The Nest

After all the snow we had in New England this year, I wasn't even sure we would get a summer vacation. But the days are winding down, the seniors are gone, and those seven weeks of summer are just around the corner. While the rest of the world thinks teachers will be basking in the sun, sailing the blue seas, and exploring China during their well-deserved break, in reality, most of us will be enrolled in classes working toward our Master’s degree or Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study, earning PDPs in professional development courses, restructuring lesson plans, taking part in...

Can you teach an old dog new tricks? According to Paul Hasenmeier, the answer is yes. In his FDIC session “Train As If Your Life Depends on It,” Hasenmeier, a lieutenant with the Huron (Ohio) Fire Department, offered some useful tips for how to ensure that every member of your department—from the most seasoned “old dog” to the greenest rookie—gets the most out of training. In fact, he explained that what may initially seem like a training problem—having members with such varied levels of experience—is actually a quite beneficial, because all groups bring something unique to the table. Consider this:...

Wine, lemons, and mushrooms flavor this chicken recipe the lower-salt and lower-fat way. INGREDIENTS: 1/8 tsp  black pepper¼ tsp salt¼ cup flour4 chicken breasts, boned, skinless (5 ounces each)1 Tbsp olive oil½ cup Marsala wine½ cup chicken stock (skim fat from top)Juice from ½ fresh lemon½ cup sliced mushrooms1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped  DIRECTIONS: Mix together pepper, salt, and flour. Coat chicken with seasoned flour. In a heavy-bottomed skillet, heat oil. Place chicken breasts in skillet and brown on both sides. Then remove chicken from skillet and set aside. To the skillet, add wine and stir until the wine is heated. Add...

Notice the title is not “How to be a good fire instructor.” There is a distinct difference and the definition of “good” is relative anyway. You may be thinking that as an instructor, you have already taken all the classes and have become a subject matter expert, but have you really?   Let me be clear on something first and foremost; for those of you who believe that because you have achieved a certification in a particular discipline (i.e. technical rescue, hazmat, EMS, etc…) that means  you have nothing to prove to anyone, and because you are certified that makes you...

Teacher, I understand that end-of-the-school-year feeling. I know that you are tired and overwhelmed. I know how much you have to get done and how mentally and physically draining finishing a school year is. I know you’re ready for the summer. But I want to encourage you – finish the year strong! I promise the summer will be here soon. But until then, don’t phone it in. Don’t coast. Don’t just go through the motions. You only have a few more days to impact your students. Don’t waste that time. Don’t give up yet. These last few days can make all...