Too Many Good Things This Past Week.

I’ve included more than usual, but still left out far too many. So NO SHENANIGANS! Let’s get right to it:

A Sad Look At Human Empathy – Maha Bali, of Reflecting Allowed, offers this very personal, very reasonable, consideration of our ability (or lack thereof) to truly see others as part of the same species as ourselves. I like it for many reasons, but topping the list are (a) she’s horrified by the tone and attitude behind some responses to recent events rather than focused on arguing policy, (b) she highlights the game-changing power of personally knowing people different than ourselves in some way, and (c) she recognizes that interpersonal ugliness stems from human tendencies we must be aware of and fight, not from some people being ‘good’ and others being ‘bad’. At least, that’s how I read her.

Follow @Bali_Maha on the Twitters and read her for yourself – not so that you’ll agree, but so that even when you don’t, you’ll hear her. 

Thoughts On Obstruction & Serious Conversation – Rick Cobb at OKEducationTruths is back, and that means something both evil and idiotic is rearing its head and requires addressing (I originally went with ‘requires stomping and fire’, but that makes him sound so negative – I just think of him as the serious, legit one we turn to when big words are involved). Here Cobb discusses Boren’s sales tax proposal to fund public education (which is NOT the big evil thing), framed by a legislature and state generally hostile towards schools and teachers in general, consistently working to destroy them so they can be labeled failures and replaced by, I dunno, Haliburton Educational Services or something.

*pause*

I, um… I may be extrapolating a bit. Go read his argument for yourself, and double-check to make sure you’re following @okeducation on the Twitters.  #oklaed 

Sitting Still – Tina Lundy, the revered MiddleSchoolStationConductor, reminds us that MANY KIDS NEED TO MOVE AROUND SOMETIMES AND DO STUFF THAT DOESN’T SUCK before they can learn the things we’ve decided are so darned important instead. Are we really gaining ground by taking away the very things research shows help them learn in order to hammer them harder with the things that aren’t working already? I love this blog.

Move around with @TMLunday on the Twitters and read more stuff that doesn’t suck.  #oklaed 

Aliyana’s Mindset Moment – Bill Ferriter at The Tempered Radical reminds us as we argue the relative merits of tests, grades, and other trappings of traditional schooling, not to forget the kids inside the maze. Or at least, he reminded ME. What he’s actually sharing here is the story of one kid and one test and one brief discussion putting grades into perspective.

Sometimes we don’t have to overthrow the system to subvert the dominant paradigm. Sometimes we just have to tweak our approach a tiny little bit to make a better impact. Oh, and there’s a little ‘growth mindset’ thrown in for good measure – and you know I’m all about that.

Grow with Ferriter in the Twittering Fields at @plugusin and let’s expose the Matrix together. Let’s take the red pill. 

The Multiplication Effect – I’ve often poked at Meghan Loyd of For the Love over her stubborn optimism and sometimes bizarre idealism regarding this profession. Don’t tell her this, but I am often SO thankful for the right rainbows and unicorns.

“Keep going. Keep reaching. Keep doing the hard things. Don’t stop. Love kids. Know them. Reach out to them, but remember it’s okay if you don’t reach and impact them all. Maybe you just weren’t the person that they needed at the time. See the good in every kid, and I know sometimes you have to look really hard. Mulitply your circle of influence. Don’t worry about the other stuff, just love your job and love your students. You just might be the only one that truly does.”

Multiply your circle of influence with @MeghanLoyd on the social media platform with the happy looking little bluebird. Bring a tissue.  #oklaed 

There’s A Canyon Divide That’s Hard To Leap For Students After High School – Starr Sackstein at StarrSackstein.com discusses the ‘pedagogical divide’ between the ideal High School approach in which content depends on teacher-student connection and the traditional Post-Secondary approach in which content delivery is the priority and the audien- er… the students, are largely secondary. Sackstein is the most practical, no-b.s. edu-blogger I know who still never seems like she’d rather be throwing heavy objects at someone. 

I don’t get that, but I admire it. 

Be calm and poignant with @MsSackstein on the Twitters. You may not always agree with her, but you can’t help but think differently – and more clearly – because of her. 

Bonus Post! Even If You’ve Been Scanning & Have Other Stuff To Do Or Aren’t Really Paying Attention – Stop and Check This One Out.

(And I’ll end a sentence w/ a preposition anytime I darn well please.)

