Dear Education, I love you.
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My parents do a fantastic job of never letting me forget what busing and racism looked like in Dallas ISD 50 years ago. Never forget.
For probably the first time since I started teaching, I am refreshed and ready to return to the classroom.
Did you know DISD wasn't officially recognized as desegregated until 2003? That's Black history.
There's not much I can say about Dr. King that hasn't already been said or will be by people far more eloquent than myself. The one man everyone, even people that couldn't care less about the Civil Rights Movement, recognizes by name from that part of America's history.
As a teacher, I like to discuss Dr. King in history. I like to put him in context. The entire world was going through a civil rights movement. In the wake of the decolonization that followed World War II, people everywhere were trying to find their collective identity and achieve some kind of equality. He traveled to India and studied the non violence movement led by Mahatma Ghandi. He spoke openly with other civil rights leaders in the US, like Malcolm X, who disagreed with his methods and mindset. Dr. King fought for and achieved concrete changes in US laws to create enduring protections for the civil liberties of people of color. He did it not just for Black people, but all people in our country so that we can all share in the bounties that our country provides. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a driven, intelligent, spiritual, compassionate, well dressed master of the English language. He was the exact opposite of what people today think of when they imagine a Black male. I look up to Dr. King not because he was perfect, but because he was willing to do the right thing in the face of seemingly insurmountable adversity. He knew that he had a powerful voice and used it, but he was also humble enough to learn from those who had come before him and work with those trying to achieve the same goal. He never stopped learning, he never stopped fighting, and he continues to be the gold standard for resistance to oppression and inequity for me. I celebrate his birthday in remembrance and respect of everything he secured for myself, my parents, and people of color across our country. Thank you, Dr. King. Happy birthday. It's 8am and there's already a line at the copy machine. Why are you making copies right before 1st period if you don't have a first period class? A question for the philosophers I suppose.
Break is over, everyone is a few pounds heavier, and testing season looms over us all. STAAR is next week, then ACPs, then we get to take a nice long winter break. Why is it so hard to come back? Why do I rarely feel rested after I come back from several days away from work? Vacation is great because it disrupts the normal routine for many of us. This is precisely why it's so hard to come back. It's hard to go back to the gym after a week or two away and school is no different. Teaching is tough. That step we take away from what can at times be a very depressing reality lets many of us focus on the things that make us happy, the things that keep us going. Returning to work after several days surrounded by that enjoyment can feel a little like getting ripped out of heaven and thrown back down to earth. Hard. Vacation is supposed to help us recharge our batteries but the tough part is holding that charge, especially with another break so soon. It's good to be back. I missed my students. I just need to not let the little things I got used to before break become big annoyances now that break is over. Last week was a blast. Time to make these next two count. Related Articles: Dallas Education Rundown 11.28 Dragging into Dallas Schools A special note to the 5000+ people that were reading from the Thanksgiving table yesterday: I'm thankful for you. We are very fortunate that, instead of devoting your full attention to your dinner plates and loved ones, you chose to spend part of your break with us.
We've been binge watching a few shows that you've no doubt heard of, but we'll go ahead and mention them here so you can make the most out of the remainder of your break. 1. Jessica Jones on Netflix - Dark new Marvel show available for 13 episodes of action and a bit of detective work. I'm sure the real TV review folks would call it "cerebral," but I like it because it shows the evolution of people traumatized in childhood and what that looks like when they grow up. It shows the impact that the words and deeds of adults can have on developing humans. Great for teachers to take a look. Daredevil would also be a good watch. 2. The Man in the High Castle on Amazon - Not all the way through this one, but I often get the "what if the other side won" question in my World History class and this show imagines that out for me. 3. Assassination Classroom on Hulu - I'm a huge anime nerd, but a show about a teacher that moves so fast he can do all the impossible things teachers wish they could do is right up your alley. He makes individualized tests for every one of his students based on their strengths and weaknesses. I'll leave it at that. Thanks again for reading and listening. See you tomorrow for your weekly rundown of education talk. Happy Thanksgiving! One of the toughest things to swallow about today is that the significance of it is starting to fade with each passing year for our young people. Each year my students remember less about 9/11/01 and this year, most of my kids were barely born when it happened. September 11th is now something they've heard about or read about in a history book. It isn't something they experienced. I feel personally that it is my job as a teacher to make sure that something this important is never forgotten.
