Blue Serials (8/14/16)

August 12, 2016June 4, 2023 ~ Blue Cereal

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They just stood there, laughing; they’re not laughing anymore.

The walls came down.

I realize the song uses the Battle of Jericho somewhat metaphorically, but here’s something to consider as we rush through these final 10 Days before #OKElections16 Primary Runoffs – the Israelites didn’t have to have the POWER to overcome the walls. They didn’t have to have the WEAPONS or the RESOURCES to overcome the opposition. And yet, despite all worldly odds, those walls DID come down.

But they DID have to DO something – they had to march. Quite a bit, actually. That, and toot their little horns at the end.

I love you, #OklaEd, but you need to get your edu-booties physically engaged and volunteer for some of these critical campaigns. Like… NOW. I’m not doing this for myself – I’m a thousand years old and with any luck will be dead soon. But there are these children scattered across the state who’ll be paying your Social Security… or not.

Volunteer that time. Make those calls. Walk those neighborhoods. If you really want, you can toot your little horns when it’s all done, too.

In the meantime, a few things you simple SHOULD NOT MISS from the world of edu-bloggery this past week or so…

Sometimes Teaching Is Difficult – This freshman post from the mysterious, new “Oklahoma Teacher” (such a quirky and creative name – wonder how they thought of it?) is about as freshly forthright as you could ask.

Despite the title, nothing here is whiny or bitter. It’s simply a rallying cry for more teachers to share their stories and raise their voices in service of the larger good. As the post says, “Public education is not failing. Teachers are not failing. Communities are not failing their schools. Our policies are failing.”

Boo-yah!

Follow @thefrustr8edT on the Tweetering and add your voice to the mix. #oklaed

The Victorian Demagogue: 19th Century Words on a Modern Day Danger – Mimi Matthews is a brilliant historian and pithy, engaging history blogger focused on all things 19th Century. Whether discussing tennis attire or cat funerals, she brings clarity and thoughfulness to subjects which may not make it into textbooks but which bring color and life to our collective past.

In this post, Matthews examines historical perceptions of those labeled “demagogues” in their own day, their character, and their impact on those under their sway. I know usually we talk about studying history to better underrstand the present, but I can’t think of anything contemporary to which this might relate at the moment… but, I mean, I’m sure it COULD happen. Someday.

Follow @MimiMatthewsESQ on the Twittering, and learn stuff. Plus, she cracks me up.

20 Things You May Not Know About Me – There are several reasons to follow Sarah Carter of Math Equals Love, most of which are mathy. She just finished, for example, a four-part series of Japanese Logic Puzzles for the Secondary Math Classroom – and made it work. Something about math people and blogging…

In any case, this post was partly chosen to bring attention to the rest of her amazing work, but mostly because the first item on the list is “I hate water chestnuts.”

That’s what Carter leads with when playing “getting to know you.” Can you imagine first dates, or parent-teacher night, or the confessional box? “I’m Sarah… I hate water chestnuts.”

*pause*

Or maybe I’m the only one quite so enamored by this. In any case, get to know @mathequalslove on the Twitters and show Carter a little math. (See what I did there?) #oklaed

Symbols & Context – This one is from earlier in the summer, but makes for fascinating reading nonetheless. L.Z. Marie of Fiction Flirts With Fact is a writer and educator who blogs regularly about the tools of the trade.

Here, she’s compiled some of her best posts about using Setting, Direction, Biblical Allusions, Shapes, Architecture, and a dozen of other elements to make your writing richer and your themes more compelling. If for some reason you’re NOT writing a novel, I assure you this is an enlightening and engaging read anyway.

Heck, it’s even a downloadable PDF for those of you who might find it a helpful classroom resource.

I confess I’m something of a fanboy of Marie’s since I checked out the first book in her ‘Merkabah’ series – you know, just to see what it was like. I was immediately hooked and devoured the second book as well. The nearly one-year delay before this third one became available was… OMG. I hate to lose my street cred, but it was a long, painful wait. So, you know, if you read and stuff…

Follow @LZMarieAuthor on the Twitters. She’s good, and she’s good for you.

Mattering Every Day! – I don’t really DO positive or caring, but I’m smart enough to hang out with those who do, and who do it so very well.

Rob Miller of A View From The Edge is one of the most legit when it comes to the warm fuzzies. He’s never delusional, and rarely particularly rainbow-and-unincorn-ed. He does, however, know how to put things into perspective – even if that means a little motivational brilliance, like this.

