Go Not Softly Into That Dark Budget Cut

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It’s been several wild weeks for #OklaEd and #OKPE4PE (the definitive Facebook Group for Parents & Educators who support public education in Oklahoma). I’m sure more weirdness is coming. The beauty of it is that we never know what or when. 

Where is fairly predictable. 

In the meantime, though, it’s possible you’ve missed some quality edu-bloggery from #OklaEd and beyond – some of which isn’t even about fighting legislative insanity.

Must-Reads From the Past Week 

What I Am For! – Scott Haselwood, Teaching From Here, reminds us that while we’re so often backed into battles over what we’re against, there are far more important things we’re actually, you know… FOR.

It’s far too easy to forget this simple reality. Fortunately, Haselwood not only reminds us, but does it so very well.

Be FOR @TeachFromHere on the Twittering, and I suspect he’ll remind you of many good realities along the way. It’s kinda his thing.  #oklaed 

On Advocacy and Activism – Cory Williams, An Early Modern Millennial, ponders the blur between educator and advocate, citizen and employee, and the unending empty lip service paid to public education. Along the way I think we saw a little bit of his soul showing through.

Follow @MrWilliamsRm110 on Twitter. He’s actually fairly sharp, despite the hair, and maybe he’ll show more of that soul of his.  #oklaed

I’m Done With 21st-Century Learning! – Rob Miller, A View From The Edge, has had his fill of the noncompulsory drafting of rhetorical scholastic gilding. It’s recrementitious! He has this weird idea that we should label good teaching less and practice it more. Huh.

Experience pedagogical and practical venery with @edgeblogger on the Twitters and see what other bedlam he propagates. You won’t end up chapfallen.   #oklaed 

Green Band Bandits – Sarah B, LadyWolf2016, is a relatively new voice in #OklaEd bloggery, but she’s already raised the bar for social justice in the classroom. Not that we’re into such things often in Oklahoma – we’re more of a ‘The 19th Century Will Rise Again’ kinda state. Still, there are oases of 14th Amendment-ness here and there…

I’m not a big nurture-y, feely-lovey guy myself – my kids respond better to Wheaton’s Law than to Cyril the Cyber-Bulling Awareness Cicada or whatever – but THIS is an impressive tale of young people learning to find energy in building one another up instead of feeding on the fragmented power of tearing others apart. 

Feed on @LadyWolf2014’s energy on Twitter and see for yourself how good it feels.  #oklaed 

Finding My Voice – Cassie Nash, Just Teaching It Real, is another fresh voice in blogging à la #OklaEd, and an immediate favorite of mine. We always say to be yourself and write what you know – apparently Nash takes this to heart:

I need to quit being fearful of teaching writing because I know they struggle – why give them another opportunity to fail at something they already find daunting? Perhaps a bit of this is my fear that I’m not teaching them as well as someone else could… 

Writing doesn’t come naturally to me. It’s hard. So what is it that propels me forward with this project? I think I have a few things to say. I’ll bet they do too.

She’s funny, too – but pointing that out on a Blue Serial summary simply puts too much pressure on an exciting new baby blogger, so you’ll simply have to stumble across that reality on your own. 

Be introspective with @cassieknash on the Place of Tweeting and find out what else she has to say. I know I will.  #oklaed 

Retro-Link

I don’t normally link to my own stuff on the weekly wrap-up (which, come to think of it, it rather odd – given my penchant for self-promotion), but reading this week about the hacking and slashing of so-called ‘extra-curricular programs’ already beginning across Oklahoma just kills me. Such a preventable problem, hurting the most those least able to do anything about it. We all know what sorts of programs go first, and it’s just wrong. 

Ethically, pedagogically, professionally, politically, emotionally, statistically, spiritually, fiscally, and historically wrong.

Extra-Curriculars – “Algebra is important, but so are athletics. If our goal is ‘college, career, and citizenship ready,’ Basketball is far more likely to help you with the latter two. Algebra wins for the first, but mostly that just means that doing math qualifies you to do harder math. Most of these kids are never going to be professional athletes. But neither are they likely to become professional mathematicians, or chemists, or historians, or novelists. The skills and knowledge gained in each of those realms nevertheless serve a larger good. They help to form a fuller, better, hopefully somewhat happier person.”

And they’re $#%&ing it up on purpose, and we’re going to Teacher Hell if we don’t make them stop.

That’s It This Week.

Take deep breaths, rejuvenate a bit this weekend, and then teach like you’re their only hope this coming week. Love them like no one else does. Push them like no one else has. Tap into all that experience and learnin’ you’ve got to try one more way to make those damn horses drink that water. 

