Joseph StiversMar 18, 20235 min readPushing Middle School Students to GreatnessThe year was 2011. It was my first year at Crosby. I inherited a group of 8th grade students who were remarkable, young musicians. ...
Joseph StiversNov 8, 20225 min readSeeing Potential in the Blank Canvas“Cultivating a musical community through respect, compassion, responsibility, and service” is the mission statement for my classroom. It...
Joseph StiversOct 11, 20224 min readCultivating A Positive Mindset in a Negative WorldThe older I grow, the more I come to find that the greatest stories ever told are not of those with a winning track record or those...
Joseph StiversSep 18, 20223 min readSix Stone Water JarsSince the latest release of Southeast “Unleashed” Magazine, several members of the church have been sending notes of gratitude and random...
Joseph StiversAug 6, 20223 min readMesses Welcomed HereSummer 2022 was our busiest yet as a family. Disney. 30A in Florida. Camping. Main Event. Lots of pancakes. DIY projects. New carpet for...
Joseph StiversJan 7, 20223 min readIncorporating Creativity into the Band ClassroomNearing the end of my Rank I course on Creativity in 21st Century Education, I have added much to my educator toolbox. This blog has...
Joseph StiversJan 4, 20224 min readDay 4 of Making a Master Mind Map of my Life: Contemplating Purpose--The Master GardnerI am willing to bet (by now) your student is starting to get the swing of the back-to-school routine. Some might be sluggish in the...
Joseph StiversDec 31, 20218 min readWhat would you do if you were Marty Mcfly?This weeks reading on the fantasy analogy method in my Rank I course, had my creative wheels turning when identifying "big picture...
Joseph StiversDec 28, 20214 min readThe Grand Canyon with Middle School StudentsThe year was 2007. I was at a crossroads of trying to decide if youth ministry was going to be my career. I had spent an entire year as...
Joseph StiversDec 26, 20213 min readCannonball sits outArguably one of the greatest selling Jazz albums of all time is, "Kind of Blue", featuring Miles Davis and six other Jazz Giants of our...
Joseph StiversDec 21, 20213 min readCreativity - "Freeing the bird from his cage"It has been noted that Leonardo Da Vinci, when strolling through the streets of Florence, would often encounter merchants selling caged...
