Project 2025

I.School

2025

Project.

I.Newson.org

A Cautionary Tale

I.School is different. I can’t really explain me back to me. But my students comments echo in my memories. I hear “Newson, I wish I had some warning before I took your class.” “I didn’t know what to expect, you can’t really explain Newson’s class….” And yet, through word of students mouths, I got to teach my passion, my love of learning, with people I love. I taught Philosophy, for over a decade, which was started in 2003. I say “my philosophy class”, but I just copied curriculum and borrowed textbooks and ideas off giant shoulders.  I wanted a class. A class that is different, and yet as old as the observers of the stars. I started ‘my own class’ out of frustration and an instinct. The instinct was a witnessed need, a craving, a hunger for something more. Something more than what school currently offered students, and myself. So I offer you less.

Hackled by standards and data, I somehow managed to sail under a bridge of compromise to start a philosophy class in high school. It wasn’t difficult to justify a social studies class under the vague premises of state and national curriculum standards in 2003. Unfortunately, I do not for-see any chance of starting a philosophy class today, 2025. Why teach kids to think for themselves? Especially philosophy. Philosophy is just the basis for every world religion, non religion, every form of government, political systems (including the Constitution of the United States), and education. It is not the learning I object to, its the lack of learning I find so sickening. The brutal soul crushing mockery of an education that we call it, AND knowing we can heal and change- IF those in charge, um, Listen! Listen to kids, teachers, communities, moms, dads, and did I mention kids?  “Hey, Newson!”

“You should write a book. You should get back to the classroom. You should edit your work. You should shut up. You should just relax, calm down.” Yea, I have heard all of that, and Please stop should-ing on me. I do not want money, fame or more money. (Haven’t we learned from TV child actors?) Time is my most precious commodity and I got to spend a life time of it with kids in the classroom. I feel like one of the richest moms in the world. So, I’ve got this. I ‘mostly’ know what I am doing. I’m spending my time more wisely.

That is my point. Time. Two barriers get in my way with communication about I.School. One is, “I don’t have the time.” And Two, “I don’t know what to say” (with the time I do have).  So, that is my start. I knew going into this I.School project in 2020, two things. One: This is going to take some time. And two: This is going to have to be cryptic. Why? In teaching history, I learned that ancient stories have symbolism for a reason. To reach many levels and stages of development. What you see and read in myth can be interpreted through many perspectives. More on that later. For now, this is my idea of school rebellion. Learning.

I’ve done my time. I’ve marched (‘boots on the boulevard’), spoken up for kids, written “strongly worded e-mails”, to no avail. I will no longer spend my time wasted. Wasted time on faculty meetings that could have been clarified in an e-mail. Wasted time administering standardized testing. Time wasted arguing best practices for kids when Clearly, kids are the ones wasted. Disregarded, used, and blamed for actions out of their control. I.School is for individuals who simply want to learn. Something. Different.

I.School is different. I am not interested in comments, likes, happy stickers, or any other form of flattery. It’s not that I don’t care, I do. I just care about something else much more. Honest and frank conversations about learning. And quite frankly, I don’t need nor want publicity. What I want is silence. Silent contemplation of I.School topics. For now. I.School is not up for debate. My school. My rules. If democracy was a classroom, I would frankly be a poor teacher if I allowed the whole class to decide day to day lessons by vote and simple majority. Nope. Just listen. Listen to me and “frank”, apparently. For now.

You want change? Change the subject. Change the story.

Play a game. Let’s.

A Game

My game. My imaginary game with my imaginary rules.

Can you imagine a game of opposites? Imagine waking up in the morning after a good night sleep, excited to experience another day? Imagine waking up with a purpose and a direction? Eating, nourishing without obsession? Feeling good about your body? Exorcising as expression and release? Sleeping consistently? Enjoying crazy-healthy relationships yourself and with at least one other person? Imagine the intensity of (anxiety, depression, x-factor) only in its opposite form? Joy, laughter, love at multiple levels? More genuine, human, deep conversations?

Me neither. Until now. I.School is a game. A comedically serious game of life. I’m making up the rules as I go. Such is life.

Either I die like this, or. Something else. I chose the later. I’ve been studying the rules of the game currently at play with education. The “pay as you go” programed part of the game. I did not realize I had been in the game without knowing the rules. I was just told “do this, and then you’ll get that.” I didn’t ask more questions. No, I take that back. I asked a boatload of questions that continually got shut down shut out and dismissed. I now see that was part of the game.

