Roberta sends me the BEST stuff....the whole story was too long to post --
so I will just post the "punch line" ...... My new motto.
> UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.
>
> Much love and compassion is sent to each and every
> person who may read this and learn how to LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS -
> NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.
Let us try to remember this daily --- and teach this "concept" to kids.
With my way of teaching I try to focus on the "big idea" --- From here on
out I will see if I can get one "big idea" in each day --- along with all
of the other stuff I teach.
I do have to tell you -- I did "use" my kiddies a bit today (all in
fun)..... We were all in one line walking down the hall to the computer
lab-- quacking like little ducks -- Honest! Waddling back and forth, too.
If one got out of line -- I gently motioned him/her back into line. We
weren't making too much noise --- but what a site to see! Hey my
administration posted TWO days in a row that "you only are young once --
but you can be immature indefinitely" (so I was only following orders ----
giggle). Next time we will have to "straighten up and fly right" -- maybe
like geese or something - I will have to think about that one. Everyone
says the kids act like "animals" these days (hmmm lets see if they really
can act like animals? Maybe I can teach them how to be a salmon/fish?)
He had NO idea how symbolic that line was for me - "ducks in a row" (see I
am "elephant" too and I never forget the really important stuff).... My
brothers and I used that phrase all the time as we talked about why my mom
and dad went away together in an accident. It was their time.... all of
their ducks were in a row. They were ready to go to heaven (my belief) ---
Hmmm....we scattered their ashes in the river though -- and that is Hindu
(interesting?). WELL, all of my little ducks (kiddies) at my school are now
in a row and I refuse to leave until they are (well a little closer
anyway -- can't always get the little ducks to line up). I only had one
duck to get ready at home and he was a piece of cake -- shucks - he takes
care of himself practically.
INVEST IN OUR/YOUR FUTURE ..Funny thing is we all blame the parents?
Well... How about training them now to be a better parent when they start
having kiddies? How about training them now to challenge policies they do
not agree with? If we don't start teaching them parenting skills now --
maybe some won't get them? If you know what I mean. I don't have children
of my students yet at my school -- but some of you do. And don't you always
say "Well the seed doesn't fall far from the tree?" OK --- so we have to
think about what we are going to do about it --- OR those of us who choose
to remain on another ten - twenty years or so will STILL be complaining
about kids not doing homework.
Kids who do the homework have a whole lot more "fun" in school -- I know, I
talked with some former students after school today.....and I have my own
son who does do his homework (although on more stressful days/times he gets
in in late - so what? he DOES it). We all need to work on making learning
fun -- if we are to create life-long learners. We can not continue to treat
schools like a business..... move em in - move em out. Defective product -
not our fault.
