The daily meanderings of a teacher

Bird Droppings July 20, 2020 It takes more than one strand to make a rope, in life and in education.   “You cannot contribute anything to the ideal condition of mind and heart known as Brotherhood, however much you preach, posture, or agree, unless you live it.” Faith Baldwin   Each day as I talk…

Bird Droppings July 19, 2020 How do we know we are grown up?   “The day the child realizes that all adults are imperfect he becomes an adolescent; the day he forgives them; he becomes an adult; the day he forgives himself; he becomes wise.” Alden Nowlan   Earlier this week a former student posted…

Bird Droppings July 18, 2020 Should we consider ignorance a part of the journey?   “If I want to justify my existence, and continue to be obsessed with the notion that I’ve got to do something for humanity — well, teaching ought to quell that obsession — and if I can ever get around to…

Bird Droppings July 17, 2020 How capable do we need to be? Inspired by a student.   What a contrast to only a few days ago listening to the Atlantic Ocean, the moon is coming back smiling at me as I went out in the wee hours with a crystal-clear sky. There was a gentle…

Bird Droppings July 16, 2020 Doing is the best teacher It has been an interesting week already. Monday, I did some running around, Tuesday I cut grass and cleaned the garage, Wednesday I went to several doctors literally all day, today I am working in the yard again. One year ago, roughly I decided to…

Bird Droppings July 13, 2020 What do we miss? All Along the Watchtower There must be some way out of here, Said the joker to the thief, There’s too much confusion, I can’t get no relief. Businessmen, they drink my wine, Plowmen dig my earth, None of them along the line Know what any of…

Bird Droppings July 11, 2020 One puzzle piece at a time, a secret formula for good teaching. “Most people would succeed in small things if they were not troubled with great ambitions.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow How many times are we told “take your time”? So often in life we are anxious to get the job…

Bird Droppings July 10, 2020 Like the spider web all of life is connected and intertwined As I thought about the Sydney J. Harris passage below I recall a walk one morning out to a quiet spot where I meditate and something hit me. As I faced east towards the rising sun the gossamer threads…

Bird Droppings July 9, 2020 Hearing and listening are critical “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” Epictetus A simple analogy yet we far too often we as parents. Teachers and or friends do not understand that statement. Perhaps it is because we have…

Bird Droppings July 8, 2020 Just a morning observation “I do not write from mythology when I reflect upon Native American spirituality in this book. In my own opinion, mythology leads to superstition; and superstition has proved fatally destruction to many millions down through time. It is ironic, then that Dominant Society accuses Native practices…