Apparently public school teachers are losers of the game. We willingly chose a profession that does not make game money. Which, turns out are ideal game conditions for me. I am a loser at at “the game” but imagine a game of opposites. Imagine having just enough security to sleep, nourish, enjoy life without the “victory spoils”. Being the “loser” means freedom. Freedom to me means having enough. Simple, basic needs.

Too much power=too much pressure. No thank you. I quit. I’m too lazy for that. I’m a loser.

A loser with a lot of knowledge. Knowledge of the game. So, my game is this: I.School is a game and a riddle. It may look like chaos, but once you begin to see patterns and connections. Created for your level of maturity. Levels are immeasurable at this time, but keep going. It gets immeasurably better.

Winner of the game is up to you. “What if I die, now, doing this?” The whole death thing may not be up to me, but when I ask that question now? I would be at peace. I am doing what I Love, with and for the ones I Love. My game. My rules.

Rules of I.School The Game

  1. You, the student are number one. anything you do physically, emotionally, or intellectually must be in the best interest of the student. You. #1.

  2. Interpretations are essential for understanding. Any interpretations of I.School ideas that are not in the best interest of the student, U, goes against everything I work for. Therefore, you are out of the game. “Knock knock.” An open door.

  3. Admission back into the game is welcomed. Do better this time. Build better. Tick Tock.

  4. Frameworks are based on variables of truth. Brick by brick. Your building. Your house. Think very carefully about what you want before you build something substantial. Truth-Full.

  5. I work for you. 24-7. Teacher in service. I will provide information as I see necessary. Underground. This is your life after all. I work for you, but I will not captain the ship. Just guide you, if needed. Silently.

  6. If you do have questions, feel free to ask while I am available. *You get one question. One. Per session. Session= once ever. Balance.

  7. Some participants of I.School will get a chance to move on to various levels of interests and maturity. Chose wisely. Or not.

  8. Cruel and unusual information will be shared with those who can mature to the next level. It needs to be very clear- that when I say- “this information will alter your perception.” You will not be able to undo, unsee, ideas. I can not be more serious about this rule. Ask with caution. “That which does not kill you makes you stronger”? How about, what does weaken I?

  9. With that being said, if you can stand some values, truths, lies and fairy tales with an honest pursuit of genuine knowledge and learning, you will not be sorry. It’s well worth the struggle.

  10. Rules of the game are still pending. Although there are no monetary fees- because learning should be FREE- no age limits. Nothing stopping the integration of I.School ideas into anyone’s daily life- I hold complete command and responsibility of I.School rules. My story.

What better time than here? What better time than now?

Supplies:

*Unsure. I am making this part up as I go.

  • A notebook. An open mind. A desire to learn.

    In the ‘mean’ times

    Here’s What:

    My made-up history theme. You know,“In the Mean Times”.  Like, “back in the Olden Times, Middle Ages, Dark ages. Stone Age, Paleolithic Times”. Times. Periods. Epochs. 2020-x cetra. Mean times.

    Mean Ages? Mean-Times. And when I put it like that, it sounds like I mean, mean. As in the pejorative sense of, grrrrr. Angry-mean, which changed meaning in 1857 (around the US Civil War) to “Unwilling to share.”

    Which changed from c.1200, when Mean (Old English), ment “common; general; public; universal; “Possessed jointly; Shared by all;  Together.”…. It’s true, but tell someone that or share on social media, and see what ya get.  I’ll bet it gets mean. Sounds like _______, rhymes with ___________.

    Hence the change. Mean talk? Thats the point.

    So What?

    Understand that many words change meaning over time. Sometimes the words we currently use not only have changed meaning over time, but ‘newer’ meanings sometimes mean the opposite of its original intent. It gets confusing. Which is the point. Because the who or whomever interprets the ‘meaning’ of words, thus Stories, “wins.”

    And where do we learn words? Meaning of words? Stories?

    It would be wise to spend time researching the origin of words and stories, if only you had the time.

    Now What?

    Don’t have your own time to spend researching? That’s the point.  In the Mean Times,

    Let’s say you want better communication skills. Which is what I hear a lot in the field of education. “We want real, genuine, authentic, down to earth” conversations. I hear many words like ‘authentic’ to explain how people want to get real. Really?

