The Big Middle Finger

It is the fourth of July and each year I hope that people realize the importance of why we celebrate this day. In this day in 1776, Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. This was the formal severing of bonds with Great Britain, the country that colonized us.

For adults it is easy to grasp this but I taught 9th grade civics and the only concept they have of the fourth is lighting bottle rockets. It was difficult finding a way to spice history up so I always tried to translate big concepts with ones they understand. For the fourth I always told them that I called it the big middle finger.

Go back and read the text of the declaration. You can find it at http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/freedom/doi/text.html My job to read this text with the kids and try to dramatize this in a way they could appreciate it. For example:

We hold these truths to be self-evident = What are ya, stupid

to throw off such government = move out of the house

usurpations = I never really had anything for that one.

The point is that the Declaration is probably the biggest middle finger ever given. We not only stated what we wanted and what we were about but we challenged the biggest kid on the playground. It was like me grabbing a bunch of under equipped but very determined average joes and challenging the Yankees to a 7 game series and eventually winning.

This is the spirit of the country I live in an man is it great. Every fourth I wish I had been there on that day changing the world and protecting my countrymen. At this point my kids would be looking at me like I was a dork but you know what, its a message worth trying to drill into their heads and I will keep trying. Happy fourth everyone!

What's Wrong with These Kids Today?

I saw a quote by Steve Garvey the other day that read something to the effect of "the problem with ball players today is that they care more about the name on the back of the jersey instead of the one on the front." I began to reflect on this and all the times I have ever been asked "whats wrong with these kids today?" came rushing back to mind. Since I have been an educator I feel that the approach used by kids today is so off the mark. I can't decide if I should rebel against this or work with the change.

Neil Howe and William Strauss (2003) have done some work in this field and they say of millennials, "They have always been treated as special and important. This generation of children has been the most wanted. Every milestone was marked with celebrations and praise. They may carry a sense of entitlement about them and have an expectation of frequent positive feedback. It’s been instilled in them that they are vital to the nation and to their parents’ sense of purpose. They feel they are here to solve world problems that older generations have failed to solve. They may claim they want privacy, but they crave attention." This is a pretty heavy idea but if you think about it it makes sense. We as a society have groomed these kids to be this way yet we complain about the result.

How about this thought, "Highly protected as children. Grew up in a time of increasing safety measures (car seats, baby on board signs, school lockdowns). They were rarely left unsupervised. They were sheltered from having to take care of their own conflicts as parents advocated on their behalf, and “spared” them from unpleasant experiences. As college students, they may expect faculty and staff to shelter, protect, and nurture them – and resolve their conflicts for them. Millennials are the focus of the most sweeping youth safety movement in American history." In my line of work the highlighted portion above is a sensitive subject. It seems that my generation's parents thought that if they could live through it so can their kids. This generation's parents seem to think that their kids will never have to suffer the tough times that they had to.

This is a topic essential for schools to tackle and respond appropriately to. There is a sure need to adjust policy and break out of old teaching methods and attitudes.

www.d.umn.edu/advising/MillennialTraits.doc

Shame on Me

I was in WalMart the other day and a well dressed young man approached me. As he drew closer I recognized him as one of my students when I student taught at Benton ten years ago. We spoke breifly about his classmantes and he told me that he was a practicing lawyer. This did not suprise me. He was a great kid to have in class and was quite clever. As we left each other I realized something very embarrasing, I forgot his name.

My wife helped me realize a while back that I had a tendency to spend a lot of time on my "bad" kids. This is true. I could tell you some stories about my worse kids and tell you all their names. This is sad and shameful. The young man I spoke to in WalMart was a great student and kids like this should not be overlooked. Instead we expect them to do good things and we fail to spend time on them. He gave me maximum effort and respect in that classroom and I cant even remember his name. I ahve tried to make myself feel better about this by thinking surely teachers forget kids names at some point in their careers but that is no excuse. Shame on me!

Keep Our Eyes on the Ball!