Win or lose, short-term or long, at least we can say we left it all in the classroom. At least we can say we refused to let them be taken softly. 

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Politics Make Me Tired

I’m certain that’s a large part of why many otherwise productive, caring people in our worlds don’t seem to get involved or vote their convictions more often.

We may be participating in some noble, time-honored practice when we inform ourselves about candidates and legislation and mark those little ballots time and again, but it feels very much like we’re tearing off pieces of ourselves and our loved ones to sacrfice to the cruel gods of democracy, in hopes they will be kinder to us in the coming season.

BUT (and I have a BIG BUT) – there are still some wonderful things being woven among the interwebbing which you simply must not miss. Bursts of enlightenment and edu-bloggery which will make your day richer, your attitude better, and any elitism you may manifest a bit more justified.

I’ve been distracted by #OKElections16 and Blue Cereal Celebration Week recently – but not too distracted to look out for YOU, my dear #11FF.

Stuff You Shouldn’t Miss From The Past Week Few Weeks Month in Edu-Everything:

A Touch of History w/ Modern Relevance…

How Female Computers Mapped the Universe and Brought America to the Moon – Natalie Zarrelli on Atlas Obscura shares the story of how women at Harvard Observatory were gathered to do the ‘boring clerical work’ of deciphering endless reams of data and translating complex mathematics into a better understanding of the universe. Yes, it’s history – but it’s also Women in #STEM, it’s gender studies, it’s rather motivational/inspirational/celebrational, and – icing on the brownies, here – it’s a helluva good read and there aren’t too many big words.

Follow @nataliezar on the Twittering. She’s a new one to me, but I’m already a fan. Plus, I think she owns a bunny. 

Samuel Pepys Checks His Smartphone… er. Watch, 1665 – Isabella Bradford, on Two Nerdy History Girls. “So even though all that Pepys’s watch could to was tell the hour, he still couldn’t help but check it repeatedly – and ostentatiously – throughout the day in a very smartphone manner…” This is a short, fun read that still leaves you feeling smarter at the end. Follow @2nerdyhistgirls on Twitter and discover how entertaining getting smart can be. 

Christian Shaw: Satan’s Victim or Demon Seed? – This tale, brought to us by Strange Company, should sound familiar to anyone who’s read in any detail about the Salem Witchcraft Trials, although it’s a different case entirely. I find it particularly fascinating because of the difficulty in determining which parts are malicious, which are mental illness, which are childish hysteria, and which are simply… inexplicable. The protagonist is a young lady of what today would be Middle School age, and the dilemmas of those involved won’t be entirely unfamiliar to anyone trying to decipher young people today – even those not possessed by evil spirts.

Follow @HorribleSanity via the Twitter app of your choice. You never know what you’ll experience as a result. 

The Victorian Easter Bunny – Mimi Matthews on her self-tltled blog does a nice little bit on bunnies with eggs. And yeah, I mostly included this one because it’s Easter and it’s a good read. Actually, most everything @MimiMatthewsEsq shares is a good read, so go follow her on the Twitters.

RELATED NOTE: In case it’s not obvious – KEEP YOUR EASTER BUNNIES FICTIONAL. Rabbits are fragile, high-maintenance creatures who make horrible gifts for children. I love mine, but they ARE NOT TOYS. For those of you looking for worthwhile organizations to support, she has a nice pitch for the House Rabbit Society at the end of the piece. I have first-hand experience with this organization and they are quality through-and-through. 

And The Bestest Edu-Bloggery…

Stop Normalizing, Idealizing “Exceptional” – Paul Thomas, of The Becoming Radical, sometimes leaves me confused, or challenged, or occasionally even angry. That’s exactly why I read him.

I confess it’s all the more enjoyable, then, when he says so succinctly, so poignantly, and so powerfully, what I’ve tried so poorly to express for years. Bonus points for using the Violent Femmes effectively.

Follow @plthomasEdD on Twitter and be challenged with me. 

One Right Answer – Peter Greene, on Curmudgucation, ponders the absurdity of preparing students for a complicated and ever-changing world by requiring them to guess what version of ‘CORRECT’ is being mandated from on high THIS time.

Follow the sometimes-complicated and often correct (but never mandated) @palan57 on the Twittering and let him provoke your thoughts regularly.

When Bias is a Crayon – Molly Tansey on Young Teachers Collective. I don’t even want to ruin this one by trying to do a proper teaser. Just… trust me. Go read it. Then, after you’ve processed it in the intended way, read it again and see how many other poignant and pithy realities are woven through it – intentionally or not. 

