In April, 1999, two high school students killed 13 people at Columbine High School in Aurora, Colorado. The parent of one of my students pulled me aside the day after and asked if I would consider carrying a handgun at school (the family were big hunters and had many firearms). I told her, "The day that I need to carry a gun to school is the day that I quit teaching."
A friend of mine is a retired teacher who taught inner-city high school students in Los Angeles. He told me that he kept his briefcase open on his desk as he lectured and put facts on the chalkboard. What the students couldn't see was a .357 Magnum in the briefcase that he had at-the-ready in fourth period, as a teen had threatened to kill him.
Today, America and the world mourn for the adults and children murdered in a Conneticut elementary school. I saw an emotional President address us to offer solace. I hurt. I can't fathom how this morning, parents dropped off their children and said, "I love you! See you tonight!!" and smiling faces filled a classroom to learn, laugh, explore...
How does a school counselor call a parent at work and say, "Please come to the school immediately, there has been an accident, and your daughter, Melissa, is hurt badly" (Melissa will be dead by the time dad gets acros the police barricade and into the school).
Right now, parents are staring at empty beds, clothes hanging in a closet, a favorite pillow, soccer shoes, and hidden toys that they have bought to give to their children for Christmas in 11 days...
I have no answers. I have no new ideas. I am just sick with grief.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Canine Driver's License
My dog should have had a driver's license.
For years I would bring Geddy Lee to Sheridan. He was great with the students, and if a students was having a bad day, they could take Geddy for a short walk outside or just pet him for a few minutes.
I would call Geddy in front of the class and command him to "sit."
He would sit immediately.
He stayed seated until I gave him another command.
I would then explain to my students that Geddy sits the first time I tell him, and that my teens need to be told multiple times to sit!
Geddy stays seated- my students often get up after 30 seconds for some silly reason...
And they want a driver's license? I think my dog followed directions better than some of my students!
But he hated wearing sunglasses...
For years I would bring Geddy Lee to Sheridan. He was great with the students, and if a students was having a bad day, they could take Geddy for a short walk outside or just pet him for a few minutes.
I would call Geddy in front of the class and command him to "sit."
He would sit immediately.
He stayed seated until I gave him another command.
I would then explain to my students that Geddy sits the first time I tell him, and that my teens need to be told multiple times to sit!
Geddy stays seated- my students often get up after 30 seconds for some silly reason...
And they want a driver's license? I think my dog followed directions better than some of my students!
But he hated wearing sunglasses...
The Internet & Revolutions
Revolutions in the middle-east and Africa are the result of the internet. People are now able to see how others live and what they believe, and when an oppressed people learn of the freedoms of others, and lack of opportunity in their country, they revolt.
Before the internet, many simply accepted their way of life- they knew of no other option. Yet, when they can click on a screen and see the prosperity and freedoms of others, they begin to question their government and their lack of freedoms and opportunities. This is why some governments limit internet content/purpse.
The town crier, the newspaper, the radio, the television- all were slow and often censored.
Today, many can see unfiltered and accurate images of people all over the world. This is the seed of change (good or bad), and recent uprisings can be related directly to the ability to millions to access the internet and see how others live.
Before the internet, many simply accepted their way of life- they knew of no other option. Yet, when they can click on a screen and see the prosperity and freedoms of others, they begin to question their government and their lack of freedoms and opportunities. This is why some governments limit internet content/purpse.
The town crier, the newspaper, the radio, the television- all were slow and often censored.
Today, many can see unfiltered and accurate images of people all over the world. This is the seed of change (good or bad), and recent uprisings can be related directly to the ability to millions to access the internet and see how others live.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Challenging Times, from close to afar
Much is happening in my little world right now. Let me start at Sheridan. The economy has affected our program (like so many others) and we have made some changes to continue to provide quality, college-prep education to our students. We are very grateful for the volunteer Board of Directors who have seen us through difficult times and provided countless volunteer hours to keep growing.
