One of my favorite movies is "Gladiator". Great acting throughout, even if a bit dramatic at times. One of my favorite Richard Harris roles without a doubt. His time in the movie is short, but features a great bit of dialogue between Harris' Marcus Aurelius and Russell Crowe's Maximus- "There was once a dream that was Rome. You could only whisper it. Anything more than a whisper and it would vanish, it was so fragile." The Caesar was making a reference to the "ideal" of Rome, and how it compared to the reality. He was expressing a desire for Rome to live up to its ideal. I've thought a lot about that recently.
I teach government. I love politics and government. I am more than aware of the expectations leveled on a government teacher. As a public servant it is my job to help ensure that my students will leave our four walls knowing, at the least, a basic understanding of how their government operates. You can see it in the prologue of the Indiana Government Standards, which state:
United States Government provides a framework for understanding the purposes, principles, and practices of constitutional
representative democracy in the United States. Responsible and effective participation of citizens is stressed. Students
understand the nature of citizenship, politics, and governments and understand the rights and responsibilities of citizens and
how these are part of local, state, and national government. Students examine how the United States Constitution protects
rights and provides the structure and functions of various levels of government.
Interesting words here- "purpose", "responsible", "effective", "citizenship"...it's an expectation of me to push these words, these ideas, to inspire a desire to participate, vote, trust in their government. That has never been harder than it is right now.
Now before anyone starts claiming that this teacher is now going to start pushing some kind of agenda on his students, check it. I've always held the philosophy that I must ensure that multiple perspectives are heard in our classroom, and that this requires me to keep personal thoughts largely to myself when in the croom. But my students are not blind. They read the news, they watch the proceedings on C-SPAN. They really do. And they see what I see: a government focused on political game play rather the best interest of the people.
Yesterday I posted my reasons for fighting against the confirmation of Betsy Devos as Education Secretary. I've been joined by countless educators, parents, and private citizens across the country in calling our Senators and expressing our frustration in such a pick. By any measure Mrs. Devos is remarkably unqualified to hold this position. She is unqualified to be a teacher for that matter. In a recent interview with Erica Hill on "On The Story", a Devos surrogate defended her with the claim that she met "minimum qualifications"...at which point I shook my head in bewilderment. In a country filled with actual educators, the best we can do is someone who meets "minimum qualifications" (a statement which is, in itself, questionable). Monday morning, at 6:30am, the Senate will begin voting on Mrs. Devos, and it would appear that, despite two Republican Senators stating that they will not vote for the nominee, the vote will end in a tie, at which point the Vice President, as his Constitutional duty prescribes, will cast the tie-breaking vote putting Mrs. Devos into the position of Secretary of Education. The reality of this is sobering to say the least, but what this represents is far more depressing.
As I mentioned in my post yesterday I've been around politics for a while. I know that I won't like everyone elected to public office, I won't like every decision they make, and I won't like every Cabinet Secretary a President nominates. I don't have to, as it is the nature of American republicanism that the officials elected to represent us are not always the ones for whom I voted. But I should be able to expect qualified individuals to hold a position of influence and power. I should expect that someone who will be "America's Top Educator" to actually be an educator. But that won't happen; on Monday the Senate will confirm Mrs. Devos. And in the absence of a vote based on legitimate qualifications, I have to assume that the "yea" votes will be based purely on politics, and not out of a true desire to do the right thing. This. Is. Depressing.
And it is not a Republican problem; Democrats are every bit a part of this problem as well. I'm tasked with teaching the "ideal" when my students are fully aware of the reality, and when they ask me the inevitable "Why" when it comes to government action, it is getting increasingly harder to answer. It is truly difficult to combat increasing levels of cynicism in our students when I'm trying to combat it myself.
Friday, February 3, 2017
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Why "No" To Betsy Devos- Here's my Answer
Well...it's been quite a week. And that's putting it mildly. But for many teachers, the concerns with President Trump began well before he took the oath of office and officially became President of the United States. It right and truly began when he nominated Betsy Devos for the position of Secretary of the US Department of Education. Over the past several weeks I have joined thousands of educators around the country in working for and very vocally calling for her nomination to be snubbed. Last night I was asked, very fairly, why. All bullfeathers (wink to President Teddy) aside, what is my problem with Mrs. Devos, and how might her confirmation affect our children 2, 4, 10 years down the road. So...here goes.
Let me begin by focusing thought on the primary criticisms which have been leveled at Mrs. Devos, of which there are three:
1. Her substantial donations to the campaigns of several politicians, some of which sit on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, in front of which she had her hearing;
2. Her advocacy for school choice and voucher initiatives;
3. Her lack of experience in education.
With this focus in mind, allow me to talk about my reaction to each, and make my issues with her clear.
