Labor Day

When did some schools start weeks before Labor Day?  That is a question not easily answered.  Across the nation- schools have curious start dates. Which leads to more curious questions.

Isn’t it ironic that on Labor Day, businesses sell more and more cheap stuff?  Buy a cheap mattress- because you’re not getting enough sleep. You’re not getting enough sleep because you are too stressed from work. You are too stressed from work because it’s just too much, too much work- too much unsolicited labor.

So, we employ more workers to sell more cheap goods which ignores the arduous labor that laborers laid foundation for change- hence Labor Day. 

Instead of supporting the working class- the laborers- we continue to enable this system of oppression buy buying cheap goods.  But at what cost?

Oh sure, ask business management (bm’s) folks about schools and Labor Day and you will get an ear full of BM’s rhetoric.  Do you believe them?

Schools start before labor day for money (that is my assessment). No matter what jargon you hear- Year after year, day by day, inch by daily inch, bm’s whittle away at our precious time, confuse our senses with ads, and create legislation dictating the labor force- starting with schools.  Who do you believe?

And we literally buy into this hurried, life sucking system instead of stopping to take a breath, take a quiet nap on a plain ole worn mattress. Wake up. Can you?

Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 Thesis

As juxtaposed to Martin Luther’s 95 Thesis

(Or in this case- 40 Thesis combined)

Martin Luther challenged corruption of the Catholic Church in the 15oo’s.  Dolly Parton honestly writes about day to day struggles within corruption in the workplace in the 1980’s. 

Church controlled education in the 16th century in order to remain in power. Religious and political philosophies got blurred and maligned.    

Corporations control education in the 20th to 21st Centuries in order to remain in power. Economic and political philosophies get blurred and maligned.  Let’s take a look at the lyrics:

Tumble outta bed and stumble to the kitchen

~blurry and in a hurry

Pour yourself a cup of ambition

~consume caffeine copiously  

Yawn and stretch and try to come to life

~how sad to have to try to ‘come to life’

Jump in the shower and the blood starts pumping

~how sad indeed, hurried lovely shower for work

Out on the street, the traffic starts jumping

~road rage 

With folks like us on the job from 9 to 5

~most of us working ‘stiffs’ 

Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living

~mindless jobs dubbed “a living”

Barely getting by, it's all takin’ and no givin’

~income and wealth inequities 

They just use our minds, and they never give us credit

~mine the minds of minors

It’s enough to drive us crazy and we let it

~literally, but what choice do we have? 

9 to 5, for service and devotion

~as long as you play the game

You would think that we would deserve a fat promotion

~algorithms of oppression won’t allow

Want to move ahead

~to an inherited position nearly impossible to achieve

But the boss won’t seem to let us

~why would they? 

I Swear sometimes that they’re all out to get us

~to remain in power

They let us dream

~false illusions 

Just to watch ‘em shatter

~bummer, eh

We’re just a step on the boss-man’s ladder

~data analysis 

But we’ve got dreams they might just take away

~who's dreams? Yours or those false illusions? 

We’re in the same boat with a lot of our friends

~fighting each other instead of institutions 

Waitin’ for the day our ship will come in

~TGIF

N’ the tides’ going to turn and it’s all going to roll us away

As if, but keep dreaming?

9 to 5

~24-7

They got you where they want you

~Live, buy, consume, die

There’s a better life

~Of course there is- but what kind of “life”?

And you think about it don’t you

~Yes, Dolly, I do

It’s a rich man’s game

~Duh 

No matter what they call it

~”executive financiers”

And we spend our lives putting money in their wallet

~Exactly! Preach Dolly!

Working 9 to 5 

~for 95% of the population that continues to play along

Martin Luther examples- very loosely translated into ‘Modern Times’

1. #1- “Repent.” Don’t just stumble, make a commitment to personal change and live a more responsible life.

2. #3- Luther argues that the sale of indulgences and the trust in indulgences for salvation condemns both those who teach such notions and those who trust in them. (The selling of education trusting it will bring richness and happiness- is condemnable to those enforcing and supporting this system. We are all culpable)

3. #27 They preach human folly who pretend that as soon as money in the coffer rings a soul from purgatory springs. (Money for education- but is it a ‘good’ education?)

4. #32 Those who suppose that on account of their letters of indulgence they are sure of salvation will be eternally damned along with their teachers. (Those who rely on a false degree for money will be “damned”= misery, debt, unhappiness, sick.)

5. #36 Anyone should be able to get “salvation”. (Everyone should be able to pursue an honest education-regardless of finances).

6. #37- Money given to the church (or universities) would be better spent on the poor (or at least not going into mass debt).

7. # 62- Individuals receive salvation alone- that is the true gospel, not a piece of paper from even the highest human authority. (A piece of paper does not make someone educated. Self-enlightenment and true pursuit of the truth allows this alone.)

8. #78- “Preaching a false hope is really no hope at all. As a matter of fact, a false hope destroys and kills because it moves people away from (Truth), where true salvation is found.” Preach.

9. #92- Enough with “teaching peace” when there is no peace. (Enough with the shooting- lockdown drills and get to the root-truth like violence in schools)

10. #95- be confident- that through there will be many tribulations- that is better than through the false security of peace. (Pursue an honest education that aims toward self-actualization instead of pretending, even if it is challenging.)

Note: Martin Luther was an anti-semite. I know this, and if I were to abstain from ideas due to lack of character, I would have no material at all.  So indulge me. His fight against the church is the focus here.  He was disturbed about the church teaching doctrines that went against the Philosophies of the Church in 1517.  He was tormented by this and fought anyway.  

