Just Plain Bill

Cat vs. bird, or bird vs. cat

Received a one-day delivery from Amazon Prime and was chatting with Paul, the driver, about my purchase. I’d ordered a plastic owl and some netting to protect Luke, my cat, from being pestered by one particular blue jay that is intent on hanging around our small patio as Luke lounges during the day.

Paul inquired, as many might, “Isn’t it the cat that’s supposed to be the predator, and not the other way around?” Is this “turn of events” a sign that the natural course of events in the animal kingdom (or even humankind) is in fact evolving?

We shall see if I’m successful intervening in evolution on Luke’s behalf, as even cats have a right to a hassle-free environment.

Just Plain Bill

A Strange Comparison

A few weeks ago, the NFL draft was completed, where, for each of the past 80 years, dozens of young men were selected to play for their new football teams.

This event had been preceded of course, by well-worn traditions of practice and preparation over many, many years: preparations to be bigger, faster, and stronger than their counterparts, including periods where they could hone their skills and demonstrate their prowess while reading, writing, listening, and sitting for random periods of time in the company of others their age.   

After this year’s draft, my mind drifted back to a summertime experience when I was visiting the Midwest.  In some ways, what I experienced that hot and humid day was similar to the draft.

That summer, I accompanied some friends to a nearby town where we were joined by a large group of like-minded visitors – much like the crowd that attended the NFL draft – to observe and participate in something similar to the draft.

Were you able to guess that I’m taking about a cattle auction? The cattle had been raised to be large and well formed, and while they didn’t participate in a combine, they were observed in their “cowbine”. Their lineage and reproducing ability were verified – all for the purpose of bringing the highest price for their owner.

It’s important to note that I love football. I’ve enjoyed both playing and coaching the sport, so I don’t intend to be anything but sarcastic. But, for or a fleeting moment, I did see some comparisons and subtle differences…

While I don’t know much about how cows think, I can imagine they didn’t care much who’d be buying them, and whom their corral mates might be.

And just for minute, I imagined the commissioner of the NFL breaking into an auctioneer’s chant, calling out to raise the price of the specimen to the highest bidder… 

Just Plain Bill

“Today’s Your Last Day”

I guess those words are a little less difficult to hear than “You’re fired”, but I’m sure the impact is the same. Especially when it comes as a surprise, with no written documentation leading up to the termination.

I heard those words last week, after a somewhat challenging and brief tenure at an extremely successful company; one that provided a fast-paced environment within which one would succeed – or not. I guess I’m in the latter group, as once again, technological trials and the all-too-common curse of impractical management resulted in a project time frame being accelerated by 25% of time allowed, without an advocate communicating that was simply impossible to meet.

Be that as it may, I’m back in the job market once again, looking at pursuing my true love – educating children.

Just a few of my proven enriching learning activities include a classroom micro-economy to address the dire state of financial literacy, music, art, and movement as daily challenges (including writing music and verse for publication)… all working in harmony as a primary driver for mastering new knowledge. 

Know of any school interested in a renaissance teacher? One who will engage the whole child, insuring engagement and commitment, drawing on real-life experiences to ensure the core of learning is truly common?

Just Plain Bill

Teachers – Primarily Liberal, or Not

For my readers interested in an extremely well-written New York Times essay on a topic that impacts anyone who “teaches”, I highly recommend Among the Disrupted, an article by Leon Wieseltier.

Mr. Wieseltier uses exquisite vocabulary, and posits an interesting conundrum for those presently engaged in their educational preparation, and for those deeply engaged in the alternative communication medium – the Internet – and its close relative, social media.

One particular passage resonated with me big time: “Why are liberals so afraid of their own philosophy?” As a self-proclaimed liberal, and a lifelong educator, I’ve occasionally wondered if my “liberalness” was at the core of my teaching.

While starting my teaching preparation during the late 60s, I was immersed in the revolutionary aspect of the “school is dead” movement, with some of its incredible writings such as Summerhill, by Alexander Sutherland Neill, and Teacher, by Sylvia Ashton-Warner. I believe some of those radical positions have not survived with the passage of time -  except for occasional highlights from the charter school movement.

Since we’ve all been students in our early lives, I am really looking forward to hearing from you to learn how you feel your education has been impacted by the relative philosophy of one or more of your teachers.