Donations
Fact- Betsy Devos has a ton of money. Fact- she, and her family, have given that money, in large sums, as donations to candidates. Fact- she has said that she expects some return on those donations. Fact- Some of the politicians to which her money has gone have influential positions in the US Senate from which to help her secure her confirmation. Fact- this doesn't bother me. This might surprise some, but the fact is that I've been around politics a long time (I worked my first election when I was 7). Perhaps it is a sad indictment of where we are, but as a realist I tend to not get wrapped up in who gave money to whom as much as I focus on other issues. Money is a reality of politics; it's hard to get elected without money. Would I prefer that Senators like Todd Young (who was given a substantial donation from Mrs. Devos) recuse themselves during a vote like this- yes. But that is not reality, and we can talk all we want about unicorns, but it doesn't mean I'll ride one in my lifetime.
School Choice
Here is where my issues begin to take shape. Honestly, school choice is something with which I am ok. For me, there are three great things that I'll get to do with my life- be a husband, be a father, and be a teacher. I take my job very seriously (some might say too seriously, but...I don't understand that thought, so whatever). I look at education from the perspective of both a teacher and a father. Very little means more to me than good education. And to that end, I believe that parents should have a choice about where their child goes to school. But, I am also a consequence guy. I believe that every choice comes with potential consequences, and these must be weighed with the choice. Every student is given the right to a free public education (and yes, I do believe this is a civil right). However, if a parent does not wish for their child to attend a public school, that is their choice. They can send their child to a private school, charter school, Montessori school, etc. I will always stand up for that choice. AND, I truly have no issue with these schools teaching a curriculum of their choice (even though I personally wouldn't want my own children to be taught in such a fashion). So...what's the problem, because it sounds like I am aligned with Mrs. Devos in this belief. Here's the rub- the reason those schools can teach what they want is because they do not receive any money from the government, at least they are not meant to. It's this pesky thing called "separation of church and state" (I know, I know- this phrase isn't in the Constitution, it was used by Tom Jefferson in a letter to a group of Baptist ministers in Danbury, CT, but the First Amendment seems pretty clear on this subject). BUT- these schools are receiving government money, in the form of vouchers, which help parents pay for the often very high tuition of a private school. Uh oh, there are those consequences- by passing on the free public education you have to pay the tuition of a private school. So taxpayer money is going to a school teaching a curriculum that may be religiously focused. That doesn't sit well with me, but I can even make my peace with that issue. Here is where I have a real issue: these schools are often not being held to the same standards as a public school. They should be expected to deal with the impact of standardized tests, and they certainly should be held to the same standards of accessibility to students who may face disabilities. But they are not.
Qualifications
Honestly, this is my biggest hangup with Mrs. Devos. She has no experience in public education. None. I've heard many of her supporters argue against this point by saying that she cares about our children. That is, without a doubt, important. In fact I would argue that the most important qualification for anyone in education is passion for our kids. But THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE ONLY QUALIFICATION. Every single American should care about our kids. If I were in a position to hire/fire, I would never hire someone who didn't have this passion, but I would also not hire anyone who only had this qualification. For all the talk about education, it is a job that is truly impossible to understand without first-hand experience. Teachers are often handed the blame for poor school performance, and we shoulder that blame. No one feels the pain of failure quite like a teacher. Few ache for our students like a teacher. Quite frankly, I'm insulted that any teacher would be made to look to someone who doesn't have that first-hand experience. Say what you want, but until you have stayed up until 1am to grade papers and plan a lesson, and then gotten back up at 4am to finish; until you have sat down with a student, and listened to them share the pain in their life, and cried with that student because you see that you love and care for that student more than most others in their life; until you have dealt with the realities of being a classroom teacher, please do not make the assumption that you have any idea what being an educator is really all about. The day to day work with our students is not a business transaction; it is an endeavor in love.
How could the confirmation of Betsy Devos affect our kids directly? In some ways- not much. Much of education is still handled by Boards of Education at the state level. But if the Department of Education at the federal level does nothing else, it can affect national policy on vouchers, which could result in millions of dollars, which are meant to be used for the improvement of public schools, being taken from said schools. This means less money for facilities, curriculum, professional development, resources, teacher pay, etc. And it certainly is there to ensure the basic rights of every child in schools across the country. If there was no other reason to fight her confirmation, it would be enough to see her lack of understanding of national law like the IDEA, or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which works to ensure that our students with disabilities are given the resources that they require, and more importantly, deserve. When asked about this law in her confirmation hearing, Mrs. Devos appeared to know very little about these requirements, and that alone should scare anyone.
