Math

Three Arithmetic Essentials. Questionable.

One of the three R’s. ‘Rythmatic,’ aka math. Fundamental. Essential in national standards.

Let’s take a look at three of the mathematical essentials and the “godfathers" of the subject:

• Euclid- Geometry

• Pythagoras- Theorem

• Algebra- (Muhammad ibn Musa al Khwarizmi)______________________________________________________________________

Euclid: “Father of Geometry” 300 BCE

Euclid is generally considered among the greatest mathematicians of antiquity, and one of the most influential in  the history of mathematics.

Geometry is required in nearly every state in the US. “Required for its real-world application.” A gateway for higher math. Included in all standardized testing making it “vital” for the ACT and SAT.

“The theorems obtained via deduction by Euclid remain

fundamental to the study of geometry, and for this reason the geometry studied in school is,” well, Fundamental.

National Assessment for Educational Progress, Page 28.

Page 28  in the NAEP, if read, is rhetorical gobbledygook. One page goes on and on about Euclid and the importance of ‘real world’ thinking, and not much else of substance. Yet the teaching of Euclid is mandatory. Essential (is the repetitive word).

One question. How often do we refer to Euclid in the real world? Ok, two questions- how often do we really use Euclidean Geometry on a day to day basis. One could argue its usage, but is it really essential?

Euclid. Fundamental, as in “serving as an original or generating source.”

And what do we know about Euclid?

13 Books called Elements.

Conic Sections.

Optics.

• “Other than that, nothing else is known for certain.”

• Euclid, all of uncertain historicity, which "picture him as a kindly and gentle old man” is completely unverifiable.

• Origin stories, Most scholars consider them of dubious authenticity.

So, essentially the time spent learning real-world concepts in Euclidian Geometry- Concepts of essential proportions as original and mandatory, are unknown.

Not that the math itself is flawed. On the contrary. It is perfect, math and geometry are a most beautiful language. The teaching of it is not.

Pythagoras: The Pythagorean Theorem 570 BCE

By grade 8, “students should be able to use the Pythagorean theorem to solve problems in two- dimensional situations.”

In mathematics, the Pythagorean theorem or Pythagoras' theorem is a fundamental relation in Euclidean geometry between the three sides of a right triangle. It states that the area of the square whose side is the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal to the sum of the areas of the squares on the other two sides.

The theorem can be written as an equation relating the lengths of the sides a, b and the hypotenuse c, sometimes called the Pythagorean equation: a squared plus b squared equals c squared.

Yea, we are taught the theorem, but what about Pythagoras?

“Known as the Lover of Wisdom,”

Numerology enthusiast.

Believed in the “transmigration of Souls”. Musica universalis- math of the planets.

A Vegetarian.

Had students sworn to secrecy due to the political and economic perversion of mathematics (assumed).

Lived a communal, ascetic lifestyle. Conflicted with followers of democracy.  Had meeting house burned. Unknown death- fled or fire.

• “Other than that, nothing else is known for certain.”

• No authentic writings of Pythagoras survived; and almost nothing is known for certain about the life of Pythagoras.

• Sources are ambiguous and satirical.

• “There is not a single detail in the life of Pythagoras that stands uncontradicted.” Walter Burkert 1972.

Algebra: Muhammad ibn Musa al- Khwarizmi  C. 780-850

Algebra is a branch of mathematics that deals with abstract systems and the manipulation of expressions within those systems.

Elementary algebra is the main form of algebra taught in schools. It examines mathematical statements using variables for unspecified values and seeks to determine for which values the statements are true.

What’s that now?

Abstract. Manipulation of the system. Truth.

Algebra. Originally meaning:

“a reuniting of broken bones.”

• Around 820 CE, he was appointed as the astronomer and head of the library of the House of Wisdom and a follower of Zoroastrians.

• Few details of al-Khwārizmī's life are known with certainty

• Series of errors concerning the personality of al-Khwārizmī, occasionally even the origins of his knowledge, had not been made.

For such essential learnings based on facts- seem to get diluted upon a “deeper dive” into the why we are learning math.

Purpose of Education part 4

Researching on the Road: What is the purpose of education? Part 4.

Consider the concept of Imperialism. AI says, “Other words for imperialism include colonialism, hegemony, expansionism, domination, empire-building, and neocolonialism. These terms all relate to a country extending its power and influence over other territories or people, whether through direct territorial control, economic influence, or political dominance.” 

“Extending its power and influence over people”. Education is Essential to imperialism. There can be no army- direct territorial control. Economic influence is self-evident in hierarchical disparity among local counties, states and nations. Again, take it AI:

Settler colonialism in schools refers to the way educational systems perpetuate settler-colonial structures by centering the perspectives of colonizers, disrupting Indigenous ways of knowing and being, and sometimes including the physical and cultural removal of Indigenous peoples to assimilate them into settler society. This includes a focus on settler histories and experiences, the imposition of Western knowledge systems, and the erasure or marginalization of Indigenous cultures and languages within curricula. Critics argue that schools can perpetuate colonial legacies, erase histories, and serve the interests of dominant cultures rather than fostering liberatory, decolonized education that addresses the needs of all communities. 

How education systems can reflect imperialism:

• Cognitive Imperialism:
  This concept describes how colonizers impose their knowledge systems, languages, and worldviews on colonized peoples, suppressing indigenous ways of knowing. 