If you’re an educator and not following and supporting @YTCollective, then you’re doing it wrong. Find them, follow them, share them. While you’re at it, show @lena_tansey some edu-love as well.

My #OklaEd peeps have been busy fighting the insanity of another legislative session, but I have no doubt they’ll be prominently featured next weekend for a variety of brilliant outbursts. Until then, my adored and adorable colleagues – GET INVOLVED and GET MAGNETS. 

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Things I’ve Learned This Week…

1. It’s not practical to hold a full-time job AND try to keep up with all possible pending edu-slation. I just can’t. So we’ll rework that goal for next year.

2. People are visiting the #OKElections16 pages – as much or more as anything else I post. I don’t know what that indicates in terms of results, but someone is reading them. The Candidate Profiles seem to be the most popular. 

3. People are also visiting my Who Killed Avery Chase? Document Activity with great regularity. It’s been in the Top 20 pages visited since I posted it about a year ago, often in the Top 10. I have yet to receive any indication whether that means anyone is using the activity, likes it, hates it, has changed it in some amazing way I didn’t think of, or what. But… I’m glad it’s being visited. I hope I’ve revolutionized hundreds – if not thousands – of classrooms with my mad pedagogical skills. 

4. Far more Americans than I’d previously allowed myself to believe are some combination of ignorant, hateful, racist, and possibly fascist. Sadly, ‘ignorant’ is the least troubling element in that mix. 

5. At the same time, there are SO many really good teachers, blogs and essential posts out there. You can’t read them all, but there are some it’d be a true shame to miss!

I can’t fix or solve everything, but this last issue is one I can at least mitigate. 

Stuff You Absolutely Should Not Miss From The Past Week…

…or two. Or the past month. I’ve been behind – which is ironic, I realize, but, um… HERE:

The Schools We Need vs. The Schools That Need Us – Molly Tansey on Young Teachers Collective wrestles with the inherent tension between going where you can grow – or at least survive – and going where you’re most needed. While the specifics of her situation will resonate with some more than others, the larger questions about why we do this – where we do it – should seem familiar to most of you no matter WHERE you are. Go read this. Several times. 

“He’ll Never Catch Up” – Conor Pierson on Young Teachers Collective recalls the not-overly-supportive words of one of his teachers to his father sixteen years before. Hopefully we’ve collectively grown a little when helping students with dyslexia, but how often do we less overtly believe something similar about other kids? How often do we tell them without telling them? Here’s to struggling students who become teachers.

Now – seriously – if you’re an educator and you don’t follow and support @YTCollective, you’re doing it wrong. I realize they lean young and idealistic, moreso than some of you fully appreciate, but how many bitter old conservatives are entering public education these days – at least without reapers and flamethrowers? Thank god for smart kids with missionary zeal and enough moxie to speak truth to power. 

White Man, Black Boy – Jon Harper, aka Bailey & Derek’s Daddy – “Because we are not the same. We never have been and we never will be. Dr. King did not wish for all people to be treated equally because we are the same. He wished for all people to be treated equally because it is right.” Harper is an old white guy in a school full of young black children. He’s also one of the most introspective and caring edu-bloggers out there. Follow @jonharper70bd on the Twitters and be introspective, too. 

Should Teachers Have Strong Opinions? – Steven Singer on gadflyonthewallblog is a bit of an antagonist. Personally, I can’t imagine what it’s like to spout off vehemently every time something’s on your mind, but it seems to work for him. (If he doesn’t reign it in, though, I’m telling Jay. I’ve already bookmarked at least THREE instances of shocking language – and I don’t mean grawlixes!) Spout off with @StevenSinger3 on the Twitters with or without naughty words – but know your stuff before you start something. He’s feisty. 

Did These 2nd Graders Debunk The Myth That Tests Measure Learning? – Mark Barnes on Brilliant or Insane? wraps us up this week with a piece that’s short, accessible, and wise. Also, there are paper airplanes – so… bonus. Follow @markbarns19 on the Twittering and bask in the brilliance AND the insanity. 

Next Weekend’s Blue Serials Wrap-Up will kick off a week of self-absorbed Blue Cereal Celebration – honoring 24 months of unbridled edu-bloggery.

Who better to write about me all week than… me?

Until then, my Eleven Faithful Followers – arms locked, minds set, no fear. Thank you for fighting the darkness, in and out of your classrooms and offices. You don’t have to fix it all – just do your part so audaciously that they simply can’t ignore you.

