Just Plain Bill

Just want to cry!

Have you ever wanted to cry, but just can’t?  I remember my late mother mentioning quite often later in her life she wished she could cry, but just couldn’t.

I’ve been feeling the same lately. Lamenting our present state of the country, feeling that for some reason I’m so way out of touch with the decision-making powers in our government that all I can do is try to cry. I’m feeling helpless and hopeless.

My family and friends would probably tell me it’s not as “bad” as I think, that things run in cycles, and our present state is just another passing phase – but I don’t think that’s really the case.

The balance between the conservative and liberal states of mind does not seem to be a “balance” at all. I continually feel I’m in the minority on issues of equal opportunity, support for those in need medically, civil rights, protection for the environment, lifting the economically disadvantaged, and preserving protections for those “different” from the conservative mainstream – people of color, of different sexual orientation… the believers in acceptance. Those I would label as haters of anyone “different” from them are become the norm!

I’m also at odds with the rabid believers of guns for all - with no restrictions. And, I’ve grown weary of the near absolute power of the moneyed class and our government gridlock. I do believe that America is “for sale”! It’s no longer a secret.

For most of my life, I’ve worked in the learning world, working with both adults and with children as young as four, committed to providing activities directed towards learning something new or to enhancing what is already known. Along the way, I’ve looked for examples, models, or influencers as anchors for lessons to be taught and learned.

I’ve looked to our leaders as models for acceptable behavior and language, which, unfortunately, are not prevalent in those at the highest levels of government in the current times we live.

Is it the media, the news organizations, or what? Is the only course of action to “turn off” all sources of information? I hear more and more people sharing a common sentiment that they’ve been forced to “unplug” from the 24/7, instant public feedback times we live in because they are so stressed out by all of the hate and media hysteria. But isn’t unplugging a dangerous kind of apathy?

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men to do nothing.

 Edmund Burke

In closing, I’ll continue to stay involved as much as possible and look for any beacon that will lead me to a place of solace. And, as my friends and family have said, “Wait for the cycle to shift”… and the time when the need to cry dry tears is no more.

Note: To turn a phrase, I believe my generation has caught up with my level of technological competence, as my Blogspot account froze, and it took time – and a fair amount of luck – to get it working again. Sorry for my senior moment!

Just Plain Bill

“Be Stick!”

As a substitute teacher, I get to experience lesson plans left for the “guest teacher.” These plans range from the most minimum instructions – page numbers in a variety of books, free reading, or work on their projects, all with little if any specifics or helpful hints – to those that are detailed down to the exact minute during the day, with not much latitude for any individualization, or choice of alternative activities.

One example of the latter included the following opening paragraph: “I have a social class. Be stick! (Underlined and highlighted.) Don’t let them get away with anything.”

I was tempted to correct her use of “stick”, to what I thought she meant, “strict.” I didn’t do that, and, I used my time-tested and proven successful classroom management approach that place the students “in charge” of their own behavior choices.

This blog is part of a running series that focuses on the quality of teaching I have experienced since returning to public school teaching nearly two years ago, after a break of 35 years.

More later!

P.S. My editor, Allyn Geer provided me with the definition of the word “stick”. Made me smile, and wonder, once again, what the teacher meant: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stick_(comics)