Wondering what is the purpose of education......why do we subject ourselves and our children to the indoctrination that prepares them NOT for life's challenges, turmoils and life-altering decisions?
10 May 2015
10 June 2013
End of another Year!
So begins my journey West.
I have spent the last 8 years in Alexandria, VA working 3 years for Alexandria City Public Schools and 5 years with SEED Public Charter School.
The lessons I have learned could fill the pages of Encyclopedia Britannica.
The first of those lessons...
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I have spent the last 8 years in Alexandria, VA working 3 years for Alexandria City Public Schools and 5 years with SEED Public Charter School.
The lessons I have learned could fill the pages of Encyclopedia Britannica.
The first of those lessons...
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1.Average people think selfishness is a vice.
Rich people think selfishness is a virtue.
2.Average people think MONEY is the root of all evil. Rich people believe POVERTY is the root of all evil.
3.Average people have a lottery mentality. Rich people have an action mentality.
4.Average people think the road to riches is paved with formal education. Rich people believe in acquiring specific knowledge.
5.Average people long for the good old days. Rich people dream of the future.
6.Average people see money through the eyes of emotion. Rich people think about money logically.
7.Average people earn money doing things they don't love. Rich people follow their passion.
8.Average people set low expectations so they're never disappointed. Rich people are up for the challenge.
9.Average people believe you have to DO something to get rich. Rich people believe you have to BE something to get rich.
10.Average people believe you need money to make money. Rich people use other people's money
11.Average people believe the markets are driven by logic and strategy. Rich people know they're driven by emotion and greed.
12.Average people live beyond their means. Rich people live below theirs.
13.Average people teach their children how to survive. Rich people teach their kids to get rich.
14.Average people let money stress them out. Rich people find peace of mind in wealth.
15.Average people would rather be entertained than educated. Rich people would rather be educated than entertained.
16.Average people think rich people are snobs. Rich people just want to surround themselves with like-minded people.
17.Average people focus on saving. Rich people focus on earning.
18.Average people play it safe with money. Rich people know when to take risks.
19.Average people love to be comfortable. Rich people find comfort in uncertainty.
20.Average people never make the connection between money and health. Rich people know money can save your life.
21.Average people believe they must choose between a great family and being rich. Rich people know you can have it all.
But, alas I digress. I want to leave the DMV knowing I made an impact in some young person's life, somewhere.
2.Average people think MONEY is the root of all evil. Rich people believe POVERTY is the root of all evil.
3.Average people have a lottery mentality. Rich people have an action mentality.
4.Average people think the road to riches is paved with formal education. Rich people believe in acquiring specific knowledge.
5.Average people long for the good old days. Rich people dream of the future.
6.Average people see money through the eyes of emotion. Rich people think about money logically.
7.Average people earn money doing things they don't love. Rich people follow their passion.
8.Average people set low expectations so they're never disappointed. Rich people are up for the challenge.
9.Average people believe you have to DO something to get rich. Rich people believe you have to BE something to get rich.
10.Average people believe you need money to make money. Rich people use other people's money
11.Average people believe the markets are driven by logic and strategy. Rich people know they're driven by emotion and greed.
12.Average people live beyond their means. Rich people live below theirs.
13.Average people teach their children how to survive. Rich people teach their kids to get rich.
14.Average people let money stress them out. Rich people find peace of mind in wealth.
15.Average people would rather be entertained than educated. Rich people would rather be educated than entertained.
16.Average people think rich people are snobs. Rich people just want to surround themselves with like-minded people.
17.Average people focus on saving. Rich people focus on earning.
18.Average people play it safe with money. Rich people know when to take risks.
19.Average people love to be comfortable. Rich people find comfort in uncertainty.
20.Average people never make the connection between money and health. Rich people know money can save your life.
21.Average people believe they must choose between a great family and being rich. Rich people know you can have it all.
But, alas I digress. I want to leave the DMV knowing I made an impact in some young person's life, somewhere.
We are NOT AFRAID.....
I teach. At work we were recently provided the following excerpt:
"The workday for full-time licensed and professional staff will be seven and one quarter hours and will continue until professional responsibilities to the student and school are completed. Administrative meetings, curriculum development, pupil supervision, assigned duties, parent conferences, group or individual planning and extra curricular activities may require hours beyond the stated minimum."