Faking Excellence: The Art of Milking Mediocrity for All It’s Worth – Ilana Horn at Teaching/Math/Culture has a rather entertaining offspring who shares her writing from time to time on mom’s blog. In this piece, the younger Horn offers up advice from one student to another on how to get by in school without wasting nearly as much time as the system seems to expect. 

it’s funny, and well-written, and possibly intended as satire (at least, I think that’s how she sold it to mom – but I don’t buy it). But it’s also a pithy window into some of the absurdities and weaknesses of what passes for ‘school’ – traps into which we all fall from time to time. 

Read it because it’s really that good, but don’t be afraid to think about it more than you want to. I think she’s telling us something rather important whether that’s her primary goal or not. 

While you’re at it, go tell mom how well she’s doing with that kid of hers. She’s @tchmathculture while Twittering, and her writing is pretty decent, too. 

That’s it for this week. Thanks for caring enough to support #oklaed and edu-blogging in general. I do have one last request if you’d be so kind…

TODAY, and several times this week, as you go to the posts above or to other edu-blogs or sites you find helpful, encouraging, or challenging – COMMENT ON THEIR POSTS.  I know, I know – you’re busy, and you figure they have ALL these followers, etc., but I’m telling you – specific, positive or thoughtful feedback is too rare and so very powerful and encouraging. If they’ve said or done anything to make you think, or to better your day, tell them. The more precise and constructive, the better.

While your at it, pick one kid a day and do something similar for him or her. The total cost in time and effort is minimal, and you’ll feel better afterwards. 

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Sometimes, children, you have to CHOOSE to believe. That is the nature of this calling. 

Believe In Yourself – Scott Haselwood of Teaching From Here has been a bit more scattered and his posts less elaborate since he began taking… I dunno – whatever classes one takes to get ALL THE DEGREES by Summer 2017. I never cease to be amazed, however, by his determination to stay hopeful, and to question, and to push, and to prod, and to believe that WE CAN DO THIS. He’s either on something or onto something – and you can’t help but believe the latter. If you need help believing, follow him on the Twitters at @TeachFromHere – and tell him you believe as well.  #oklaed

Hello, Year Four – Keen Educator Ashley Stearns is back in the edu-blogosphere, and her voice is both well-timed and welcome. She’s feeling a bit scattered as well (see a theme this time of year?) but wants to assure us – and herself, I assume – that this is OK. It’s OK to be tired. It’s OK to be confused. It’s OK to mess up. Take a breath, get it together, and BELIEVE. I’m glad she’s back. Tweet her at @KeenEducator and tell her you’re glad, too.  #oklaed

How Much You Care – Tom Rademacher on Mr. Rad’s Neighborhood revisits the old line about them not caring how much you know until… blah blah blah. The weird thing is, he makes it meaningful again. Like… I believed it again, and kinda cared. Go read it yourself, then follow @MrTomRad on the Twitters. You will believe. 

The Unexpected Becoming the Norm – George Couros of The Principal of Change discusses the essential role of leadership in education if real learning is going to happen. By way of example, he shows some love to our own Supt. Joy Hofmeister. When was the last time you remember ANYTHING in Oklahoma being cited in a positive way regarding public education? Find Couros on the Twitters at @gcouros and while you’re at it, follow @Joy4OK as well. We think she’s swell. 

Power, Labor, and Compliance in Education Reform: Why We Must Refuse – Yeah, I know… this edition of Blue Serials was in such a happy place, and now I’m wrapping up with a visit back to real world headaches. BUT, this rallying cry from EducationAlchemy to fight principalities and powers and pedagogical wickedness in high places is as much a call to believe as it is an exposè. This piece argues that when a ‘crisis’ demanding more and more control and funding lasts more than a few generations, we should perhaps question the validity of the ’emergency’ – or at least the sincerity of the solutions. Rally with @MornaMcDermott on Twitter to continue the alchemy. 

Regular readers and #11FF know that I’m not particularly cutting edge when it comes to #edtech, but I couldn’t help but be impressed by the latest breakthroughs in classroom and personal technology. The age of the flipped, personalized, responsive, BYOD, differentiated, edu-miraculous personal learning automaton is HERE!

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Go forth and believe, my amazing carbon-based teacher-types. If you do well, you may win a Tums.

You are SO much better than you think you are – and I thank you.

