though this is not fun, it is imperative to the growth process. For growth to be achieved, two elements have to exist. One - we have to be vulnerable and admit when we mess up. Two - we have to be committed to learn from our mistakes. With these two qualities present, mistakes can be embraced and growth will be accomplished.
Our student motto is “ Get behind the W”. When our students say this, they are reminding themselves of the importance of support. They are saying we are all in this together. “Get behind the W” means “I got your back”. It's a phrase that helps us all realize that the amount of success and achievement we have ultimately depends on how supportive we are of each other. That is why we ask that parents show their support of teachers and administrators. For example, if there is a disagreement, don't let your child hear you tear down an adult verbally. That does not promote growth.
“Get behind the W” means that teachers support students and students support each other. This was never more evident than at the student show case and SpringSpectacular where students felt supported in a way that allowed them to share their talents. It was so beautiful to see and hear the celebration from student to student and from teacher to student.
A big thank you to everyone who made this day so special. We truly got behind the W and grew forward!
I will close with our vision statement which is what our teacher motto and student motto point us toward.
As an educational family made up of teachers, students, & parents, Dade Middle School exists to use the power of learning and knowledge to unify and grow our community forward, to expand the horizons of our student,and to bring about cultural renewal.
These are the words my father used with me 30 years ago and I find myself echoing these same words to my son. They are the words used to help a little leaguer learn how to properly hit a baseball and the essence behind this phrase, "watch the ball hit the bat" is focus. My dad never used the word focus since it was not a term that registered, Instead he told me to "watch the ball hit the bat"....
Words and language are important - they give us direction and let us know where we are and where we are going.
At Dade Middle School you have likely heard the following phrases used over and over again. "Get behind the W" ,"Growng forward" Just like my father's phrase these phrases have meaning and substance behind them. They are our school mottos
“Growing forward” is our teacher motto. The essence of this phrase is that as educators, we are constantly growing because we are constantly learning. We want to model for our students and parents what a life-long learner looks like. A part of being a life-long learner is realizing that mistakes will be made and though this is not fun, it is imperative to the growth process. For growth to be achieved, two elements have to exist. One - we have to be vulnerable and admit when we mess up. Two - we have to be committed to learn from our mistakes. With these two qualities present, mistakes can be embraced and growth will be accomplished.
Our student motto is “ Get behind the W”. When our students say this, they are reminding themselves of the importance of support. They are saying we are all in this together. “Get behind the W” means “I got your back”. It's a phrase that helps us all realize that the amount of success and achievement we have ultimately depends on how supportive we are of each other. That is why we ask that parents show their support of teachers and administrators. For example, if there is a disagreement, don't let your child hear you tear down an adult verbally. That does not promote growth.
“Get behind the W” means that teachers support students and students support each other. This was never more evident than at the student show case and SpringSpectacular where students felt supported in a way that allowed them to share their talents. It was so beautiful to see and hear the celebration from student to student and from teacher to student.
A big thank you to everyone who made this day so special. We truly got behind the W and grew forward!
I will close with our vision statement which is what our teacher motto and student motto point us toward.
As an educational family made up of teachers, students, & parents, Dade Middle School exists to use the power of learning and knowledge to unify and grow our community forward, to expand the horizons of our student,and to bring about cultural renewal.