Not to long ago I saw something that just shook me. Crosswalk Community Action is a valuable resource to those in need and they have a building located right here in West Frankfort. On certain days of the month they offer various kinds of assistance that apparently are first come first serve as people line up early in the morning. Sometimes I see these folks lined up as I leave town. The last time I happened to see people waiting in line I saw a man proudly showing off something. His brand new tattoo. Not just a simple heart with "I Love Mom" in it but a half of a sleeve of elaborate art. Something tells me I know where the rent money went.

This calls into question on how well we are actually keeping our eye on the ball. There are examples of this all over the place.

• Illinois politicians know we have a budget problem but are willing to ignore their own goal of having a new budget before they leave for summer break.
• Tons of students are graduating from high schools and colleges but are they ready? Are we really focusing on preparing our kids are we worrying about who gets to start in the football game?
• There are a ton of politicians making it their mission to show that our president is failing instead of showing our president how they can help. I guess elections are more important than the American people.
• Recently a local government chose to put public safety at risk by cutting firefighters and police officers instead of cutting positions that would possibly make thanksgiving dinner uncomfortable if you know what I mean.

Folks, keep your eye on the ball. We have serious problems these days and it take serious people to solve them. For once lets put the general welfare above our own. Lets be a man and do anything it takes to feed our kids instead of getting that flashy new tattoo and then standing in the rent assistance line.

The Face Book

For a few months now I have partaken in Facebook. I was originally skeptical but I was happy with being able to keep up with friends that I had lost touch with. In addition to my delights there have been an equal number of disappointments.

Facebook was founded by Mark Zuckerberg, a student at Harvard University. The stories are unclear as the purpose for Facebook. One story suggests his first post was about breaking up with his girlfriend and others suggest it was a way to upload pictures for an art class in preparation for an art final.

No matter what the story I'm sure he didn't didn't envision my facebook page looking like a constant sink of dirty dishes. Everytime I log in I feel that I can never catch up with my meager 111 friends and some of the crap that I wade through just to get to a meaningful post. I would like to share my facebook nuances:

• Farm, Mafia, and that other jazz drives me crazy.
• Constant invites.
• Political commentary - only because its very hard to not reply back.
• I don't really care who and what my current friends join or befriend. (nothing personal)

I realize that these things may be necessary evils but it really keeps me from wanting to log in at all. The addition of these sites really makes me wonder what we are becoming. Are we that narcissistic to think that somebody out there wants to follow us and know what we are doing all of the time. Do I really think that some of my facebook friends who have over 400 friends actually are speaking to them individually? Maybe I'm just being old fashioned but I'm sure I will eventually get on board.

Mother's Day

Recently I had some minor surgery done to clear up my sinus passages and hopefully prevent so many infections. I had never been in surgery or been put under. It was a little nerve racking but I can tell you to draw strength I just needed to think of my wife and mother.

I was raised by my grandmother since I was a year and a half old. I could have been left to God knows what in Tennessee but she made a huge sacrifice for me and took me in. She battled her own health issues that inlcude surviving cervical cancer and fighting diabetes until her death. She always put our well being in fron of hers and that was her policy.

My wife and I have two great children. To deliver these miracles into the world my wife had to endure two c-sections. I know this sounds run of the mill these days but a good deal of pain and worry comes with this procedure. As I lay on the table and think about my own mild suffering I just needed to remind myself of what these women have went through for me.

Please take time this weekend to say happy mother's day to any women in your life that are mothers or even play mothers to so many kids.

Wow

When you decide you will spend your life in a career that is rewarding to you, you will give it everything you've got. When you choose a career that serves the public and society in general, you better do better than your best.

This week a former teacher was convicted of selling cocaine out of his house. He was found guilty and sentenced to four years of probation. This is not good enough.

Teachers spend every day of their lives trying to steer kids away from the punishment that this man deserved. Mr. Monroe was paid by taxpayers to so the same and now he basically walks free. He painted himself as an addict but most addicts spend their time getting their drug of choice, not profiting from it. He is not a good person and he violated the public trust.

State's Attorney Mike Henshaw said, "My job is to do justice and I hope that's justice." Wow, I can't even tell how well that does not sit with me. I have an idea though. Let change the make up of the court to teachers and school administrators and throw in a parent or two. I can guarantee the outcome would be fair and just.

