Snowed today here in Spring Towne, I fired up the old XR and dragged the kids behind on the sled. Fun was had by all, except Tor, who wasn't very impressed with the snow in his face. Can't hardly blame him.
We had a nice day around the house, not too much to report. Things are fine.
Saturday, January 31, 2004
Friday, January 30, 2004
Bless the ACLU for their doggedness, if not their effort to get Utah media involved early on about MATRIX. Perhaps they did try, but I haven't seen anything before today. Here is the official request to the Utah Department of Public Safety by the ACLU for records regarding MATRIX in Utah, dated 18 November 2003. Check out the other links to Matrix issues.
Um, what the hell? The DesNews ran a story back on the fourth of January that went for the most part under the radar, then Olene Walker found out about MATRIX in a news conference.
That story broke yesterday, but since I was out driving all over kingdom come for the secondary mock-trial program meetings, I was left in the dark. The Trib ran this story today, and I find it interesting that frigging Leavitt was unavailable to his former constituency for comment on this issue.
I shall hold my tongue and refrain from any other commentary on Mr. Leavitt, but this is a stinky little trail.
That story broke yesterday, but since I was out driving all over kingdom come for the secondary mock-trial program meetings, I was left in the dark. The Trib ran this story today, and I find it interesting that frigging Leavitt was unavailable to his former constituency for comment on this issue.
I shall hold my tongue and refrain from any other commentary on Mr. Leavitt, but this is a stinky little trail.
Hooray! It appears the President's (and national republicans?) effort to hogtie public ed is running out of rope in Utah!
There are those who would contend that the problem with schools today is a lack of formality. While that is something that warrants some discussion, I sit here, wearing shorts, running shoes, an untucked shirt and a sweater, with my kids all working studiously.
My students are the ones other teachers and administrators kick out of their classes permanently. Nevertheless, they are all working, asking courteously for new assignments and tests, all on a Friday afternoon.
When I mention that I am an 'alternative high school teacher,' people often reply with audible sighs, expressions of condolance, and the occasional thanks for my work with these kids. But what we have is not very different from other teaching situations...
Humans are humans. We all want to feel a sense of belonging, some semblance of boundaries and normalcy, and love. That's about it.
While there is much to discuss about content and standards in knowlege taught, it's really as simple as this when distilled to the essence. One's students will respond in kind.
My students are the ones other teachers and administrators kick out of their classes permanently. Nevertheless, they are all working, asking courteously for new assignments and tests, all on a Friday afternoon.
When I mention that I am an 'alternative high school teacher,' people often reply with audible sighs, expressions of condolance, and the occasional thanks for my work with these kids. But what we have is not very different from other teaching situations...
Humans are humans. We all want to feel a sense of belonging, some semblance of boundaries and normalcy, and love. That's about it.
While there is much to discuss about content and standards in knowlege taught, it's really as simple as this when distilled to the essence. One's students will respond in kind.
Thursday, January 29, 2004
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