I compare the sale of indulgences (buying your way into ‘heaven’) to the school system of- buying our education.  How much real learning goes into the day to day? I’m suggesting we are buying a pice of paper.  We are not truly allowing individuals to thrive through real learning.  Real learning is the idea that what you learn will directly benefit the learner, not the business model’s off-shore bank accounts.  

Fast forward to Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 song and movie. (Dolly you beautiful songstress and teacher!) In the movie, the secretaries tie up bureaucracy, make flexible schedules so workers can have a better, more sustainable life, help with child care, put money toward addiction counseling, and offered part time work for those who wanted a choice; and production went up because the workers were more fulfilled with their lives.  

In 1980 Dolly gave us this song. For the next three decades, however, business models- BM’s- have fought to keep this fantasy scenario from happening. Schools are designed to support the 9 to 5 grind. Cells and bells.

No, It is Not ok for the kids to be Not ok! Ok?

After dismissing kids mental issues for decades there has been a recent acknowledgment of- “the kids are not ok, and that is ok.” I get it, start to concede to the fact that the kids are, in fact not alright. It’s a good start. For some. My perspective is that this becomes another quick fix. Hey, we can admit it so it makes for a good one liner.

Can we take it to the next level yet? WHY are the kids not alright? They have not been alright for a long time. And I’m talking pre-covid (which added a whole new DEFCON level of psychological destruction on our children). School shootings are not enough? School related suicides are not enough? All the bad’s- racism, misogyny, wealth gap, you know the list. It’ all is structured, conjured and perpetuated in education.

The next level for me is to slowly (or quickly) break down public education and then build it back up with more enlightened thinking, long term, rational and reasonable sustainability for the best interest of posterity. For more Liberty and a drive for better Justice for All, especially groups that have had limited liberties and Unjustness for far too long.

Of course the kids are not alright! and any humane society would protect and defend kids when they are not alright. DEFCON alert! Level RED. Maximum readiness, Immediate response necessary…. and here comes the inevitable- “but how are you planning on fixing it?” This is a no quick fix situation. However, reading, thinking, discussing, challenging and doing your part is the start. Look at your self, your own family’s “non- alright-y-ness”. Start small, think big.

Stop teaching girl empowerment.

Because I think it is more cruel to teach girls ‘empowerment’ than  the realities of the Modernity. We should teach girls their bodies will be judged and scrutinized their entire lives.  That their bodies will never really be their own. And with that body- their mind and spirit leashed accordingly. Owned. Teach girls that it is ok to “grab em,” humiliate them, minimize them while also magnifying exaggerated female features of them. 

Because while prepubescent girls have magical powers.  Powers of imagination, powers of curiosity and a genuine light. That light will soon be dimmed.  So better to brace them for impact. Prepare ‘em young.

Teach girl inferiority.  

Because it’s already in the language.  Synonyms for inferior are: boss, chief, foreman, headman, headmaster, kingpin, master, captain… superior.  

Because it’s everywhere. Ever watch a movie or show where a woman wakes up with no make up? Me neither. And you won’t notice until you notice. Women in crisis, escaping fires, giving birth, “reality shows” show women made-up consistently. Now, you might start rummaging through your brain or you might start paying more attention and trying to prove this wrong.  You might find an exception to the rule, but  it is still the rule.  So the lesson is: girls and women need to look less natural, less real, less human.  

Because it’s already playing out economically, politically, socially, intellectually, and scientifically.  Women still get paid less, are politically underrepresented, socially molested, intellectually patronized, and scientifically undervalued. Why teach them “yes you can!” only later to be told with actions that, no you really can’t?

Look up girl books and they are riddled with girl empowerment.  Juxtapose that with lists of politicians, comedians, ceo’s, producers, coaches, influencers that have adversarially influenced the lives of so so many women. So so cruelly and negatively.  Teach girls you can become a Doctor of Psychology, testify on sexual ‘allegations’ only to be dismissed and watch your accuser become a supreme court judge that has power over women’s reproductive rights. Again.  

How about children’s books like this? “Yes, Sweetie, You are smart- but will still never president.”  “It’s good to be a girl, until it’s not.”  “Malala. You may be an activist, but you had to get shot in the head first.”  “Girl, if you want to be a gymnast…we need to talk”  “Are you there Harvey? it’s me Hollywood.”  “Women are A lesser cut of meat”: And more hilarious quotes from senators.” “A girls guide to boys locker room talk.”  “Miss. Information a guide to fe-male re-production.” 

Let’s keep encouraging gender reveal parties. Pink and blue.  Only, let’s make pink a color of mourning.  A death of the soul if you are born a girl.  Disempower women in education as early as possible so can we spare them a lesser whip.  

There once was a girl

“There once was a girl- 

Who had a little curl right in the middle of her forehead

When she was good, she was very very good

Bit when she was bad she was horrid.”

