Used w/ Permission through Creative Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yellow-naped_Amazon.jpg

Fear can be powerful.  As I have previously shared with classes, there are very few things I am really afraid of.  One of the things I am truly afraid of us birds – parrots, cockatiels, crows, pigeons, you name it.  I once remember going to an open air market in Venezuela where there was a photographer.  He placed a bird on my shoulder and I freaked out!  It was not a pretty sight.

So, by now you are asking yourself, “Mr. Woods, where are you going with this?”  The answer is quite simple.   Often  teachers encourage students to step outside their comfort zones.  We are famous for prodding students to do something that they don’t feel like doing.  People may not want to do something because of the fear of failure, for lack of interest, or simply because they are afraid to take a risk.  During the past two days, I faced something I fear worse than birds – the dentist!

I have two crowns on my front teeth.  One of them came off on Saturday.  I had to have it replaced – I looked like Dracula!  Knowing that I hadn’t been to the dentist since Bill Clinton was President, I went to where my old dentist’s office was and made an appointment.  Monday my two front teeth were fixed and I even made an appointment to go in today to get my teeth cleaned.  I even learned a few things!  Your mouth is a crucial area in which bacteria can enter your body.  So, I will have to do a better job with taking care of my teeth.  Secondly, I learned about oral cancer and its causes.  My dentist used a light in my mouth to see if he thought I had any form of cancer – I was clear!

My message for today is simple…..do something you are afraid of!  Even if it is uncomfortable and scares you to death!  Have a great Spring Break!!!

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what makes people give up and stop trying to pursue their dreams, continue an activity, etc. etc. I was lucky to come across this video. It reminded me that even those people we consider to be “heroes” often had failure. Thomas Edison made THOUSANDS of light bulbs before getting them to work. This video is taken from a Honda Series entitled “Failure: The Secret to Success” Watch and learn…I’ll post more of these in a few days.

Every student should watch this video — teachers too!  This young lady is what they term a “child prodigy”.  She has written her own books and now speaks to adults to teach us how you (students) can teach us a thing or two!

Have you ever had a dream?  Have you ever wondered what it would feel like if that dream came true?

Some of you may remember former Chief Tanner who transferred this year to Glades Day School.  While I had the pleasure of being his teacher in Integrated Science and Biology, I actually first met him when he was a little kid who would come to school with his father (who is a “Tribal Elder” and who has taught at SCHS almost since its opening).

About two weeks ago, Tanner came to see me in my Bio class to say hi.  After we talked about our favorite topic — football (he had to remind me that my team (USF) lost horribly to Rutgers.   He informed me that his football team was doing well and that they had a shot at going to the State Championship — if they got through Regionals first.

I am proud to report that Tanner’s team indeed WON the state finals in football and is now the STATE DIVISION IA CHAMPS FOR 2009-2010!  Imagine my surprise on Saturday when I read online that he had won!

So, I guess the message I want to leave you with is……your dreams CAN indeed come true!

PS…..I took the picture at my University’s Homecoming Game.  Perhaps Tanner will play for the AWESOME University of South Florida!  Go Bulls!