Viewpoints of a Viking: Thoughts on Teaching. Learning, and All Things North Shore will be a place for me to share some of my current thoughts and ideas about our schools, happenings that are significant at the local, state, and national level, and how we can all connect and support each other and our students, The Great Viking Nation.
I’ll plan to post these at least twice per month, so be on the lookout for them on our website and via my Twitter feed, where you can follow me at @PeterGiarrizzo. A few years ago, my mother in law took a trip to Scandinavia. While she was there she visited Norway, and brought back a card about Viking Law. At the time, it was definitely more interesting to my kids than I, but truth be told, I’ve always been a little intrigued by Vikings, and on reflection the laws and their subsequent descriptors presented via my mother in law now have some newfound meaning in light of my piqued interest in all things Vikings. Be Brave and Aggressive- be direct; versatile; agile; grab all opportunities; use varying methods of attack. Be Prepared- Keep in shape; keep materials in good condition; find good comrades; agree on important points Be a Good Merchant- Find out what the market needs; don’t promise what you can’t keep; arrange things so that you can return Keep the Camp in order- Make sure everybody does useful work; arrange enjoyable activities which strengthen the group; consult all members of the group for advice; keep things tidy and organized. These laws got me thinking about the dispositions and behaviors that we seek to develop in children. While the nomenclature may be different, the sentiments are largely the same. While not a one to one match, they are somewhat reflective of our Shared Valued Outcomes. We remain resolute in our commitment to providing our students with an education that emphasizes the importance of our Shared Valued Outcomes of Collaboration, Communication, Thinking, Problem-solving, Innovation, Commitment to the growth of oneself and a genuine Concern for Others. Vikings are pragmatic. They are also described as these determined, tough, people with endless grit that has led to many conquests across the northern seas. Symbols were important to Vikings, and as a writer, I have always been drawn to the importance that symbolism plays in the written word. I do love the sea and Viking ships are some of the coolest I’ve seen. As we set sail on our 2017-2018 Viking Conquest in North Shore, I encourage our students, their families, and our teachers to pay attention to these important skills and Viking dispositions. They can only enable us to tackle all that lies ahead with fierce determination and greater precision. In a couple of weeks, we will welcome our students, faculty and staff back to a new school year. I wish you all a very relaxing remainder of the summer and look forward to getting to know you all as the year unfolds. Please do not hesitate to reach out to introduce yourself in the weeks and months ahead. In the meantime, be on the lookout for my next post….. While I eagerly await yours, my arrival in North Shore coincides with a new-found identity for myself. I am now a Viking, and that to me, has a great ring to it! Til neste gang (until next time), Peter |
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VIewpoints of a vikingThoughts from Peter on Teaching, Learning, and All Things North ShoreAuthorDr. Peter Giarrizzo Archives
March 2020
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