    The reality is there is much ‘mean-ness’ out there.  Lots of talk. Talk, gossip, slander. Real-mean talk. But what does it mean? Words used in mean-anger, for example, are mean! They pack a powerful punch. Thats the point. It’s meaning-purpose over time IS to create division.

    In the mean time- stop and ask your self, “is this really what I want to spend my time talking about?” Or ask, “did I really mean what I just said?” Focus on “I”.School.

    Mean, by definition means to “genuinely intend to convey or express.”  “Doing something good,” Finding the means between two extremes.  Middle way. Central.

    When you look back on the Mean Times, how do you want to see yourself?

    Take time to figure it out. Or not.  “It’s now…. Or”

Nothing

Here’s What: Origin.

(N.) “figure which stands for naught in the Arabic notation," also "the absence of all quantity considered as quantity," c. 1600, from French zéro or directly from Italian zero, from Medieval Latin zephirum, from Arabic sifr "cipher," translation of Sanskrit sunya-m "empty place, desert, naught" (see cipher (n.)).

A brief history of the invention of "zero" can be found here. Meaning "worthless person" is recorded from 1813. As an adjective from 1810. Zerotolerance first recorded 1972, originally U.S. political language. Zero-sum in game theory is from 1944 (von Neumann), indicating that if one player wins X amount the other or others must lose X amount.  Online Etymology Dictionary.

“Empty Place.  Desert.”  And Cipher: From zero, it came to mean “any numeral.”  Nothing has infinite possibilities.

“A secret way of writing: Coded messages. “The key to a cipher.”

“Worthless person” in *1813 was a;

Figurative sense of “something or someone of no value, consequence, or power.” (*1570)

Code for those someones treated with no value. Worth- less mass = have all the power.  Once realized has infinite possibilities.

ALL

Or

Zero: De-Cipher!

10~10 Game Plan

It started with a question- What do I want? What do I need? I.School! Okay then, What would that look like you crazy gal!!?

Like adult Kindergarten.  Using Months 1-10, starting in March I would want to include:

Music

Movement

Calendar: Months, Seasons, Days o’ Week

Story Time. Word.

Art: Colors and meanings

Free Time

Movement- Recess

Snack Time

Reflection, journal Time

Skills Lab

Math & Science and other language

Structure days. Anchor each number 1-10.  Assign a “meaning” to a number. (My) I.Example:

1- You. Are #1.

2- Open.

3- Build.

4- Truths.

5-Silence.

6- Balance.

7- Choices.

8- Strength.

9- Values.

10. Story. Your #1 x  0 = Full circle. New starts.

You may want a simpler anchor like- One is sun, two is shoe, three tree etc… Just know that those anchors will become habit forming. The more you do it, the more it will mold to memory. You will use this to ground yourself in desired outcomes of I.School.

Other Tips and Tricks

  1. Get a Playlist of 10 songs. Any of your favorite songs. Assign each song to your anchor number. Example: #1, a song about grounding. “Ground” in the title or lyrics;

  2. Color coordinate days of the week. Pick a color. Anchor or assign a color for each day of the week. It does not have to be noticeable. Subtle. Just as long as you know. Pick one. Advanced students, pick two. ( I.Example: Monday- blue/white; Tuesday- Red/orange Wednesday- Green/brown; Thursday- Purple; Friday- Pink; Saturday- black, Sunday- yellow)

  3. Order. Find Three to Five ‘anchor’ in and out of -school times of the day to build a schedule. (Example Wake, write a dream or thought. Make bed. 8:30am snack. 11:11 look outside, 2:10 stretch; dinner? Pre-bed time routine.) Build.

  4. Simply Feels Four: Joy, Anger, Sadness, Fear. Truths.

  5. Silence is worthy of daily practice. Senses five focus.

  6. Schedule treats for yourself every day or every week at least. Life is tough. Balance it out. (Simple, easy, rewarding ones- coldest drinking fountain water. Draw.) Daily self- appreciative quiet rewards.

  7. Chose. Time. Wisely. Have a plan.

  8. List your strengths and weaknesses.

  9. Name Nine Values you cherish.

  10. Reflect. Are your Tips and Tricks Intrinsic or Extrinsic? Do you focus I on the outside in or reversed? I.School mainly focuses on the Intrinsic motivators.