I encourage everyone to share their stories about 9/11 with their students to make it real, make it personal for them. I was about their age when it happened. I remember the confusion in my classmates, the terror and emotion in my teachers, and the tears. I remember the panic in my parents trying to contact our relatives in New York City. I remember how the community college my grandmother taught it was evacuated and then closed due to damage from the dust and debris. I remember the smell at ground zero when I visited and the families still hoping that somehow a loved one that was missing would be found. I want my students to understand why 9/11 changed the world forever and why we "never forget." In a way, it's history teachers that keep the memories of the fallen alive and make them immortal. Enduring for all time. That's the way it should be for the thousands of Americans that died at ground zero, the pentagon, and in Pennsylvania that morning. Good Goodness Y'all. Between the Happy Alabama fans and the sad Longhorns, I saw quite a few teachers...having fun? Expressing themselves. Enjoy your breaks, but remember that you teach kids how to be adults during not break time. Yes, that makes me laugh inside my head too. I can already see people girding their loins for Sunday Fundays and brunches across the metroplex.
We gottta keep our composure! Nobody wants to wake up Tuesday unemployed. Someone will. Just remember, you can still get a DUI when you're "just" hungover and the sun is out. Dallas needs you. The kids need you. You need you to to have a job so you can have lights when it's dark outside. There's a brand new Dallas Education Podcast to listen to and plenty of opportunities to catch up on Season 2. From Us: Happy Labor Day Dallas Educators Believe in yourselves DISD teachers Teaching an untested subject DISD students that want to drop out Collaborating with other teachers From others: The two sides of data - EP Data shows DISD Progress - DMN Protecting Kids - EP Texas SAT struggles - DMN Blaming students - EP Achievement Gap applies to everyone - EP It's the holiday weekend so rejoice and make good use of the time off. As promised, There's a brand new Dallas Education Podcast to listen to and plenty of opportunities to catch up on Season 2.
From Us: Happy Labor Day Dallas Educators Believe in yourselves DISD teachers Teaching an untested subject DISD students that want to drop out Collaborating with other teachers From others: The two sides of data - EP Data shows DISD Progress - DMN Protecting Kids - EP Texas SAT struggles - DMN Blaming students - EP Achievement Gap applies to everyone - EP Is everyone ready to get pumped up for the school year at convocation? "No." - Every teacher I've talked to about convocation.
What will be different from last year? Probably less dancing (particularly from the Superintendent). Probably. No guarantees. As much as I've tried to dig up some positivity around today's event, I've turned up nothing. Excited for teh school year? Sure. Excited for convocation? For sure not. At a time where DISD is about to ask voters to approve a billion dollar bond because we're so desperately in need of funds, events like this seem like a waste of money. What is more concerning? That it is a waste of time. The vast majority of teachers would rather spend the next 4-6 hours planning and getting ready for their students that will be arriving in less than a week than seeing a long, drawn out presentation and performance. Based on the community meetings and town halls about the DISD bond proposal and the Oak Cliff DISD districts, nobody is focused on making sure there's a big kickoff for the year. In fact, many communities already plan and put on smaller, localized back to school events that are well received and attended. So why do we do this every year? Who is this really for? Either way, go (because you don't have a choice), talk with your fellow teachers, and try to feel the energy. Stay positive. It will all be over soon. Buses leave at 8! Related: TFA DFW DISD Summer Institue Superintendent Mike Miles leaves DISD Today, and everyday, it's important we remember those brave warriors who sacrifice their lives to protect our freedoms and the freedom of people they've never even met. Soldiers sacrifice everyday mentally, physically, spiritually and some even make the ultimate sacrifice in defense of everything we hold dear.
It is incumbent upon us to remember that these brave men and women aren't just soldiers. They are mothers, brothers, fathers, husbands, and friends. They are doctors, lawyers, students, and even teachers. I was taught by veterans. I trained to become a teacher with veterans. While today is a day we honor the fallen, it's also another opportunity to remember those who are still with us. In the line of duty they've lost brothers and sisters in arms and have a more personal connection to the true meaning of today. How can we honor all of them? By living lives worthy of their sacrifice. By being someone worthy of protecting. I teach, but no matter what you do, do good in this world because people have made unimaginable sacrifices to give you the freedom to do whatever you want. Relax today and catch up on what DISD news we've been rambling about, but remember why you're able to enjoy this downtime and day off work. Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers teaching classes, in our classes, or just sending their kids off to school every day. If you're a dog mom and not a human mom, that deserves thanks too. Are you a teacher with no kids? Guess what, you're a mom too. Your kids see you that way. At least some of them do. I appreciate all of you and those of you who are moms and teachers, you get double appreciation today.
I want to give special thanks to my mom who made such an impact in my life and education. Other than giving me life, the next most important thing my mom did was read to me. When I was young, she read me stories and that thelped me become a better reader. It helped me have a strong vocabulary. She worked full time and still found a way to feed me and read to me most days of the week. It didn't end when I grew up either. When I was sick in middle school, my mom sat and read my nightly reading to me one night while she nursed me back to health so I'd be ready for a quiz. That's the kind of woman she is and I'll always appreciate her for that. She's a DISD grad by the way. Our district produces some quality people and has been for decades. |
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