My dad used to recite this little bed time limerick to me as a kid.  It stuck.  It stuck because I had curls. This is a Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, and I have some questions for ya Mr. Wadsworth.  So what’s the message to curly hair girls here Henry? “Horrid”, Henry?  Really? Your assessment is that if you have curls, and are a girl, you could go only go one of twos ways?  Let me rephrase that. Good or horrid were my choices?  Boy, that’s a stickler Henry.  Synonyms for horrid are: gross, nasty, noxious, obscene, scandalous and ugly.  Synonyms for good include… Ok, actually they include words like- actual, real, true, informed, logical, levelheaded, plausible, respected and principled.  I like those.  I strive for those, but I don’t think that is the connotation you intended.  Am I right, Henry? More fitting synonyms for this context would be: agreeable, congenial, obedient, pleasing, and pretty.  I wanted to be good to be very very good, Henry. Unfortunately, fast forward fifty years and I failed. Turns out I am bad, very very bad.  Horrid indeed.  I tried to be good, you know agreeable, amenable compliant, and submissive. Turns out that didn’t work so well.  Like my curls, I am uncontrollable, wild and unruly.  I don’t know what went wrong H.W.  Honestly I don’t.  But I think it has something to do with my curly hair as you originally suggested.  Sure enough, in 2003 Jack White and the White Stripes later substantiated your 19th century poem when he wrote: “cut up your hair, straighten your curls, your problems hide in your curls.” in Little Acorns. Note taken. 

Non sequitur here. … As a historian, I also have some questions about your other poems.  The Ride of Paul Revere and the Song of Hiawatha specifically. Paul Revere was recited in schools for the last century in America.  Your poem was used as historical evidence in classrooms and created substantial misconceptions in the minds of young Americans. I heard Paul himself was uncomfortable to acknowledge fame from your prose.  I read he disapproved of his own recognition from your fictional ride about him and refused tribute to it on his tombstone.  I don’t know Henry, is any of this true?

The Song of Hiawatha also became debated in schools, absorbed in English classes and later parodied in the media.  Your vivid descriptions of Native Americans were revived in the 1940’s.  Another time of war propaganda.  Stereotypical “Indians” condescendingly dressed in colorful mock frocks. Traditional dignified Native American garments reduced to ridicule from your poem.  Example: “Hiawatha’s Rabbit Hunt,” starring a one mr. Bugs Bunny (copyright).  It became commonplace in cartoons.  Indians portrayed as simple- minded school children popularized with a single feather in a headband, black braids and big dopy eyes that induce pity.

Is that what you wanted Henry?  I don’t think I’ll ever know, but I have a hunch what happened, and I want to believe that you just wanted to write.  Write about cool stuff and cool stories.  Whats the harm, right?  My suspicion is that your words were used out of context and capitalized on by the current chiefs in charge. (no sad pun intended).  ‘Managers’ turned your words about civilized peoples and one fictitious Revolutionary ridder into characters, mascots and maligned morons.  Your vivid descriptions became Halloween costumes and scripted school plays.  You became a celebrity and the masses bought it.  

Now, I don’t want to make you feel bad Mr. Wadsworth.  Feel a butt coming on?  Just so you know, from your time (the late 19th century) to 1996, tens of thousands of indigenous children were taken from their parens and “re-educated” by cruel Catholic institutions.  Just last week I read that in Kamlops British Columbia the bodies of 215 school children were found in a an unmarked mass grave. I don’t think this is your fault Henry, and I don’t think as many people would have been complicit with those catastrophes if your words were not propagated. 

Your words influenced generations of learners from curly haired girls being taught to acquiesce- to an unfortunate factitious his-story poem about an un-hero thought to be a literal reenactment boasting conquest from the ‘victors’.   Those victors then exploited your words and taught others to dehumanize Indigenous individuals through the clever use of lyrics in the classroom.  I’m leaving this with a cautionary tale Henry.  I think I’ll be ok, as I am not a writer, like you, as I have been told by teachers, you know students from your generation, that told me because I don’t write as good as you, I am not a writer.  So, my words should be safe. Thanks. 

Stop with the Mindfulness

Some schools are trying into bring in a ‘new word’: mind-ful-ness.

But schools are more like Mind-Less-Ness.  Now that makes more sense.  If schools are run by businesses then the LESS mindful the better right?  Think about it.  The better to see you, hear you, manipulate you my dear.  The less you know of yourself the more the bm (business model) can tell you to…. finish that sentence.  

Who you really are? Who are you really? 

Mindfulness becomes another trope word. Another faculty meeting topic. Think of a peppy teacher leader voice saying “We need mindfulness in the classroom…because kids are too stressed.” 

Now, let’s have meeting on top of meeting- meet the hell out of that word then practice the exact opposite. Daily.

It’s ‘mindfulness’ couched in data collecting couched in guilt and shame that you the teacher are not doing more.  Always more. 

No time for the mindful.  

It’s amazingly orchestrated.  What appears to be an emergency call for the health and wellbeing of kids turns into a rue for the wicked time-consumers of industry.  

“Keep Calm and Carry on” But For what? and For whom?

“Keep Calm and Carry on” was A slogan designed by the Ministry of Information in Britain after WWI. The MOI was established and financed under the crown and was responsible for education and propaganda. 

Here is how I read it: Don’t get angry at the status quo of war and destruction, we need you to stay calm and optimistic while you are being bombed, so you can carry on the bomb-making jobs that militarism creates to carry on war and destruction.  To be continued… through WWII. 

Interesting how that slogan popped up currently, And consequently- after an antique road show poster find.  Re-branded in an era of climate catastrophes, encouraged by corporations constant craving for consumerism; Keep calm and carry on creates a compliant convenient creed. Stop complaining, and carry on the work of cavalrymen. 

The traditional sign for KCCO is under a crown.  Is it a  symbol of citizens best interest, or keeping the monarchy in power?  Either way let queen-y press an index finger onto your piqued lips to hush disquieted dissonance. Who are we carrying on for today?  “Calm down folks.” “Nothing to get upset about here kids.”  Don’t get angry at the status quo of classroom conformity, we need you to stay placid sunshiny and obedient so you can carry on the business model credo. 

