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Should we sharpen the machete or bring a really big shovel?
Bird Droppings April 3, 2026Should we sharpen the machete or bring a really big shovel? I have been reflecting on the concept of critical pedagogy, and in that reflection, I recall an incident nearly 55 years ago that calls to mind my interpretation and understanding of what we, as teachers, are all about. I purchased…
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I have found a spiritual side to teaching.
Bird Droppings April 2, 2026I have found a spiritual side to teaching. “Solitude does not necessarily mean living apart from others; rather, it’s never living apart from one’s self. Not about absence of other people – it is about being fully present to ourselves, whether or not we are with others.” Parker Palmer Dr. Parker…
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Eating some leftover green beans, ham, and potatoes, and thinking about the circle of life
Bird Droppings March 31, 2026 Eating some leftover green beans, ham, and potatoes, and thinking about the circle of life I made a huge crock pot of green beans, ham, and potatoes last evening and had plenty of leftovers. One of my favorite childhood memories is of family meals, which were a staple. I’m sitting…
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Imagination is a key to unlocking a higher level of thought.
Bird Droppings March 27, 2026Imagination is a key to unlocking a higher level of thought. Over the years, I have visited many places and met numerous people. In 1973, I was living in Macon, Georgia, and had the great privilege to meet Bill and Gerald Harjo. Gerald was in school at Mercer University finishing his…
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“Peaceful evolution versus violent revolution,” what a powerful thought
Bird Droppings March 26, 2026“Peaceful evolution versus violent revolution,” what a powerful thought I have read extensively over the past few years, gathering ideas for my dissertation as part of my studies at Georgia Southern University. One of those books that passed through my hands, and a few minutes ago, is on my writing table,…
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The inability to surmount learning difficulties
Bird Droppings March 25, 2026The inability to surmount learning difficulties I will borrow from old droppings and share them again, perhaps in the future when the message is important to me. In one of my last IEP meetings, my student was reaffirmed, yes, you do have a deficit in math according to state testing. However,…
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We must reconcile the present, past, and future to find balance
Bird Droppings March 24, 2026 We must reconcile the present, past, and future to find balance Several months ago, we spent a few days in Southern Pines, North Carolina, visiting our son, daughter-in-law, and grandkids. On our way home, we side-tracked to Pawleys Island, South Carolina, and Huntington State Park for a quick drive through…
The daily meanderings of a teacher 