Follow @edgeblogger on the Twittering and get wise and warm REGULARLY. #oklaed

This last video needs very little explanation for any of you who’ve been following events in #OKElections16. It says much when the people who know you best, believe in you the most. Thank you Angela Little for loving your kids enough to get involved, and to take the heat for speaking truth to wanna-be-power. And thank you for loving ALL of our kids enough to stay right where you are doing exactly what you do, with style and grace. #oklaed

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Blue Serials (8/7/16)

August 6, 2016June 4, 2023 ~ Blue Cereal

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Effect & Cause

The Powers-That-Be seems to have confused “cause” and “effect” recently. As the ominously-uttered (with-background-music-in-a-minor-key) “Teacher Caucus” struggles forward, trying to save our students and our sanity – not necessarily in that order – entrenched power has begun hammering a narrative in which we sorta sprang out of nowhere, determined to cause trouble. Presumably we simply have a hankerin’ for discord and a little time to kill – us not having real jobs and all.

My favorite part is how we’re all so greedy and wasteful… and the more they hack away at basic resources, the greedier and more wasteful we seem to be.

Here’s a little tip for the angry elves – we hate politics. We all have cooler things we’d rather blog about, and better uses for our $100 contributions here and there – pathetic as they may be compared to your out-of-state fiscal overlords. Given the choice, I’d probably go back to things just mostly sucking several years ago and ride it out as best I could, focused on my kids and my workshops and periodic bursts of issue-specific ranting.

But you just had to keep hacking away to please They-Who-Must-Not-Be-Taxed, didn’t you? And you broke it all. Then you doubled down and broke it all more, on principle – because the more you break it, the more ‘freedom’ and ‘prosperity’ is apparently happening.

And we’re the danger to innocents across the state? Really?

Still, there have been some powerful moments in the midst of the inanity. While I can’t possibly do justice to the edu-bloggery proffered from #oklaed and beyond since the conclusion of the last school year, here are a few which you simply SHOULD NOT MISS…

Failure – Scott Haselwood on Teaching From Here isn’t the first to highlight the importance of reframing how we think about “failure,” but this is one of the best pieces I’ve read on the subject. No diatribes on “grit,” pro or con – just honesty and reflection. Remember when we used to do that in order to get better?

Follow @teachfromhere on the Twitters to experience even more failure!

Wait, that didn’t come out right… #oklaed

The Growth Mindset Initiative – Amanda Smith on Running Through Elementary talks about helping students press through the struggle, academically or otherwise. Like any good revival meeting, some of the thoughts are familiar, but expressed in fresh, clear, introspective prose.

Writing like this makes me want to be a better teacher.

This is not an argument about Dweckian this-or-that, just a simple reminder that the words we use mattter, and that kids are smarter and more capable than they think they are. More than we sometimes think they are.

Be smarter and more capable by getting Twitterized with @runnningthruelem. #oklaed

Dear Target Mom – Meghan Loyd on For The Love recounts an inexplicably hostile encounter with a parent while shopping. While the mother’s behavior is atypical, it pulls back the curtain on so much of the underlying frustration and misunderstanding over budgets and funding and the plethora of miscellany which teachers (and parents, and many others) juggle on a daily basis.

The teacher isn’t the “bad guy,” but neither is the mom – we’re being played and pointed towards one another while handed pointed sticks and bangy rocks. Don’t bum-fight for the powerful.

Follow @meghanloyd on the Twittering and her non-edu-bloggery on The Oddesey Online. #oklaed

The Proof Is In The Paycheck – Mindy Dennison on This Teacher Sings instigated a unexpurgated kerfuffle when she wrote about her paycheck recently – in part, perhaps, because she included the entire check stub without black boxes or edits. She avoided all the usual teacher martyrdom rhetoric, and merely explained the key items on her pay stub and compared them to a neighboring state.

People lost their $#%&. It was weird.

It’s the second of Dennison’s posts to go completely viral. Imagine what she could do if she focused on farme and publishing deals instead of just trying to educate and enlighten her kids… tsk tsk.

Follow @MrsDSings on the Twitters and see what other trouble she causes. #oklaed

Finally, Oklahoma Policy Institute has compiled what they’re calling An Oklahoma Agenda for Broad-Based Prosperity.