Why have I, and countless other figures in education, fought this confirmation? Because Betsy Devos simply does not have the resume to warrant such a position.
Let me begin by focusing thought on the primary criticisms which have been leveled at Mrs. Devos, of which there are three:
1. Her substantial donations to the campaigns of several politicians, some of which sit on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, in front of which she had her hearing;
2. Her advocacy for school choice and voucher initiatives;
3. Her lack of experience in education.
With this focus in mind, allow me to talk about my reaction to each, and make my issues with her clear.
Donations
Fact- Betsy Devos has a ton of money. Fact- she, and her family, have given that money, in large sums, as donations to candidates. Fact- she has said that she expects some return on those donations. Fact- Some of the politicians to which her money has gone have influential positions in the US Senate from which to help her secure her confirmation. Fact- this doesn't bother me. This might surprise some, but the fact is that I've been around politics a long time (I worked my first election when I was 7). Perhaps it is a sad indictment of where we are, but as a realist I tend to not get wrapped up in who gave money to whom as much as I focus on other issues. Money is a reality of politics; it's hard to get elected without money. Would I prefer that Senators like Todd Young (who was given a substantial donation from Mrs. Devos) recuse themselves during a vote like this- yes. But that is not reality, and we can talk all we want about unicorns, but it doesn't mean I'll ride one in my lifetime.
School Choice
Here is where my issues begin to take shape. Honestly, school choice is something with which I am ok. For me, there are three great things that I'll get to do with my life- be a husband, be a father, and be a teacher. I take my job very seriously (some might say too seriously, but...I don't understand that thought, so whatever). I look at education from the perspective of both a teacher and a father. Very little means more to me than good education. And to that end, I believe that parents should have a choice about where their child goes to school. But, I am also a consequence guy. I believe that every choice comes with potential consequences, and these must be weighed with the choice. Every student is given the right to a free public education (and yes, I do believe this is a civil right). However, if a parent does not wish for their child to attend a public school, that is their choice. They can send their child to a private school, charter school, Montessori school, etc. I will always stand up for that choice. AND, I truly have no issue with these schools teaching a curriculum of their choice (even though I personally wouldn't want my own children to be taught in such a fashion). So...what's the problem, because it sounds like I am aligned with Mrs. Devos in this belief. Here's the rub- the reason those schools can teach what they want is because they do not receive any money from the government, at least they are not meant to. It's this pesky thing called "separation of church and state" (I know, I know- this phrase isn't in the Constitution, it was used by Tom Jefferson in a letter to a group of Baptist ministers in Danbury, CT, but the First Amendment seems pretty clear on this subject). BUT- these schools are receiving government money, in the form of vouchers, which help parents pay for the often very high tuition of a private school. Uh oh, there are those consequences- by passing on the free public education you have to pay the tuition of a private school. So taxpayer money is going to a school teaching a curriculum that may be religiously focused. That doesn't sit well with me, but I can even make my peace with that issue. Here is where I have a real issue: these schools are often not being held to the same standards as a public school. They should be expected to deal with the impact of standardized tests, and they certainly should be held to the same standards of accessibility to students who may face disabilities. But they are not.
Qualifications
Honestly, this is my biggest hangup with Mrs. Devos. She has no experience in public education. None. I've heard many of her supporters argue against this point by saying that she cares about our children. That is, without a doubt, important. In fact I would argue that the most important qualification for anyone in education is passion for our kids. But THIS SHOULD NOT BE THE ONLY QUALIFICATION. Every single American should care about our kids. If I were in a position to hire/fire, I would never hire someone who didn't have this passion, but I would also not hire anyone who only had this qualification. For all the talk about education, it is a job that is truly impossible to understand without first-hand experience. Teachers are often handed the blame for poor school performance, and we shoulder that blame. No one feels the pain of failure quite like a teacher. Few ache for our students like a teacher. Quite frankly, I'm insulted that any teacher would be made to look to someone who doesn't have that first-hand experience. Say what you want, but until you have stayed up until 1am to grade papers and plan a lesson, and then gotten back up at 4am to finish; until you have sat down with a student, and listened to them share the pain in their life, and cried with that student because you see that you love and care for that student more than most others in their life; until you have dealt with the realities of being a classroom teacher, please do not make the assumption that you have any idea what being an educator is really all about. The day to day work with our students is not a business transaction; it is an endeavor in love.
