The daily meanderings of a teacher

Bird Droppings December 29, 2022 Should children be left behind? “I believe that our own experience instructs us that the secret of education lies in respecting the pupil. It is not for you to choose what he shall know, what he shall do. It is chosen and foreordained, and he only holds the key to…

Bird Droppings December 18, 2022 Waiting for a miracle I wrote this piece nearly twenty years ago, and it still has a place in my heart. Miracle is a word used often by people of faith. It explains things that happen with no apparent cause and/or rationale. We all sit waiting for miracles, perhaps waiting…

Bird Droppings December 17, 2022 Building Sandcastles drip by drip It was nearly twenty years ago when I was physically attending classes in graduate school almost every day, just before switching to Internet classes and WebCT. This took some getting used to going to school and then teaching school. I taught from 7:20 – 3:00…

Bird Droppings December 11, 2022 Who would have thought of a buffalo snort in the dark? “Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on…

Bird Droppings December 6, 2022 Sitting, wondering, pondering, and dishwashing Several earlier readings on the internet got me thinking and pondering as I do in a roundabout way. So often, we take our technology for granted.  It has been about fourteen years since we moved into this house and a brand-new dishwasher. About six years…

Bird Droppings December 4, 2022 Have YOU been Naughty or Nice? I have been away from my computer for much of the past week. Schoolwork, working around the house, and several Christmas shopping trips kept me uninspired to write. I have a friend who has chosen to do an act of kindness daily. She committed…

Bird Droppings December 3, 2022 Teaching as improvisational art using learning as the pallet I wrote the basics of this article nearly sixteen years ago and thought of an artist friend, now a computer programmer, trying to define her art and searching for her meaning in life. My friend often reflected her political views and…

Bird Droppings November 29, 2022 To think or at least try this morning  “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” Joseph Campbell  I wonder if it is for attention that so many teenagers seek the route of drama in their lives. Overreacting to seemingly inconsequential stimuli…

Bird Droppings November 22, 2022Trying to understand giving thanks, war and Teaching I seldom have a difficult time sleeping. I crashed last night after a long day of cleaning up after my grandkids. My wife said I was too lenient, so I should make them pick up. I have found pros and cons as I…

Bird Droppings November 16, 2022At least trying to think this beautiful day “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” Joseph Campbell I wonder if it is for attention that so many teenagers seek the route of drama in their lives. Overreacting to seemingly inconsequential stimuli seems…