Teach to the Core

Crash, Burn, and Rebirth

Thu, 05 Feb 2015 00:02:00 -0700

In my professional capacity I attended an information night for parents who are considering enrolling their children in a school for gifted children from kindergarten to grade 7. The adage, “The fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree.” stands, oh so true tonight.

Parents who, most of themselves personally, had suffered the pain of being gifted, of being different, of caring passionately when others were happy with running in a herd, of being fuckin’ bored out of their minds in school every minute of every day, every day of every year, year after year after year and made fun of for being weird, were looking for a safe place for their child to be the individual he or she is, and learn to participate in a greater society and become change agents in their own new worlds.

Parents talked about not being a minimal part of their world in school or at home. They talked about yearning to have ‘friends’ who thought as they though, and imagined how they imagined, and laughed and cried as intensely as they did. Apparently they were loners for many, many years until they ran into another intense person whose thoughts took them far away from the maddening crowd. They, in turn, had these little people whom they wanted to be nurtured and celebrated, not ridiculed, lonely and destroyed.

It took me back to Elm Street School and how I was, and how I felt. I remember taking a test that was the most fun test I had ever taken in school. Not like the weekly spelling tests or end of chapter math tests, or multiplication tests or pages of the same type of problem test. This test asked about how words were so interesting, how shapes looked like other things than shapes, how numbers could represent exponential jumps from small to infinity, how taking away or adding sticks to shapes would create a whole different shape. I remember loving that test and wanting to go back to school the next day to take another one of those tests. I wanted someone to tell me how I did and what the right answers were and how they got that answer and what they saw that I did not see. That never happened and I would say that 20 more years of school never brought me that opportunity, again.

I hated school before that test, I loved school for one day hoping it would be about tests like that test, and I continued hating school after I figured that another test would never come. Once I accepted that truth I spent the rest of my life, I’m 65 now, fitting in, but never really. I felt the unsupportable pain of those parents because they KNEW what could happen to their child. My parents didn’t know and couldn’t imagine, they just knew that I was smart and that, many times, that got in the way of our day to day lives.

I never liked school or wanted to do school. I kinda liked torturing my teachers to make school a little more interesting, but I really dropped out mentally early in my career. I remember getting A’s in my classes and never doing any work, much less any homework. It was that test, that test told teachers they had to give me an A or THEY would be considered bad teachers who could teach a smart girl. I was happy, my Sophomore year when I got a job as an office clerk in a large mercantile corporation after school. I could interact with adults for hours, not boring classmates. I was challenged to do work I was not familiar with, I even got to work a computer that was as big as a swimming pool, that is how big they were in the 60’s.

I was offered a job, at 18, as personnel manager of the mercantile corporation but decided to go to college. As much as I hated school, that was my only ticket out of my boring life. I wanted to become a teacher and wanted to make school an interesting fun place. I, actually, did. I loved teaching and I used hands-on learning techniques, guest speakers, field trips, book writing…so many things. At one point my principal asked me to become an assistant principal and I went all the way up and down the administrative scale of jobs, worked private sector, trained teachers of English learners nationally, retired, came back and taught online, interactive television, and face-to-face teacher ed prep courses…and then tonight I ran into myself and ran into my entire life as a gifted individual and I wanted to run and hide. I wanted to apologize to everyone along the way.

When I didn’t get those exciting, interesting tests any more, I became a very harsh and hardened person. I had to protect myself against the pain of being so different and I hurt a lot of people along the way. I married a kindred spirit who was, also, tortured for being so passionate. He was passionate about human rights. He loved his Constitution and died defending it.

Our children are intense, passionate young people who were tortured for being different and who, sometimes, tortured themselves to try to fit in. I was so hidden in my shell, that I did not search out a school for the gifted for either of them. They were both tested and placed in gifted programs, but my daughter didn’t want to be singled out as being a 'smart girl’ and spend the next 20 years trying to prove to herself that she was like everybody else. She finally accepted her uniqueness and an amazing, sensitive man fell in love with the real her and they are living happily ever after. My son was really interested in the special classes until another student in the gifted class made fun of his Walmart clothes and he didn’t want to return. He is still a very sensitive person but has learned to carry a very thick shell himself.