How could the confirmation of Betsy Devos affect our kids directly? In some ways- not much. Much of education is still handled by Boards of Education at the state level. But if the Department of Education at the federal level does nothing else, it can affect national policy on vouchers, which could result in millions of dollars, which are meant to be used for the improvement of public schools, being taken from said schools. This means less money for facilities, curriculum, professional development, resources, teacher pay, etc. And it certainly is there to ensure the basic rights of every child in schools across the country. If there was no other reason to fight her confirmation, it would be enough to see her lack of understanding of national law like the IDEA, or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which works to ensure that our students with disabilities are given the resources that they require, and more importantly, deserve. When asked about this law in her confirmation hearing, Mrs. Devos appeared to know very little about these requirements, and that alone should scare anyone.
Why have I, and countless other figures in education, fought this confirmation? Because Betsy Devos simply does not have the resume to warrant such a position.
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Teaching in the New Era- What Does It Mean?
Yesterday I watched the final day of the administration of President Obama, and the beginning of the Trump Administration. I watched it with a pit in my stomach, not one of anger, or of some overwhelming sense of hope that this man would fail. It was a pit of fear- fear of the unknown, fear of the what could be. I listened to the President's speech, a dark and troubling look into what might be. I watched the protests turn violent, and grew agitated as I saw the verification for many that all those who are concerned with President Trump are out of control social dividers. And yet, I woke up this morning feeling, for lack of a better word, steeled. Steeled in the knowledge of the impact that I can make, as a father and as a teacher, to encourage respect, self-awareness, mindfulness, and, most of all, love. You see, I can't sit here and hope that the Trump Administration fails. I am deeply concerned when I hear his words, see how he carries himself, and certainly when I see those people that he has chosen to lead the various departments within his Cabinet. But I can't hope that he fails. I have to keep my hope in the fabric of this nation, in the belief that good government is a good thing, in the belief that the American people can work to help hold the new President accountable for his actions. I think being concerned is good, being vocal in that concern is good; these are part of the fabric of this country. But hoping for his failure out of some desire to proclaim "Neener, neener" demonstrates a lack of understanding of what's at stake.
I could go on and on, but I promised a post on teaching in this new age, and so here are my thoughts on what the regime change means for teachers. Truthfully, for this teacher, it means very little, at least in my approach to the job. You see, as I've grown over the past 12 years of teaching, I've come to view certain foci as the core of who I am as a teacher, and what I want to accomplish in our classroom. Content is, of course, important, but certainly not more so than the kids themselves. I've always tried to be someone who's love for his kiddos was clear and obvious, but that expected respect, and demonstrated fairness. I've tried to structure opportunities for the kids to be exposed to multiple perspectives, whether it be in interpreting historical events or current events, not out of some vain hope that a student will adopt any certain philosophy, but instead out of a desire for each student to realize the value in being their own person and having their own thoughts, that a student will have the chance to shape their own view of the world, rather than one prescribed for them. I've reminded my students that their age is not an obstacle to their voice, that their voice has value.
At the same time I pushed them to develop a voice that leans on knowledge than simply pure emotion. "Just because" is never the right answer to "Why". I can't count how many times I've argued a point of view different than my own just so that a student can see and hear the other side. We as teachers cannot endeavor to mold a student's mind into our own personal definition of "right", but equip each with the necessary tools to define themselves.
So what will the change in leadership mean for this teacher- very little. I will continue to push my students, challenge them to see that there is rarely one side to any story. I will continue to push them to consider the consequences of decisions. I will continue to allow a forum for their voice to be heard, but will also continue to expect that this voice be an informed one. I will continue to value my students for who they are, not despite who they are. In our classroom students will continue to be protected. I will continue to encourage the all-important value of respect. I will continue to stand up for my students, all of them. Most of all, I will continue to love every single one of my students for who they are, not who I or anyone else thinks they should be.
I could go on and on, but I promised a post on teaching in this new age, and so here are my thoughts on what the regime change means for teachers. Truthfully, for this teacher, it means very little, at least in my approach to the job. You see, as I've grown over the past 12 years of teaching, I've come to view certain foci as the core of who I am as a teacher, and what I want to accomplish in our classroom. Content is, of course, important, but certainly not more so than the kids themselves. I've always tried to be someone who's love for his kiddos was clear and obvious, but that expected respect, and demonstrated fairness. I've tried to structure opportunities for the kids to be exposed to multiple perspectives, whether it be in interpreting historical events or current events, not out of some vain hope that a student will adopt any certain philosophy, but instead out of a desire for each student to realize the value in being their own person and having their own thoughts, that a student will have the chance to shape their own view of the world, rather than one prescribed for them. I've reminded my students that their age is not an obstacle to their voice, that their voice has value.