Now, I stay late for work...EVERYDAY....and, now because many of my colleagues are sick and tired of attending meetings just to attend meetings, we are being "threatened" to get out to the meetings because "we are in a predicament where our unaccredited status puts us in the spotlight. As such, our failure to attend meetings, workshops, etc. is viewed by others as not having a sense of urgency to improve our student's academic standing."
"The workday for full-time licensed and professional staff will be seven and one quarter hours and will continue until professional responsibilities to the student and school are completed. Administrative meetings, curriculum development, pupil supervision, assigned duties, parent conferences, group or individual planning and extra curricular activities may require hours beyond the stated minimum."
Now, I stay late for work...EVERYDAY....and, now because many of my colleagues are sick and tired of attending meetings just to attend meetings, we are being "threatened" to get out to the meetings because "we are in a predicament where our unaccredited status puts us in the spotlight. As such, our failure to attend meetings, workshops, etc. is viewed by others as not having a sense of urgency to improve our student's academic standing."
IT'S 5AM.....what the HELL?!!
finished the lesson plans for the last week of school for 2009. Winter Break is coming fast and I feel as thought I still have so much MORE to teach before the end of the school year.
Is it me or are students becoming "less informed" as the years go by???
I find myself fighting the urge to just teach what they don't know and leave what I should teach by the side of the proverbial road.
I love my students, I just don't love the self-imposed ignorance in which they love to wallow.
So....here i sit at 530 in the morning not able to sleep. and WHY!?!?!?!??
I wrote 3 tests for this week. Hopefully, my students will appreciate the time and effort I put into creating instruments that measure their levels of understanding and knowledge retention. Maybe....Maybe??
Really want them to do well, start to find that INNER pride that comes from a job well-done. Too many of them are content with a job just started.
Is it me or are students becoming "less informed" as the years go by???
I find myself fighting the urge to just teach what they don't know and leave what I should teach by the side of the proverbial road.
I love my students, I just don't love the self-imposed ignorance in which they love to wallow.
So....here i sit at 530 in the morning not able to sleep. and WHY!?!?!?!??
I wrote 3 tests for this week. Hopefully, my students will appreciate the time and effort I put into creating instruments that measure their levels of understanding and knowledge retention. Maybe....Maybe??
Really want them to do well, start to find that INNER pride that comes from a job well-done. Too many of them are content with a job just started.
13 September 2008
New School.....New Rules
Well, I completed my first week at my new school of employment last Monday.
So......I teach in Washington, DC. But, before the reader makes the sighs and OMG's, I need to state for the record that this is the first time in the 16 years I have been an educator that I am feel truly home.
My students genuinely want to learn. At least that is the impression I am left with each and every day. It is refreshing to know that despite the statistics and naysayers of our inner city youth, I have encountered a population of Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors who not just "going" through the motions.
For me it is imperative to note that I strongly believe in "The Secret," and since I infused the Universe with the desire and determination to have an experience as an educator that would be far different than those I have had for the past 16 years; well, naturally I should get that which I seek.
So......I teach in Washington, DC. But, before the reader makes the sighs and OMG's, I need to state for the record that this is the first time in the 16 years I have been an educator that I am feel truly home.
My students genuinely want to learn. At least that is the impression I am left with each and every day. It is refreshing to know that despite the statistics and naysayers of our inner city youth, I have encountered a population of Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors who not just "going" through the motions.
For me it is imperative to note that I strongly believe in "The Secret," and since I infused the Universe with the desire and determination to have an experience as an educator that would be far different than those I have had for the past 16 years; well, naturally I should get that which I seek.
14 May 2008
26 December 2007
I LOVE my Birthday....I Love ME!!!
My Birthdate: December 21 Your Birthdate: December 21 |
 You're a restless rebel with an unpredictable nature. Bright but unbridled, you tend to seek out wild experiences over new ideas. People are frustrated by your great potential, but you love your unconventional life. You're a heartbreaker. People get attached to you, and then you're gone. Your strength: Your thirst for adventure Your weakness: Not taking time for slow pleasures Your power color: Hot pink Your power symbol: Figure eight Your power month: March |
29 January 2006
Put UP or SHUT UP!!!!