Our son is passionate, sensitive and brilliant and I didn’t know how to meet the needs of someone who allowed himself to feel so profoundly, when I was working so hard to numb anything I felt.

Tonight I will cry for the pain I caused my husband, my daughter, my son and that little girl I once knew who was me. Tomorrow I will wake up forgiving myself, taking off my shell, and reaching out to those gifted, tortured souls that don’t even realize what is happening to them. I can do that now.

"There is a goldmine of hidden creativity in each one of these children, which can blossom into..."

Mon, 19 Jan 2015 16:14:00 -0700

“There is a goldmine of hidden creativity in each one of these children, which can blossom into spiritual, emotional, creative and scientific growth. We need to build bridges between the inner world of the individual and the outer world of society, so that knowledge, thoughts and emotions can flow freely between them. To contribute to the accomplishment of this great goal continues to drive my life passionately.”

- Dr. Annemarie Roeper

I love how Ian Leslie differentiates between puzzles and...

Sun, 04 Jan 2015 23:15:00 -0700

I love how Ian Leslie differentiates between puzzles and mysteries. Puzzles have solutions (I love English mysteries but they are actually puzzles), however with true mysteries (science, social studies, space, the oceans) we may not ever have an exact understanding, but that does not keep us from pursuing the truth. As we challenge ourselves to delve into puzzles and mysteries, we may come up with a universal truth that may improve life on this Earth.

"I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest..."

Sat, 08 Nov 2014 08:16:21 -0700

“I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.”

- Lao Tzu

Namaste

Thu, 23 Oct 2014 20:29:24 -0700

I was staying in Nepal when my article ‘El Saludo’ was published in Educational Leadership and I found that in Nepal, the greeting is even more powerful to the Nepali people. I dabble in yoga and we always end classes with Namaste that roughly means ‘The light in me honors the light in you.’ As an educator I have always been able to see the ‘light’ in my students and wanted to ensure that light would burn brighter and never burn out. I am an avid believer in the multiple intelligences and know that each individual is a unique eight-pointed star of interests and indifferences in math, linguistics, music, movement, interpersonal skills, intrapersonal reflections, a connection to nature, and visual/spatial relationships. As educators we must teach young people to work with their interests and delve into the indifferences to become more balanced and tolerant of others with different interests.

In Nepal people greet you with Namaste and fold their hands, as though in prayer, in front of their face. The Nepali people are struggling with poverty, lack of infrastructure, the caste system, politics and changing times. There are many Tibetan refugee communities throughout the country and people do not look downtrodden, especially if you look at them in the eyes, fold your hands and greet them with ‘Namaste’. I love to see them stand up straight, break a smile and respond with ‘Namaste’.

There are cultures around the world that do not acknowledge the power of the greeting, however, in the international business, medical, environmental, volunteerism circles that is the first thing they are taught…how to connect to others to get the job done.

As classroom teachers we can honor our students home cultures and still teach them how to survive and thrive in the mainstream and global cultures by modeling and practicing the greeting. Once we have the greeting down, we can move on to other globally accepted social graces that will help our students fit in anywhere and keep them from becoming insular and, in turn, non-competitive in a very competitive world. We can help our students acknowledge their gifts, so they can walk into any situation assured that their contributions are meaningful and will be acknowledged and that they can interact, gracefully, to work together for ‘kaizen’ slow, steady improvement.

Namaste

Data Dump Avoidance

Sat, 18 Oct 2014 22:24:00 -0700

Data Dump Avoidance:

TJ Walker explains why you shouldn’t dump data in a speech.

My son is creating online courses for businesses to get prospective customers interested and knowledgeable of their products and services. I prepare non-traditional students (not 18 year olds who just graduated high school) to become teachers. I teach in a public university. I teach face-to-face courses, interactive television courses with students from around the state, and I teach online courses. I find that even if my students are captive audiences who want to become state certified, i must reach out to their interests, their personal backgrounds and situations, and help them connect who they are and what they know to the new research on teaching. The only way I can do this is by keeping up with technology and decluttering the information that is coming to them and making it meaningful. I like this youtube presentation, it reminds me that I can not just keep dumping information out there I must give them what they need.

