The daily meanderings of a teacher

Tag: Sitting Bull

  • In pursuit of excellence in learning

    Bird Droppings July 1, 2015 In pursuit of excellence in learning I was listening to crickets and tree frogs as the sounds of morning surrounded me with the rustling of leaves in the steady breeze as I sojourned out in the wee hours. It is a great day to walk this reality thank you. “We…

  • Developing a community requires contributions of self

    Bird Droppings June 30, 2015 Developing a community requires contributions of self We have become a world of self-centered egotists which I know is a generalization of perhaps a bit too much. However in education building an educational school community has consistently been shown to improve schools effectiveness yet we always seem to turn in…

  • Teaching can be successful

    Bird Droppings June 29, 2015 Teaching can be successful So as I do on many mornings when I get the time I walked out to a quiet corner of my back yard. Nestled in a patch of weeds and brush I laid claim to my quiet spot and look toward the east in the morning.…

  • Culture is far more than just a word

    Bird Droppings June 26, 2015 Culture is far more than just a word “Silence was meaningful with the Lakota, and granting a space of silence before talking was done in the practice of true politeness and regardful of the rule that thought comes before speech. In the midst of sorrow, sickness, death or misfortune of…

  • Why do we wish, wonder and wait?

    Bird Droppings June 25, 2015 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 nine years since we moved last and found ourselves in this house. I wasn’t sure from where to start several ideas have been running through…

  • Why do we fail?

    Bird Droppings June 24, 2015 Why do we fail? Many the times, I have wondered why people stop learning. I see it in high school students, in college and graduate students. Almost as if a switch is thrown and poof no more learning I have reached my limit. I had a teacher approach me before…

  • A spiritual side to teaching

    Bird Droppings June22, 2015 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 Dr. Parker Palmer is an…

  • My fathers always on my mind and in my heart

    Bird Droppings June 21, 2015 My fathers always on my mind and in my heart It was quiet in the house today as I got up from my chair. I woke up early as I do and my oldest asleep upstairs and my wife visiting her mother I went out and sat down only to…

  • The head of education in the US should not be an idiot

    Bird Droppings June 19, 2015 The head of education in the US should not be an idiot It was five years ago I was reading an article actually an interview with Arne Duncan, the Secretary of Education. I selected a few choice quotes from his interview to savor and ponder for a few days. As…

  • Could there be such a thing as Essential Education?

    Bird Droppings June 18, 2015 Could there be such a thing as Essential Education? It has been almost two years since I was discussing various educational philosophies and pedagogies with my son. One happened to be essential education which per his text is only a slight step from perennial education that is reading, writing and…