"The children most broken by the world become the adults most likely to change it."
-Frank Warren, PostSecret
This is certainly one of the most refreshing quotes I've read in awhile. Though it hardly surprises me that it comes from my pal, Frank Warren, an incredibly gifted man. I hope that it is true for me.
______________________
It coincides with the passage that we are reading this week in class.
Ephesians 6:1-4 KJV
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; 3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 4And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
NIV
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2"Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." 4Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
_______________
I think as one looks at this passage there are few things that jump out instantly.
Children are told to "honor" their parents. This sets up the parents as an authority figure. Some parents these days have this weird/messed up notion that they should be their kid's friend first and parent second. I submit to you that it doesn't work.
Unlike a friendship where there is a mutual exchange, a relationship between a parent and a child doesn't function with that same dynamic. Within a friendship, you are free to unload your burdens and consequently, the other party should be able to be that vulnerable as well. In a parent-child relationship, a child cannot reciprocate that vulnerability, and asking them to do so is unfair. They also lose their point of authority.
In the passage, parents are told to not "exasperate" or "provoke your children to wrath." Wow...those are some strong words. I think it's important to consider what may exasperate children. Certainly welcome any thoughts on that.
This passage also clearly identifies the roles of the parent and child, and even directly addresses both parties... indicating that both parties were present in the crowd at the time of reading this letter.
Just some thoughts for what they are worth I guess.
yac
PostSecret Favorite
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Philosophy of Education
Imagine a cross country meet. The runners line up at the start line in a big pack, ready to race. As soon as the gun is fired, they’re off. The coach sprints ahead of them on the course to shout words of encouragement. “You can do it!” the coach yells. Each runner paces themselves, and along the way encourages their teammates. Whether they finish first or last, the runners have ran a hard race, improved their times, and have done their best.
Much like a runner stretches in preparation for a race, a proper education stretches, challenges, and prepares students for life. An educational environment allows students to form friendships and provides them with social interactions that are vital to their success.
Teachers and coaches have a lot in common. As the coach encourages the runner, the teacher does that same thing in the classroom. Teachers play a key role in allowing each student to reach their full potential. Realizing that each student is unique and learns in different ways and paces is essential to being an effective teacher. Teachers must encourage each student to press on, even if something is difficult.
Much like injuries in cross country or any other sport, a teacher must understand that some students are struggling outside of the academic realm, whether that is with family issues, social problems, or any other problem that might inhibit their learning. Teachers must be fair, reach out to all students, and provide them with an environment that is conducive to learning. It is important to establish the classroom as a place where students feel comfortable and open to share their ideas and opinions without feeling inadequate. Teachers must also provide students with a comprehensive study of the subject area and cover the required standards. It is important for the teacher to actively engage the students in the classroom setting.
A coach may spend a number of hours calculating strategy and gathering information about the opposing team in order to prepare for the meet. Preparation in teaching is also essential. It provides for a smoother atmosphere and better classroom management.
Cross country is an individual sport as well as a team sport. In the classroom, students will need to assume responsibility for their actions and their education, while motivating and challenging their peers to succeed as well. Just as the cross country runners push to better their times, the students also need to strive to do their best and to establish reasonable expectations.
The ability and will to teach are gifts given to special individuals. Steve Prefontaine, a great long distance runner, summed this up by saying, “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the Gift.”
______________________
Though I will not be teaching in schools but rather at the University level, I still hold that most of these ideas (if not all) apply at the University level.
yac
Much like a runner stretches in preparation for a race, a proper education stretches, challenges, and prepares students for life. An educational environment allows students to form friendships and provides them with social interactions that are vital to their success.
Teachers and coaches have a lot in common. As the coach encourages the runner, the teacher does that same thing in the classroom. Teachers play a key role in allowing each student to reach their full potential. Realizing that each student is unique and learns in different ways and paces is essential to being an effective teacher. Teachers must encourage each student to press on, even if something is difficult.
Much like injuries in cross country or any other sport, a teacher must understand that some students are struggling outside of the academic realm, whether that is with family issues, social problems, or any other problem that might inhibit their learning. Teachers must be fair, reach out to all students, and provide them with an environment that is conducive to learning. It is important to establish the classroom as a place where students feel comfortable and open to share their ideas and opinions without feeling inadequate. Teachers must also provide students with a comprehensive study of the subject area and cover the required standards. It is important for the teacher to actively engage the students in the classroom setting.
A coach may spend a number of hours calculating strategy and gathering information about the opposing team in order to prepare for the meet. Preparation in teaching is also essential. It provides for a smoother atmosphere and better classroom management.
Cross country is an individual sport as well as a team sport. In the classroom, students will need to assume responsibility for their actions and their education, while motivating and challenging their peers to succeed as well. Just as the cross country runners push to better their times, the students also need to strive to do their best and to establish reasonable expectations.
The ability and will to teach are gifts given to special individuals. Steve Prefontaine, a great long distance runner, summed this up by saying, “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the Gift.”
______________________
Though I will not be teaching in schools but rather at the University level, I still hold that most of these ideas (if not all) apply at the University level.
yac
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Jeez...