HARK HOW THE BELLS! SWEET SILVER BELLS! ALL SEEM TO SAY! THROW CARES AWAY! CHRISTMAS IS – 

I know, I know – we complain about it every year, but that doesn’t stop the machine from cranking this baby up as early as they think might squeeze a few more half-pennies from the masses. And it IS coming… sooner than you think. We’re past Fall Break, the new has worn off, the time has changed, and things just seem to get busier and busier. Sure, we MEANT to keep up with our online teacher friends and we bookmarked those edu-blogs to read, but…

No worries. I got you. It’s what I do. Here are the “Shouldn’t Miss” posts from #oklaed and beyond this past week or two…

Never Give Up Hope – Regular readers and vintage #11FF might not expect me to be quite so hooked on Jon Harper, aka Bailey & Derek’s Daddy, given his penchant for emotional, inspirational, warm and toasty caring kinda things. That’s not really my comfort zone. But it works for him, and underneath it runs a current not of sugar and fairy dust, but of risk – and gut checks – and breaking the $%&@ rules if it might be best for kids. In this short piece he rolls the dice on a troubled kid and seeks his help mediating between two younger boys. Then he walks away. Follow Harper on the Twitters at @jonharper70bd – really. Go, now – do it. 

Clutch / Breakthrough – As long as we’re full of hope and acknowledging the moments of healing light, here’s a double shot of Rebecka Peterson on OneGoodThing this past week. My daughter – who’s as sharp as a gar, but scathingly merciless regarding any teacher she deems unworthy (where do kids GET these attitudes?) – still loves Mrs. Peterson best of anyone she had in high school, including me. That’s OK, though – I do too. Bask in the mathematical and pedagogical wisdom of Peterson at @RebeckaMozdeh on the Twitters.  #oklaed 

#OurSchool – Seth Meier of Excellence In Mediocrity shares his take on this year’s release of the infamous Oklahoma Public Schools A-F Report Cards. **Spoiler Alert** He’s not impressed. It’s probably sour grapes, though – sounds like #HisSchool wastes all their time and resources on serving kids, growing their potential, and developing the sorts of relationships that lead to a lifetime love of learning and a belief in what’s possible when we apply ourselves to greatness. Pshaw! That crap is SO not on the high stakes state standardized tests. Follow Meier and his Twittering at @SethMeier.  #oklaed

Nothing {New} To See Here… – Mindy Dennison at This Teacher Sings drops a ‘DUH’ on those bewildered as to why treating people badly and paying them poorly makes them not want to teach. In other “Who Knew?’ news, politicians just want to get elected and pro wrestling is almost as fake as a Kardashians episode. Trigger Warning: I’m pretty sure I detect traces of snark and sarcasm from Dennison as she ponders HOW any of this remains so COMPLICATED for state leggies. What’s NOT complicated is following Dennison when she’s Twitterizing as @MrsDSings, so let’s go do that now, kay?  #oklaed 

On Slow Readers And What It Means for Student Reading Identity / Then It Just Doesn’t Matter – A pair from Pernille Ripp on Blogging Through the Fourth Dimension – both richer and truer than ought to be possible in such brevity. From the first: “Since when did taking your time as you read become something to be ashamed of?” and from the other: “So when they hate reading we must attack that first.  Not the strategies, not the skills, but the emotion that is attached to everything we are trying to do.  We must dig and dig and dig to find out why.  And we must ask, and we must talk, and we must give them a chance to change their mind, if even just in the slightest way, as we create classrooms that are run on a culture of love for our subject, rather than a need to cover curriculum.” Ripp excites me because she says things I would want to say if I’d realized how strongly I thought and felt them, then crushes me with how simply she pleads with us to please try to take care of our children in ways which should be so obvious. It’s like crying in church. Read her. Follow her. Buy her books. @PernilleRipp 

Finally, In Honor Of NaNoWriMo2015, A Post (and an Idea) Well Worth Another Look…

Detachment: An Object Lesson (November 2014)– Dan Tricarico, aka The Zen Teacher, shares a writing assignment I would have found bizarre and possibly pointless several years ago. Now I realize he was just a bit ahead of me on the ‘getting a clue’ curve (I can admit this because he’s too Zen to ever throw it back at me, but he knows it’s true), and I love Love LOVE this one. I’m going to find some pretense for doing this in my AmGovt class this month, because… defiance. And tenure. Oh – and it’s good for the children, too. Be good for your children by being in the moment with Dan on the Twitters at @TheZenTeacher and buying his book. At least add it to your wish list – I hear there’s a holiday of some sort coming up soon, and who knows what might turn up? 

