The daily meanderings of a teacher

Bird Droppings September 5, 2020 It takes more than one strand to make a rope, in life and 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 Every day as I talk to teachers and…

Bird Droppings September 3, 2020 Ponderingerest is that even a word? Coming up are some interesting days. One is interesting and yet solemn day; a day marked by dark memories; nineteen years ago, I started teaching again after a twenty-three-year layoff, thirty-one years ago, we brought a new baby home. So many memories are coming…

Bird Droppings September 2, 2020  It is about understanding   I read a student’s psychological report years back who could decode most any word put in front of them. The confusion comes when trying to tell you what was read. The two components of reading, decoding, and comprehension are needed to be a successful reader.…

Bird Droppings September 1, 2020  Looking for the right words in a new morning   “The place to improve the world is first in one’s own heart and head and hands.” Robert M. Pirsig, American author   “Robert Maynard Pirsig September 6, 1928 – April 24, 2017, was an American writer and philosopher. He was…

Bird Droppings August 31, 2020 Sometimes history is a teacher and for others only a memory   The anniversary of a day that will be a scar on our nation’s history is soon upon us.  On September 15, 1963 an explosion tore through the African-American 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, it was a…

Bird Droppings August 29, 2020 I am told, there is a reason.   “The purpose of life is a life of purpose.” Robert Byrne   I often wonder about this idea, as have so many before me and will after I am gone. Philosophers wonder, and wise men ponder, is their purpose, a reason for…

Bird Droppings August 28, 2020 Why do we have public education? To educate all our Children. For all teachers today is a day of action. Standup for what you believe in. I read an article that references children as others yesterday. The way a profiteer looks at children are entities, simply others, consumers and I…

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…