The Purpose of I.School Tips and Tricks are set up to sort of trick your brain into re-conditioning the conditioning. If you think you have no power, you will be right. If you focus on small sensory, daily, self-chosen routines, my hope is that your brain will get the idea you are more in control than previously thought.

Suggestions on the “What do you want” question-

Time to sleep. Attention to I needs. Direction- Actions more toward your values. Self- sufficiency? Less dependence on “everyone else,” more self-reliance.

Reflection questions might include:

Is it reasonable? Sustainable? What will happen after years of quiet re-conditioning conditioning?

Learn. Repeat. Count. 1-10.

Curriculum

As of 2025, the 23-48 pages of NAEP standards for English and Math have been reduced to one page. One page. Seven principles. The Seven Principles of Universal Design:

  1. Equitable in Use

  2. Flexibility in Use

  3. Simple and intuitive Use

  4. Perceptible Information

  5. Tolerance for Error

  6. Low Physical Effort

  7. Size and space for approach and Use

Although not technically ‘in use’ yet, the Seven Principals of Universal Design are designed to make use of the used.  Consider the past 150 years of US curriculum.

I.School intends to start at Kindergarten. Or, as I like to think,

Kin-

Kind-er-

Guardian-

Basics. Proficient in learning. Advanced when ready.

If you feel used, retreat.

If you don’t want to feel used, learn.

Learn the system that is using you; so that, you use the system more than the system is using you. More or less.

Retreat into to the I. Inner space of thoughts and actions in order to redirect course. Run and explore internally.

Seek as close to the origin of anything worth seeking.

Curriculum (n.) “a course, especially a fixed course of study in school.” 1824.

Are you fixed?

Is this the course you chose? If so, proceed. As fixed.

If not, how would you like to redirect?

Is it realistic?

Does it involve the world changing around you? People changing for you? Changing systems, environments, planetary trajectories? Good luck. Proceed. That is not I.School curriculum.

I.School curriculum is not a set of data, nor standardized, fixed tests and results. For use. (One third of NAEP staff are well paid behavioral psychologists.)

I.School sucks curriculum. Meaning, it’s going to hurt. At first, then empowering. If you trust me, a kinder, guardian (to be tested) I would like to help you, help you. The I.

Let us Begin. Again.

2025 I.School Project Outline

Women and Children First

Intro-

Random Post. Thought.

Silly I, thought Women and Children First was interpreted as- help those most vulnerable. “Save women and children… first.” Where did I get such a notion, I wonder.

"Women and children first", known to a lesser extent as the Birkenhead drill, is an unofficial code of conduct whereby the lives of women and children were to be saved first in a life-threatening situation, typically abandoning ship, when survival resources such as lifeboats were limited. However, it has no basis in maritime law. Wiki

There are only two instances of chivalric maritime that I found. One was the Birkenhead boat evacuation in 1857, which was a “celebrated exception” to the women and children first motto. Meaning, the norm defied the motto. It possibly was publicized to get more passengers to board steamships that were not equipped with enough life saving boats. After the PS Normandy sank killing 31 people (12 of those were women) and was found negligible and “infringed on preventable disasters,” Articles.

In the opinion of the Board of Trade, it will not be possible to compel the passenger steamers running between England and France to have boats sufficient for the very numerous passengers they often carry. They would encumber the decks, and rather add to the danger than detract from it.

Although “noted with dissatisfaction” for the lack of life preserving equipment, the British Trade Board did not enforce further regulation in 1870.

The next publicized exception was the luxury liner, Titanic, 1912.

Titanic was equipped with 16 lifeboat davits, each capable of lowering three lifeboats, for a total capacity of 48 boats. Despite this capacity, the ship was scantly equipped with a total of only 20 lifeboats.

Hollywood’s 1997 version of Titanic events played out “a love story on steroids”. “Its most feverishly publicized demo were the swarms of girls in their teens and early twenties who went to the movie to swoon, and weep, and gawk at Leo (DiCaprio), who instantly became the biggest star on the planet.” EW.

Oh, women-children first, I guess. My misunderstanding.

Happy New Year! Again

It’s the end of January. How are those resolutions coming along?

It’s New Year for I.School. What do you want? Now.