For any of you feeling a bit overwhelmed by arguments over tax policy, statistics, needs, wants, and values, OKPolicy.org is probably the best all around source for presenting complicated issues clearly and with lots of visual aids.

I know we sometimes wish it would all just go away, but the first step towards change is being armed with understanding. They’ve even broken it into Part One and Part Two to make it less intimidating.

Now go read it, dammit.

I know these are tiring times, my darlings – but you must choose to believe. This is your state, these are your kids, and this is your calling.

Boo-yah.

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Blue Serials (5/8/16)

May 8, 2016June 4, 2023 ~ Blue Cereal

Why, yes – I AM a bit behind on the weekly wrap-ups lately. It’s just that, with the time of year, and state elections, and some uncertainty regarding, you know, how much anyone – I’m genuinely sorry. I should try to stay more… I mean, not that it’s any reflection, I just –

DON’T JUDGE ME!

Not to get all deep and meaningful, but that same dichotomy – recognizing our own faults and shortcomings, while at the same time feeling rather hostile towards anyone from the outside who wants to point fingers – is the norm for many of us in education.

I don’t think it’s unique to our profession. Watching my Dallas Stars struggle their way through Stanley Cup Playoffs, I read the frustration and targeted criticism alongside the celebration of faithful fans on social media. If Coach Ruff says our performance in a game was embarrassing, we nod and agree and love his honestly. If one of our own analysts points out weakness in our defense, we tweet our validation because we said that EXACT SAME THING only with more cuss words during the game.

But let those hacks from NBC say the same things in their game recap and our venom and defensiveness will FLY – because WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT IT YOU OLD RETIRED SUCKY LIAR PEOPLE?!?

It doesn’t help that they can’t seem to get any of our players’ names right, or keep their facts straight, or demonstrate any real understanding of what THIS team is about. It doesn’t help how clearly they favor some of the other teams in the running. So yeah – we’re probably a bit defensive, but that doesn’t mean they’re not also full of $#@&.

This is the season during which, as educators, many of us are simultaneously beating ourselves up for yet another year in which we didn’t manage to do or be all the things we’re sure we could do or be if we’d just get it right. There were a few small wins along the way, but sometimes it seems there are fewer and fewer each year. We didn’t cover everything we meant to cover, or fix all of the things we tell ourselves we’ll fix next year… every year. Not that we’re all that sold on the system itself, you understand – it’s just that no one’s come up with a better one that doesn’t cost 10x as much to run.

At the same time, when those from the outside think they should have something to say about it, well… let’s just say we can get a bit touchy. It doesn’t help that they can’t seem to get our kids’ values and essential natures right, or do a little basic research on good pedagogy. It doesn’t help how clearly they favor some of the other systems which could be tried – systems with entirely different goals and priorities. So yeah – we’re probably a bit defensive, but that doesn’t mean they’re not also full of –

Well, you get the idea.

Nevertheless, there are some moments from the world of edu-bloggery over the past few weeks which you simply SHOULD NOT MISS. Hang that ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the back of your laptop or tablet and get comfortable.

What Do Teachers Want? – Rob Miller, A View From The Edge. Miller has been on fire lately, covering state edu-politics, explaining national reformy-type issues, and writing inspiramotivatemotional essays about kids and teaching and feelings, warm and broken. If you’re not reading him regularly already – no matter WHERE you live in this corrupted world – then you’re doing it wrong. All of it.

In this piece, he tries again to explain what the rest of us know but no one outside the profession seems to understand – yes, the money matters, but it’s not just about that. It’s about marginalization and agency and expecting professional results from fast food treatment. We’re not claiming to be miracle workers or martyrs, but we DO have degrees and stuff. Some of us even read. #oklaed

Redouble Our Efforts? You Go First. – Rob Miller, A View From The Edge. “Subjecting millions of American children to a regime of test, rank, sort and punish has simply turned many of our public schools— particularly in urban areas— into joyless, drill-and-kill test factories completely disassociated from real learning and the development of meaningful employment skills. Yet, the message we are supposed to read from these NAEP results is we need to “redouble our efforts” one more damn time! Maybe we should start giving 110% while we are at it.”

