So Far

Hey there blogger folk,
I have had several interviews, no job yet. I was contacted by a small public charter school. I always thought I would like to teach in a charter school environment. At least I wouldn't have to worry about being in a district where the curriculum is scripted according to NCLB and test compliance. I worry about the ability to institute any creativity in those situations. I believe one of my best qualities as an educator is my creativity. I think creativity requires a certain amount of autonomy, and autonomy seems to be less and less desirable in some school districts these days. So it goes......
At any rate I will be subbing this semester if nothing else turns up, and I honestly think that subbing will be a positive experience, of course I am one of those odd people that believes any experience is good, be it positive or negative, as long as you learn something in the process.
A short poem by Shel Silverstein;
THREE STINGS (from Falling Up)
George got stung by a bee and said,
"I wouldn't have got stung if I'd stayed in bed."
Fred got stung and we heard him roar,
"What am I being punished for?"
Lew got stung and we heard him say,
"I learned somethin' about bees today."
I want my students to be Lews.
I often read this poem to students, both at the prep school level as well as to college students. One must be intrepid (= resolutely courageous, fearless) to receive the full education of life.
Of course "intrepid" can be interpreted by some as careless. Not so. Fearlessness involves risk. I guess I've never been a big proponent of playing it safe. Does that make me dangerous, or just mean?
I was described by a person I admire as intrepid. I didn't know what she meant. I had to look it up. Iwas quite flattered by that description. It still has the power to make me smile.
Speaking of intrepid, and for your viewing pleasure "V is for Vendetta" This is a must view film for all of you freedom loving conscienscious objectors. It has a very important message about the power of fear to create a culture prone to totalinarianism. Whew. The film is based on a graphic novel. I plan on using graphic novels as well as comic books as reading mediums in my class room. It's part of my "Read Please Read" philosophy.
Book Stuff; The Time Traveler's Wife, wow, a real wild sci-fi ride, loved every page of it!
Music Stuff; The new Gnarles Barkley. Not for the faint of heart, great music, adult understanding only please.
Enough meanness for now, this was quite an intrepid post.