The daily meanderings of a teacher

Bird Droppings August 12, 2023What 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, and justice.…

Bird Droppings August 11, 2023Driving 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 Piedmont College’s teacher’s class in The Foxfire Approach to Teaching. My oldest son took the course as part of…

Bird Droppings August 4, 2023What 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, and justice.…

Bird Droppings July 31, 2023 Why do we wish, wonder, and wait? “Calamity is the perfect glass wherein we truly see and know ourselves.” William Davenant It has been nearly sixteen years since we moved last and found ourselves in this house.  I wasn’t sure where to start. Several ideas have been running through my thinking…

Bird Droppings July 30, 2023 How capable do we need to be? What a contrast to only a few weeks ago, as the sun was hiding behind the haze as I went out in the wee hours with a hazy sky. A gentle wind blew, wind chimes ringing peacefully, and frogs chirping in the pines…

Bird Droppings July 26, 2023 Direction is needed when speaking of velocity Over the past long weekend, I worked on several paper ideas, sat in my recliner, dabbled in my yard briefly around the raindrops, and played with my grandkids. But I got thinking back to a party in Pennsylvania that was held nearly fifteen…

Bird Droppings July 25, 2023How do we know we are grown up? I will be taking my stuff to my new classroom in a bit. Boxes gathered through the years of teaching and training. I will be teaching elementary school again this year only part time 49% so as to keep my retirement intact. I…

Bird Droppings July 19, 2023I am listening to a chorus of frogs, crickets, and an occasional owl. “You don’t get harmony when everybody sings the same note.” Doug Floyd Most every night and early morning, when I walk about, especially early in the morning, I am listening to the choral arrangement of tree frogs, crickets,…

Bird Droppings July 18, 2023Did you know trees can talk? “Did you know that trees talk? Well, they do. They talk to each other, and they will talk if you listen. Trouble is that white people do not listen. They never learned to listen to the Indians, so I do not suppose they will listen…

Bird Droppings July 17, 2023Maybe we are in the wrong. “I am tired of talk that comes to nothing. It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and all the broken promises. There has been too much talking by men who have no right to talk. Too many misinterpretations have been…