• Eurocentric Curriculum:
  Many educational institutions have historically promoted knowledge and theories originating from Europe, leading to the exclusion and marginalization of diverse perspectives and the histories of Black, Indigenous, and other communities, as noted by scholar Marie Battiste. 

• Economic Imperialism:
  The framework of a market-driven education system can serve as a form of economic imperialism, prioritizing outcomes that serve neoliberal globalization rather than decolonized approaches. 

• Perpetuating Colonial Structures:
  Schools can function as sites for disseminating colonial logics, employing dominant discourses and curriculum that uphold existing power structures, erase histories, and perpetuate white supremacy and ethnocentrism.

Now, here is where it gets tricky. If the purpose of education is essential to knowledge and conversion, and imperialism dominates knowledge and conversion (in compulsory-mandatory education), then how can one have discourse or any critical thought? The domination of language, thus the domination of conversation is inherent. If one were to even casually mention “imperialism,” say a faculty meeting, and as a betting gal- I would bet that topic would get shut down and quick. In fact, any genuinely critical critique will be met with swift opposition. That IS the tool. Ironic, considering most school web sites claim to “enhance critical thinkers.” Example, “Be critical thinkers or problem solvers. Be people of great character."

First, school actually discourages criticism, especially when it comes to school. Secondly, how can we help develop problem solving skills if we don’t give time nor space to allow students to solve their own problems? Problem solving skills are diminished by school. School dictates time and curriculum, no problem. When kids sleep, what classes to take, how long to be in school, breaks, holidays, daily bells are dominated by the education system. Thirdly, the expectations to develop ‘people of great character,’ is questionable. According to whom? Obedience or self-sufficiency? Great could mean a great deal of things when it comes to programers of education. Tricky! Because if one questions, if one is critically thinking out-loud. Remarks about education that does not follow the daily memos, makes one a pariah instead of courageous. Threats of “not being a team player” may get on record. And that is how colonization functions. Through the very language taught in schools.

Ask this: How many people do you know that went through public schools considers themselves good at math? What percentage of grads, would you imagine- even after 5, 10, 20 years after high school talks fondly and confidently about mathematics? Compared to those who cringe? Generations of math literacy or ill. How about reading? Pre-prescribed and annotated novels make students passionate about reading? How about historical literacy? I went to school in the 1980’s when there was a civil war in El Salvador and the Contra War in Nicaragua. Not once did I learn about what was happening in central America while it was happening. Not in any history class. Fast forward to 2001. Teaching World history. I was explicitly told not to teach the middle east. Not even after 911. The Iraq war, while it was happening, was blocked in social studies curriculum. Overshadowed by standardized testing, data collecting and the same historical timeline, used for the past fifty years: The American Revolution, Civil War, WWI (barely), WWII (mandatory), and up to the Cold War carefully selected scripts. Biased. Any Colonial mindset must be biased. Canadians are going to teach the Provences. The US, the states. Cabot to Columbus.

What was it all for? These classes, this time spent learning math, English. The three R’s (which never made sense to me because two out of three- reading, writing and arithmetic, don’t even start with an R. It’s confusing). And if the purpose of education was to focus on the three R’s- let’s give it a grade. Reading- who likes it? Who doesn’t, and why? Writing. Reading and writing are communicative skill. How is our communication working out? Number one reason for poor relationships? Communication. How is math and financial budgeting going for the lot of us? So, if the mega-giant institution of educations responsibility is to help citizens with communication and math literacy, and those two things are transparently failing, who is to blame?

Education? Nope, can’t criticize that, remember. Communication falls on the students. Kids. “Kids don’t focus, don’t read, can’t do basic math.”

Right.

Focus the narrative on kids, parents and one another for those failures. Focus on those subjected to compulsory education instead of the invisible tiny tiny top triangle orchestrating the economic and political manifestations of education. What was it all for?

What is the purpose of education? Part 4. How to take time and change the narrative is the challenge to answer this very important question.

Day dream, Day One

First day of the Semester:

Sitting in traditional meeting over the past decades, I began to day dream. I dreamed of travel. Of sitting by the sea on a rainy day doing what I want. One day.

Today. August 30th. Sitting in the Sea House, watching the birds in the rain, on a rock, in a cove, sipping Earl Gray tea. (Hey who is Earl?) Seeing a white dog on a deck, but was she real? Cemetery behind my back, and I have grave respect for cemeteries.  All quiet. All serene, and all check my box of wishes come true. Day dreaming about this moment. To have this moment real, is surreal. I’m poor on money and rich in Time. Oh, the places you will go, and the choices to make. All choices have a cost. You want mountains? You get the bugs. Ocean property? Prepare for wind. Want to travel? Prepare for loads of people, traffic, long lines, car rides, waiting for boats, planes, trains… You get the point. Not that any of this should be taken negatively. Just pointing out a reality beyond the screens that one might consider, if considering living beyond the screens.

Driving, excuse me, Riding across Canada in a 1994 Toyota Hiace, right hand drive, we hear, “hey, you’re driving on the wrong side.” Our retort- “no, this is the right side.” Ha.

Living in a van for months, with sporadic breaks to kitschy motels or an occasional splurge to a house rental for a weekend, can be trying. Trying to get in and out of the van. (I am 57 now). Trying to find pit toilets and some are nasty. Trying to keep bugs away, keep campfires out, smells, noises; a constant rumble and rocking in the 1994 Hiace. I feel like I’m riding in a covered wagon, like ye’ ole timey days. Which helps me laugh and use my imagination to get through trying times.