Making a Difference:El Saludo

Thu, 24 Jul 2014 01:24:11 -0700

Making a Difference:El Saludo:

I have been published! This summer the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) published my article in their journal “Educational Leadership”. Enjoy!

Publications | Expeditionary Learning

Wed, 16 Apr 2014 14:09:49 -0700

Publications | Expeditionary Learning:

Expeditionary Learning inspires students with the motivation to learn and transforms urban, rural, and suburban schools into places where students and adults become leaders of their own learning.

I was fortunate enough to work for Expeditionary Learning when it was partnering with Outward Bound. I met the author of the book “Leaders of Their Own Learning”, Ron Berger, during that time. When I first got there, Ron was still a classroom teacher and had written a book about how to get students to take pride in the work they make public “An Ethic of Excellence”. Expeditionary Learning felt Ron could affect more people in a leadership role and asked him to leave the classroom. I spoke to Ron during that time and he, as many of us, was really missing his students and questioning his decision.

Presently I am teaching Assessment in Education at the university level. When I began teaching this course No Child Left Behind had teachers teaching to their crazy tests. I am hopeful for the Common Core State Standards and know that Ron Berger’s new book will only enhance the learning young people can celebrate. This is a very detailed explanation about how teachers can take over assessment and share that with their students.

Sir Ken Robinson - The Element

Fri, 14 Feb 2014 12:16:11 -0700

Sir Ken Robinson - The Element:

What does it mean to be in your element? Creativity expert, Sir Ken Robinson, explains what can happen when passion meets natural talent.

An educator friend of my from Argentina suggested I read this book about helping young people find their ‘element’ and helping young people ask the right questions to get the education they deserve in order to develop their gifts.

Malala Yousafzai was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2013...

Sat, 09 Nov 2013 09:48:01 -0700

Malala Yousafzai was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for taking ‘a bullet’, actually, many bullets for the education of girls. Al Gore received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for his activism concerning a cleaner environment. One of Gore’s six drivers of global change is to ensure girls are educated and gain political and economic power. Gore’s premise is that men and women must safeguard women’s reproductive rights. If we do not place education at the forefront for global improvement, there will never be enough advocates for a better world for women and a cleaner environment. Bottom line, if girls and women are not empowered (with efforts of men and women in power, from the bottom up and the top down) there is no chance for Mother Earth, either.

Who Remembers Me?

Tue, 25 Jun 2013 09:11:44 -0700

Last night I took Thelma, my dog, for a walk. It was too hot during the day. It was a Sunday so there’s a different crowd on Sundays. The Spanish saying is that you rest after lunch (traditionally the largest meal and a good time for a siesta) and walk off your dinner. Sundays I see more families walking off their dinner.

Down the street a ways I saw a young teenage couple laughing and flirting with each other. They both, probably, left home telling their families they were going for a walk which I don’t hear much in the United States.

As they approached me I was wondering whether to greet them in English or Spanish. There are thousands of people who cross the border (legally) each day and I want them to come back and visit and enjoy Nogales. I sometimes feel if I greet visitors in English, it might make them uncomfortable…silly thought.

These young people looked energetic and enthusiastic so I greeted them in English. The young man stopped in the middle of the crosswalk, burst out a huge teethy smile and said, “Hello teacher.” I was honored by his greeting.

Unfortunately, I did not remember him. I was doing observations at a high school during the year, maybe that’s where he knew me from. I talk to young people who work summers in the Job Corps. My office is attached to the alternative high school and I had attended the community college graduation, maybe it was at one of those places. I also used to teach English as a Second Language to adults. Maybe I was his parents’ teacher and they pointed my out to him.

It really didn’t matter where he knew me, I was just honored that he addressed me with that historic, global reverence to teachers. Teachers are second to parents throughout the world. A young person only needs one great teacher to become the incredible person she or he was placed on this earth to be…only one.

In the United States and especially the last 13 years of No Child (or teacher) Left Behind (joyful), people with no background in education (State & National lawmakers in Congress and local school boards) were making business ventures with young people’s lives. Fortunately we are not world educational leaders and no other country followed our lead.

Throughout the world, educators control the education process and they do quite well. The U.S. claims to offer free and public education to all and some countries do not. Notwithstanding, if educators in the U.S. could be in charge of the educational system, I am sure we could outshine any country and the “teachers” in the U.S. would be revered as life-changers, again.