So what will the change in leadership mean for this teacher- very little. I will continue to push my students, challenge them to see that there is rarely one side to any story. I will continue to push them to consider the consequences of decisions. I will continue to allow a forum for their voice to be heard, but will also continue to expect that this voice be an informed one. I will continue to value my students for who they are, not despite who they are. In our classroom students will continue to be protected. I will continue to encourage the all-important value of respect. I will continue to stand up for my students, all of them. Most of all, I will continue to love every single one of my students for who they are, not who I or anyone else thinks they should be.
Sunday, January 15, 2017
In School on MLK? YES!
When I was younger, so much younger than today...I remembered loving that magical Monday in January, when, after having been back in school for two weeks after winter break, we were given a day off for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I can honestly say that I don't remember my teachers saying much about it, and I certainly didn't spend that day reflecting on the work of Dr. King, but I sure do remember the day off. And now here I am, 35 years old and a teacher in a school that is not giving this day off, and I've listened to my students complain about having to do go to school when so many other students have the day off.
As I sit here grading papers for tomorrow (remember- it is a school day), I've thought about this one day, one national holiday to celebrate this man. And I can't help but feel like it's wrong. Now, before you scream and castigate me, allow me to explain. You see, the real meaning of this day seems clearer to me now than it ever has before. There are few figures in American history that I respect more than Dr. King, and for that matter figures like John Lewis, Rosa Parks, and the countless others of all races who gave so much in the fight for civil rights. But what I've come to respect most about Dr. King is that I truly believe he knew that while his work was important, his legacy was just as important, if not more so. I believe that Dr. King knew that the fight would be far from over when his time came, and that, while a man may die, an idea can live on forever. That is what MLK Day has come to mean for me.
It's not so much about a man, but an idea. An idea born of the passion that only comes from true conviction. The idea that the outside of a person means far less than the inside. That a person's soul is truly all that matters. That skin color, wealth, advantage, and a wide host of other items to a person that some might see fit to judge are insignificant to the fact that a person's mere existence entitles them to the right to be treated as equal. That our actions and our words are the only thing that can truly make a person inferior. That love means something more important than anything else. This is a conviction, and I believe that Dr. King embodied that conviction, allowed that passion to serve as his legacy. If you need a set-aside day to celebrate the man, fine. But celebrate his legacy, the meaning to his life, every day. Be love.
As I said, I teach. And we are entering a time period of, well, many things, but uncertainty is the only certainty. We stand, as a country, at the precipice of great choices, but none greater than the choice to open ourselves to love, or succumb ourselves to hate. And the choice we make will undoubtedly make it's way into our classrooms. Hate is easy, especially now. It seems like there is so much fear and anger, and, as Yoda made clear, that leads to the dark side. But it's this environment that has brought so much uncertainty into our students' hearts and minds. Everywhere around them loud voices feed anger, and it is easy to feel like that must be the right mindset. This is where we come in. We get the chance to work with and talk to these students every single day. We have the chance to show a student love and compassion, to engage with them in a civil dialogue, to introduce them to multiple perspectives. We have the chance to channel so much of what Dr. King stood for...or just be part of the problem.
As for me, I am excited to be at school tomorrow, as I am every day. I am excited to have the chance to love my kids.
As I sit here grading papers for tomorrow (remember- it is a school day), I've thought about this one day, one national holiday to celebrate this man. And I can't help but feel like it's wrong. Now, before you scream and castigate me, allow me to explain. You see, the real meaning of this day seems clearer to me now than it ever has before. There are few figures in American history that I respect more than Dr. King, and for that matter figures like John Lewis, Rosa Parks, and the countless others of all races who gave so much in the fight for civil rights. But what I've come to respect most about Dr. King is that I truly believe he knew that while his work was important, his legacy was just as important, if not more so. I believe that Dr. King knew that the fight would be far from over when his time came, and that, while a man may die, an idea can live on forever. That is what MLK Day has come to mean for me.
It's not so much about a man, but an idea. An idea born of the passion that only comes from true conviction. The idea that the outside of a person means far less than the inside. That a person's soul is truly all that matters. That skin color, wealth, advantage, and a wide host of other items to a person that some might see fit to judge are insignificant to the fact that a person's mere existence entitles them to the right to be treated as equal. That our actions and our words are the only thing that can truly make a person inferior. That love means something more important than anything else. This is a conviction, and I believe that Dr. King embodied that conviction, allowed that passion to serve as his legacy. If you need a set-aside day to celebrate the man, fine. But celebrate his legacy, the meaning to his life, every day. Be love.
