Hopple's Happenings

At

Lincoln Junior High School

ATTITUDE

by

Charles Swindoll

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.  It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think, say or do.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill.  It will make or break a company... a church... a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.
And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes”   As we begin a new month, really concentrate on having and displaying a positive attitude. Remember we can’t control what students will say or how they react to our teaching, but we can control our attitudes. Let’s focus on displaying those positive attitudes this month and see if it makes our relationships with our students, peers, and parents better.

Teacher Feature:

Paula Neidlinger- You must have control of the authorship of your own destiny.  The pen that writes your life story must be held in your own hand.  ~Irene C. Kassorla

An epiphany you ask?  Yes, the realization of turning a half-century old was an atrophy in itself this past year.  However, you do tend to re-evaluate your life’s choices, accomplishments, goals, dreams, disappointments, and future endeavors.  Writing a biography wheedles us to analyze and interpret our life events and the significance of our accomplishments.  

• What makes me special or interesting?-  my love for fun, people, friends, travel, sun & surf, beaches, palm trees, flowers, antiques, shopping, technology, sports- watching and participating, music, and writing.

• What kind of effect have I had on the world? other people? -No, I haven’t won any Peace Prize, yet.....but I have had an effect on others, as we all do -  two children- Aly & Nick- ages 23 & 24; 6th & 7th grade teacher at LJH  & elementary administrator at Jefferson for a total of over 20 years; published two fictional books- 2006 & 2009; current editor of the national philanthropic organization magazine- GRIT.

• What are the adjectives I would most use to describe me? - humorous, conscientious, perfectionist, sarcastic at times, motivated, goal-driven, sincere, loving, compassionate, persuasive, extrovert, reliable, and fun-seeker!

• What examples from my life illustrate those qualities? - Telecommunications degree from IU, English Education degree from IU, MS in Secondary Education from IU, Elementary & Secondary Administration degree from IU; play seven various musical instruments; held swimming high school record for twenty years; numerous professional accomplishments; member of Delta Theta Tau philanthropic organization for 27 years and still active; and lastly- idea of total relaxation is a lawn chair propped up on a sandy beach at sunset along the gulf coast!

• What events or people shaped or changed my life?-  my children; my parents- although very domineering and controlling, they both have impacted my life in both positive and negative ways;  growing up in a home with music educators; extended family; higher education; friendships that still exist from high school and new friends through work and social activities.

• Have I  overcome obstacles? Taken risks? - Yes- we all have- adrenal gland tumor removed when I was 22- followed by removal of gall bladder two years later due to complications; life-long severe asthmatic; head trauma due to baseball bat; moved back to Indiana from Colorado twice; resigned from administrative position; changed careers more than once; and lost my father to a long battle with cancer and other complications, seven years ago this May.

PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE:  

Always be a first-rate version of yourself!
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.  ~Dr. Seuss

Happy Birthday Wishes to:

Amy Gerard

Dates to Remember:

Feb. 4th-Feb. 8th- 8th grade meetings with PHS Counselors

Feb. 6th- Tech Training at LJH

Horizontal Meeting 7:30 am

Feb. 8th- Bonus Period- SWEET DAY

Feb. 12th- Five Star

Feb. 14th- Chinese Performance

Feb. 19th- Relay for Life Kick-Off

Red Gym

Feb. 22nd- Spirit Assembly Tornado-Safe

Just A Thought. . . .

“Somehow we’ve come to believe that greatness is only for the chosen few, for the superstars. The truth is, greatness is for us all. This is not about lowering expectations; it’s about raising them for every last one of us.”

- Nike