…

I am forever intrigued to figure out the thought processes of some of the teachers that I experience.  Phrases like, “What is best for the children” are thrown around like grass seed on a freshly prepped yard but too rare is it that someone is willing to learn about weeds, chemicals and watering in order to make that grass grow.  “Just tell me what to do” seems to be what they are thinking, but not saying, when we sit through meetings about the latest teaching fad.  Each one promises to be “what is needed” to fix our ailing schools but, for some reason, they continue to come and go.  Some come back under new names.  Some even come back as their former selves.

All of these fads are simply “techniques” of applying what educational and brain research is discovering.  Someone reads the research and then devises a nifty way to package it as an “out of the box” ready to use “strategy”. 

Okay.  I have a silly question: What is wrong with cutting out the middle man and simply reading the research yourself??  I mean, teachers are forced, more than any profession I am aware of, to constantly retrain themselves year-in and year-out.  Constant in-services and constant college courses—many useful and many questionable.

Without understanding the research motivating the development of a specific technique, the teacher is left wondering, “What part did I do wrong?” or “Does this technique really work?”.  If they understood the research, they would see where things are going wrong and can, quite often, simply adjust the technique to the situation.

Rather, I am not convinced that most teachers have this desire to understand the research—”Just tell me what to do to make them learn.”  When urban legends pervade educated professionals as the truth and they even PLAN based on it, I seriously believe something is wrong.

Ask an elementary school teacher, “Does a full moon affect the behavior of the children?”  You guessed it (maybe you agree with them!), they most likely believe it does.  Some plan their next day based on the fact that it is turning to a full moon!

When asked about this full moon theory, they often have no other evidence than “I teach them 7 hours a day, you only see them for 40 minutes.”  Convenient to the promulgation of urban legends, these same teachers are ignoring that just 5 days ago they were complaining about crazy behavior and asking, “Is it a full moon?”  So repeated patterns of poor behavior are arbitrarily assigned reasons until there is a “full moon” and then THAT MUST be the cause of THIS particular day!  Non-sense.

What bothers me is that people thinking this way are also rationalizing on what is the best way to teach the children.

Fine.  Many years of experience has a lot to offer in the way of success.  You learn the “tricks of the trade” to get the information in and out of the children.  But does that alone define what is “best for the children”??!  I think not.

Please do not get me wrong.  There are some fine, fine teachers that sincerely want to understand what it takes to be a great teacher.  Time will get them through their journey and I have the deepest respect for them.

For the “moon affects behavior” urban legend, try this link:

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/moon.html

Robert

Stacy Jenkins and I are doing well. I’m confident she will be my wife and lifelong partner. That makes me happy. J

The kids at Mt. Olivet are performing well; one more performance next month.

Mom, Dad and Michael appear to be in good health. Be sure to call Mom periodically and let her know you were thinking of her.

Trying out Office 2010 Beta. Man…this stuff rocks. Also trying out Google Wave. Little harder to try since I have to have other friends approved to use it with them. But it looks cool too.

Charging for help on computers now. Check out www.martinsvillecomputers.com for my web site.

Later….

I cannot speak for other countries, or even most of mine.  But what I can do is speak of what I see around me from my own personal observation.  Certainly nothing is absolute and I recognize the moments of warmth and the compassionate, sincere people too.

I am dismayed, as of late, at the amount of apathetic and deceptive behavior that surrounds and envelopes my local community.  National fast food restaurant chains struggle to find young people who care enough to do a quality job.  Your order is almost as likely to be wrong and poorly made as it is to be even remotely qualified to be worth what you are paying for it.  And managers are apathetic to the service being given that the only time they become aware of the terrible service their employees are giving is when you complain.  Then, again, people are so apathetic to the terrible service they receive that they do not complain when they should.  For those of us who care that their $7 is being handed to someone who could care little more than you received “something” on your tray, we are surrounded by mediocrity with few tools to do anything about it.

I guess the good thing about capitalism when it works is that it fosters competition in the quality of service given.  If there are no competitors, or very few, then companies can become uncaring, deceiving and even malicious in their treatment of customers.

A local computer business has no competition in the community.  So they post a sign that says, “No cash refunds.  Store credit only.”  They are allowed to do this because no-one can call them on it.  Basically the idea is that if you need to get something from their store, you will give them money and hope what they give you works—you will not get your money back.