I don’t know about ya’ all but when someone tells me to “calm down", I qualm up! Like someone making a sexist joke and then telling me to calm down, “it’s just a joke”.  Catch 22. If I get angry, I’m a hysterical woman and not taken seriously; laugh along and I’m a traitor to my own sense of humanity.  Catch 22.  Another war- themed phrase for another day.  Until then, seek truth, get angry, know thyself. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200723-how-anger-can-be-put-to-good-use But it comes with a caveat- a warning:

“ANYBODY can become angry, that is easy; but to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the right purpose, and in the right way, that is not within everybody's power, that is not easy.” Aristotle, The Art of Rhetoric.  https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-rhetoric/

https://www.forbes.com/quotes/642/

“All you have to do is follow three simple rules. One, never underestimate your opponent. Expect the unexpected. Two, take it outside. Never start anything inside the (classroom) unless it's absolutely necessary. And three, be nice.”  “I want you to be nice until it's time to not be nice.” Dalton, Roadhouse Rules. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098206/characters/nm0000664

Know Thyself.  Think for yourself. 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psychology-tomorrow/201802/know-thyself-is-not-just-silly-advice

Reasons why you feel tired all the time- and what to do about it.

When I research the word “tired” I get a litany of articles advising tired individuals to seek individual help.  Here are some examples of what you can do to commandeer sleepiness  and my personal commentary as to why you are tired and what you can do to commandeer sleepiness.  

“12 reason you feel tired all the time and what to do about it:”

1. Diet: Right, well Skipping meals is a reality of this system. I had a student once say “Ms. Newson we don’t have eating disorders anymore we just don’t have time to eat.”

2. Vitamin deficiency: Vitamin D is produced by the sun, and we don’t let kids see the sun. Trapped in a box, cells and bells for 10 hours a day, is not a thriving environment for kids.

3. Lack of sleep: No duh! But the lack of sleep is a direct product of institutions creating an environment of lack of sleep. Hurried, busy lives in the name of productivity leaves little time for rest.

4. Being overweight: Right! Sit kids in desks for 8-10 hour a day can cause tiredness. And lack of activity causes some to be overweight. But then put it back on the individuals to ‘fix’ a problem that is systematic at its core.

5. Sedentary lifestyle: see #4.

6. Stress: Fight-or-flight response. Exactly! And what is the cause of an increase in cortisol and adrenaline surge preparing your body to deal with chronic stress? School! School is the cause of stress, and then we read articles about how YOU, individual students needs to manage the stress which is caused by school to begin with.

7. Depression: Again, let’s leave it to kids to “talk to your doctor” or a “mental health counselor” or better yet, (for BM’s) prescribe medication for anti-depressants instead of looking at the root cause.

8. Sleep disorders: I used to be an insomniac, until I left school.

9. - 12: Serious biological issues creating tiredness. Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, Diabetes, all contribute to lack of sleep. Way to get scientific and make it a personal endeavor to get rest.

My takeaway? Stop putting the responsibility of something as basic as sleep on the individual when it is the institutions themselves creating a chronic sleepiness. That is their purpose.  Sleepy people are easier to control. Opium wars. What can you, the individual do to commandeer sleepiness?  Do less. Do less, sleep more.  

What color is your lip-switch?

Well color me conservative, Lips.  I listened to your show today and I think you pulled an ole lip switch-a-doo.  You said: “I can’t say enough…” (that’s true) but when you said, “please take covid seriously and get vaccinated?” Wait, what? That is the opposite of what you have been saying since the beginning of the pandemic. Did I misunderstand?

You didn’t admit to wearing mock-up covid hoax purple for the last year. Understandable. Who likes to look back at the bad hair and make-up days? Right, lips? You thought it looked and sounded good at the time.  In fairness, the whole Liberal Lips League changed their colors too.  Like a new fad.  I’ve been liking your new color of Red, but why the sudden change?  

I’m guessing you weren’t really defending science, (just a hunch), but I wonder who your influencers are. Money, politics or both?  It doesn’t really matter, it still looks like desperate oily  orange.  

There are a million names for lip sticks, so Lip-switch ideas could be fun. How about- “Pants on fire-engine Red”, “Tongue juggling turquoise”,  “Chartreuse charade” “Tewkesbury mustard- yellow.”  Just some ideas.  I’m trying to follow and I see some of your colors.  I would like to see you in an unassuming amaranth pink, or a come-clean citrine.  Just sayin.

Keep it up though, your colors are becoming more and more visible to the untrained eye for lips.   

Operation Cyclone

As the Taliban advances in Afghanistan in 2021, I think about lessons NOT taught in history classes but should be.  Operation Cyclone 1978, was “one of the longest and most expensive covert CIA operations ever undertaken.” The US funded the extreme Islamic group the mujahideen to counter the Soviets in the Cold war.  Still with me? 

Some simple points I would make IF I could teach this:

1. The mujahideen wanted to stop the progress of educating women, prevent re-distribution of land to farmers, preserve ancient fundamental religious ideologies.

2. The US was on board because the mujahideen went against the Soviet Union.

3. The US sent billions to this group as well as ‘non-US weapons’ as to not be detected.

4. The mujahideen, although different, became the even more radical Taliban we see today.

5. Why this matters- Same lame, simple blame game rhetoric is used in 2021 as it was in 2001. Sure -blame the current president, and every democratic and republican prez since the 1970’s.

