WOW - that was a really different summer. . .This is my 31st year of teaching. My teaching career got its start in Big Stone City as the 6th grade teacher in 1990. I am currently beginning my 26th year here at James Knoll Elementary in the Fifth Grade. With experience comes change/changes and challenges that seem to hand-in-hand with change. I have seen a lot of changes in my world and in my 5th grade classroom world. We are in a very different world compared to several decades ago when I was a 5th grade student. Time seems to just keep on moving (and each summer & year seems to go a little faster). Some changes/challenges aren't always expected or wanted - losing a loved one, a pet, or changes in people around you in other classrooms, the COVID-19 issues, etc. I guess it's up to each one of us as to how we deal w/ change(s) & challenge(s)--these are inevitable, but we have a choice about our reactions or attitudes.
One constant point (that doesn't or shouldn't ever change) is that we as adults; teachers, parents, co-workers and even students need to take and make time to make an effort to care and show that we care about each other; we need to simply remember to BE KIND to ourselves, one another, and those that we come in contact with: both humans & our animal friends. All of us are and have to be role models; this is a very simple concept that can and will make a difference to make positive changes in our "small part" of a great big world; maybe there would be less issues with bullying.
The book "Teach Like a Pirate" by David Burgess has a lot to say about and to teachers, but I feel it can speak to each of us and its points are very useful in our regular lives. We are all teachers to a degree; as younger people-our own kids and other kids look up to us for guidance, advice, and support. In this book three of the main points that stood out to me included: (1) passion-having passion(s) & sharing them in the classroom, (2) maintaining energy in classroom lessons - ALL day! (not so easy in our world presently), (3) making connections with students and others thus leading to relationships and learning from one another. Now, with the current situation and COVID-19 masking, careful hand-washing, social distancing, etc. keeping/maintaining energy and not stressing out is very challenging-probably more challenging than anything I've ever encountered or dealt with. Passions - outside of teaching and making and taking time for these. I still enjoy several hobbies such as hunting and the outdoors, I still enjoy my collections, but not as seriously as one time years ago; as I'm not really adding to them - although one accomplishment for the summer of 2016 was getting my 1951 JD A running and restored, continued work on an International Farmall "C" (my dad's tractor with more restoration projects to come in the future), listening to music of all kinds & trying to attend concerts from time to time, and technology-more with "virtual, Zoom, and Google Meetings".
Along with spending valuable time with my family and sometimes just simply taking time for myself; this point is very important to "re-energize" and just simply be more "grounded/not always in such a rush." (I continue to find myself to be more reflective; as there are certain things that cause a memory-and-just realizing and taking time to remember/cherish the moments-no matter how small or simple they are)-"stop and smell the roses along the way." Time is probably the most wanted/needed commodity and there never seems to be enough of it.
I am married (April 27, 1991) to Carrie; she is a Regional Extension Educator working in Youth and Curriculum Development in Morris, but not in Morris at this point as she is totally remote from home via internet and virtual meetings. Carrie's career has really absorbed, lived through, taken different paths, and weathered lots of changes. As I have stated earlier change/changes are one of the few things in life that are certain - we don't always like changes and challenges that come with them, but they are inevitable and a part of our survival.
We have been graciously blessed with 3 great children of our own (two boys and a sweet, but sometimes "definitely an adolescent-teen-aged/sometimes drama" girl) and boy do kids help to educate us and keep us on our toes. Children truly are blessings, gifts from heaven, and miracles; providing us a look into the future, and hope for the future; I seriously believe that the children do provide "hope" for the future, but we (adults) have to be guides and a support system for our kids. I would also say that they are not so much "children" anymore, but young adults becoming more independent all the time.
Son number one is no longer a boy-he's a nice young man (years-wise). Sawyer-is now working at MSI (Main Street Industries in Clinton)--he turned 23 on in September 16; he is still my ultimate teacher. I have learned so much about life and how important it is for us to realize all the special "gifts" each of us possess. Many of these are taken for granted far too often. The pandemic has been the toughest on Sawyer as sometimes I feel as though due to closures and distance learning he sometimes is the odd man out as we are all busy with our own things. Thankfully we've had only a couple seizures and seizure-like episodes over the summer of 2020, but nothing too serious; just worrisome for Dad & Mom. We continue to do doctor visits for Sawyer in St. Paul - once per year at this time. We as parents will still have some tough decisions to make about Sawyer's future as it is sometimes kind of difficult to see what it may look like, but we'll do our best for him; our hopes are that he continues to be happy and has a feeling of contributing and success in whatever the future holds for him. I always think about the challenges he provides for us (his Mother & Dad & family), but when I think about them - they are really nothing compared to the challenges he has to deal with daily.