Meridian schools will be challenged this year. Before I founded Sheridan Academy, I taught at Meridian Middle school for two years. At that time, it was the largest middle school west of the Rockies. Now there will be fewer teachers and larger classes for all grades. I don't see how we are to provide college-ready students to our universities if we continue to underfund our public education programs (hence, one of the reasons I left public schools).
One of the best classes I ever had was at BSU. The professor was Dr. Pat Beiter (the father of our mayor) and there were FIVE grad students! What a wonderful experience being fully involved in the lectures/dicussions/lessons and receiving immediate feedback on my progress. A small class makes a difference and I want all students to get as much as possible out of every class that they attend.
Meridian schools will be challenged this year. Before I founded Sheridan Academy, I taught at Meridian Middle school for two years. At that time, it was the largest middle school west of the Rockies. Now there will be fewer teachers and larger classes for all grades. I don't see how we are to provide college-ready students to our universities if we continue to underfund our public education programs (hence, one of the reasons I left public schools).
One of the best classes I ever had was at BSU. The professor was Dr. Pat Beiter (the father of our mayor) and there were FIVE grad students! What a wonderful experience being fully involved in the lectures/dicussions/lessons and receiving immediate feedback on my progress. A small class makes a difference and I want all students to get as much as possible out of every class that they attend.
15th Graduation
On June 2, 2011 we held our 15th Annual Graduation and Awards Banquet. Thre seniors received high school diplomas (congrats Scott, Sunnie, Hadrien!) and five others got CASH for their efforts.
The students looked great dressed up and a skit by Isabella and Alia was a success!
We are very proud of all of our students!
The students looked great dressed up and a skit by Isabella and Alia was a success!
We are very proud of all of our students!
Mayor's Choice Awards
Last April, Anthony was a recipient of the Mayor's Choice Award.
Anthony was one of 85 11th grade students in the entire Treasure Valley to receive this awards for his outstanding academic and social improvements!
We are very proud of Anthony!
Anthony was one of 85 11th grade students in the entire Treasure Valley to receive this awards for his outstanding academic and social improvements!
We are very proud of Anthony!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Needs of Society
The needs of the community and of society dictate the teaching of the populace. For each community the goals and needs are to be supported and met by those entering the workforce with the skills and talents to satisfy the ideals of the society in which they live. These skills are the responsibility of the parents, schools and students.
If we are moving to an educational system where one can acquire a foundation of knowledge and social growth through technology, then must teach our students the benefits of technology in learning and work. We cannot see 5, 10, 20 years ahead. yet, by having students learn on-line, we are proposing that this form of learning will be valuable and commonplace in the near future.
What concerns me is that youth in our schools are still being molded and forged. They need social and interpersonal skills for success in today's business and today's society. By forcing them to learn on-line, we take away another opportunity to learn face-to-face interaction. Do we envision a complete college degree on-line without ever having to stand in front of a group of people to inform them of your findings? Even if they present speeches and assignments on-line, the idioms of face, voice, and body language need to be taught. Students need to be taught how body language, voice tone, and word choice make a difference in the message being sent.
I understand that computers for Idaho students will save money, but we will be asking a 15-year old to go to her room, log on, and do history? Really? Does she have the discipline to stay focused and complete the assignments without supervision? If you sent me to a Porsche showroom and told me that I had 45 minutes to count all the ceiling tiles I probably would not give you a very accurate number...
Are we preparing our students for success in the business world by having them do studies on-line? Are the needs of the Treasure Valley and the State of Idaho being addressed by providing our students with larger classes and less social interaction? Knowledge without grace is not very effective. Problem solving skills and group work will better allow our students to find success in the workforce and in their personal lives.
If we are moving to an educational system where one can acquire a foundation of knowledge and social growth through technology, then must teach our students the benefits of technology in learning and work. We cannot see 5, 10, 20 years ahead. yet, by having students learn on-line, we are proposing that this form of learning will be valuable and commonplace in the near future.