6. Until we start teaching- and taking responsibility for US foreign policies, we will continually find ourselves in a nightmare groundhog day sort of loop.

Now, this gets more complicated, but I think it is important to teach accuracy.  When I have heard students defend the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and then Iraq, I wanted them to defend a position based on historical content not current political rhetoric. Actually taking time to teach some of the complexities of the middle east is not easy- and absolutely vital for critical thinking-decision making, and absolutely vacant from teaching it in schools.  

Realistically, this will not be in social studies curriculum.  Why would it? Critical thinking might reduce an army.  And the responses I get, if I even breached the topic (off topic of course), of US backed radical groups? I usually got three responses- apathy, curiosity, and antagonism.  Apathy, because these kids have problems of their own.  Understandable.  Curiosity, those who wonder why this is not taught in school.  They are curious and then get bogged down with 6 other classes so… no time to delve.  Antagonism due to students that see any perceived criticism of the US as anit-US.  

Same response every time from critics: “they (Taliban) cover their women,” Saddam was a terrorist, and the US is helping with infrastructure. 

sigh- the US prevented further liberation of women by supporting the mujahideen, the US backed Saddam in the 1980’s, and who needs help with infrastructure? Them or us? 

Instead of exploring the conversation, I get huffy students claiming- I therefore-must be a communist.  End of discussion. 

Bell rings- class over.  Many prior antagonists have wanted more conversations which I respect. Once you pass an initial shock- intelligent students start to question and appreciate being challenged.  They begin to see some of my logic which is to help the US by creating more historically savvy students.

I use this analogy to sidetrack students:  “You athletes, musicians, writers… do you want to be told how great you are all the time or do you appreciate criticism?”  Nearly 100% of serious athletes, for example, say they want some criticism. “Why?” So we can improve.  “Exactly.” 

If you get sick, do you keep going to different doctors until you hear you are well? Or do you hear the bad news and begin to remedy the situation?  

The truly tragic part for me is that I wanted to teach this stuff.  I felt hamstrung, but then watching students go to war in Afghanistan and Iraq with no real rational is on me.  I should have fought more for them to understand the situation better.  I caved into data collecting and standard tests.  Their real test was war itself.  I wish I had been a stronger cyclone. 

Operation cyclone- counterclockwise winds of change.   

There is a documentary Cold War series- CNN- (if you critics can get past that), that shows live interviews and footage.  Powerful primary resources not easily disputed. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Cyclone

Waiting for Superman? Stop.

Waiting For Superman is a School “documentary” exploring problems within public education.  

Complain about education and potential solutions? Pay attention to the sway of blame and responsibility. Listen for words like- principal, superintendent, and the president of the US. An understandable reaction. However, the more you, me, we, students deflect and blame, we perpetuate the current status quo. This concept is magnified in “Waiting For Superman”.

Funded by the Koch Brothers, the message is clear- teacher unions are a root cause of ‘failing’ schools.  Unions protect a bad teacher vs. a ‘high-performing’ teacher. 

"Students with high-performing teachers progressed three times as fast as those with low performing teachers. A bad teacher covers only fifty percent of the required curriculum in a school year. A good teacher can cover up to 150%.”

Questions: Is that a good thing? What required curriculum?  Who writes this required curriculum? Who funds the required curriculum? Who benefits from this required curriculum?  A good teacher does not question the curriculum? A good teacher obeys? 

The Koch creed is- starve public education, make it bleed so BM’s (business model’s) can feed their greed.  

There is a lottery system? Kids who are smart enough to get into college but don’t have the funds- gamble for their future.

Let’s think about this- a society that has intelligent kids that can’t afford higher education. And a society in which some kids that can afford an education might not necessarily be astute.  

Now riddle me this- what kind of society are we going to have?  What kind of society do we have?  what kind of society do you want?  Is it in the curriculum? 

Waiting for Superman or the Ubermensch? Two totally different conversations if only we had the time….  and curriculum. 

Welcome Back!

Welcome Back Kotter was a 1970’s sitcom representing a remedial classroom of about 4 to 7 “sweathogs”. An affectionate nickname (sobriquet), for this group of misfits not cut out for ‘regular’ school.  I loved this show growing up.  I have some issues with it today. 

1. Four kids to a class, for two years? I wish. Try close to 150 kids a semester.

2. The sweat hogs were in their 20’s.

3. The sweat hogs ‘problems’ had a laugh track.

4. Ironically, some states did not want to show it due to real life bussing and teacher disputes. ‘Luckily’, the content did not make teachers look bad and kids problems were not seriously discussed.

5. Mr. Kotta has no curriculum. He has time to get off topic and get real with students.

Why this matters- because tv and media portray schools as a joke, a side note, or a tragedy easily solved with a tough but clever teacher.

School as a joke- Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Ferris Buller’s Day Off, The Breakfast Club.  Kids have the power, teachers are laughable. 

A Side Note- most movies or tv shows that take place in schools but shows nothing about school.  Glee, High School Musical, Riverdale.

Easy solutions- Dangerous Minds, Stand and Deliver, Freedom Writers- Just get one ‘good teacher’ in there and kids will be alright.

From the 1950’s movies like Blackboard Jungle to Grease to Juno to, what, Bad Teacher? I don’t know of many current movies on schools, but I can predict.  I’d guess more edgy topics, but still no serious discussions about education.  

Welcome Back to the new 2021-2022 School Year.  I.School style.  