The rewards of such a cost are- daily sunrises and sunsets in every place. Every morning. Every night. Through trees, over mountains- and over the Atlantic are particularly spectacular with the orange and reds complementing the blue green sea.

The people that we meet when walking down the campsite paths, or restaurants, or historical sites, or random encounters which I cannot specifically recall each time, but the people we met, and I mean every encounter in Canada- 100% has been friendly and respectful. Pacific to Atlantic. Humbly so. (And so Far). And I choose to represent, as a US patron- represent the country of my origin. I clean up after myself. I do not leave trash at sites. I consider the people who clean motel rooms and respect their time and dignity, thus, I clean well. Represent.

Talks with folks, working class folks, like me (sort of) are delightful. Of course they are ‘vitamin conversations.’ Small doses of nutrients essential for relationships. Short, meaningful dialogues, and then bye bye.  Not in a negative way. Human interactions- short as some may be, are an inspiration.

I enjoy time with those interactions as well as I enjoy the time I have on the road to research. To research my favorite  topic: Education.

Tah-Two!

Summer I.Project.

Tah-Two!

Imagine this: Little you (I). Now, think back in your past, your history. Little h, for little you (i) back in the past.

Imagine standing on a Planck. You are overlooking your past. Those post actions. Those little repetitive actions over time. Consider what those little actions did to you and your psyche. U plus Y. Overlapping.

Does not have to be good or bad. Just you and a few tiny little actions over time.

Now imagine a Capital H. Little h and psyche over years or even decades.

Challenging as it is to equate past to future. It is sort of Quantum, in theory. The past is easier to grapple with. Been there. Done that. It’s the future with the capital H that is the mystery, yet- repetitive actions that you can clearly see in your minds eye (I know you have a past story), over time becomes an ingrained story.

Imagine changing that. Not the past, but the future with a Capital H. Capitol H with a little hat- you are the conductor.

Do you want those past actions to be greater than, equal to, or less than?

More or less? Which actions do you want to continue?

Be a fly on your own wall. (Or foot for me, but that is another story).

Observe.

What do you want‽  Past is past but still part of you.

Repeat. Again and again. Be a fly on a wall. Or a foot.

August 31

August: History Lesson.

The month was originally named Sextilis in Latin because it was the 6th month in the original ten-month Roman calendar under Romulus in 753 BC, with March being the first month of the year. About 700 BC, it became the eighth month when January and February were added to the year before March by King Numa Pompilius, who also gave it 29 days. Julius Caesar added two days when he created the Julian calendar in 46 BC (AUC 708), giving it its modern length of 31 days.

In 8 BC, the month was renamed in honor of Emperor Augustus. According to a Senatus consultum quoted by Macrobius,(a reporter) he chose this month because it was the time of several of his great triumphs, including the conquest of Egypt. Commonly repeated lore has it that August has 31 days because Augustus wanted his month to match the length of Julius Caesar's July, but this is an invention of the 13th century scholar Johannes de Sacrobosco. Sextilis had 31 days before it was renamed. It was not chosen for its length. August

Augustus-

List of Roman Emperor’s around the time of Augustus-

Dictator- “Roman chief magistrate with absolute authority.” To Dictate means to say often, frequentive, “to say, speak. ”

There can be much to talk about and learn about Roman rulers. The reading is tedious and not necessary for one simple concept: That which dictates- via classrooms and media- controls the conversation- becomes dictation. A dictator of story telling, simply by controlling the narrative.

And that is how we got August. Change the story. Change the calendar and holidays to command or redirect one story from another. So, what is the other story?

Day Five

Teacher In-Service: Day Five

Getting to the Root. Problem solving.

I’m not sure if ‘origin story’ works well here, but here is the story I am trying to convey. An example.

Once, in a faculty meeting, we teachers were told to “go out into the hall during passing periods and walk into bathrooms,” (bathrooms that had no doors. The doors were removed for safety purposes) “to keep kids from vaping.”  More time spent patrolling over learning.

Bell rings. Class begins. I shut my door and shared the new vaping policy with my juniors and seniors in Psychology class. “So, why do (some of you) kids vape?” I asked with concern, not condemnation.

“School!”  Was the number one answer. School stresses kids out. Conveniently, tobacco industries provide a naughty (and they know the anti-authority attraction to youths) outlet for stress.

“School is why we don’t sleep, why we are depressed and anxious.” School as a whole is what confounds kids. Ask them.

Yet, IN school, we put the focus and blame on kids and teachers. YOU need to be in the halls monitoring kids. YOU need to ________ (fill in the blank). Sleep, exercise, nourish, play? Activities essential to quality of life. Desolate in school.

What is the problem? What is the root of the problem?

Until we can breach the simplest of conversations, the simplest of questions as to the Why. Why school is the way it is, we will remain stuck in limbo. Arguing. Figuring out who is to blame and make culpable for “how things got so bad,”  instead of getting to root questions. Problem solving.

It is possible. Change the narrative. Take a risk. Ask the most elementary questions. Why? What is the purpose of education?

Five Days of Inservice. Have a nice weekend!

