Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Summer is Due




The Swedish say, "Life without love

 is like a year without summer."

Do without fireflies, warm silver moons,

or ruby tomatoes? Unthinkable! 

Days in a garden or furrowed field, 

fishing poles in the pond, revivals,

and dips in a pool.  Juicy slices of

watermelon, smoky campfires,

and excursions to the fair.    


...

Breathe in the love from family & friends


 as May slips gently, sweetly into June.

                                         ~Rose West






Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Conspicuous


It's difficult to imagine not "connecting" with those whom you admire.  Their smiles, words 
of encouragement or advice can make all
 the difference.  Simply put, our paths cross routinely nearly each and every day, right?
It's a comfortable feeling.  

Yet when that individual's an educator
who has been present in the lives of
countless numbers of learners
for all the right reasons, the
routine will be upended.  
People such as these do not just have jobs.

These extraordinary 
individuals share a craft; 
they fulfill the varied needs
of their customers at every turn.
Quoting John Steinbeck:  "I have come to believe that a great teacher is great artist and that there
 are as few as there are any other great artists.  
It might even be the greatest of the arts 
since the medium is the human heart & spirit."

I wish Steinbeck had gone on to comment  
on how to deal with a void that occurs when special individuals we know 
decide to pursue new adventures.   

So for this moment late in May, I'm so
thankful for their gifts.  I will be grateful 
they chose to share their passion for
questioning and for learning, with kids

You realize that some think 
they'll go out and "change the world."  
Crazy thoughts, huh?

William Magee, Suzanne Jordan,
and Priscilla Salmond 
have done just that.    




Wednesday, May 18, 2016

The End of the School Year

You have spent the year together, close quarters since late August.  You've involved students in thousands of lessons and group is feasting during the waning days in this month of May.  


Teachers get to know a lot about their "customers."   Some children do better than others in the academic areas of fifth grade, while their classmates may excel in endeavors related to athletics.  Often kids have some tough personal issues or challenges, and  teachers usually uncover such truths.  He or 
she can relate to a child's pain, and help.


Hopefully together you've learned, laughed, and grown since first crossing the doorway of the classroom.  There's been tension and disagreements, for no group escapes them when sharing nine months or more of time, together.  Yet now as you approach the last day of school, everyone is tired.  Everyone is ready for the start of summer break.  Everyone who is remembered in a special way is "changed."  And that change feels so good.
Yes, kids still do pass notes.
 Click on this image to get the whole message.
 Then smile to know a child feels this way.

Thank you teachers, for 
being in the lives of our children.