Go, my #11FF Darlings – go be amazing, no matter what that looks like for you this week. I’ll leave you with a trifecta tribute to National Novel Writing Month, beginning with one of the strangest, wrongest things ever done to a Beatles song…

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Gonna write you a letter… gonna write you a book…

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It’s amazing what words can do…

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What was in that letter that calls to me, to me, to me? What was in that letter – straight to the very heart of me? What was in that letter that haunts me from this distance? What was in that letter – so sure, so persistent…? 

Yeah, I know – but I don’t think he means just a literal letter. Go write your book, in whatever form that means for you. Straight to the very heart. 

Well, I’ll Be Darned! – #OklaEd Legend Rob Miller hit something like a zillion page views this past week…

And – being the way he is – used the occasion to credit and thank others for all they’ve done instead. Rather than sing his praises even more (why ruin him by letting it all go to his head?), I’ll simply share a few of my favorites from recently and not-so-recently, so that if you’re new, you can see why he’s such a big friggin’ deal to the rest of us. But first… “Celebration”:

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“Celebration – You’re a little bit better and ready for some celebration… Some time to get louder and not by yourself.” Indeed, Mr. Miller – indeed.

Way Too Little, Seven Years Too Late – How nice of the White House and Arne Duncan to tell us there’s simply TOO MUCH TESTING and we’ve got to dial it back! If only this weren’t the same thing they’ve said several times before without it making any difference at all. Pay no attention to that man behind the cut score. 

Just Do What They Did? Really, Jay Cronley?! – Tulsa World columnist Jay Cronley suggests Tulsa teachers stop making excuses for poor marks on the completely discredited punitive bullsh*t state report card system, and encourages more public schools to simply screen out minorities, poor kids, immigrants, or ugly fat chicks in order to improve their rankings. Miller – one of those excuse-driven labor union shills, apparently – takes exception.

Who Exactly Does A-F Help? – Before Cronley proposed his ‘Night of Broken Class’ solution to the faux ‘problem’ misidentified by A-F, the Tulsa World – normally a fairly reasonable voice in this madness – went all Yellow #2 Pencil Journalism with their soft condemnation of Tulsa area schools and teachers. ‘FAILURE’ the ginormous headline read, because presumably ‘STOP TRYING TO SERVE ALL CHILDREN INSTEAD OF THE CHOSEN FEW’ wouldn’t fit above the fold. This is really where Rob’s week took a turn for the outraged. I’d like to say I’m sorry it did, but… come on… it’s so much fun to read. 

The Hard Tyranny of Ridiculous Expectations! – Parents know, and Teachers learn, the futility and danger of making broad, extreme threats on which you cannot possibly follow through. Political leaders and #edreform voices, however… not so much. 

The New World of Teaching! – “At your school, every child is required to play football, so you coach them all—the athletic and talented ones, as well as the small, awkward, uncoordinated ones… Now imagine that your team is scheduled for only one game this year. While you have numerous team practices and scrimmages, the success of your entire season will rest on how your athletes perform in only ONE game. A game in which you, the coach, will not be allowed to watch or participate. In fact, you are not allowed to call any of the plays or provide any guidance to players during the contest. The players are completely on their own…” This was one of the first posts of Rob’s that made me realize I might be able to write like me but I’d never be able to write like this. It took me weeks to get over that simple truth. 

It’s Not Complicated – In July 2013, Rob wrote in a tone of amazement at the audacity of those labeling our teacher schools failures without talking to a single person there or setting foot on campus. Even better, their solution was so obvious – ONLY LET THE TOP 10% OF PEOPLE BECOME TEACHERS. Well duh! Why DIDN’T we THINK of that? Of course, this was a long, long time ago, and Oklahoma has learned SO much since then. JUST KIDDING! We still think if we just demand that Ts be the besterly best on an absurdly meaningless scale for no money and statewide disdain, the problem is solved. I wonder how Miller retains such a professional tone. I want to cuss and throw things.

Good Luck To The Graduates of Waldo High School – If #EdReformers get their way, soon all kids will be the exact same child. “In the future, all restaurants are Taco Bell.” Good luck with that, kids. At least their class song (I assume every graduating class everywhere will be required to use the same one) will be an easy pick:

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Next week we’ll double up on some of the other edu-blogs from #OklaEd and beyond. In the meantime, send some love to Rob Miller on the Twitters at @edgeblogger and subscribe to his blog at www.viewfromtheedge.net.