The Welcome back theme song is “Welcome Back, your dreams were your ticket out.” I like dreams, let’s go there. “Welcome back to that same old place that you laughed about.” Do you though? Laugh about those school days?  “Well the names have all changed since you hung around, and those dreams have remained…” Yes, this is an old show, and the names have changed but the system has not.  We need a new show depicting school with more serious and relevant topics. 

Calling any former film students: I have an idea for a school movie/ show.  E-mail me. :)  hotplate7@yahoo.com

Stop trying to “fix it”!

I get the same responses when I criticize education.  Be it math/ science curriculum, college board monopolies- no matter what I say, I get a knee jerk “so how do you plan to fix it?” Nearly every time! Just stop. Please. Can we just slow down and think about this for a minute? 

Example: in 2018 there was an alarming rate of kids vaping. We had faculty meetings addressing ‘the situation.’ The meeting was staged with props (security guards bringing out boxes of vape pens), statistics, and direct orders to: “be present in the hallways during passing periods, take away juul paraphernalia. Look for the signs…”  Wait, what? How about we ask kids why they want to vape in the first place? A personal withdrawal from intolerable realities of institutionalized education perhaps? 

We want a quick fix, but those un-fixes creates more complications.  Kids just get smarter and sneakier and we still don’t focus on underlying causes.  Plus, it is no surprise to me to see law suits mounting against Juul years later- due to evidence of said company directly marketing to kids- from the cartoon network to personal websites.We educators are up against behemoth juggernauts.

So, what a great opportunity for lesson plans! Teach kids the predatory nature of BM’s- business model strains- and educate them.  I had an argument with a colleague who insisted if kids knew the physical harm of smoking, they wouldn’t do it.  Disagree.  Kids are estranged from their environment.  Hostile, inhospitable habitats do not promote healthy minds and bodies.

Why would kids care about their health when schools don’t?  It just does not make sense to me- and yet it does- we want quick solutions to long standing issues. It’s illogical and the ‘solutions’ divert attention from root problems and create more short term challenges. If it isn’t a vape pen it will be something else.  I propose direct meaningful conversations with kids- not the adults propagating malefactions. Not a fix- just more honest dialogues for a slow unfastening. 

Sarcasm is back!

I used to be sarcastic. Really sarcastic.  Kids loved it. I joked that I wanted a capital S printed on a few of my shirts. Wait, Is it capital or capitol?  The grammar police will let me know.  Anywas, Sarcasm.  It was fun and funny to me and I could use it in class as a weapon. Got to be armed.  Then I had kids of my own.  Have you ever tried to describe sarcasm to a kid?  “yea, that picture you drew is really great”- eye roll.  Then try explaining that what you said was the exact opposite of what you meant.  What you meant to say was “Clearly you skimmed on contrasting colours and the composition is crap,  And what is with the content? Did you draw it with your left foot?”  Third graders are more literal and don’t take those comments well.  Their brains are not wired for such contradictions… yet. They may not get the original reference but wait for it.  It’ll hit em later.  The will feel really bad about themselves, about something they did but they won’t be able to put their finger on it.  They just feel bad. 

You sarcasm adorers- ever looked it up in the dictionary? I didn’t.  I didn’t think about it until I started teaching Philosophy.  My own kids were young and one day it occurred to me to think about what I was saying. Sarcasm: “an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another’s feelings.”https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sarcasm  Synonyms include: cut, dig, indignity, offense, put down, slap, slight, disapproval.  Abuse. 

Abuse?  I didn’t want that.  I didn’t want to abuse kids with words.  That’s sick.  What’s a gal to do when she knows she’s sick.  Right “get help”.  There are no sarcasm workshops, so I invented my own intervention.  Stop the sarcasm!  For years I abstained.  I knew I was sarcastic and that I needed to amend my ways.  I was sarcastically dependent. The temptation was tremendous every day.  Classrooms, main office banter, and workrooms were like walking into Las Vegas for a Gambler. But it was the lunchroom banter that proved to be the greatest threat to my sarcasm sobriety. The 

A relapse has occurred.  I simply can’t get through the writing day without sarcasm.  

The Liberal Lips League

I wanted to call you the ‘Foxy boys’.  You know, you radio personalities on certain talk shows.  Sadly, I found the word ‘foxy’ on the internet primarily brings up sexual and  lewd images of women, so I thought again.  Just so you know, I listen to your radio show when I can.   I originally listened so that I could pick up on the language, the lingo, and the rhetoric ya all mendaciously reecho.  

It was very helpful in the classroom. Thank you.  Like radar I could detect your loyal listeners and thus work with your brave followers because you have similar sayings and ways of explaining things.  No, I do not discourage your fans.  I listen.  Some students end up talking themselves out of an original thought and get quiet.  Some don’t budge on their and your ideas and I respect that, but at least they are provided an opportunity to think about they are saying and are challenged.  Good for them.  That’s learning.  Your radio show was my personal little secret in order to serve kids better.   Butt when you started prattling on about public education and telling me what I’m teaching in the classroom?  Let me reconsider.  

‘Freedom radio’.  Oh, where to begin guys.  

Ok, let me try a speed writing exercise 15 seconds… and go!  “First, freedom radio is tied to corporate sponsors.  Shall we think about that?  Conservative means less, like less government, but you talk more in your show than another I have heard, which means you talk liberally (more talk less fact). So hear me out- liberal is good in this case. You said teachers are losers. “ Liberal history teachers do nothing but teach Marx, Communism, and Socialist ideas weakening democracy with their lies”. Do you realize that if I taught the way you speak in the classroom that would be… “ Stop. Times up! 