I recently helped a friend wherein they needed an external hard drive casing in order to recover files from their laptop computer that fried.  We purchased the casing from Martinsville Electronics and when we got it to their home discovered that we could not fit the hard drive in it due to excessive gluing inside.  I returned the casing and explained/showed that they glue was preventing the hard drive from being inserted properly.  The technician came from the back, took the casing, put one of their hard drives in it and brought it back out front.  Demonstrating the product he says, “Looks like it works fine to me.”  I took the casing and examined it and you can see that he clearly forced his hard drive down into the hardened glue.  The glue had been imprinted and you can see where it was scraped by the edges of the drive—some glue shredded up underneath the corner of the drive.  I pointed this out to him and told him, “You forced the drive into the glue.  You are a technician and may feel comfortable taking that chance, but you cannot expect a customer off the street to risk breaking the casing or their hard drive.”  He responded, “No I didn’t.  It fit perfectly.” Then he repeated the elementary demonstration of the tray sliding into the casing.

If I lived in the hood, did not have a job in the public eye and so forth, this kind of blatant insult would have resulted in this young person recovering from a bludgeoned face.  But we allow our weathered community and tough economic circumstances to provide an excuse for this kind of unheard of treatment towards paying customers.  I am currently working through the Better Business Bureau to get my friend their refund.  The surrounding news sources refuse to get involved and the Chamber of Commerce seems uninterested, recommending the BBB.

There just seems to be no-one willing to fight for what is right around here.  People are allowed to get away with the absolute minimum of effort and concern or care.  My landlord is finally (after at least 4 four years) making an effort to repair the rusted and depilated stairs leading to my apartment. 

But even during the repairs, he has shown no interest or concerns about his tenants living at the top of those stairs.  No notice was given that repairs would be taking place and I come home from work to find out they are “out of order”.  They did not even put a sign warning of the current state of disrepair.  I literally had to find one of the workers that understood English and asked, “Would it be okay for me to go up this way?”  He said, “If you think you can make it.”  So I balanced, leaned and worked my way up the parts of the stairs that were stable and exposed.  If I had known that they were to be working, I would have brought my backdoor key and could have gone around.

Days of working and still no note from the workers or  the landlord.  The first evening, they left the stairs uncompleted and no note.  Not knowing that they had NOT completed their work, I went to leave that night to visit a friend.  Not only were their literal holes where stairs should have been, the middle metal plate (pictured above) was now wet concrete, which I thoroughly stepped in as I try to recover from stepping over a missing step.

No signs or notes.  Just incomplete work left for people to hurt themselves in.  I called my landlord to complain and could only leave a message because of the lateness.  He has yet (a week later) to reply in any way.  The last several days has the stairs poorly constructed with concrete and bricks supported by wood from underneath.  Today, they appear to be attempting to weld on the rusted stair frames.  Slightly backwards, one would think.  Would you not repair the frame expected to hold hundreds of lbs of brick and concrete before you lay the brick and concrete?

Again, what recourse is there?  None outside of moving to another crap landlord here.  I did look for other places and unless they were charging a mortgage payment for rent, they were also in horrendous shape.  I will keep looking and when I find something reasonable, I will move and I will leave a letter clearly explaining my opinion of their terrible business practice.  I will also do my part as a good citizen to share my experience and pictures concerning this landlord to the BBB and Chamber of Commerce.

Do I seriously believe it will make a difference?  No.  Not here.  This place feels lost and any hope that is expressed for the fight to hold on or restore it seems like an empty and meaningless facade.  Yet, I do not want to look in the mirror and see myself as apathetic like so many around me. 

These are just a couple experiences.  This disease is quickly spreading through this town of Martinsville, Virginia.  It really is a shame because you sense that it place was, and could be, something.

So the summer has officially begun.  What was nice was that a friend invited some of us (teachers) to share a few days of relaxation at his childhood home in West Point.  This really got the summer off to a nice start.  Thanks Joel.

We started early into the water adventures.  After some Q&A, the first victim…er…uh…rider…

…was loaded and taken for a tour of the river.  Looks like fun!

Everyone got a chance.