What concerns me is that youth in our schools are still being molded and forged. They need social and interpersonal skills for success in today's business and today's society. By forcing them to learn on-line, we take away another opportunity to learn face-to-face interaction. Do we envision a complete college degree on-line without ever having to stand in front of a group of people to inform them of your findings? Even if they present speeches and assignments on-line, the idioms of face, voice, and body language need to be taught. Students need to be taught how body language, voice tone, and word choice make a difference in the message being sent.
I understand that computers for Idaho students will save money, but we will be asking a 15-year old to go to her room, log on, and do history? Really? Does she have the discipline to stay focused and complete the assignments without supervision? If you sent me to a Porsche showroom and told me that I had 45 minutes to count all the ceiling tiles I probably would not give you a very accurate number...
Are we preparing our students for success in the business world by having them do studies on-line? Are the needs of the Treasure Valley and the State of Idaho being addressed by providing our students with larger classes and less social interaction? Knowledge without grace is not very effective. Problem solving skills and group work will better allow our students to find success in the workforce and in their personal lives.
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Rake-Up Boise
On Saturday, November 13, we will participate in Rake Up Boise where we go and rake and bag leaves for those near our school that are elderly and/or disabled.
This is the 15th year that we have participated in this community event (we also particpate in Sweep the River- working with Parks and Recreation to clean up the Boise River) and it is good for our students to give back to the community.
You are welcome to bring a rake and join us!
This is the 15th year that we have participated in this community event (we also particpate in Sweep the River- working with Parks and Recreation to clean up the Boise River) and it is good for our students to give back to the community.
You are welcome to bring a rake and join us!
Halloween!
Our yearly tradition of Trick-Or-Treating on Warm Springs Boulevard was again a hit with our international students. Some of our international students do not know what it means to trick-or-treat and I once tried to explain that you knock on the door, yell, "trick-or-treat!" and the person answering the door gives you candy. One innocent international girl, said to me, "So we must beg for food?" Oh boy. I told another to bring aa bag for candy and she brought a sandwich baggie!
This year was much fun and I give much thanks to the homes on Warm Springs for providing candy for hundreds of costumed children!
This year was much fun and I give much thanks to the homes on Warm Springs for providing candy for hundreds of costumed children!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Our 15th Year!!!
We are celebrating our 15th year as an accredited private high school! What a success! What support from SO many in the Treasure Valley and beyond...
Hundreds of students have benefited from our program and we are working to help many, many more!
We MOVED the school and have LOWERED tuition to reach more students!
So far this year we have students from Boise, Meridian, Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan, Mexico, and Belgium! What a great mix! Skiing will be a first for many of them.
Two seniors (Scott and Hadrien) are settling into their senior year and working hard for standardized tests and college.
Hundreds of students have benefited from our program and we are working to help many, many more!
We MOVED the school and have LOWERED tuition to reach more students!
So far this year we have students from Boise, Meridian, Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan, Mexico, and Belgium! What a great mix! Skiing will be a first for many of them.
Two seniors (Scott and Hadrien) are settling into their senior year and working hard for standardized tests and college.
Monday, August 09, 2010
Dog Days of Summer
Yes, our school calendar has three months "off" for summer vacation.
I never really understood why we have that time off. We're not working the fields anymore.
I've always done academics in the summer. Something to keep learning. Yet we condition our teens that they can stop learning after the first part of June and not read/write/calculate until the end of August.
Many teachers need their break- I respect that (actually, many work another job). If the students are not academically at grade level, then they should be required to continue learning through summer...
I never really understood why we have that time off. We're not working the fields anymore.
I've always done academics in the summer. Something to keep learning. Yet we condition our teens that they can stop learning after the first part of June and not read/write/calculate until the end of August.
Many teachers need their break- I respect that (actually, many work another job). If the students are not academically at grade level, then they should be required to continue learning through summer...
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