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Todos necesitamos escuelas abiertas.

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  Hace semanas vengo leyendo opiniones diversas sobre la vuelta a clases, la apertura de los colegios y el retorno de profesores y alumnos a las aulas.   Encontré de todo tipo. Las que ponen el énfasis en la salud pública, en lo pedagógico, lo emocional, lo social... y así podríamos seguir encontrando aún más ideas y temas.   ¿Y si empezamos al revés? ¿En qué puntos estamos de acuerdo? Creo que coincidiremos en que la educación en la vida de una persona hace a su esencia y evolución. De alguna manera preparando su inserción y contribución al futuro de su comunidad. La labor de la escuela en ese sentido es primordial. Para educar, todos necesitamos las escuelas abiertas.     Quizás acordaríamos también en que la escuela cumple un rol que va más allá del de formar académicamente. Leer, escribir y sumar son importantes; pero el futuro le va a demandar a nuestros alumnos muchas más habilidades.  La escuela tiene un rol fundamental abriendo oportunidades. Para acompañar y equipar, todos nec
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Un nuevo capítulo.

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Empezó como una idea chiquita, estábamos a finales del 2018. La idea: dejar nuestra casa, nuestro lugar y venir a Cartagena (España) a probar... ver si nos adaptábamos a un nuevo desafío, a "casi" empezar otra vez a esta altura de nuestras vidas. Probar si podíamos con el vértigo e inseguridad que genera dejar lo propio y conocido. ¿Porqué Cartagena? Hace algunos años, dos de nuestros hijos decidieron radicarse con sus respectivas familias, en Murcia y Dublín. Nosotros pasábamos el año planificando la próxima visita y las despedidas eran cada vez más duras. Con ese escenario y pensando cómo seguirían nuestras historias, pensamos que valía la pena intentarlo. Cartagena además de ser una hermosa ciudad, estaba a unos pocos kms de Murcia y desde el aeropuerto de Corvera (20kms de Cartagena) teníamos menos de 3 horas de vuelo a Dublin. Y comenzamos a proyectar, a poner en acción todos los miles de pasos previos para alcanzar la meta. Después de construir una vida juntos d
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And we're back....

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These days, when globalization reigns and boundaries between countries are dissipating, a virus is calling us to do our best and share what we can. In our case, we feel that going back to social networks is fundamental to be with others and add our little grain of sand. In these circumstances, we are encouraged to contribute our experience and share what it was like to move into the virtual world on a previous opportunity ( influenza A (H1N1) in a K-12 school in Buenos Aires (June 2009). Once again this has become a necessity in order to shorten distances and continue with our work. With this in mind, we want to share what we learned and "harvested" from the mistakes and successes during that time. It is not our intention to "determine" how or what to do but, to open an invitation to think together what it means to teach in times of physical isolation.  We will try to present some ideas, even the most obvious ones; sharing our doubts, mistakes, concern
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First things first...

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"If you don't know where you're going, then sure as anything you won't get there." by  Vadim Kotelnikov , Founder, 1000ventures.com Setting Goals The major outcome of  strategic road-mapping  and  strategic planning , after gathering all necessary information, is the setting of goals for the organization based on its vision and mission statement. A goal is a long-range aim for a specific period. It must be specific and realistic. Long-range goals set through strategic planning are translated into activities that will ensure reaching the goal through operational  planning . Setting Objectives  Setting objectives involves a continuous process of research and decision-making. Knowledge of yourself and your unit is a vital starting point in setting objectives. Strategic planning  takes place at the highest levels. The first step in operational planning is defining objectives - the result expected by the end of the cycle. The objectives must be:
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Positive Psychology

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What is Positive Psychology? Positive Psychology is one of the newest  branches of psychology  to emerge. This particular area of psychology focuses on how to help human beings prosper and lead healthy, happy lives. While many other branches of psychology tend to focus on dysfunction and abnormal behavior, positive psychology is centered on helping people become happier. Martin Seligman  and  Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi  describe positive psychology in the following way: "We believe that a psychology of positive human functioning will arise that achieves a scientific understanding and effective interventions to build thriving in individuals, families, and communities." Source  http://psychology.about.com/od/branchesofpsycholog1/a/positive-psychology.htm In this excellent presentation, psychologist Shawn Achor argues that happiness can inspire us to be more productive.  Watch the video below to learn about what you can do to become a happier and more successful pe
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On Emotional Intelligence

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What´s the topic today? Can you guess? If you could give a name to this image what would it be? Do you know who this person is ? Do you know what EI is? What is Emotional Intelligence? Emotional intelligence (EI) refers to the ability to perceive, control and evaluate emotions. Some researchers suggest that emotional intelligence can be learned and strengthened, while others claim it is an inborn characteristic. Source: http://psychology.about.com/od/personalitydevelopment/a/emotionalintell.htm Let´s read an  analyze  the following article: 12 Elements of Emotional Intelligence   By Marcia Sirota MD Would you like to read some more? Here´s an article written in 1998 regarding Leaders and Emotional Intelligence What Makes a Leader?    by Daniel Goleman http://www.undp.org/content/dam/samoa/docs/UNDP_WS_TLDP2_Whatmakesaleader.pdf Sources:  OM Times:  http://omtimes.com/2010/08/12-elements-of-emotional-intelligence/
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All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten - Robert Fulghum

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Have you read any stories by Robert Fulghum? Just by chance, many years ago, I came across a really nice story to use with students and teachers. It´s one of those stories you never tire of.  I´ve used it extensively both in class and in seminars. It takes you back to the really important aspects in your life.  All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten  by Robert Fulghum - an excerpt from the book, All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten. ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate-school mountain, but there in the sandpile at Sunday School. These are the things I learned: Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things that aren't yours. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you ea
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