Oh, oh, oh, lightbulb moment my dudes…  You think teaching is sitting in a studio with a microphone just spewing opinions willy nilly.  Careless chatter contaminating communication.  Here is a thought.  You should be a teacher.  In fact, why are there are not more of you jolts in school? Hm, I just wonder what that would be like.  If you were to be silent, you know, not speak for a while and hear me out, consider this- you could teach your truth to teens!  Just so you know on average you would have 25 students per class.  I know you have millions of like-minded supporters who  individually call and talk only you for a few minutes. But In school, in every class of say 25- 30 kids with varying beliefs and backgrounds.  However, I can guarantee you will have at least one of ‘your boys’ in class (it’s usually boys and you’d be proud), but at least one of the liberal feminists you despise (yep, mostly women)  Don’t worry about it, you will have the power. Easy peasy.  Now with 25 others in class with weapons of mass distraction, you might get distracted yourself.  It’s not exactly the same as a studio, what would I know.  Those boys and girls on political polar opposites in the same classes might try to talk as much as you do, well, not that much, but you can handle it.  

And that’s just one class- you would have four - yes, 4- more- 90 minute classes of the same stuff same comments…. every day, every semester and every year!  You wouldn’t last a day.  Oh hold the phone here, another lightbulb moment … you are on to something! You are genius!  No prep, no scientific analysis, no structure, no tests,  no dissent…  polyhistor! .  Just talk for hours and hours about anything you want. Hmmm I have an interesting idea!   How about this? I’ll go back into the classroom as a substitute teacher and be you, only me.  Bring this show on the public educational road!  Your personal doppelgänger!  (look it up). I don’t know you.  I don’t claim to know you but you claim to know everything about me because you listened to the liberal media and shredded teachers with your rapier wit. (it’s rapier…)  It’s like you are hunting.  Hunting for good will.  (it’s ok, they don’t know that movie.)  You just want the best for your listeners.  I support you.  It’s like you’r in a league of your own. (another movie misfire). Be proud to be a liberal!  Keep on talking!  Whoa, now that I think about it we have SO much in common. You like, no wait, dare I say Love?  You love, taking about freedom, liberty and justice.  Me too!! You talk about women politicians quite a lot.  Love that!  So, let me get this ‘straight’- wink- just talk about random stuff with no filter, no checks and balances, no rebuttal?  Ok, ok, ok. I reconsider my original ‘liberal’ agenda.  I started off hostile in tone, but now “I hear you” Lips.  We are one. 

Wow- I listened to your show today and you really got me.  You said I need to pick a side- liberal or conservative. You on one team- believers of freedom, liberty and justice.  Or- that other side, your counter nemesis, npr and its innocuous socialist, communist,  ideas. That’s deep. Tough choice. Alright, I have thought about this.  Tough one, don’t rush me. Hmmm… Well, after careful consideration in the last few minutes- I pic you Lips!! Keep those liberal talk holes a flapping.  I support you.  I am on your side.  One little silly question, or detail to get me started. I like to research.  I like to read and really study something before I talk about it.  You know, books, primary documents, conflicting views, actual critical thinking. I also like to get challenged face-to-face.  It’s harder to have harsh opinions when you have to look at someone in the face, like students.  A lot to think about tonight lips, we’ll talk soon, but remember the ole war saying …“Liberal lips sink ships.”  Talk soon. 

The Grammar Police

(to be sung to the Dream Police by Cheap Trick)

The Grammer Police, There coming for me.  The grammar police, would disagree. The grammar police, they live inside of my head.  The grammar police, they come to me in my bed.  The grammar police, only saw the word ‘there’.  The grammar police, is unaware.  The grammar police, drove me insane.  Teachers inside of my brain.  Cheap Trick.  So slick.  How you tortured me… with your red sharpie (copyright).  No longer in custody, I’ll spell and write just how I please; And I’ll write what I want- and I’ll say what I want, and rhyme no more.  So there. 

Bitter shot

Due to unmitigated circumstances, I was refused the initial covid vaccine as a teacher because I did not have an official “teacher” e-mail address. I did not have an official “teacher” e-mail address because- due to unmitigated circumstances- I took a sabbatical. I took a sabbatical due to covid and other unmitigated circumstances, yes, and other reasons too… (it’s complicated).

Lesson: if you do not play by BM (business model) rules, you get punished. No vaccine for you! Striped of my teacher title I waited for months to get shot. Husband, colleagues, deserv-ed employees got the shot as they should. I waited with the rest of “non-essential” workers until the shot was administered. Yet another bitter pill to swallow in the name of institutionalized education.

No recourse. Just thank you, and may I have another?

My tooth is starting to hurt, I think I’ll look at my coverage. It’s not a vaccine, just a tooth, right? Let’s go to the welcoming home page through public schooling.

“At Jeffco Public Schools, we care about you. That’s why we offer benefits that support you at every stage of your life.”

Nice opening! Every stage of my life? Stellar! Let’s see how this turns out.

Toothless Delight

I lost a molar. Grinding my teeth at night. Not unusual I am told, but “insurance” through education is a bitter dessert.

I received a letter- a delicious confection. A conscientious contemptuous parfait. A sweet-tooth of suffering. After months of tooth agony, I mean delight, (mean delight hm?), a hard candy letter/ notice informed me that the school district’s insurance plan to cover my tooth implant of the BM world- “delta delta delta, can I help ya help ya help ya?” has denied coverage of said procedures.  