This week I realized that there are people on this planet who care for nothing more than their own petty dramas. Not issues mind you, but dramas. At work, a colleague who CONSTANTLY complains about the situations at work was given an opportunity to vent and voice her concerns. Rather than take the opportunity, she back peddled and sat in the room absolutely retracting all of the complaints that she has made over the past 4 months. Let's keep in mind that she has been with the organization for more than 3 years, so she knows how things work. But when a co-worker comes along (read me) and voices some of these concerns during many of our staff meetings, it would only make sense for her to voice some of these issues as well. I mean if a few of your co-workers have the SAME issues, let’s ALL get together and have management address them as a WHOLE; at least that is what I thought.
Well, now it seems she was put-off by my proactive decision, and I am totally flummoxed [my new word for '06]. The manager was very receptive to the concerns I voiced and even requested suggestions to improve the current status. "Ms. Complain-to-Complain" only sat there and mumbled about it wasn’t that bad, or “we just didn’t know.” Totally contrary to what she has been griping, bitching, and moaning about since I have been in the building.
Now, I am seen as some kind of pariah because…let’s see:
- I voiced my concerns to a person who could actually initiate some change.
- I did NOT sit around having the AFTER meeting after the meeting bitching and griping about the mess at work.
- I was proactive enough to voice my colleagues issues as mine.
I've come to believe.....over and over again, what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared even at risk of having it bruised or misunderstood. The speaking itself profits me beyond any other effect. The weight of our silence will choke us. So, I speak...as an attempt to break that silence and bridge some of those differences between us...for it is not difference which immobilizes us, but silence. And there are so many silences to be broken.
22 May 2005
how long?
this is a thought in progress...
I was reading the NY TIMES today, and it is so amazing the number of articles that discuss the miracles and triumphs that "inner-city" students (read Black, African-American, Latino, take your pick) manage despite their surroundings and conditioning.
Is it me or do these writers pre-suppose that to be of colour means that one is born with a genetic predisposition for a "hard knock life?" What is becoming clearer to me, as I grow wiser with age, is the fact that desegragation did not address the real issues of this country; ECONOMICS. With all of the new (old) forms of racism (environmental, financial, et. al.) being adopted, thanks to the right-wing occupation, many people of colour seem to accept the way things are without much complaint. And, when there is a complaint it seems to be just empty, hot air.
I thrive on being the kind of instructor who teaches the WHOLE student. I believe that what is missing from 21st century educational institutions is a building up the idea of self-reliance and interdependence. What happens in today's public school, and even proprietary school rooms is this concept of "entitlement without self-responsibility." Historically, oppressed or disenfranchised peoples existed in the throw-away areas of society. So, these articles don't report anything new, the fact there are "havens" or places that produce successful, healthy individuals is the testament to the human spirit and the desire to want more than what is expected. This is self-responsibility.
These are the success stories of the oppressed and disenfranchised, to overcome inspite of...
I guess for me it is realizing the more things change...the more they stay the same. Thus, how long are we going to continue to accept 2nd, 3rd, sub-class citizenship?
how long?
I was reading the NY TIMES today, and it is so amazing the number of articles that discuss the miracles and triumphs that "inner-city" students (read Black, African-American, Latino, take your pick) manage despite their surroundings and conditioning.
Is it me or do these writers pre-suppose that to be of colour means that one is born with a genetic predisposition for a "hard knock life?" What is becoming clearer to me, as I grow wiser with age, is the fact that desegragation did not address the real issues of this country; ECONOMICS. With all of the new (old) forms of racism (environmental, financial, et. al.) being adopted, thanks to the right-wing occupation, many people of colour seem to accept the way things are without much complaint. And, when there is a complaint it seems to be just empty, hot air.
I thrive on being the kind of instructor who teaches the WHOLE student. I believe that what is missing from 21st century educational institutions is a building up the idea of self-reliance and interdependence. What happens in today's public school, and even proprietary school rooms is this concept of "entitlement without self-responsibility." Historically, oppressed or disenfranchised peoples existed in the throw-away areas of society. So, these articles don't report anything new, the fact there are "havens" or places that produce successful, healthy individuals is the testament to the human spirit and the desire to want more than what is expected. This is self-responsibility.
These are the success stories of the oppressed and disenfranchised, to overcome inspite of...
I guess for me it is realizing the more things change...the more they stay the same. Thus, how long are we going to continue to accept 2nd, 3rd, sub-class citizenship?
how long?
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