As I said, I teach. And we are entering a time period of, well, many things, but uncertainty is the only certainty. We stand, as a country, at the precipice of great choices, but none greater than the choice to open ourselves to love, or succumb ourselves to hate. And the choice we make will undoubtedly make it's way into our classrooms. Hate is easy, especially now. It seems like there is so much fear and anger, and, as Yoda made clear, that leads to the dark side. But it's this environment that has brought so much uncertainty into our students' hearts and minds. Everywhere around them loud voices feed anger, and it is easy to feel like that must be the right mindset. This is where we come in. We get the chance to work with and talk to these students every single day. We have the chance to show a student love and compassion, to engage with them in a civil dialogue, to introduce them to multiple perspectives. We have the chance to channel so much of what Dr. King stood for...or just be part of the problem.
As for me, I am excited to be at school tomorrow, as I am every day. I am excited to have the chance to love my kids.
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
One Word for 2017
It's good to be back. I've admittedly been slacking in my posts, and I wish that I had some glorious tale to tell about why I've been delayed. The truth is...life caught up with me. In many ways 2016 has been a tremendous year. I've been able to be a father to the two most amazing young men anyone could ever meet (biased...nah), I've been able to be a husband to the most amazing woman anyone could ever meet, and I've been able to be a teacher to the most amazing kids anyone could ever meet. I achieved a pinnacle in my professional career, began this blog, and have had the chance to network with some amazing people who have transformed my teaching. In short, 2016 has been a blessed year.
But, looking back, I can see that it has also been a sloppy year. I've allowed myself to become pulled in so many different directions that I have let some things that I wouldn't normally allow to fall, slip through the cracks. I wouldn't say that I have done any one thing poorly; I would simply say that I've done many things in a mediocre fashion. And that is unacceptable.
As I stare 2017 in the face, I'm faced with certain realities. Choices really. Do I continue down this path of mediocrity, or do I do something about it? That's not really a question now, is it? So, in the spirit of the new year, I've decided to approach it with goals in mind, resolutions if you will. But...is that really worth the time? You see, everyone sets new year's resolutions...and most drop them before the end of January. I've been guilty of that many times. Recently I stumbled across the #oneword campaign, drawn from the book One Word That Will Change Your Life, and the idea is simple. Instead of setting resolutions which are doomed to fail, select one word that will define who one is, and what we desire to become. Needless to say, I love this idea. And I thought long and hard about how I could sum up what I want to do, and who I want to be, until it came to me.
In 2017 I want to focus. I want to focus on being a better father, husband, and teacher. I want to focus on setting priorities. I want to focus on removing needless drama from my life. I want to focus on being the best version of myself possible (which is advice I give to my kiddos all the time). I want to focus on living the advice I give to my students. I want to focus on being determined. I want to focus on being positive.
With this clarity and goal in mind, I can look back again on 2016 and realize that much of the stress I've brought on myself is my own anchor dragging me down, and when I look back on it positively, I can see how blessed I am to have these stresses. And I can focus on meeting challenges head-on, determined to meet them with a positive attitude and deliver on them in the best way which I am capable. My stress is not one of being over-loaded; it is simply one of being unfocused. With that in mind, I've decided to focus on these three things.
1. My family- to focus on being the best father, husband, and friend I can be. To love fiercely. To love with passion.
2. My students- to focus on being the best teacher, but also the best mentor to my kiddos I can be. To do what is best for them, not for me. To teach with passion.
3. My partners in the educational community- to become more active in learning and contributing to the educational community that I love. To help ensure passionate teaching. To share with passion.
I am truly excited to see this #oneword unfold in my life. It is an endeavor which I truly believe can impact me in a positive way. It is something I believe so much that I plan to open the idea to my students. I don't believe it matters one's age, we can all benefit from a realistic aim and goal. With that in mind I look forward to implementing a #oneword board in our classroom, and hope that my kiddos will join me in this pursuit.
But, looking back, I can see that it has also been a sloppy year. I've allowed myself to become pulled in so many different directions that I have let some things that I wouldn't normally allow to fall, slip through the cracks. I wouldn't say that I have done any one thing poorly; I would simply say that I've done many things in a mediocre fashion. And that is unacceptable.