I realize that there are bad people in every profession but that does not mean we should excuse their behavior. A major reason for the probation sentence was that he had a clean record. You have to have a clean record to hold a teaching certificate and that does not mean that Mr. Monroe was living a clean life.

If you love your profession, do all you can to rid it of people like this. They only drag us down and insult what we do for others. Shame on the Saline County system of justice.

http://www.dailyregister.com/breaking/x1009765887/Tim-Monroe-sentenced-Probation-fines-for-convicted-drug-dealer

http://www.wsiltv.com/p/news_details.php?newsID=9422&type=top

Fatherhood

Recently a co-worker of mine entered fatherhood. They had a baby girl after dealing with a good amount of uncertainty. They are good people and she will have a great home to grow up in.

I began to reflect on my own fathering and I thought back to my favorite picture of my daughter. My wife had to have an emergency c-section and we were rushed into surgery. I had everything ready. I had the outfit complete with booties and hat, I thought to bring the camera for the first picture of the newly arriving princess of the house. She was born, taken to the table and the nurse asked if I would like to have her take the shot. Since I was not allowed to go past the curtain I said yes and peeked around the curtain at my first born child. The nurse began to show signs of confusion and then finally told me that she didn't think it took. I was momentarily devastated. I was afraid my wife would be disappointed but she was still pretty drugged up so that conversation would have to wait.

When we had the roll of pictures developed we made a shocking discovery. The picture did take and it was perfect. It was if she was looking right at me and I was looking right at her. When I think about that picture I always remind my self that situations may be difficult but it always works out.

This has come to shape my philosophy on fatherhood. If you put yourself in the right place and provide opportunities for your kids they will turn out just fine. Luckily my kids are more than just fine, they're freakin great and I wouldn't trade any experience in the world for the one in this picture.

Who's Pulling the Strings

Ron Osman is making a stink about the funding source for Creal Springs proposed new school. This is greatly disappointing. I was very offended by the whole thing until I saw Mr. Osman on the news making the statement that he was making a stand for democracy.

Not too long ago Ron Osman filed a lawsuit with concern to a county wide sales tax that would help fund schools. This tax passed the test of democracy but he challenged it anyway. So much for a defender of democracy. Now a much needed school is ready to built and he is challenging the method in which it is being funded.

I respect the idea that he is defending the taxpayer but that is the absolute incorrect focus. We need to be protecting our future taxpayers or they will certainly become tax takers. Maybe I am biased but some taxes are worth it. I helped in two different efforts to build a new school for the Mt. Vernon High School district. Voters shot both referendums by large margins.

When are we going to wake up and put our future generations first? We continually worry about our pocket books and say, "not right now." When will it be time?

As for Mr. Osman, I am with Creal Springs principal, Andy Shelby, in wondering who is pulling Osman's strings?

The Southern

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Gambling and Gun Play

A shocking (not really) story was broke this week that Washing Wizards players Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton pulled guns on each other in the locker room after a disagreement over a gambling debt.

The details are still sketchy but Arenas allegedly kept guns in his locker at the Verizon Center to keep them away from his home that has young children in it. It is also reported that he is a legendary gambler betting on card games to video games.

Now I would bet that most of us have real jobs that contribute to society in some way and if we did either of these things we would be canned in a second. Could you imagine me carrying a sidearm down the halls of Elverado High School on my way to intimidate one of my teachers into paying a card game debt?

The matter has been turned over to DC police and the Feds and lets see if a professional athlete is again let off the hook or given a much lighter punishment than the average Joe. I wrote in a previous blog that this conduct is reckless and all of us should pay the maximum price. Which way do you think the scale will tip?

In closing I would like to offer Mr. Arenas a tip: use some gambling winnings to buy a lock box for your guns. This crap that you keep them at work to keep them from you kids is crap!

http://m.nypost.com/ms/p/nyp/nyp/sayjSi7-xnESCN7UW24NA7A/view.m?id=23570&storyid=4.0.4044730280

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Aib9kMhJ.J4_iYetMWh9i22hPKB4?slug=aw-arenaswizards010310&prov=yhoo&type=lgns