The daily meanderings of a teacher

Bird Droppings August 27, 2020 A beginning from an end “It is the function of art to renew our perception. What we are familiar with we cease to see. The writer shakes up the familiar scene, and as if by magic, we see a new meaning in it.” Albert Einstein I was thinking back a…

Bird Droppings August 26, 2020 Quietly listening to Hot Tuna and pondering the word inspiration Nearly eighteen years ago, at a county-wide teacher kick-off meeting, traditionally a packaged inspirational meeting and welcome before budget cuts. This was the startup for the new school year lead by a brought in speaker. They would pay big dollars…

Bird Droppings August 24, 2020 Driving up a mountain takes effort   I am looking forward to another trip to Black Rock Mountain in North Georgia, the site of the Foxfire Museum property and the former site of the Piedmont College’s teacher’s class in The Foxfire Approach to teaching. My oldest son took the course…

Bird Droppings August 22, 2020 Progressive versus traditional teachers   In a ninth-grade literature class that I happen to co-teach in several years back, I was introduced to the Freedom Writers Diary and the film based on the book. In some ways the story is similar to the story of Foxfire. Erin Gruell, a first…

Bird Droppings August 25, 2019 Teaching is making a difference each day, even if only for one student   I was leaving a fast food joint yesterday and my leg was bothering me. I had been in casts for nearly six months and still go to Physical Therapy three times a week. I went to…

Bird Droppings August 19, 2020 What do teachers really know?   “Teachers are one of the most important resources a nation has for providing the skills, values and knowledge that prepare young people for productive citizenship – but more than this, to give sanctuary to their dreams and aspirations for a future of hope, dignity…

Bird Droppings August 19, 2020 The synchronicity saga and or saga of synchronicity   I write often of coincidence it may seem boring to some. To me it is a never-ending saga of special moments one after the other. During a college graduate class, we discussed science and measuring of data. Intuition and coincidence, it…

Bird Droppings August 18, 2020 Checking the toes for mittens   It has been some time since one of my granddaughters came over to me to show off her new hat and mittens. It was quite a sight clad in a t-shirt, diaper, mittens and ski cap that looked like a penguin she was showing…

Bird Droppings August 17, 2020 Looking for reasons   “Come; let us put our minds together to see what kind of life we can create for our children.” Sitting Bull, Lakota Sioux   Nearly eighteen years has passed since I did a research paper on causes of various emotional issues with children. When I first started…

Bird Droppings August 14, 2020 Life is making a quilt   “Just like an old friend kinder than expected. That Cadillac came and gave our girl a ride. Loss has no end; it binds to our connection. We don’t speak of it; we don’t even try.” Golden Embers, by Mandolin Orange, Andrew Marlin and Emily…