The daily meanderings of a teacher

Bird Droppings October 1, 2023 What is that piece 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 I…

Bird Droppings September 30, 2023An epiphany of sorts on a chilly September morning  I spent the better part of yesterday avoiding any direction, so intent on the moment I was missing cues to the past and future. It was three years ago that our neighborhood changed. On top of everything, I was worn out from…

Bird Droppings September 30, 2023 Teach to where the learning will be, not to where it is I got a text from my middle son a couple of years ago that a package was coming from my granddaughter and was very fragile. My box came; I thought I should open it while videotaping. I carefully…

Bird Droppings September 28, 2023 Why are we deliberately wrong in education so often? I stopped playing the lottery nearly five years ago unless Powerball is over 100 million. I will admit that I am pondering retiring with a Powerball jackpot of nearly nine hundred million dollars. I might need to play my numbers. I…

Bird Droppings September 24, 2023  It is about understanding I read a student’s psychological report years back who could decode almost 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. I…

Bird Droppings September 22. 2023Walking and listening among the Cotton Woods I walked outside earlier, as I do many mornings, listening, observing, trying to understand this reality I am walking about. The sky was brilliant this morning, with a slight haze settling over the cornfield and visible clouds. Over the years, I have spent many…

Bird Droppings September 21, 2023Searching for integrity “Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the…

Bird Droppings September 20, 2023Seeing all is connected and intertwined. As I thought about the Sydney J. Harris passage below and walked out to my car, I thought of my quiet spot on my back porch where I meditated, and something hit me. I generally sit facing east towards the rising sun; daily, the gossamer…

Bird Droppings September 18, 2023 Is the seat of the soul in the heart or mind? I believe I was prepared from childhood to discuss this topic. It has been many years since my first introduction to Native Peoples. I remembered my father’s Little Strong Arm and Black Eagle stories when I was three or…

Bird Droppings September 17, 2023It 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, parents, and/or…