Bird Droppings September 6, 2012 Is our world one of paradox and confusion?   “What can we surmise about the likelihood of someone’s being caring and generous, loving and helpful, just from knowing that they are a believer? Virtually nothing, say psychologists, sociologists, and others who have studied that question for decades.” Alfie Kohn  …

Bird Droppings September 5, 2012 How can teaching be successful?   “The first object of any act of learning, over and beyond the pleasure it may give, is that it should serve us in the future. Learning should not only take us somewhere; it should allow us later to go further more easily.” Ted Sizer  …

Bird Droppings September 4, 2012 Why do we not consider people first?               You would think that with a three day weekend I could get caught up do some writing and perhaps even get a bit of work done for school but unforeseen events always seem to crop up. Saturday was predominantly family time…

Bird Droppings September 3, 2012 Hey what about routines?   We are all creatures of habit and routines. It has been quite a few years ago that my wife called to me in the wee hours of the morning as I was starting to write, our youngest son was sick. A virus had struck hard…

Bird Droppings September 2, 2012 I wonder what is on my mind?   Where do I start twenty four years ago tomorrow my wife and I were at the hospital wondering if she was in labor. The doctor finally said she probably will go home but go check her in just to be safe. I…

Bird Droppings August 31, 2012 What is it we see looking into a child’s eyes?   I woke up at my normal time from a dream almost thinking I was back fifteen or so years getting up and getting the kids all sent off to school and it was pretty quiet around the house. After…

Bird Droppings August 30, 2012 Do we fail ourselves?   Many the times I have wondered why people stop learning. I see it in high school students, college and in graduate students. Almost as if a switch is thrown and poof no more learning I have reached my limit. Yesterday in a co-teaching class where…

Bird Droppings August 29, 2012 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 six years since we moved last and found ourselves in this house.   I wasn’t sure from where to start several ideas have…

Bird Droppings August 28, 2012 Is there 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  …

    Bird Droppings August 27, 2012 How do you spell Essential Bird Pedagogy?   “If a university can’t have two out of five of their student-athletes graduate, I don’t know why they’re rewarded with post-season play” Arne Duncan               Over the past few years I have been looking at how I see teaching…