The first evening we were lucky to enjoy some excellent cuisine created by Joel’s brother (who is a chef and co-owner of the restaurant).

We rounded the evening off back at the house with some board games and cards.

The next day included more water fun!  Of course, Joel was our guide…

…while we basked in the sun.  But you can’t just ride around in a boat.  You gotta get out and get wet.  Joel went first with some skiing while I piloted the boat.  Then it was my turn.

Nice casual tubing.  Of course, Joel could not let me just take a leisurely tube ride….

Hold on as I might…I’m no superman.  Wait…I CAN fly!

Okay, okay.  You gotta trust me…I WAS flying!

Then it was Stacy’s turn.

Yeah…she got the easy, leisurely ride I was expecting.

That evening we visited Vicky’s brother in Williamsburg for some nice conversation…

…artwork…

…and dinner.

Every day saw great company, adventure and games to be had.  We even went shopping!

Here are some shots of the home and land we were fortunate to share.

We hope that next year, if Joel is able to extend his offer again, more people will come.  So make plans and come join us next summer!

Just a VERY short post to make available some pictures others might have wanted.  They are animated gifs so you can only really make use of them a computer, but some people still want them.

Just right-click and Save Picture As….

Robert

I just wanted to express myself concerning our lack of good priorities in this country.  I love my country and the potential that we all have, but I do not fool myself into thinking we are anywhere near perfect.  In fact, I dare say we are FAR from it.

Here are four men who, every workday, get up, put a weapon on their body knowing (though maybe not expecting) that any day they could die protecting you and me.  Yesterday, they did die.

The person they were protecting us from was a violent criminal and wanted.  He died in the act and you can read about it here for a while. 

My question is, why do we pay these men and women such mediocre wages when they are walking each day with their LIFE literally on the line?  We pay executives of scamming companies literally millions of dollars in the hope they will get us something (i.e. money, stuff).  We support paying millions to sports athletes to keep healthy and entertain us for PART OF A YEAR.  We pay actors millions to entertain us and help us escape the doldrums that are our lives while these gentlemen (and people like them) offer their LIVES daily so that you may keep yours.  And some of these people (high paid celebs) have the nerve to want our sympathy and pity when something, anything goes wrong in their lives.

Having been through a Conservatory of the Arts, I can tell you there are PLENTY of VERY talented people who would act and make movies for you and I that never get there.  There are PLENTY of VERY talented song writers and performers who would sing and dance for you at a regular wage if they had the chance.  There are PLENTY of VERY talented athletes who would play VERY hard for you for a regular salary but never get the chance.

And what about teachers?  Everyday that I go to work, I see wonderful people raising the next generation.  Yes, they teach math and science and reading, etc.  But what you see everyday, along with these subjects, is teachers teaching children that it is wrong to hit and hurt people.  It is wrong to steal and cheat.  It is good to help and support one another.  Giving love is better than being hated.  Teachers literally make or break the nation and no-one worries about it because they simply keep doing it.  Teachers realize they are doing something bigger than themselves.  Even if teachers went on strike for higher wages (a better living for themselves and their families), instead of supporting them, many would criticize them and accuse them as a whole.  The effect of their point would not be felt for years, long after they’d have to return to work.

We need to accept some humility as a nation and stop deluding ourselves into thinking we need all those “luxuries”.  Instead, pay police officers, firemen and teachers a competitive salary that reflects a deep respect for the real work and influence they make on our lives.  Stop spending ridiculous amounts of money on professional sports and television/movies and support the real talent that sits in your own local communities.  Watch a minor-league game or high school basketball game instead of the NBA for a while.  Watch a play at your nearest theater (if there is one) and meet the actors afterwards (they will be happy to shake your hand and thank YOU for coming to see them!!!).

I’ll let this go because I need to go practice and do some work for a talent show on Tuesday.  Maybe you can turn off the television, drive a little (see the world) and come see these kids show off their talent.  It is free, inspiring and they too will be happy to meet you after they perform.  If not these…are there any near you waiting?

Robert

Just wanted to off a quickie update on things.

Right now I’m in Memphis with Pops.  We are visiting his mother and I’m enjoying seeing her.  She is 85 years old and a rather sprite personality.  She has a New Yorker’s accent which seems oddly out of place in this part of the US, but it is cool to hear.  She’s cool.