I’m so thankful for people who can make me laugh through my perpetual state of dark, defeated outrage. Follow @edgeblogger on Twitter and have thoughts and feelings with him. #oklaed

VAM: Better Never Than Late – Rick Cobb, OKEducationTruths. The problem with teacher evaluation rubrics is that people use them to evaluate teachers. All they manage to do is muddle how insanely subjective the entire concept is and must be. Cobb explains both the mindset and status of this particular inanity in Oklahoma edu-slation – AND works in a dead parrot. So there’s that. #oklaed

Two Things: As You Like It (and a hey, nonino) – Rick Cobb, OKEducationTruths. Of Romeo, and Juliet, and oil prices, and edu-budgets. This time we get a double-shot of Willy Wonka old school. There’s no knowing where we’re rowing… but you might as well boat along with @okeducation on Twitter and enjoy the ride. #oklaed

You’re Not Alone, Teacher – Jennifer Williams, JennWillTeach.com. Depression, Confession, Expression, and Acceptance. I don’t normally do, you know… FEELINGS and stuff, but this is solid. And essential. If not for you to feel better understood, than for you to better understand. Good stuff.

Follow @jennwillteach on Twitter, but be prepared to keep it fluff-free. It’s her thing. #oklaed

I Used To Be A Fun Teacher – Pernille Ripp, Blogging Through the Fourth Dimension. Ripp drifts from her joy and strategy-sharing for a very brief, honest reflection on how teaching a different grade – and a TESTED grade – has changed some of the things she values most about herself as a classroom teacher. Follow @pernilleripp on Twitter and reflect with her. I promise you, this one is a good use of that little blue bird icon.

ICYMI: Some Edu-Reading For The Day – Peter Greene, Curmudgucation. I realize that linking to a page of links you shouldn’t miss as part of a page of links you shouldn’t miss is akin to using one of your wishes to ask the Genie for more wishes, and could lead to revoked lamp-rubbing privileges. But you should be reading Greene anyway, and – like myself – he’s golden when it comes to highlighting great work from others.

You should already be following @palan57 on Twitter and keeping up on your own – but don’t stop coming here as well. He knows more, and is consistently pithy and hilarious, but I have that certain adorable something…

Finally, a piece from the Washington Post this week – It’s Teacher Appreciation Week. Why some teachers don’t exactly appreciate it. This link was sent to me by someone who noticed one of my tweets was quoted, which of course amused me to no end. It’s a good piece overall, though – especially for legit news. Take a moment and check it out.

Say what you like about the Post, @valeriestrauss is one of the best edu-reporters out there. Follow her so you don’t miss the good stuff like I almost did.

I’ll close with this video from Supt. Joy Hofmeister for Teacher Appreciate Week. She goes a little easy on some of our state legis, but, you know – politics and pragmatism. I will say that WE appreciate HER more than I can express here…. but I’m not making a video about it.

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Blue Serials (4/17/16)

April 15, 2016June 4, 2023 ~ Blue Cereal

It’s Testing Season. Shut Up And Be The Same.

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OK, yeah – I don’t get the video either, but the sound quality is so much better than the remaining options and besides, THAT’S NOT THE POINT.

Stuff You Shouldn’t Miss From This Past Week

You Are Not A Test – Rick Cobb, OKEducationTruths, with possibly this year’s best dose of perspective regarding state testing and real live children. What can I say about Cobb that hasn’t been said before – at least, that’s safe for publication? He’s such an institution in #OklaEd that I’m not sure we consciously stop and appreciate what he brings to the table anymore, we’re so used to it just… happening. Speaking of which…

Reason to Believe – Rick Cobb, OKEducationTruths – “Sometimes, in the face of despair and overwhelmingly contrary evidence, I still expect something good to happen.” Amen, brother.

Show @okeducation some love this week on the Twitters, or bring him candy and flowers or something. Perhaps a good, stiff drink. #oklaed

Now Listen Here – Laura McGee, on Cimarron Middle School, does a particularly nice job of rainbow-toasted unicorns here, while never completely cutting the kite string or hitting ‘play’ on the schmaltzy music. There’s no such thing as ‘too many’ reminders this time of year just what it is we’re supposedly trying to accomplish, and so little of it has anything to do with these silly tests. I could read this one daily for the next few weeks and never get tired of it.

On the other hand, I have no idea what to call this site. It doesn’t look like an official middle school page, but neither is it your typical blog. Leave it to Edmond folks to ignore orthodoxy in these things. I’m 77% certain, however, that at least some of the blame/credit goes to @CordellEhrich, so follow him on the Twittering and see what other rules he’s breaking. #OklaEd.