One of the greatest things about U.S. public schools is that our teachers mold and support young people as creative, thinking individuals, not as widgets as politicians and businesses would like. Hooray to you teachers, my respect and my admiration go to you. Thank you for your hard work, your hope and your optimism because every day you get up believing you will change lives…and you do. I hope you experience the joy of hearing, “Hello Teacher.” when you least expect it.

Mother of Boston bombing suspects talked jihad with now-dead son in 2011 recordings

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:23:00 -0700

Mother of Boston bombing suspects talked jihad with now-dead son in 2011 recordings:

As teachers we must create classrooms that model creativity, learning and peace. Teaching is not easy, but public school education is a vital venue that models democracy in action, even if some parents expound something different at home. As a country, the United States models democracy in action and our public school system must be stronger than the enemy…and yes, there are enemies of democracy.

A Sad Day for Public Education in the United States

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:38:33 -0700

A Sad Day for Public Education in the United States:

When good teachers feel they must leave, what once was a noble profession, because politicians and big businesses in the United States are treating students and teachers like widgets.

Free Teaching Material for teaching Common Core Standards

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:45:54 -0700

Free Teaching Material for teaching Common Core Standards:

This group asks teachers to ‘steal’ their material. If you began teaching to Common Core Standards when it came out in 2010, or your state and/or district decided to jump on after the train left the station and your students will be assessed on them next school year, this site has some useable resources to make your trek easier. Enjoy!

Malala Yousufzai: A young teenager with a big dream

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 22:49:07 -0700

Malala Yousufzai: A young teenager with a big dream:

Less we forget how many children, especially girls, around the world do not have the opportunity to even learn to read. This is today.

The Dirty Girls in 2000 & The Dirty Girls Today

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 22:20:53 -0700

The Dirty Girls in 2000 & The Dirty Girls Today:

This video and interview transcript tells of 13 year old girls who rebel against the status quo. They ask girls to pull together, not compete with each other. They have a lot of strong convictions about the role of girls and women, at 13.

My favorite son is an Iraqi vet, military reporter, and editor...

Sat, 02 Mar 2013 09:46:02 -0700

My favorite son is an Iraqi vet, military reporter, and editor at Patch.com. He went to read to a 4th grade classroom and the teacher had this sign up at the reading station. This is so simple for young people to be able to understand before they get frustrated with reading. My only suggestion would be that it begin with “Choose a book you are interested in reading.” I, also, appreciate that he is out there checking out how to support my blog, teachers and young people. Life is good!

Malala Yousafzai

Sat, 09 Feb 2013 15:39:13 -0700

Malala Yousafzai:

We can not forget that there are young women and children around the world fighting for the opportunity to be educated, along with their fight to stop the violence against women and children; children like Malala. This is an amazing video of this child saying that she has been given a second life (after having been shot in the face by a powerful man in Pakistan for fighting for the right for young girls to get an education) and she will be spend it serving others.

daniel woolfolk - journalist, This consultant published an ebook and has had a few side benefits 6 months later.

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 03:57:46 -0700

daniel woolfolk - journalist, This consultant published an ebook and has had a few side benefits 6 months later.:

This consultant published an ebook and has had a few side benefits 6 months later. http://manoushz.com/my-ebook-is-6-months-old-dec-12/

Sing This Song to Evaporate the Negativity of Bullies & Haters

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 11:59:08 -0700

Sing This Song to Evaporate the Negativity of Bullies & Haters:

Editors, judges, first responders, teachers, activists suffer from PTSD interacting with the “haters”, those people that want to drag everyone to the dark side. Different philosophies suggest you imagine yourself covered in white lights, like a disco ball to reflect the negativity outward and, hopefully, allowing it to dissipate. I took it a step further and paired it up with a song and, instead of a disco-ball type covering, I imagine being covered in white bubbles that reflect out like rainbows so the negativity is dissolved in the water of the bubbles that pop. I sing the Don Ho song ‘Tiny Bubbles’. It goes like this… Tiny bubbles, 'round this soul of mine, Make me happy, Make me feel fine, When I need them, Make me glad all over, 'cause I’m joyful and I’m going to love life 'til the end of time.