Neila A. Connors - If You Don't Feed the Students, They Starve

1 COVER

2 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I further acknowledge the following people who have inspired, loved, and supported me throughout this adventure: My dearest friends who all pushed me along to complete this project and birth this baby:Dr. John Lounsbury – my friend, my mentor, my hero.Dr. James and Debbie Crosier – always my biggest cheerleaders and amazing friends.Jeanette Phillips – my “sister” who puts up with my right-brained lifestyle as she lives her left-brained and one of the most student-oriented, remarkable principals I ever worked with.Dr. Martinrex Kedziora – who also continuously asked how much I had completed and when would it be published and for being the Superintendent Extraordinaire at the Moreno Unified School District.Judy Sanders Enright – the most organized person I ever knew, who brings out the best in everyone and gets things done.Dr. Glady Van Harpen – even though she lives in the coldest part of our country, she is the warmest and kindest person in the world.Dr. Richard Ramsey – who is always checking on me and bringing me back to reality – thanks, Rev.Kathy Shewey – the most caring listener, who is always there for anyone who needs a shoulder or a room for the night.Cathy Egley – one of the best principals I have ever worked with, who loves students and gives her “all” in everything she does. My St. Leo College/University divas/besties. We met in 1971 fresh out of high school and are still in touch and acting like we are still in college:Patty Kinney DaileyAnna FarrellJanelle Buck WalkleyJoan D. Petrie My Thomasville City Schools, Thomasville, Georgia, team. You are remarkable and make my day every day. Thank you:My students – I LOVE EACH and EVERY ONE OF YOU.Mrs. Gwen Scott-MorrowMrs. Tina McBrideMrs. Carla DuBoseMr. Neal FordMrs. Katie McCloudMrs. Kimsey HodgeDr. Tret WitherspoonMrs. Pam CloudMr. Espy My Thomas University, Thomasville, Georgia, colleagues who gave me the opportunity to get back into the classroom through the GEAR UP program:Ms. Melanie MartinMr. Leon SmithMr. Kendrick DuncanMs. Vera ClarkMr. Deandre RobinsonMrs. Teresa Treat And last but not least, to Bradley Craig Buysse, my best friend, partner, and soul mate, who put up with chaos and a total mass of papers everywhere as I wrote, who supported my efforts, and blissfully cheered my completion. Love you!

3 ABOUT THE AUTHOR ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Neila A. Connors is the founder and president of N.A.C. (Networking And Client) CONNECTIONS INC., a corporation dedicated to the implementation of positive attitudes and actions in people. Her primary focus is to coach people on how to “build their own bridge for a successful life.” Her philosophy is based on Napoleon Hill's quote: “If you can conceive it and believe it, you can achieve it.” Presently, Neila works for Thomasville University in Thomasville, Georgia, as a site coordinator for the GEAR UP program, which places her in MacIntyre Park Middle School teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th grade math. She loves being in the classroom. Throughout her career, Neila has had the privilege of working with students in grades K–12. She has been an elementary teacher, a middle school teacher, and an administrator. She also was an online adjunct professor online at Florida State University for four years. Previously, Neila worked at the Florida Department of Education, responsible for coordinating the development of the middle and high school state curriculum frameworks, working with high school teachers and administrators throughout the state. She also was the director of Middle Grades and later was responsible for the state International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement programs. She also served as a tenured professor in the Department of Middle and Secondary Education at Valdosta State University, Valdosta, Georgia. Her research has been in the areas of teacher advisory programs, successful counselors, attitudes of students from rural areas, positive teachers and their characteristics, and homework. Among her most notable publications are S.O.S. (Success-Oriented Strategies) for Teachers of At-Risk Early Adolescents: P.S. – All Early Adolescents Are at Risk! and Homework: A New Direction . Her most recent publication, If You Don ' t Feed the Teachers, They Eat the Students , a guide for all educators, has received many enthusiastic reviews. Neila has written numerous articles. She has presented to public and private school educators, school boards, superintendents, state and national organizations, parents, counselors, international school educators, and corporations in the 50 states, Canada, and Europe. Born in Lenox Dale, Massachusetts, Neila received her bachelor's degree from St. Leo College in Florida and her master's and doctorate degrees from Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida. She is proud to be a die-hard Florida State Seminole and introduces herself as A BELIEVER IN PEOPLE AND A LOVER OF LIFE!

4 PREFACE

5 INTRODUCTION My Style What Do You Expect from a Five-Star Restaurant, and How Does That Translate to a Five-Star School?

6 CHAPTER 1: “Welcome!”: A Courteous Greeting, and Everyone Is Valued Dignity Respect Relationships Care and Compassion Wellness Everyone Must Feel Valued F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought

7 CHAPTER 2: Ambiance: A Positive Climate and Culture Climate Culture F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought

8 CHAPTER 3: Safety: Physical, Emotional, Social, and Intellectual A Safe and Secure Environment Five-Star Schools Have Goals Physical Safety Social Safety Emotional Safety Intellectual Safety F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought

9 CHAPTER 4: Menu: A Variety of Options Based on Our Needs Building Positive Relationships Seize the Day Relevance F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought

10 CHAPTER 5: “This Way, Please”: An Effective Leader and Vision Vision Mission Values When Life Gives You Lemons, Become a L.E.M.O.N.A.D.E. Leader F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought

11 CHAPTER 6: “I'll Be Your Server”: A Team of Caring and Trained Adults F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought

12 CHAPTER 7: Communication: Succinct, Effective, and Ongoing Speaking Listening Reading and Writing F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought

13 CHAPTER 8: Satisfaction: We Left F.E.D. and Eager to Return Fulfilled Energized De-Stressed F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought

14 CHAPTER 9: Comment Card: The Opportunity to Provide Feedback Skills for Learning T.I.P.S.: Techniques Improving the Performance of Staff and Students F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought

15 CHAPTER 10: Fun: An Environment That Everyone Enjoys F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought

16 CHAPTER 11: “Check, Please”: Reflection Shows the Experience Was Worth It F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought

17 END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT

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2 Table of Contents

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