Back at home, the kindergarten and 1st graders performed great at their December PTO.  Not hard to get rave reviews from the parents of 5-year-olds, but it seemed appropriate this time.  They really were good.

We had a couple days at the end (before Christmas break) where not much goes on academically in the school.  There are classroom parties and a school movie.  The kids really enjoyed watching the teachers’ faces in the the “Elf Yourself” videos on Office Max’s web site.  We included those at the last minute (after the movie) on the wall of the gym.

I was able to take a few more pictures and Photoshop them for the kids.  Here are two we made on the last day.

and

Cool kids.

We head home on Tuesday.  We’ll leave in sleet but it should turn to rain early on.  We’ll be safe.  I’ll see mom on Wednesday, stay for Christmas and then my vacation begins.  I’m enjoying seeing my grandmother, so maybe this is a little vacation too.

Roberto

I went to Wal-Mart this evening after running and hitting the gym.  I don’t go there to see the kids, but I do enjoy seeing the kids when I happen across one.  I’m glad that they feel that they can say hello to me half-way across Wal-Mart and that I would turn and respond.

Well, in the check-out line, there was a young girl (first, going to second grade), her little brother (preschool going to Kindergarten) and their guardians or parents.  I’m not sure which as there were three adults telling them what to do.

This little girl was in my class and she is a pure sweetheart.  A beautiful face and always wanting to share a smile.  Always seeming to help out the other kids and very attentive (more so than most of the first graders).  Never pushy, just a great kid.  Well, in line, I noticed something that reminds me of the tenacious character of children (some children). 

She apparently had a sore or cut on her cheek and she was touching it/picking at it.  She goes to show her mother and when her mother turns to look at it, she responds by smacking her upside the head, "Don’t pick at it." 

Honestly, I am not against corporal consequences for severe infractions where an extreme sense of urgency needs to be conveyed (i.e. child is about to grab the butcher knife you repeatedly expressed was off limits; the child is about to stick their hand or head in a broiling oven because they want to see how hot is; child is about to eat a bottle of prescription medicine; etc).  But to so casually strike a child upside their head in a public place with at least 25 people standing around you…something seems awry there.  And what seriousness was to be associated with touching a wound that apparently was not bad enough to put a bandage on?  (We do it for animals to prevent them from touching a wound.)

Well, I could be wrong, but the circumstances surrounding this strike suggests to me that it is not the first time or the last time this child will be struck like that.  She was not even physically phased by it, even though it jarred her head enough to make her hair swing up into her face.  She calmly pulled the hair out of her face and turned to me, tilted her head down a little and forced a smile. I tried to pretend that I had not been looking and just turned in time to see her smile.

All this reminds me that the kids we teach every day during the school year are resilient, strong and desiring so much to become something more.  It is a testament to their enduring strength that some of them still come to school with a strong character, good will and love for others despite what they endure at home (or in Wal-Mart).  They sometimes mature in spite of us.

This entry is getting long so I will end here.  But it goes without saying that I’ve seen a similar "educational mistreatment" in a classroom or two.  And towards those ends I would conclude similarly, the children sometimes learn, pass tests and move on to success in spite of us.  I hope we would all endeavor to be a little more aware of the role we play in children’s lives and take care to help them enjoy the time we are privileged to share with them.

Robert

I decided to go early to the park where I run and take some pictures.  I was excited about the new Adobe “Lightroom 2″ program and wanted to test it out.  I think this direction suits everyone better.

So, here are some panorama shots of the park I run at and a quickie of the apartments I live in. (I have these in very high resolution but they would be far too large to post on the Internet [averaging 15+ Mb each]).

Well…I hope you enjoyed visiting a couple places I frequent.  Let me know if you liked the pictures.  I enjoy taking them, developing them and, most of all, sharing them.

Take care,

Robert

I visited family this July 4th and we did a lot of pictures and creating funny pictures with Photoshop.  I thought I’d share them here since it really is something I enjoy doing.  Some are obviously better than others, but I’m learning.

If you are good with Photoshop and would not mind sharing a hint or two, I’d be greatly appreciative.  Just register and leave a comment.

Take care and Happy July 4th.

Robert