Bird droppings April 3, 2025
Translating and communicating also involve perception

“Scientific management is always on guard against people who don’t fit securely into boxes, whether because of too much competency, too much creativity, too much popularity, or what have you. Although often hired, it is with the understanding they must be kept on a short leash and regarded warily. The ideal hireling is reflexively obedient, cheerfully enthusiastic about following orders, and ever eager to please. Training for this position begins in the first grade with the word, don’t.” John Taylor Gatto, Weapons of Mass Destruction, 2010

I looked for a copy of John Dewey’s “Experience and Education” a few days ago. As I traveled the bookstores, the only one available was a tiny version that old folks like me have difficulty reading, which I already have. The new printing is a slightly larger font and much easier to read. While searching for Dewey’s book, I came across Gatto’s latest endeavor. The book’s subtitle is “A Schoolteacher’s Journey through the Dark World of Compulsory Education.” As a thirty-year teacher, Gatto sees the issues rampant in education today. Teaching to the test is not just a catchphrase but a method of teaching that is being taught to teachers. Here is what is on the test. Now, teach just this.

In about eight weeks, I may have students in a classroom again since I have a hard time retiring. I will walk down hallways and talk with students and teachers, and I wonder if anything will be different from when I left. I wonder if teachers have studied how to be more effective, and if students read and become more scholarly over the summer weeks. Some teachers have attended graduate school, and many will have participated in leadership training programs that teach them how to manage teachers and students more effectively, guiding them through the educational process so that they can pass required tests. A few may have opted for philosophy, literature, psychology, social studies, or other more liberal arts courses.

“An effective teacher is able to convince not half or three-quarters, but essentially all, of their students to do quality work in school.” Dr. William Glasser, MD.

In his book The Quality School, Dr. Glasser explains his ideas. I found it interesting that one of his first references was Dr. W. Edwards Deming, who revolutionized the Japanese industry. The Japanese contracted with a US quality expert whom the US industry barely recognized to improve quality. In a few short years, they overtook and surpassed the US industry in production and quality. I recall a few years ago when a US car company used the slogan “Quality is Job 1.” A good view of quality is the resale value of cars and trucks. It’s remarkable how nearly all of the top ten best-resale vehicles are Japanese.

“There are four ways, and only four ways, in which we have contact with the world. We are evaluated and classified by four key factors: what we do, how we present ourselves, what we say, and how we convey it. Dale Carnegie

Carnegie provides a quick guide to life for teachers, parents, students, and children. I have always felt that an example is the key to almost any aspect of life. I wish it were not so, but how we look and are perceived is often how we are judged first. What we say can affect those around us, how they determine whether or not to believe us, and how we say it. What do we mean? Upon examining Carnegie’s words, I wonder if there is more to communication than meets the eye.

A world community can exist only with global communication, which means something more than extensive short-wave facilities scattered around the globe. It means a shared understanding, a common tradition, common ideas, and common ideals. Robert M. Hutchins

To effectively communicate, we must recognize that we are all unique in our perceptions of the world and use this understanding as a guide for our interactions with others. Anthony Robbins

Although both hold elements needed for people to communicate worldwide, even in another town, a common language, a standard set of words, and ideas are needed to initiate thoughts. It also recognizes that each person may perceive the world differently and be able to work around and through that.

“The higher you go, the wider the network of communication that will make or break you. It extends not only to more people below but to new levels above. And it extends to endless other departments and interests that interact with yours. Donald Walton

I went to Walmart yesterday in search of a specific item, a movie that my son and I wanted to watch. No luck, but as we were walking out, we both had the same thought. This store was a mini-mall for the community; people were shopping, walking about, and looking everywhere. Wal-Mart had become a focal point for this town. I had recently visited a Walmart Sam’s Club, where I spoke with a manager and other staff members. There is a network of communication.

As I sit here reviewing my morning writing, I have incorporated many industry icons as featured quotes. I started using a quote from an educator who implicates industry as a culprit in our current education process. Creating workers, yet each of the industrial leaders’ quotes does not imply that. Yesterday, as I emailed back and forth with several friends, we discussed building a network of teachers, and working that network would not build a powerful teaching tool. What about a parent network where issues could be immediately clarified and discussed openly, rather than becoming sore and festering? Communication is essential in today’s fast-paced world, yet it is often overlooked. Today is a day when a week is nearly over; please keep all in harm’s way on your mind and in your heart. Namaste

My family and friends, I do not say this lightly,

Mitakuye Oyasin

(We are all related)
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