It reads: (something like)

“The placement of implant, DCTXRYS (?), conflicts with code DBSYSZ. While normally a  covered benefit, it is not considered Oral surgery for the claims ass Dr. No provided nor approved by the D8000- D7999 code.  As such, the deep sedation/ general anesthesia performed on April 20, 2021 remans denied as per contract.  The Explanation of Benefits accurately reflects the member’s liability for services rendered on this claim. “  

Well written Kristy.  I bet you were a scholar in AP English. I’ll take notes as I am not a writer.  

Delish!  More tasty treats from my “benefits” of teaching.  

My choice, I’ll eat it.  I relished the taste of liability.  I liked where you said you are not responsible for any actions, reminding me that- “I have a right to access and receive copies of any materials relevant to my claim.  As a personal taste, “he/she (me) can appeal bring a civil action law suit under Section 502 (a) of the Employee Retirement and Income Security act of the ERISA (a rise).” 

Yuuummmmy! Sounds scrumptious. Unfortunately, my retirement is complicated from chronic BM’s, so I don’t think I could bring a law suit. Plus my time is pretty full right now.  This sweet pleasure is sickening- sweet. So, thank you, may I have another?

In general

I thought of the song, The General, by Dispatch and IF I were to mess with the lyrics, it would sound like this: Sorry Dispatch… (and it helps to know the song).

There was a general teacher with a heart of gold (?) That likened her to all the stories she told, of past battles won and lost and the legends of old. A seasoned veteran in her own time.

In the classroom she gained respect and praise, She got placards from bosses misspelling her name; She wrote blogs as soon as she could, and always urged her kids on….

But in the Fall of covid and harshness she had seen, the general teacher tossed and turned in her dream, and she got up and wrote what she believed, and stayed softly in her her own den.

I imagine students reading, confusion in the air, and the courage in their blood and fire in a glare, it was a hot summer day when the old general wrote for them not to stay, and they are not be blamed-  

she said “I have been smothered, and I have discovered that that this fight is WELL worth fighting.  and I feel like your mother, but I will no others to follow me where I’m going. SO

Take a shower, you’ve got to chose, you’ve got no time to lose, you are young and you must be living- Take a shower, you’ve got to chose, you’ve got no time to lose- you are young and you must be living, go on you can be flouris,hing… 

Students sat in their desks with a pencil in their hand not really knowing how to take a stand, in general she wrote her blogs but will push it no further, students can do as they please. I don’t know what you’ll do but I hope you look ahead, and one by one I hope you hear the words I said, I am left with my own words echoing in my head and I’m prepared to fight! But 

Take a shower, you’ve got to chose, you’ve got no time to lose, you are young and you must be living- Take a shower, you’ve got to chose, you’ve got no time to lose- you are young and you must be living, go on you can be flouris,hing… 

Go on now, you got to be got to be, got to be flourishing! 

The Shaking Woman

A Book someone recommended, or was it a sculpture?  Anyway, I saw the title and thought-

When I was young I had a nervous tic.  I would “fiddle with my fingers”. “Quit fiddling with your fingers!” I was told. Hand slapped, and repri-handed by authority figures from the church to the classroom to the home.  Looking back if anyone had asked, I was playing the piano.  I liked Beethoven’s Fur Elise, and I didn’t play the piano but I watched someone play it on a variety show.  My thumb moved up and down my appendages along with the song.  The tips were the high notes and the base of each finger were the low notes, low to high- big to little- up and down to that beautiful melody.  “Put your hands up!” Up on a table, up on a desk, up on a pew where we can see your non moving hands.  So it shifted to my feet. I just couldn’t keep still and I just had to fake it. 

But it lingered.

I mention this because A, I think of school as it relates, and that is just sad. B, I’m working on it, I’ll figure it out.  and C, it is really hard for me to write some of my shaky ideas.  I get so excited that I quiver and shake shiver and quake. and rhyme like Dr. Sues. Another defense mechanism? Another helping of neuroses anyone? Yes please! I would like neuron-roses.  Roses made of neurons?  Thats where my head goes.  I see the word roses in neuroses. My head just sees that- not the letters, but the image.  I like my head, it us fun and provided a safer place, ‘more funner’ than the shaky hostile world.  

In my world I play the piano, I am a dancer, a singer, and a host of many personalities.  But don’t call me a writer.  Metastasized Fantasia from my hands to my feet to my brain.  Brain damage for sure, from concussions. Knocked around as it were from invisible hands.  Symptoms include problems with concentration, memory, balance and coordination.Nausea, vomiting, confusion. I don’t get headaches but I have heartaches. Check, check and check!  “Seeing stars” has a different meaning to me. .My wind monders (mind wonders) into watching the stars at night… (yea I kept that in). On the darker side of the moon, shaky woman gets wicked. Shaky and shady thoughts lingeres into driving, parenting, teaching, and has led to many awkward dinner dialogues.  You move on from topic to topic and when it comes back to me- I’m picturing what you said three conversions ago.  shaky wandering mind. The wandering philosopher… wait, Is it wander or wonder, I wonder. Question mark or period? Still, I’ll take my diagnosis thank you very much.  We’re just kinda hanging out here enjoying the shaky roller coaster as best as we can. Shaky but not stirred. 

There was a shaky woman 

Who wrote a shaky poem 

Her spirit was dimmed 

But she is not not broken

Greed cannot drown her

No, you can’t bring her down

I’ll rhyme when I want

I’m not your clown