The daily meanderings of a teacher

Bird Droppings August 18, 2016 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…

Bird Droppings August 15, 2016 I wonder if there is such a thing as Essential Education? It has been almost six years since I was discussing various educational philosophies and pedagogies with my son the then graduate education student. One happened to be essential education which per his text is only a slight step from…

Bird Droppings August 11, 2016 Finding the right spot for the puzzle pieces   “In order to learn the nature of the myriad things, you must know that although they may look round or square, the other features of oceans and mountains are infinite in variety; whole worlds are there. It is so not only…

Bird Droppings August 10, 2016 What is the Holy Grail (solution/answer) in education?   “Obsessive search for the holy grail through only that which can be measured and documented effectively diminishes the sacred and leaves us standing empty without souls.” Dr. Grant Bennett   A day or two ago I got a bit carried away…

Bird Droppings August 9, 2016 Can we find answers outside our windows?   As I read and pondered a world engrossed with money and how we can spend money. I wonder if perhaps some of the thinking that is bringing so many American Indians back to their more traditional world views has merit. I was…

Bird Droppings August 5, 2016 What is this aspect you cannot teach teachers?   “Studies suggest that instructional and management processes are key to effectiveness, but many interview and survey responses about effective teaching emphasize the teacher’s affective characteristics, or social and emotional behaviors, more than pedagogical practice.” James H. Stronge, Qualities of Effective Teachers…