Today I’m A Dad – Scott Haselwood, Teaching From Here, is traditionally one of our go-to positive-way-forward guys. But not this week. This week he’s a dad troubled by what 3rd Grade Malicious Child Standardization Procedure is doing to his pride and joy.

“WHY ARE WE DOING THIS TO OUR CHILDREN? WHAT IS THE POINT? TO DRIVE THE LOVE OF LEARNING RIGHT OUT OF THERE SOULS?” Well… yeah, Scott. You think Educated, Inspired voters are going to keep re-electing the folks making these rules? People with souls don’t do such things.

Haselwood is right to be troubled, but make sure you notice the picture of his daughter at the end of the post – particularly her expression and all it implies. If you’ve met Scott, or even a photo of him online, you’ll see it immediately. She’s definitely going to be just fine.

In the meantime, follow @TeachFromHere on the Tweetbooks. I promise, he’s normally quite solution-oriented and leaves the frustration and bitterness to others. Like, for example… me. #oklaed

An Open Letter to Private School Parents: Stop Trashing Public Schools – Ali Collins, SF Public School Mom, happens to feel quite strongly about her local public school. She’s not anti-private, anti-charter, or anti-anyone else, but she WOULD appreciate it if you’d stop validating your educational choices by misleading others about hers.

Public Ed advocates from ANYWHERE will appreciate this one. I love her voice and passion, applied to clarity and good sense. I didn’t know they even ALLOWED rational people in San Francisco.

Follow @AliMCollins on the Twittering and find out what other things she feels strongly about. There are several, I assure you.

Do Look At Me That Way – Rob Miller, A View From The Edge. Teachers remind each other a LOT not to let the gig become about the gradebook or the forms. That’s OK, though, because some of us require regular reminding.

Notice the kids in your class, and your hallway, and otherwise crossing your path. If the spirits tell you something’s up, start that conversation and take that risk. Sometimes you’ll just end up feeling awkward or foolish (unless that’s just me), but there’s a flip side – sometimes they need you, whether they realize it or not. Sometimes they need to be heard, or asked, or otherwise engaged. Sometimes.

Consult the wisdom of @edgeblogger in the Hall of Tweets and see what else the spirits have to say. #oklaed

Finally – and I really didn’t want to include this one, because it kinda stings – there’s this…

Burning Down The House – T.C. Weber, Dad Gone Wild, has been reflecting a bit lately on education and politics, outrage and empathy. He’s been questioning his own approach to confronting bad policy and attacking real people who aren’t always real to him when he does. Sound at all… familiar, Blue?

While there are a few specifics related to Nashville edu-slation and shenanigans, this one is worth a read for any of us who are trying to speak truth to power, or satirize the evils brought down on our kids in hopes of robbing them of some of their power to destroy. It might hurt a bit to read, however, because many of these doubts and regrets about approach and effectiveness are… well…

Let’s just say I’ve heard that some people wrestle with these closer to home as well.

Wrestle with @norinrad10 on the Tweetness and find out what else Oklahoma and Tennessee have in common, for better or worse. Plus, he writes real good too.

I’ll leave you with one of my new favorite, um… video things. Adam Ruins Everything?

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Be amazing, my darlings. Don’t let the system crush you just yet. Those same kids you want to flush… well, one of them will need you this week. Be ready.

Blue Serials (4/10/16)

April 9, 2016June 4, 2023 ~ Blue Cereal

Ode to Standardized Testing:

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You can see it in students’ hollow little eyes, and read it in the angsty tone of recent edu-bloggery. The shaming season is upon us.

It’s time to label kids and their teachers based on unreliable tests given under the most bizarre and unnatural conditions. We call this unholy ritual “high standards.” It’s like the Hunger Games, but without provided supplies or anyone actually winning.

Nevertheless, there are wonderful things going on in the world of online edu-ligtenment and pedagogi-bonding – some inspiring, others sobering, and some just lotsa truth smacking you upside your weary head.

Stuff You Shouldn’t Miss From The Past Week in Edu-Bloggery:

Dear Educator – Meghan Loyd, For The Love… “However today I was reminded that I change the world.”

Loyd has a new and improved blogsite, and has finally added that ‘About Me’ section Scott Haselwood wanted (he’s very particular about these things). The defining theme at For The Love has always been unrelenting passion for kids, for teaching, for ‘the calling’ – but something about this brief post, this week, put together this way… It kinda got to me. That’s good, right?