Day Four

Teacher In-Service: Day Four

Did you know that Today is International Youth Day? 15th of August. Or is it International Workers day? Both fit I suppose. Kids are the labour force.

Don’t kid yourself. The majority of (the majority 90% kids go to school) public school children will end up working for the minority of business owners controlling education, thus future laborers. For profit.

Promises and threats are the lead motivating factors of this game. Promises of a job and retirement (a skeptical someday), coupled with day to day threats of detention- attendance punishments. Hard work in school will surly lead to hard workers, right? Even if the classes serve no other purpose than to use up precious time.

Time is money. Your time is of great value. That is why this system works so well. If you don’t have time to think for yourself, learn for yourself then the thinking and learning will be done for you. Done on to you. Forcibly. Expensively.

That minority- that teeny tiny triangle at the top of the current hierarchy- earnestly believes they have invested in education thus, they ‘own’ your time. Great energy resources have been used to ensure you stay put, in school.

The earlier, say pre-kindergarten, the better. The longer the days, say with before and afterschool ‘interventions.’ Interventions to help kids pass mandatory classes (classes that serves no other purpose than to use up precious time) with no reliable explanation as to why these classes are so essential. Oh, and if you question the game, well then you will be suspect. Do not use time to get others thinking!  (Is the message).

After spending three to four peaceful and quiet days in (imaginary) I.School- service, we will address such difficult questions. Questions as to the Why we are doing this. Uncomfortable topics and conversions that will undoubtedly lead to conflict. And That is where the narrative will be redirected- To kids and what will serve Them better. And what will serve them better? It might be to see you, the teacher, exemplifying  what you want. Perhaps a peaceful, quiet, calm balanced presence, which is the purpose of the first week in I.School. Time is honey.

Did you know that Today is International Youth Day? Me neither, because there is no time in school to spend on such frivolous holidays.

International. Youths- are at the mercy of that teeny tiny triangle at the top. Now what?

“How we spend our days is How we spend our lives!” is painted on a kitschy picture in a kitschy cottage where I sit writing this. How true.

Days spent in school are such a quintessential, archaic aspect of institutionalized learning- so deeply rooted it is difficult to shift thought.

Shifting thought is exactly what the first week of I.School is for.

Day Three

Teacher In-Service: Day Three

Did you know August 15th is International Youth Day? As millions of kids go back to school, I am thinking about them. Thinking about them while I play out an imaginary school. “I.School” game of sorts. What if? What if I could run my own school? I would start with the teachers- Day One: Kayaking. Day Two: Beaches. Day Three: Deep Sea Fishing.

Seriously! Can you even imagine? If only teacher in-service days were like that. Travel, boating, meaningful time spent with the focus on self-care. Ever wonder why more meetings are not about self-care/ kids? Me too. My solution to endless meeting times, (that could be reduced to one hour, instead of 6) was to day dream. It was a start. A start to imagine. Imagine what I would do differently. It made meetings tolerable when day-to day-dreams of another solution seemed possible, even when I thought it was impossible.

Despite being, and looking like a retired teacher, I am still a teacher. A teacher of an imaginary school. Is that crazy? Well, consider what teacher in-service weeks are like in comparison. That’s crazy.

It is August and my conditioned brain is alerted to back to school. Back-to-school messages are ingrained. And globally advertised. “Back to School supplies.” One can not escape it. Teacher or not.

My imagination became reality, as (it is 11:11) my teacher in-service schedule for day three includes: a long walk to a wharf, along a wharf- a nap and another evening swimming and beaching.

My morning was spent writing (this), listening to French speaking fellow campers. There is something so charming about listening to little kids playing and speaking French. “Oui, papa!” My heart.

Off to “meetings” with me mate.

I am a teacher- in service. IN-Service- to kids, and only kids. 24-7. And creating day-to-day, “day dreams” into reality. International Youth day is a focus on all kids.

Bonjour.

Teacher In-Service Day Two

Teacher In-Service: Day Two

The morning is free time. Spend 2-3 hours, or however long you want to set up your classroom, make your plans, or get inspired by other teachers. Have a chat. If you are a new teacher, there could be a short meeting to help you get adjusted. Veteran teachers will not be subjected to unnecessary hours of meeting time. Not today.

Lunch will be served at a local Seafood restaurant in Shediac, (pronounced she plus, maniac with a d), New Brunswick, Canada. “The Lobster capital of the world.”  Not a fan of fish? No problem. Eat on your own. We will spend the rest of the afternoon at Parlee Beach. Enjoy a swim in the Bay of St. Laurence. Atlantic Ocean seaside. Beverages provided on the beach during the sunset.

One question- What do you want to be in May?

Teacher In-Service Day 1

Lesson Plans August 2025

Teacher In-Service: Day One

You will have 5 hours to kayak. Today we will be paddling up stream, against the wind, along a tributary of the St. Laurence River. The weather is a sunny 23 degrees Celsius. 73, Fahrenheit. Dress accordingly.

You can bring two things. A small bag to keep phone, keys, any necessities.  Secondly, a container for water, if you want. Keeping in mind there are no cupholders.

Instructions: You will have up to 5 hours of alone time. No talking. That will be strictly observed. You may use your phone for One picture. Choose wisely. Otherwise, phones must be turned off and tucked in your tiny little bag. You will not want to drop phone in the bay.