In the middle is Carly-age 15, (March 11, 2005)-the "mini-Carrie", is a Sophomore (10th grade) - WOW - this doesn't seem possible; she has completed the requirements for driving and earning her "farm permit" - driving me home every now and then. Carly still loves her sports and being very, very active. She is in BPA, band & chorus, basketball, drama-(the plays & some of the regular "life" drama of a high schooler), softball & golf. When school isn't in session Carly is active in 4-H with dog training, showing goats, working with her horse Annie and leasing a horse named Ed and showing him & riding at the Big Stone County Showcase and qualifying for the MN State Showcase in several project areas this past summer, as well as a multitude of other projects. Carly is also very excited as she now is the proud owner of Indy, a 3-year old registered Quarter horse. As far as the Olson kids she is still the "glue" that keeps them in line and together-fittingly she is the middle child and the only girl. Carly still really likes to be "girly" - dressing up in a dress/skirt from time to time, some of the "drama of life", etc.), but she still likes to do some stuff with dad - hunting, going with me on shopping runs-even special only her and Dad dates, and being a little "tom-boyish". I still love the Trace Adkins song "Just Fishin'"--as this relates to taking his daughter fishing and how the activity isn't just that; but it's life and memories. These are so precious and important as we (the parents and our kids) get older. Change is still happening - it seems to happen faster and faster as each child gets older.
Finally, Kirby (Sept. 27, 2007); he truly is a "mini-me"--only blonde at least that's what I hear a lot and now I definitely see this more & more. Kirby is energy in motion and definitely "learn by doing and experiencing." He's a 12 yr. old-(soon to be 13) seventh grader in school this year. Kirby still wants to be a professional baseball player for the MN Twins. He still loves to compete in sports of all kinds, riding bike, hunting, trap shooting & fishing, and wanting to drive other motorized vehicles. Kirby will forever keep all things very interesting and always with his very own unique personal touch added. There are moments when I can only smile and shake my head about Kirby--he keeps us on our toes, but he too is growing up and changes are happening and more on the way every day. I can't wait to watch his future become the present, but it sure would be nice to be able to pull back on the reins and slow time down just a little.
Education is in constant change mode; just like everything else today. I still love most of the challenges and learning. It is a goal of mine to learn something new each and everyday. Making connections with students, parents, and others is very essential and important in life. Due to COVID-19 and the pandemic our connections may feel and be a little different as we use "virtual" meetings, communicate more and more with the Internet, etc. With all the negative issues around the world sometimes it's hard to stay up-beat and positive, but through these connections to our students/young people and seeing them experience success it is much easier. We have to remember that we are in school to learn and learn from many sources--from technology, books, presentations, "old-fashioned" school-work, but most importantly from each other--human being(s) to human being(s); by building relationships and making these essential and important connections. We may not always like each other, but we have to learn to tolerate and appreciate each other; and be KIND. We have to keep our little part of the world positive and look out for each other--be aware of "BULLYING" and end it -- both as a possible bully and a bystander.
I still feel very blessed in so many ways--number one is family--now to me this is the people I just described, but "family" is so much more. . .It encompasses an extended number of people--friends, co-workers, students, really anyone who I have a connection with - maybe we as a society need to explore this idea; taking time to treat each other better, with respect, listening to each other-communicating, and simply BE KIND, etc. Maybe there would be less violence, scary things in the world, shootings, war, bullying, etc. I guess we have to start somewhere-even if it's only in very small part of the world. I have stated many times that I'm doing a "dream" job - yes there are times I get caught up in negativity, but it's a "dream" job because I'm living in an area that I want to and most days I wake up excited to learn and teach - make connections; establish & nurture relationships, and build for the future. Let's make 2020 - '21 the BEST we can!
Again, being a parent, sometimes coach, and a teacher and involved in education - there is sometimes a feeling of some gloominess, but I see "HOPE" for our future in our kids and I'll restate it - we ALL have a job to do (as parents, coaches, friends, family, and community members, etc.) - we have to help to "guide" our young people to be & become the BEST they can be and we are role models; just as 5th graders are to the younger "kiddos". We ALL have to take time to realize some of our actions, choices will and do greatly effect the future and our young people. Take time to be KIND to one another.
Our 5th grade theme this year is as follows: "The Adventure BEGINS. . .and 5th Graders-- You CAN move MOUNTAINS!" We will get through this: we have to have HOPE & BELIEVE, in the end we will be BETTER, STRONGER, and KINDER. We are James Knoll Elementary & TROJAN STRONG! ! !
Mr. Olson-Rm. E108 - 5th Grade
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