The daily meanderings of a teacher

Bird Droppings September 17, 2022It 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…

Bird Droppings September 13, 2022 What about routines? I was walking about Kroger today. It wasn’t that long ago I was using one of those electric carts to race around the store, especially when my left leg was bothering me. No sooner did I get started on one of my last scoots, and the cart…

Bird Droppings September 11, 2022 Can we see a gray world in color? My wife shared a photo she took earlier while walking of spider webs along the power lines, a common event on cooler wet mornings when the dew settles on the webs. I was inspired to go out and take a few photos…

Bird Droppings September 10, 2022 Grandparenting/Teaching is telling our students and grandchildren the stories I have been lazy lately. I have been reading and documenting notes for my dissertation but have not pulled them up in a few days. I am finishing up the first three chapters of my dissertation. My title has changed over…

Bird Droppings September 9, 2022 Ponderingerest is that even a word? Coming up are some exciting days. One is an interesting and yet solemn day, a day marked by dark memories; twenty-one years ago, I started teaching again after a twenty-three-year layoff; thirty-three years ago, we brought a new baby home. So many memories are…

Bird Droppings September 7, 2022 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. I…

Bird Droppings September 2. 2022A 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 The recent weather reminded me of…

Bird Droppings August 29, 2022 I am told there is a reason. Early today, I should not get into disagreements on Covid, and I try to avoid it. I have strong feelings about vaccines being a polio survivor, and I mentioned I was one of the lucky ones I survived till I started back to…

Bird Droppings August 26, 2022If you see a new trail or footprint you do not know, follow it to the point of knowing “Choices are sacred to life’s journey. They lie along the path that all of us must follow for ourselves. An important Cherokee lesson is that if you involve yourself in any decision,…

Bird Droppings August 24, 2022 Quietly listening to Hot Tuna and pondering the word inspiration Nearly twenty 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 led by a brought-in speaker. They would pay big dollars for…