As I stare 2017 in the face, I'm faced with certain realities. Choices really. Do I continue down this path of mediocrity, or do I do something about it? That's not really a question now, is it? So, in the spirit of the new year, I've decided to approach it with goals in mind, resolutions if you will. But...is that really worth the time? You see, everyone sets new year's resolutions...and most drop them before the end of January. I've been guilty of that many times. Recently I stumbled across the #oneword campaign, drawn from the book One Word That Will Change Your Life, and the idea is simple. Instead of setting resolutions which are doomed to fail, select one word that will define who one is, and what we desire to become. Needless to say, I love this idea. And I thought long and hard about how I could sum up what I want to do, and who I want to be, until it came to me.
My #oneword2017 is "FOCUS".
In 2017 I want to focus. I want to focus on being a better father, husband, and teacher. I want to focus on setting priorities. I want to focus on removing needless drama from my life. I want to focus on being the best version of myself possible (which is advice I give to my kiddos all the time). I want to focus on living the advice I give to my students. I want to focus on being determined. I want to focus on being positive.
With this clarity and goal in mind, I can look back again on 2016 and realize that much of the stress I've brought on myself is my own anchor dragging me down, and when I look back on it positively, I can see how blessed I am to have these stresses. And I can focus on meeting challenges head-on, determined to meet them with a positive attitude and deliver on them in the best way which I am capable. My stress is not one of being over-loaded; it is simply one of being unfocused. With that in mind, I've decided to focus on these three things.
1. My family- to focus on being the best father, husband, and friend I can be. To love fiercely. To love with passion.
2. My students- to focus on being the best teacher, but also the best mentor to my kiddos I can be. To do what is best for them, not for me. To teach with passion.
3. My partners in the educational community- to become more active in learning and contributing to the educational community that I love. To help ensure passionate teaching. To share with passion.
I am truly excited to see this #oneword unfold in my life. It is an endeavor which I truly believe can impact me in a positive way. It is something I believe so much that I plan to open the idea to my students. I don't believe it matters one's age, we can all benefit from a realistic aim and goal. With that in mind I look forward to implementing a #oneword board in our classroom, and hope that my kiddos will join me in this pursuit.
Will you join me? What will your #oneword be?
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
The Election
I've been fortunate over the past several months to have this blog in which to put my thoughts on education, and know that I have grown simply from being able to put my thoughts into writing. When I began writing in this blog I set the rule for myself that I would only focus on thoughts regarding education. I'm about to break that rule. Forgive me.
Last night I sat with students in our AP Government class and watched the election returns come in.
I was able to listen to some of the best conversations I've heard in this entire election cycle, and it wasn't lost on me that 1. I teach the best kids and 2. I am so happy that we have a future generation of leaders like these. As mentioned I teach government, and of course we have spent time discussing the election, examining the polls, predicting the results, etc. Yesterday I had close to 70 students working the election, experiencing first-hand the process at work. As I sat with them later that night, and watched the results come in, I couldn't help but look at each of them and think about the questions they might ask today. All night and all morning I thought about how I might answer some of these questions, and I still don't know. I've never felt less prepared to face the day than I have today. And so, here I am, putting my thoughts into my blog.
Quite frankly, I've been appalled at this election. From the local to state to national races, I have been ashamed that these students would vote for the first time in this political climate. I'm 35, and while that may be young, I've been around politics long enough to know both that an election like this has been coming for a while, and that we are better than what we've seen in this cycle. I believe passionately, to my core, in the true and overarching singular value on which this country was founded: freedom. This country was not founded on the belief that we were, or would ever be, the perfect country, but in a belief in the greatness of our potential. That each American had the freedom to realize a dream in their own life. But I understand that the realization of this dream comes with a sense of responsibility, that we are responsible to participate in the government that guarantees us this freedom. This government relies, at it's foundation, on voting. But it is sustained through the acceptance of these votes, regardless of how hard that acceptance may be.
I may not be happy with the results of the election, but I will accept them, and I will move forward with hope. I place my hope in President-Elect Trump to realize the historic progress we have made as a nation, and that he will continue our march towards the true recognition of civil rights and liberties, of freedom, to all Americans. I place my hope in Speaker Ryan and Congress to recognize the key role that a strong system of checks and balances plays in the effective implementation of our system. I place my hope in the leadership of both major parties to realize the need for a more transparent method of choosing our candidates, that the parties will see the desperate need to encourage strong candidates to run for public office, and that these parties will realize that the current climate serves to discourage such candidates from running. The negativity that dominated this election has undoubtedly turned many away from the idea of public service. These parties must realize that the negativity, the atmosphere of partisanship and polarization, is one that they have largely produced, and can be equally responsible for its change. It seems true now more than ever, after such an election, that our progress forward as a nation stands in direct parallel with our ability to understand the partnership that belies our pursuit of freedom. We must either come together as a country, or we must face the realization that we have failed in the pursuit of our great potential.
