Bird Droppings August 17, 2015 What is this aspect 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 August 14, 2015 Within the circle of life a new life coming Resurrection By Susan Thomas Underwood The universe is energy in constant motion. There are ebbs and flows; Outcomes and income, And change…… Always change. The physical world reflects this motion In the cycles of life, There is spring and fall, winter…

Bird Droppings August 13, 2015 Teaching is far more than just wanting to “I want to say one other challenge that we face is simply that we must find an alternative to war and bloodshed. Anyone who feels, and there are still a lot of people who feel that way, that war can solve the…

Bird Droppings August 12, 2015 Why are we deliberately trying to be wrong? I will admit that on Wednesday with a Powerball jackpot of only fifty million dollars I am pondering retiring if I win. I think I would be if I won retiring to devote time to education in a more positive way than…

Bird Droppings August 11, 2015 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 August 10, 2015 Can we listen through our heart? It has been several years since found on my many excursions to Barnes and Nobles a small book that I would like to share some passages from. I found many of the thoughts and passages to be of significance and for me sharing words…

Bird Droppings July 7, 2015 Today is day one or so I am told Feeling old today now that I working shortly on my sixty sixth year and a cold front coming in, my bones are aching. I remember nearly nine years ago as we got closer to the last day in our old house…

Bird Droppings August 6, 2015 Gratitude is action as well as words “Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.” Chief Seattle, 1854 Most mornings I am driving to school…

Bird Droppings July 5, 2015 Do we teach or are we taught “The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.” Albert Einstein “We as teachers should be the catalyst not the solution.” Frank Bird Ed.S. D.D. So many times when discussing students who are having difficult times an individual teacher’s perspective is…

Bird Droppings July 4, 2015 I wonder why about the art of flying? Once upon a time, that line has started so many stories in my day that perhaps it would be a good way to start today. Many years ago as I drove my kids to school each morning I would spin yarns of…