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I Guess #OklaEd Parents & Educators Have Been… Vocal This Past Week

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Be prepared, informed, polite, and concise. Well, concise is optional – they work for YOU, after all. It may not always feel like it, but at this level, your voice DOES make a difference. 

We may not fix everything or win the day, but we’ll be in the coversation, by golly gum.

You may have heard this week that most of us teach at atheist schools…

On Instilling Humanity – Mindy Dennison, Founder and Majority Stockholder of This Teacher Sings – I have such mixed feelings when someone says something I’m trying to say, but does it SO much better. Mostly, though, I’m just glad they can.

Welcome to Atheist School – The Unbearable Blueness of Cereal. You’ve probably seen this email exchange on Facebook this past week. Out of the abundance of the talking points provided by the fiscal overlords the mouth speaketh – the problem is, people are actually listening and questioning right now. 

A Few Other Things You Shouldn’t Miss From This Past Week (or so)…

Five Signs It’s Time To Break Up With Your Legislator – Rob Miller, President and Chief Operating Officer of A View From The Edge – “Do you recall the way he would look you in the eye and promise that if you put your faith in him, he would never let you down? He wouldn’t be like all those “other” politicians you had encountered before. This time, it would be different. He would be faithful to you and only you…” I shouldn’t enjoy it so much when Rob is this pithy and sharp. But I do, darn it – I so totally do. Pith with him on the Twitters at @edgeblogger and feel it hurt so good with me. #oklaed

I’m Angry – Jennifer Williams, Assistant Superintendent of Outreach and Co-Diversity Manager for JennWillTeach is, um… angry. I’d try to calm her down, but I’m having trouble disagreeing with her about any of it. Just don’t tell Jay – he might feel bullied. Follow @JennWillTeach on the Twitters and experience the wild, wonderful range of Jenn. #oklaed

I’m Not O.K. – Meghan Loyd, Executive Director of Content Development and Public Relations at For The Love, is in a bit of a righteous snit as well. While the voices of outrage are quite diverse, you don’t have to read very deeply to see a common thread of mother-unicorn defensiveness – NOT on behalf of contract hours or copy limits, but for the students we love who don’t fit the state-approved ideal. Sorry you think they suck, legis – but that’s why we make them come to school. Stop hurting them. #oklaed

Equity, Where Art Thou? – Scott Haselwood, Primary Founder and Endowed Chairman of Teaching From Here, is always about the shovel-ready, practical steps we can take RIGHT NOW to better serve our kids. This doesn’t change just because the political storms are, um… storming. This is the guy at the table who lets everyone else vent their spleens, then turns the conversation towards the “To Do” column. Thank God for that voice. Lend a shovel to @TeachFromHere on the Twitters – it will make you a better person. #oklaed

Two Experiments in Haiku…

Before Twitter, there was… Haiku. I’m so annoyed I didn’t think of this first…

Because Twitter Has Haiku DNA Strands – The As-Of-Yet Unnamed Chief Content Specialist and Social Media Coordinator of Keep The Wheat calls out the chaff in her sophmore post – with style. I hope she decides to keep writing – I’m in love already and want to learn more about poetic DNA. #oklaed 

Haiku You Doin? – Rick Cobb, Head Engineer and Mail Room Supervisor Because He Loves The Shiny Tubes of OKEducationTruths, offers his own summary of current events via ancient Japanese poetry. I’m disproportionately amused by this one. Follow @okeducation on the Twitters and be amused (and, um, enlightened and stuff also) as well. #oklaed 

And Two Times Literature or Poetry Saved Lives (or at least made them WAY more meaningful)…

On Poetry and Zen – Dan Tricarico, Managing Owner and Co-Solitary Creator of The Zen Teacher, explains how poetry saved his life. Poetry helps us be mindful, and both poetry and mindfulness give us permission to focus on the moment. Be mindful of @thezenteacher on the Twitters and share your poetry. And of course I’m serious.

You Are In Here: How Infinite Jest Pretty Much Changed My Life – Peter Anderson, Writing Staff and Transportation Director of Mr. Anderson Reads and Writes, shares a very personal, raw account of how a book, a father, and a moment changed his life. You know how a story can be so specific and yet its impact so universal? Yeah, that’s this x100. It’s not even zany. 

Keep Going. Keep Calling. Keep Teaching. Keep Learning.

Keep loving your kids and demanding better from them. Even the ones who you’re SO done with by this time of year. And that one girl who’s never there. And the kid who only goes by his initials – you know who I mean. Love them anyway, Harder, even. 

They may not have much else, so pour even after you’re empty. 

As to the backlash, well… 

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(Oh calm down, Jay. It’s a #@$%ing metaphor.)