Coming together does not mean sacrificing our ideals. Standing up for truth and freedom, standing up for what you believe in is never a waste of time. But we are a system built on the reality of compromise, on working together, giving a little each way, to accomplish something better. We've lost that. We've lost the art of conversation, the ability to engage in civil discourse with another who may see things different than we do, and emerge respectfully. In many ways it is this loss that has brought us to the caliber of candidates from which we chose. We have lost our great common interest- the preservation of our potential as a country. But I believe we can bring that back. A dream is only truly dead if we stop believing in it. But we must realize that our national recovery is not in the hands of any one politician, but in each of us entire. We can use this election as a transformative moment, as the moment that we took stock of our shortfalls and refused to descend further into polarization.
If my students are any indication of the caliber of leadership in upcoming generations, I am truly excited in what they can achieve. These kids are open-minded, deeply caring, and far more motivated than older generations give credit. I love my students, and see in them a tremendous generation of leaders. But we must realize the responsibility that we have to these kids, especially as teachers. We are responsible for igniting and encouraging active citizenship. This does not involve impressing our beliefs, values, ideals, etc. on them. In a country and world polarized like never before our effort is not in molding their minds into our own personal definitions of a “good citizen”, but in equipping each student with the necessary tools to become their own definition of a good citizen.
I may be deeply troubled with this election, but those concerns do nothing to dim my belief in what this country can be. This is our moment to fix our climate, to refuse to give into cynical beliefs that the system is forever and fatally corrupt, and make the changes that need to be made to ensure the opportunity for our students to lead us in the continued and renewed pursuit of American potential.
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Underestimating Your Students- Don't Be Surprised When They Blow Your Mind!
I love the quote above, and believe it sums up how teachers should approach their students. In 12 years of teaching I have never regretted pushing my students, and have yet to see a student truly push back. We need to realize that our students not only need the encouragement to step beyond pre-conceived limits, it is the only way any of them will grow. And I am constantly impressed with my students when I give them that kind of challenge.
This was never more evident than in the last week of an immersion project in our Dual Credit/AP US Government class. The students who take this class are seniors with one foot in the school, and one out the door into the "real world." They are, essentially, adults, and I have always tried to treat them as such. The class is built on the notion of the "real world", meaning lots of research-based discussion, lots of unanswered questions (which are not a bad thing; they provide impetus for further research), and experiences which are designed to immerse them, as much as possible, in the real workings of American government. One such endeavor, which has become a yearly tradition, is the campaign.
(Campaign Speeches)
This project is a mock election, but is not connected to any actual campaigns (otherwise we would only be doing some every four years). Instead the students are separated into groups which would be visible during an actual national campaign. Leading up to the project start date, time is spent in class speaking with legislators and political party heads, studying and discussing elements of campaigns, and considering how elements such as campaign finance can help/hinder the process. Once the project starts, groups are working towards "electing" one of their own as the faux President of the Independent Sovereignty of Frankton!
The groups often differ, but this year we had enough students to feature two major political parties, a third/minor party, and a SuperPAC. Each of the major parties were given a financial head start, but had to join the other two groups in fundraising. Several teachers acted as "donors", given money to dole out to the groups in any way they saw fit. I give the donors zero rules, and I love it when the students come back to me and vent about a certain teacher who promised them money, and didn't deliver, or who is being stingy. The major parties are required to conduct polls, from which platforms are created. The third party and SuperPAC were allowed to coalition around a singular issue, as many real versions do, and then given the option to merge with one of the major parties if they saw fit. The SuperPAC, of course, was not allowed to have any contact with the candidate they supported. The students were required to give speeches in a convention type atmosphere to their electorate, and on campaign day aired televised ads in an attempt to sway voters. Needless to say, by the end of the week, students were tired, stressed, irritated, angry...and I was ok with all of that. I know that sounds mean; feel free to berate me for it. But if the students were to know even a microcosm of what a real campaign feels like, there was no other way.
(Polling Booth and Campaigning Outside Polling Place)
I threw a lot at these kids, and guess what, they survived. Not only that, they thrived! These kids worked so incredibly hard that I couldn't help but watch with pride. Every year I worry that I've put too much on the kids, I worry that I've pushed too hard. And every year these kids make me feel foolish for underestimating them. How many of us are guilty of this? How many of us treat our kids as though they are these fragile things that will break at the first sight of struggle? How many of us underestimate what these kids can do? It is clear that teachers must be there to support, but we teach remarkable people. Push them! You won't regret it!
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