So, I read this document put out by Focus on the Family...and it left me saying, "Wow..." The crap (and honestly that is being nice) that they put out is ridiculous in so many ways. Here is the link if you want to check it out. It is what they believe will happen now that Obama is President. Seriously...there are no words.
http://focusfamaction.edgeboss.net/download/focusfamaction/pdfs/10-22-08_2012letter.pdf
yac
http://focusfamaction.edgeboss.net/download/focusfamaction/pdfs/10-22-08_2012letter.pdf
yac
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Vote and the End of an Exciting Time
I voted today. It's always good to vote and play a small part in the election process. I am a little sad that the election will be over. It's been a pretty exciting time here in Indiana! Who knew that Indiana would become a SWING STATE!
_____________
Both candidates/parties have some cognitive dissonance within their platforms.
For example, Republicans are Pro-Life, but also Pro-Death Penalty. Democrats are Pro-Choice and Anti-Death Penalty. Do I think one party has it perfectly right? No.
We, however, must be aware of these contradictions within a party's platform and vote according to our best judgment.
yac.
_____________
Both candidates/parties have some cognitive dissonance within their platforms.
For example, Republicans are Pro-Life, but also Pro-Death Penalty. Democrats are Pro-Choice and Anti-Death Penalty. Do I think one party has it perfectly right? No.
We, however, must be aware of these contradictions within a party's platform and vote according to our best judgment.
yac.
Monday, November 3, 2008
The Private Door
By Jess Berryhill
“God enters by a private door into every individual.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
In the upmost tier of the House,
he edged toward the door
at the end of the hall
and noticed it lacked the shiny coat
of polyurethane that donned
the rest in the House.
He reached the unfinished
slab of oak and eyed
its depravity compared
to the façade of sterility
that was evident
throughout the House.
The door was far from pristine
with its numerous scuffs,
scrapes, and scars, acting
like tacky tattoos with
much better stories
behind them but going untold.
He glided his finger over
each scuff and scrape,
with none going untouched,
and one by one, the grooves
of his fingerprints met
the splintered sections.
When he took hold of
the rust-covered door knob,
it wriggled and jiggled
in place, but he knew
that it would not budge
from its locked position.
He dug inside his pocket
and removed an overfilled
key ring, and flipped straight
to a long, two-pronged key
knowing it would be the
perfect fit for the key hole.
Inserting the key into
the door, he heard the
clicking of the pins inside,
molding themselves to fit
the prongs, and then,
he rotated the key.
The door cried from its hinges
as he drew it open and stepped inside,
shutting the door behind him.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
In the upmost tier of the House,
he edged toward the door
at the end of the hall
and noticed it lacked the shiny coat
of polyurethane that donned
the rest in the House.
He reached the unfinished
slab of oak and eyed
its depravity compared
to the façade of sterility
that was evident
throughout the House.
The door was far from pristine
with its numerous scuffs,
scrapes, and scars, acting
like tacky tattoos with
much better stories
behind them but going untold.
He glided his finger over
each scuff and scrape,
with none going untouched,
and one by one, the grooves
of his fingerprints met
the splintered sections.
When he took hold of
the rust-covered door knob,
it wriggled and jiggled
in place, but he knew
that it would not budge
from its locked position.
He dug inside his pocket
and removed an overfilled
key ring, and flipped straight
to a long, two-pronged key
knowing it would be the
perfect fit for the key hole.
Inserting the key into
the door, he heard the
clicking of the pins inside,
molding themselves to fit
the prongs, and then,
he rotated the key.
The door cried from its hinges
as he drew it open and stepped inside,
shutting the door behind him.
yac
Selecting a Professor
By Jess Berryhill
First, I would have him prod at my brain
and traipse down the intellectual pathways
in the tranquil landscape yet to be discovered,
his eyes open for the chance to catch a thought.
A new snow falling in his hands, a choice arises.
Whether to mold or melt it within his grasp.
He will cradle the snow,
and slowly in his hands,
the snow melts trickling down fingers,
to the frozen earth below.
His mind will ponder and say,
“For the students alone, I wait for this moment.”
And he continues.
_____________________
The thought behind the poem is that a professor who is influential in every way doesn't mold students to fit his or her own ideals, but rather nutures them intellectually and changes the way they think (i.e. the melting rather than molding of the snow). This type of professor sacrifices a lot to do this, and his motives are founded in the fundamental belief that he or she is there for students.
yac
First, I would have him prod at my brain
and traipse down the intellectual pathways
in the tranquil landscape yet to be discovered,
his eyes open for the chance to catch a thought.
A new snow falling in his hands, a choice arises.
Whether to mold or melt it within his grasp.
He will cradle the snow,
and slowly in his hands,
the snow melts trickling down fingers,
to the frozen earth below.
His mind will ponder and say,
“For the students alone, I wait for this moment.”
And he continues.
_____________________
The thought behind the poem is that a professor who is influential in every way doesn't mold students to fit his or her own ideals, but rather nutures them intellectually and changes the way they think (i.e. the melting rather than molding of the snow). This type of professor sacrifices a lot to do this, and his motives are founded in the fundamental belief that he or she is there for students.
yac
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Moved In...
I move into my dorm room today...I wasn't too thrilled about it to be honest. It doesn't feel like home, especially right now. I have the dorm furniture and a fridge and that is about the extent of it. Hopefully within the next week, I will be able to get what was lost in the fire and get reimbursed from the insurance company. That in itself is a tedious process.
I will get back to the more thought provoking stuff soon.
yac
I will get back to the more thought provoking stuff soon.
yac
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