Get to @meghanloyd on Twitter and find out more ‘About Her’ and her upgraded edu-licious bloggery. Watch out for the unicorns – they’re usually hanging out near the rainbows. #oklaed

Intro to Genius Hour – Jennifer Williams, JennWillTeach, has been steering her online writing towards practical classroom strategies and reflection – as opposed to those of us who mostly lob antagonistic grenades from the sidelines.

This week she began her foray into Genius Hour – intentionally setting aside one day a week, or about 20% of classroom time, to encourage students to explore and learn in any direction they choose. Williams goes in as neither a starry-eyed idealist following every new edu-trend nor a jaded cynic resistant to all change. She’s a realist, albeit a sassy one (it’s much of what I love about her), determined to explore anything of potential service to her kids and their growth as learners and people and stuff. I hope she keeps us in the loop for the rest of this part of the journey.

Keep @jennwillteach in your loop on Twitter and find out for yourself how things unfold. #oklaed

In an Effort to Keep Our Kids Safe, We May be Silencing Their Voices – Jamila Carter, in this piece shared by EduShyster, offers one of the more balanced critiques of highly regimented, ‘no excuses’ type learning environments.

I’m generally hesitant to 100% condemn approaches which might work for some kids in some situations. I cringe anytime I read well-intentioned discursiveness claiming hugs and warmies as the universal keys to all academic advancement for all kids everywhere.

Carter has clearly wrestled with the complexities, however, and come through unconvinced that compliance = self-discipline or scores = progress. Her conviction is tempered by thoughtfulness, but it’s still pretty persuasive conviction.

Follow @jubimom on Twitter and find out what else she’s thoughtfully passionate about, and @edushyster for a wide variety of investigative revelations about all sorts of edu-shenanigans.

Mentor, vb. trans. – Sherri Spelic, edified listener – Spelic has been getting all KINDS of deep and reflective lately. I’ve even considered staging an intervention.

The problem is, I really like some of the results – like this post, for instance. It’s a simple reflection on folks on the Twitters who’ve meant a great deal to her on her journey – not merely as entertainment, but as… you know… reflective thinky carey stuff types. Like, NOT what I do at all – but still totally legit and important.

I almost issued this as an edu-blogger challenge, but as I said – not so much for the feelings over here. YOU can have feelings, however, perhaps even sharing them with @edifiedlistener on Twitter should you wish.

Happy Testing Season, Kids! – Rob Miller, A View From The Edge, MIGHT be using some of that infamous sarcasm of his again – despite Jay’s warnings about such dark methodology. Either way, this is a fun little vent on standardized testing and a good way to wrap up this week’s, um… weekly wrap-up.

I’ve GOT to work on my phrasing.

Follow @edgeblogger on Twitter for more pith and vinegar about a wide variety of edu-topics. #oklaed

Filing For OK State Elections is almost here: April 13th – 15th, 2016!

A record number of educators are running, and why not? It’s half the calendar for twice the pay and obvlously almost zero expectations – if there’s not already a promising edu-candidate in your district, you should run yourself!

Keep up with #OKElections16 here, or by joining Oklahoma Parents and Educators for Public Education on Facebook (and following @angmlittle on Twitter).

Oklahoma Education Journal has been keeping up with many of the candidates and current legislative silliness as well. You can follow them on Twitter as @OkEdJournal.

FortySixNews.com is new to me and I don’t actually know much about who they are or what they’re about yet, but they have an entire page devoted to state elections in general, which I’ve already found useful several times. They also seem to have a knack for breaking news whenever an interesting new candidate enters an Oklahoma race. Worth bookmarking this site. They’re also on Twitter at @FortySixNews.

Finally, giving credit where credit is due, The McCarville Report has come through repeatedly when I’m researching OK candidates for state office this cycle. Their mojo says they lean pretty far right (they even link to our good friends at Middle Ground News), but their stuff on edu-candidates has been spot on so far. If you’re trying to keep up, you should probably bookmark them as well. Like all the cool kids, @McCarvilleRept is on Twitter as well.

Breathe deep, my darlings – we’ve many miles to go. But if you wanted a job that was possible, you should have become an accountant or started selling shoes. This here’s one of them ‘idealist’ gigs.

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