You may return back to dock anytime. These five hours are yours. Use this day to think about what you want. What do you want to see yourself as, by May, say? As teachers, the best thing you can do for kids is “be the change, you want to see in the world,” sort of mentality. If you are healthier, rested, calm and adjusted, it does not matter what subjects you teach, you will be a teacher.

Personally, as a former history teacher, I like to pretend. Hey, you are alone, you can be as weird as ya wanna be. No talking, and no one knows what you are really thinking. Alone.

I like to imagine myself as an early explorer. On a day such as today. Sunny, and cool in August. Champlain? Cartier? Folks I only read about, mapped out and taught for an AP grade.

Nope, in my I.School we will be early explorers. Just imagine starting off the school year like that! Kayaking near St. Laurence. In silence. No one asking anything else of you. For 5 hours, of peace, or discomfort, which is a lesson in and of itself.

Questions are limited. Figure it out. Get creative.

After five hours (or less) of kayaking, you are free to take a short walk to the Botanical Gardens,( in République New Brunswick). Get a cup of coffee or tea, and walk the paths. Enjoy! Walk silently, or quietly talk to a colleague while you stroll the gardens.

Conclude the day by re-focusing attentions on what is truly essential for yourself and kids. Write out goals. Have a restful night and we will see you tomorrow.

A Post

Chapter: “To the Patriots:”

Is about a Facebook Post about me being apologetic to Canadians in June of 2025. In

Response of:

“If you don’t support the country you live in, go live in the country you support.”

Yea, see, that is my point. Thank you, for ironically exemplifying this.

First, (pssssst-whisper-“they don’t want U.S…“) Patriots.

As if Canadians are not? Proud. People. Humans.

Instead of “oh wow, tell me more about being an American in Canada, Ingrid! (while you are actually IN Canada 2025). Or, “ I’d like to hear more about… “ anything. Anything  other than what we have been taught in schools and watched on a screen, south of our neighbor.

Hey, I get it. It is not hard to be patriotic when History, English, Math, Textbook publishing companies, Media, Music moguls, are all financed to agree with the patriots. What’s not to like? “Christopher Colombus sailed the Ocean Blue, in fourteen hundred and ninety two!”Catchy.

So what about 1491?

Not interested in Facts? Facts intentionally and literally buried. Facts intentionally left out of institutionalized public education. For centuries. To breed patriots.

What if?

What if (yours and mine)- Facebook posts- those quick and condescending posts intended to prove loyalty, ARE the current weapon of choice? No curiosity. No doubt in the current system. No doubt, you are right.

Vitriol for all! I’m not here to hurt feelings. Poor patriots.

I will support and defend the rights of anyone interested in thoughtful speech. Free speech. However, I do prefer intelligent banter beyond boisterous, simple, egocentric- hubris. Patriots requiring constant flattering is exhausting.

Now what?

What would you say here, for example pmt?

Me, Canada:  sitting in Twassanasan Ferry Terminal (Ferry Boats, not the pejorative), talking to three hurly Burly, Harley Davison Riding dudes sayin, “Up til now I loved riding in the US, eh? Riding the Oregon coast all the way to California. But now, well with the tariffs and, what the heck, we didn’t know he would do that. But we are staying away.” Trust me, if you were sitting next to these three dudes, and you said something like, ’but she has allowed you the freedoms…” ha- I do believe someone would get their ass kicked. Here in Canada.

Or (and I have loads of recordings. Audio and video), of Canadians. Telling me their stories. Patriotic, proud Canadians who fought in wars. Hang a flag proudly- next to First Nation land and territory, which is another story.

Beyond what we learn in U.S. classrooms, history, English, math- through textbook publishing companies, media, Music moguls all financed to perpetually repeat Patriot history while diminishing others. Others that we don’t learn about in school.

A patriot to me, in 2025 is to be a humble American. Listen to stories. Respect their stories. Canadian’s. First Nation’s. Patriots and non-patriots. Stories.

Proud, conservative, brave, men  representing their country and history- whom I guess, sort of don’t like the idea of being colonized. Colonized by the U.S. through threats, insults, economic tariffs, and jokes. I mean, really. I’m talking to your people. Proud. Patriots.

Point is- that is my point. Responding to a post-to- an American in Canada in 2025, about wanting to apologize for the arrogant (mostly male) machismo attitudes, while evading what I was saying, IS my whole point.

Minus 400 Points.

Dear Ingrid, this is future Ingrid talking to past Ingrid. You are right. You know you are right. You’ve done the research. You quit school and dedicated your time to learning, only to learn, Facebook fights are futile. Lessons not learned are- even though you are right- you will constantly feel the need to defend yourself with those that clearly do not know better. So, re-focus. Stop getting diverted from untruths.

Maybe your right is not everybody’s right. You will regret answering in anger.

Hard lesson. And yet, in my research there is so much more to the story that does not get mentioned, due to the constant re routing of conversations. This stuck with me:

Planning

Chapter 1.2 Planning

Prior to leaving Denver, it took a year to plan out a trip. A trip lasting 17 months respectfully. It is now July 6th. The first section of our trip is over. British Colombia was a beautiful learning curve. If I were to have a re-do, here is what I would change:

• Excess. Too much stuff. Over packing was a burden right off the first few weeks. I ended up donating a large bag of clothes by May.

• A few well made, layered outfits goes a long way.

