Dehumanization of Education

I am a teacher because of the love I had for school.  I loved my teachers.  I loved having fun while learning. I loved the interaction with my peers.  I felt safe and successful at school...even when I made mistakes.

Politics and non-educators have changed our schools.  They have turned them into businesses focused only on numbers and status.  They have taken away the human component.  Instead of teachers focusing on the well-being of the children, we have teachers forced to shove massive amounts of information down the throats of children who actually need love and nurturing.  They have taken away the time to incorporate fun that kids need in order to develop a love for learning.  Instead of doing all we can for our kids, we are told not to touch them...They are children. They need hugs and pats on the back.  They need to know that it is okay to show affection and that there is an appropriate way to show it. 

The kids aren't the only ones affected by the decisions of these people who have never stepped into a classroom.  The teachers are being stifled.  They are feeling that their only purpose is to cram as much information into these children as possible.  The teachers are beginning to crack under the pressure.  They are criticized and made to feel that their opinions and professional knowledge are worth nothing.

These non-educators should step into a classroom.  They would see the child who dominates the class time with their rude insolent behavior.  They would see the child who crawls on the floor and cowers in the coat cubbies.  They would see the kids who come in without breakfast or clean clothes. They would see the kids who crave attention and stand as close to the teacher as possible.  They would see the tears and anxiety as the teacher plows through lessons.   

Then let's have these "experts" visit with parents who do not have a moment to spend with their kids but feel that it is all the teacher's fault when their child misbehaves or earns poor grades.  They should see the disrespectful manner in which some parents speak to the teachers...and that the teachers are instructed to "just take it".

The paperwork and class interruptions should be the next on their list of observations. They should see that while there is a planning time it is often taken away due to parent meetings,team meetings,assemblies,and paperwork. 

They should stay with the teachers until the teachers have completely stopped working for the day.  This would involve them heading home with the teacher and managing a household while continuing their work for school.

Maybe after a visit with the kids and teachers, they would see that they have it all wrong.  Schools are not all about numbers...schools are for the heart of the kids.  Schools are meant to instill a love of learning that will last for life. 
Until this happens, I fear that our schools will continue their journey of dehumanization.

Lesson from a Flat Tire

Bags packed and in the car. Full gas tank. GPS set. You behind the wheel with thoughts of a glorious well-deserved vacation. The engine roars to life and you are off to bask in the sun, listen to the waves, and relax.



Cruising along. No traffic. Radio accompanying off tune singing. A jolt! Swerving…side of the road. You stare in amazement at the trail of rubber on the highway.


Pop the trunk open. Curse the directions written in another country’s language. Throw the directions to the side. You pull out the spare, tire iron, and jack. Determined to figure it out yourself you get to work.


Put the jack together. Place it under the car. Crunch! Wrong placement. Try again. A new hole emerges in the passenger door. Reposition the jack and raise the car.


Retrieve the spare. Deep breaths after carrying the spare up the hill. Make a mental note not to throw the spare in frustration. Lug nuts. Lefty-loosey righty-tighty. Kick the tire iron. Try the other left. Give thanks for karate lessons. Lug nuts off.


Pull off remainder of tire. Set it carefully on the side of the road. Spare on. Lug nuts missing. You lie down on the scorching asphalt and spy them halfway under the car. Shimmying on your stomach while cursing your travel clothing choice you finally wrap your scraped hand around them. Shimmy out. Lug nuts and tire iron. Righty-tighty.


Lower the car. Raise the car. Wipe the tears from your face. A second mental note is added: be careful of foot placement when lowering car. Lower the car.


Take apart the jack. Place jack and tire iron in the trunk alongside the tire that used to be. Glance back at the directions for additional words of rebuke. Notice the directions have flipped over with all the movement.


Chipped nails and scraped fingers form a fist. Sweat runs down your side. Steam rises from your head. A slew of words any sailor would be proud of spew from your snarling lips. You glare at the side of the directions unnoticed before. The English side of the directions.


Back in the car. Back on the road. Leaving the rubber behind, you are once again headed toward that glorious destination.


***Moral of the story: Always look at both sides before determining a course of action. It will save time, sweat, stress, tears, and possibly your manicure.

Our Deepest Fear

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

—Marianne Williamson

I am destined for great things.  I am strong.  I am capable. I have a great deal to offer the world. 

My son is destined for great things.  His heart is pure.  He has an amazing understanding of others.  He loves easily and freely.  He will make a difference in the world.  His light will brighten the lives of many.

Keirsey' PersonalityZone - Temperament and Your Career

Keirsey' PersonalityZone - Temperament and Your Career: "The most sensitive of the Idealists is the Healer (INFP). While their list of jobs may echo that of other Idealists, they are more drawn to express their own unique vision of the world than all other types, so their work cannot help but be unique. They interpret their visions in the world of music, art, entertainment, or dance. As a professor or teacher, counselor or social worker, they often unlock the mysteries of life for those they encounter. In business they are drawn to organizational development and human resources careers. They may have a religious calling or seek work as a librarian. Their careers need to be in alignment with their personal values. Says Kay, 'I chose health education so I could touch the lives of others to help them make better choices about their lives. I know I've done some good.'
All Idealists seek to have a life of meaning, to help themselves and others grow to be the best that they can be. They do not want to be a copycat of someone else, but want to be seen as a unique and valuable individual."

I feel like I don't know who I truly am...  I keep trying to figure it out; hang out with these people today, those another day, and more the next time.  It is as if I am searching for myself through these other people.  Am I really going to find myself by looking to others?  I am guessing not...  So, until I figure it out I need to steer clear.  I seem to simply disappoint folks. I have trouble expressing to them why I no longer answer calls or respond to texts.  I don't really even know why.  Maybe it's fear of getting too close, being hurt... who knows!  One of these days I will figure it all out, and maybe then I will be able to be a friend.

Hmmmmm...

Clean the house...live in the house...clean the house...
Make the bed...sleep in the bed...make the bed...
Mow the lawn...water the lawn...mow the lawn...fertilize the lawn...mow the lawn...
Wash the clothes...wear the clothes...wash the clothes...
Work...pay the bills...work...
Wash the car...drive the car...wash the car...
Fight...make up...fight...
Love...hate...dislike...like...love...
Work hard...live life...die...



Hmmmmm...What's the point?

Life Should Be a Musical

I often say, "Life should be a musical."  Think about it...Can you really be unhappy around someone who sings everything?  Now, I know.  Not everyone can sing.  Keep in mind that the chance of life actually being a musical is nill...no need to worry about the nonexistent world being filled with screeching singers.
There are days when songs pop into my mind as a response to a comment or situation.  Yesterday I was talking with someone about people not getting along and the tension it creates.  I decided to try out the whole burst out with the song that comes to mind.  I sang a little bit of that song...ummm...well I don't know the name of it, but there's a part that says, "people are people so why should it be..." that I remember, so I sang that and added in some jerking twitching type dance moves.  We laughed.  That's almost as good as life actually being a musical.