Middle School with Mr. Olsen
By Travis Olsen
Middle School with Mr. OlsenNov 08, 2021
Want a Gift Card?
Having a skill or gift card isn't useful, if you never use it.
Quit Complaining, Do Something!
Complaining gets you nowhere.
Making Mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes. The "smart" people learn from them.
Change takes time
Reading a word once doesn't make you understand it.
Eating one salad doesn't make you skinny.
Eating one cookie doesn't make you fat.
Getting one problem wrong doesn't make you dumb.
Getting one problem right doesn't make you a genius.
Everything we do, everything we learn, everything we earn, takes time.
CONFIDENCE
I talked to a school administrator who told me in his first year he was not very confident in what he was doing. But as the year progressed and he took notes and paid more attention, he said the end of the year felt a lot different. The lesson? Everyone gets scared at first, but we keep practicing and keep growing.
Think like a chameleon
The world doesn't revolve around us. We need to adapt, change, and evolve into something better.
Be YOU
The best part about you is that there is no one else like you!
Time management advice Part 2
More helpful advice on more real life skills!
Time management advice Part 1
In order to manage my time better, I put this into a two-part episode
Updates available.. for your mind?
It's not only technology that needs constant updates. It's our mindset, too.
Lists are good
School supply LIST... Shopping LIST.. Bucket LIST.. To Do LIST.. Top 10 LIST.. Check LIST.. Birthday LIST
Need directions? It's given in a specific order so you get to your destination ASAP.
Grocery shopping? Easy to remember what you need when you have your list
Baking/Cooking? Follow that recipe so you don't randomly throw an egg in the oven without cracking it first!
More of me.. for now S2:E2
'Teacher' is just one of the many hats I wear during the school day with students. I am also a parent myself and understand the need to protect and comfort my child. Yet, I also see the need to let her get dirty and grow on her own, like any flower would.
Harry/Hermoine/Ron/Neville: Students
Dumbledore/Snape/McGonagall/Hagrid: Teachers
Weasleys/Sirius/Malfoy/Potter: Families
My perspective as a Teacher S2:E1
We are a team. The journey of a school year does not reside solely with students, nor does it reside solely with teachers. Not even the two of those combined make the journey. Families need to be involved. It is much more engaging to play board games with other people. It is much more engaging to talk to someone who has differing views to create a conversation. Families, students, and teachers need to work together to journey through the school year.
Frodo: Student
Gandalf: Teacher
The rest of the Fellowship: Families
Finish Strong
It's not over until the final bell!
Social Media
Who's in control of your destiny? You are.
Situations
It's the pencil's fault I failed the test.
Interview with Ava
Ava has some really great points about mindset! Be your own success story!
Interview with Maddix
Through the eyes of Maddix.
*Favorite and least favorite parts of the school day? *Thoughts on Hybrid learning? *Your legacy? *Passions? *Overcoming challenges *Role models *Ideal teacher *Advice for incoming students
Why do I need to know this?
When will I ever use this in real life? Why are we learning this?
Interview with Sam
This is how Sam sees it.
Be Proactive
Don't tell me what to do!
Interview with Jaida
Jaida's perspective.
Taking Notes
Take a trip back in time. To a time before Google, a time before personal devices. I'm talking the 1990's and before!
Take Responsibility
Want to know the secret to getting ahead?
Interview with Izzy
Through the eyes of Izzy.
Free isn't always best
"The harder I work, the luckier I get." ~Samuel Goldwyn
Interview with Eva
A middle schooler's perspective.
Nothing Changes
Even the smallest changes can make the biggest differences.
Presentation Advice
"Once you've got a task to do, it's better to do it than live with the fear of it" Logen Ninefingers ~Joe Abercrombie
Voice in your head
Goo-goo-ga-ga! Yay! You're doing it!
Get Involved
Boring people get bored.
Case of the Mondays
"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got." ~ Henry Ford