• Canadian Expectations. Although I pride myself on keeping low expectations, or at least not anticipating fairly tale scenarios; images of Canada and what we learn about and see on TV is a far cry from reality. It is bigger, friendlier, and in some places seedier than thought.

• Stereotypes minimize an otherwise richer experience when keeping an open mind. I don’t know what I thought- Mounties, TP’s, barren land east of Vancouver? Embarrassingly, partly yes.

• Learn Canadian holidays, regional history, customs and at least know the Providences for heaven sake!

• Celsius, metric conversions, and exchange rates would come in quite handy.

• Personal Expectations. Dreams of writing every day, getting thoughts and lessons organized will be slower than anticipated. Internet availability and connections will be challenging. Keep writing.

• And maybe it is a good thing I do not have access to the internet daily. It creates more problems.

• Example: To the Patriots:

First days

Fast Forward Five Years to 21, April, 2025.

Day One to Day Fifteen:

Of a 17 moth road trip around the US and Canada. April 2025- August 2026.

Traveling in a 1994 Hi Ace van we first cruise to Rock Springs, Idaho Lava Hot Springs. On to Wallowa Lake Oregon, where I researched indigenous tribes along the way. I learned stuff that was never in the history books. Never.

On to visit my oldest friend and her husband in Oregon for the weekend. *50 plus year friendship that I treasure more now than ever. Relationships are worth nurturing. And that’s all I will say about that for now. On to

Point Roberts: Strip of land below the 49th Parallel ‘belonging to the United States’ due to war and legislation. Apparently a point of contention for many Canadians which I did not find out until later. There were a few campers. One talkative local stoped by our van and said his name was Andy. He did not look like and Andy to me, so he is called “Point Roberts Andy, who’s name is not Andy.” And he was very proud and patriotic about Point Roberts. He pointed out all the eagles (that were brought in to breed as a tourist attraction many years ago, I came to find out). The town itself looked haggard. Workers in a local grocery store were friendly enough, but there was an air of sadness. Hard workers in a strangulated town is my vibe. (Insert Point Roberts Light House)

Another camper from Alberta that I talked to after walking to the showers said she didn’t like to talk politics, but was disappointed Canada did not elect a far right politician like the US. She was very pro US and its current state. Okay. I told her I have no opinion about the US and its current state, but that I simply want to travel and learn and to help kids in the current situation of education. I said it is not my place as an educator to tell kids what to believe. What to be- pro or anti anything. It is my job to learn and share information. She really liked that answer and became less defensive. (Point). “Good for you! We don’t need any more liberal indoctrination.”

Agreed. There is plenty of indoctrination, liberal and otherwise.

Sample chapter

Chapter 1: It’s about Time.

Friday, 13th of March, 2020.

In following with an AI template, let’s see. Question: What  is the ‘engine’ of my book?

     Easy! Kids. Students. (Myself included). But ‘engine’?Wait, I thought ‘what is your engine’ referred to- like, the why of this book. I have time, let’s look it up.

Engine is a (n) c. 1300, a "mechanical device," especially one used in war; "manner of construction," also "skill, craft, innate ability; deceitfulness, trickery," from Old French engine "skill, wit, cleverness," also "trick, deceit, stratagem; war machine" (12c.), from Latin ingenium "innate qualities, ability; inborn character," in Late Latin "a war engine, battering ram. "This is etymologically "that which is inborn," from in- "in" (from PIE root *en "in") + gignere "to beget, produce" (from PIE root *gene- "give birth, beget”).

What I meant to say was “Easy! Answer-” My Why is kids. Are kids! Students; (myself included). But engine? Can be used as a device in deceitfulness. Engine, A noun that could  be interpreted as- “the engine of my book are ‘kids’, students’,  (myself included) because kids are the  most vulnerable. Easy to trick young, because they trust. Also they are young developing brains and bodies Requiring time and attention. Like and engine. Beget. Give birth. But that’s another story.

What gives your story momentum and compels readers to keep turning the page? Tense dramatic plot, or emotional investment of a character who evolves over this story?

It’s Complicated. Yet, in our face simple.

What gives me, my memory story, momentum is helping kids. Students. (Myself included).  What makes it complicated is this is not exactly a page turner. Oh, there are tense dramatic plot stories (pubic schools). And most certainly an emotional investment in public education (myself included).

Weather or not I evolve is to be determined. Changed? Most certainly. Evolved? Depends on the definition, but that’s another story too.

For starters, who cares? Evolved or not, I am included in this story simply because I’ve spent my life in public education. 50 years plus.

How shall this school year be shaped?

I took a picture of this bird- as it took a picture of me. Perspective.

Tyranny of Talk and Time

Consider the Tyranny of Talk:

Whomever controls the narrative, the Story, controls behaviors. We behave in ways that fit whatever stories we were told. What we think, become words, words become actions, actions become behavioral.

My hypothesis on this is thus… (?)

The majority of our stories derive from two places: Media and School. (I’m excluding religion because it is not mandatory). And one cannot escape the Media. Advertising.

Thus, the two major sources of where our stories come from- School and Media, are controlled by a tiny tiny triangle at the top of a mighty pyramid.

It’s not necessarily what we are learning in school, like the three R’s of reading, writing, and arithmetic (which never made sense to me as that two out of thee are not spelled with an R) anyway, It is not what we learn in school but what we are Not learning.

Math classes, for example, more than not turn kids away from math. Math phobia is a thing.

Solution from the tiny tiny triangle at the top? Blame the kids for being math illiterate. Turn the talk to blaming children… Do not focus on the leaders of institutionalized education. Nope. Blame those lazy kids for not wanting to learn (mostly unusable) math.

Literature? Do many many kids become more or less enthusiastic about reading? After required English classes assigning mandatory books, annotating poetry (which is counter intuitive). Bored? You bet.

Solution: Screens. Easy answer to intolerable realities. Created by tiny tiny triangle controlling talk. Check out. Numb with pleasurable unrealities of other peoples scripted, acted, painted, politically correct- beauty. Call it good. Get people talking.

Consider the Tyranny of Time:

Not only are our stories cleverly narrated for us, school in particular, there is also the matter of time. The time it takes away from ourselves.

What is the Opportunity Cost? Of school. What other things could you be doing? What could you be learning if it was not for the legally mandated time requited to spend in a school house? For six to eight house a day, five days a week, plus homework… (dot dot dot). For your most formative years. Ages 5 to 18. Graduation.

The conversations I have with people over this topic rarely deviate. Yes, school had its bad parts. Agreed. “And what about the time you spent learning subjects you never use? Taking tests that did more harm than good- for many.”

Well, kids need…

Inevitably, the conversation ends up justifying the existence of school. It’s almost as if we can’t imagine the dire costliness of precious time deemed criminal if you try to take it back. There are detention laws in every state for truancy. Attendance requirements are the upmost essential and thus punishable act. Kids and parents have faced attendance legal issues, none more striking to me than the Reservation schools. The stories are horrific and not taught in most schools. No time. Learning would take time from more standardization testing and data collecting.

Your time is a most valued resource.

Not read many stories about reservation schools? Or have a vague notion of “Indian” reservations. First Nations. Where did those stories come from? How many stories do we not have time to learn about? And for what purpose? Wha is the Opportunity Cost of school? Time.

Consider the Story (talk) over Time:

If Time and Talk are dominated by media and school,

Ask: Where do our stories come from?

Who tells the stories and for what purpose?

-School Board leaders:

-Heads of Media:

What is the narrative? How do we learn stories?

What is the Cost?

A Dream Lesson

August 3, 2025 I had a dream last night that I met Led Zeppelin. All four members had a layover in Quebec City and were seated in a train station waiting room. I did not want to miss my opportunity to meet this beloved band, so I sat next to Robert Plant (current age), and to his left was Jimmy Page. John Paul Jones was reading a book, and John Bohnam was a ghostly silent shadow in the corner, but present.

My first thought was take a picture. So, I turn to Eric and ask him for my phone. He said he had to take out my SIM card and battery (remember those?) to get fixed. Oooooh, I was so mad. In my head I was like “now‽ you knew I would want a pic with…!” (irrational, but it was a dream). Then realizing I could not just take a pic, I said to Robert and Jimmy, “I have always dreamed of meeting you guys, and I told myself if I ever had the opportunity to meet any of you this is what I would ask.” Pause. Train station interruptions- (or snoring), I came back to the dream a moment later and repeated myself. The question I wanted to ask was, what are your thoughts, passions activities- outside the legendary band, you know, like what do you dream about? They said they don’t get that question and were happy to chat with me. We had a lovely lengthy conversation- (just between us).

Lesson of the dream I got is this: A reminder that on this I.School journey- to remember to put my phone down and simply enjoy the company of people. Be in the moments, more than not. Things I thought were important last year are not so important now. I thought of people I have lost. Empathy to those who have lost people recently- in fires, floods, wars. Perspectives change. I appreciated the dream. Who knows what is ahead.

I did wake up mad at Eric. Irrational, but dreams do impact our psyche I think. But because I had time to remember my dream. Process it, tell Eric about it and Oh! did we have a good laugh about it this morning!

And as always, my head goes to students. How in this upcoming school year, there will Not be much dream processing or remembering dreams at all. Alarms. Panic of being late to school, for example, dominates the psyche. It takes out time. Non refundable.

The further away I get from education, the clearer picture I get of. That IS the thing. Take time to shape kids into workers, not lazy dreamers. And from my end- the consequences are tragic.

Our time, memories, stories and dreams are the only things we really have that are our OWN.

So whose time is it? And what can we do about that?

Homework: keep your little I.School notebook next to your bed. Get some sleep and write down ANY little thought from your dreams. If you can’t remember, that is ok. It takes time to adjust to believing your own dreams matter. Which they do.

Start now, and by May, look back and see how your dreams change and are shaped.

Led Zeppelin II remains my favorite because it was my first record/ tape. Music shapes our minds- even decades after exposure.

August

As August 2025 school year starts, I am keeping in mind the minds and hearts and souls of kids who have to endure public education.

Enough is enough.

Funny, frustrating, palm-to-the-head slapping thing I have learned in the past year of I.School- is the very lack of conversation IS the thing. I like to call it AI. Always interrupting. Any attempt to ask one simple critical question like: “why do we have to learn this?” Will be shut down and Fast!

ANY critical questioning will be diverted to politics, to the adults” in charge”, and NOT, for more than 90 seconds will the conversation stay with kids. The ones that are NOT doing well.

I happen to think everyone should care about kids and education. Not just for the future, but for the now.

It answers one simple question of -”How did we get here?” We could not be here today if not for an antiquated educational system exploiting kids.

And cut the crap about “I had to go to school, so you do too.” It’s illogical, selfish and childish. And most importantly not helpful to our current situation. It stops the conversation of, ok! What now? Problem solve! Oh, wait, that is difficult because the current (and past) educational system prevents kids from critical thinking. We get stuck in another thing I like to call “the tyranny of talk.”

We talk about the adults “in charge.” We talk about the politics, the economics, the fricking data. AndI believe- that will be more costly than imaginable. And what was it all for? Asked every war veteran since the Roman Empire.

You want change? Change the conversation. Stop talking. Do less. Not until you get answers to basic questions like, why am I spending my time with this? Example: How math-literate is the mass population? and Whose fault is that? Oh! the kids? Covid?- as if it was not a thing prior to? And where did that conversation come from? Who told that story? Who controls the narrative? (media and school? connection?)

How is that school mandated Back-to-School shopping going for us? Globally. Take time to think about it.

If you take your time. (Mornings, lunches, and saying NO to extra curricular activities) And refuse to take the bate of rhetorical nonsensical answers- to the most elementary of simple questions- refuse to have your time abused. Taking your time may be the most difficult of tasks you will face. Invest wisely.

Well, I think that is enough for today.

I travel. I learn. I am humbled. I will not stop trying to help kids. Staring with me. Learning on the road. Interviewing characters I hope to share if I can get some help here! ;) See? The funny, frustrating, palm-to-the-head slapping thing I have learned in the past year of I.School is I cannot for the life of me get a change in conversational direction. It is NOT political. Stop making the conversation so. Of course I don’t make sense and sound crazy. Any deviation will sound so.

Thoughts? How did school shape you?

Day 103. Thought I would empty out some of my head bucket.

But you students are always on my mind:

Day 100

Voyageur Provincial Park, Ontario. Appropriate name, for day 100- Voyageur, (French spelling). On to

Montreal. Day 100.

Oh, how I wish to speak French! Just enough! And okay, by the way, at least three other languages-But French Today.

I think of mandatory ‘foreign language’ classes that took up time. Two to Three years of language “required”. Opportune time in ones prime. Used up with worksheets, movies, useless elementary, childless phrases, and not to the fault of the educators who were fluent and proficient, and mostly passionate about language- but lacked time and outside exposure for practical linguistic exchanges. Language classes-

that could have been enriching- enlightening- Use-Full, if not for the monotony of testing.

And for what? What was the purpose of all those mandatory classes? What was it all for?

Language classes. Language, (English) which is priority #1 in US public education. Essential Learning targets. Yet, fluency in English- let alone French, Spanish, German, Greek, Latin, -the neck of learning, and heck! The very roots of basic English- Basic, communication is stifled.

And what of the consequences?

Lack of communication skills. The very essential learning of public education. And who is to blame?

Kids of course! For taking courses they never asked for.

Toronto:

Toronto

Day 96

Missing my friends out west Canada already.

This is amazing- thank you Mikey B! Gail. Colleen. Jan.

Living the life, with many people to guide our trip! Thank you ALL!

100 Days of School Challenge Summer

I.School- July 19th. One Hundred Days on the Road. In a van; with a man. Is a Challenge. For both-

Not to be confused with T-School with its “100 Days of School Challenge.” Nationally recognized Pre-K to 3rd Grade incentives to “Celebrate getting to 100 out of 180 days of school. Motivate and encourage kids to continue their efforts. More than half way through the school year.” It’s a thing. Examples include:

100 days of :

• Time and Learning- “helps students understand the passage of time within the school year and visualize the cumulative learning experience.”

• Attendance and Effort- “importance of consistent attendance as it highlights that all the days of school are valuable.”

• Fun and Engagement- “celebrate to remember, and help students feel motivated, excited and eager to learn.

• Understanding the number 100.

100 activities! Including “dressing as a centenarian.” (which by the way is a chilling as a parent. Oh, another thing I have to do? Thrift store shop to dress my kid up. Dress my kid up as someone pretending to be older than me. For One day. For school.) Because it is the latest new trend- to keep kids in school. of 100 Days of celebrating being in an institution, and if you don’t dress your kid up, you are a lazy parent who does not care about your kid getting dressed up as an old person, nor do you care about learning, effort, “fun OR engagement.”

Cute right? Not in I.School. Nope. Not at all.

• Time and Learning? Kids understand very well the passage of time within the school day. Why do you think they look at the clock so much? Cumulative- as in time spent in class is prioritized over quality of learning.

• Attendance and Effort? Correct. All the days are valuable. Monetarily so. But for Whom?

• Fun and Engagement, Is easier to play off by 3rd grade. Am I right? It’s all downhill from there. Compare a 3rd graders enthusiasm to a 12th grader, for example.

Traditional School encourages more time in school. Attendance and ‘effort’ are mandated. What un-fun. And why the hype? Why the gimmicky?

I.School encourages the realization that 100 days of anything is a challenge when counting the individual days. 100 Days on the road, in a van, with a man is a challenge. Socially, economically, intellectually. hygienically.

Yet- Time spent learning! On my own time. By choice. Is more fun and engaging than school.

How about one, out of the 100 day challenge, spend on- Why are we doing this again? and What exactly is the purpose of education?

Why 100 Days? Now?