I.School: Time and Space.

Basics: Time to Sleep, receive appropriate nourishment in a Safe Space.

Proficient: To develop knowledge and skills in order to mature and develop.

Advanced: Individually become more In-dependent , less dependent on others ad-vices.

A Start: Basic, Simple, Fundamentals.

Time- Is Limited. Scarce. Valuable. Real, yet deceptively illusory (consider how time goes by in a boring class compared to how time ‘flies’ when you are engaged in something more meaningful to you).

Space- We will define as Head-space (what you mostly think about and talk about); Physical environments. Also illusory. Relative.

Now, imagine holding a glass of water. Full. If you approach I.School already knowing, or thinking that you know, I.School may not be for you. You are all full up. Now, if you are empty, exhausted, and you don’t know what to do, and ready for New ideas this year. Come on in!

Low expectations- really low expectations and an open mind is ideal.

I.Year Outline 2025

Zero: start at nothing. No to low expectations. Nothing=Infinite.

I. March, ask, what Are you marching for? Defending? Protecting?

Alice in Wonderland

II. April, In or Out? Doors open.

Aesop

III. May, Flower-ship.

The Three Little Pigs.

IV. June, Colors.

Song of the South.

V. July, Liberty.

Rapunzel.

VI. August, Six.

Beauty and the Beast.

VII. September, Seven.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

VIII. October, Eight.

The Little Mermaid.

IX. November, Nine.

Cinderella.

X. December, Pandoras Box.

Each Month- A Lesson. Basic, Proficient and Advanced.

Basic- Numbers, Colors, Shapes.

Proficient: History, Mystery, Math.

Advanced: Levels of Fairy Tales. Story Time.

Initial Draft Outline of 2025

I.School 1-20-2025

No matter how you spend today, I.School is there. You and I.

Do you have your I.Notebook?

Into- What do you want? What would your imaginary I.Schedule look like. Hour by hour.

End of book- How would you ideally like to be, by the end of your I.Life?

How can you make that happen? Repeatedly.

Truth. You are going to die, someday, but the real question is how do you Choose to live?

Reflect in I.book- Take as much time as you want to reflect. The better you learn thyself, the more full filled you might be. Empty.

Yin Yang. It’s not all good. It’s not all bad.

Distraction. What do you like? Look up at the sky. Mountains. Water. Pick a constant thing to focus on.

Express yourself. Create something today. No matter how small.

What is one of your Nine Values, you could appreciate today?

What memories do you want to look back on today?

(See what I did there? I snuck in my 1-10; 10~10 plan.)

I.School is Always there, as long as you want.

I-10 Basics

I.School Outline:

Start at Zero 0. With an open Mind. O Nothing. And within nothing, Infinite potential, everything or anything. Now count to 10. Base 10. I Count. You Count. (these are my assigned values/thoughts associated and assigned to each number. Create your own, or use mine. I share.) one through ten. Numbers. Letters and Words. Basics.

  1. I. That’s you. #One. Sun. Stay grounded

  2. II. A door. Mouth. (I’ll explain)

  3. III. Build

  4. IV. Truths

  5. V. Silently

  6. VI. Balance

  7. VII. Choices

  8. VIII. Strengths

  9. IX. Values

  10. X. Your Story. The story of I.

    Repeat.

    Back to Zero.

O What do you want? What do you need? What did you learn? Ask-

  1. Where do you stand?

  2. What are you talking about?

  3. What are you building- Daily?

  4. What do you know to be True?

  5. Can you be? Silently.

  6. Is your life balanced?

  7. What choices do you have?

  8. What are your strengths?

  9. What are your Values?

  10. What’s your story? What do you want it to be? (if answers include: if and when situations, environments, other than you the I, change- Bzzzzzzzz, Try again.) Does that make sense? Example, I will get what I want when I’m out of here, when the President changes, when my mom or dad change, when the weather changes, when the price of tacos goes down, when I get (x).. on and on. What about you, the I, right here right now?

  11. I.School puts the FOCUS on you wright here right now whenever you want it.

  12. What do you want? Independence. A lessened De-pendency on others. Self-Worth. Self- appreciation faults and all! #1 and #2. One and Two. You and your beautiful soul. Build a relationship with the self. Unconditionally. Forgivingly. Now- step 3? Get to building a better life.

That which does not kill us...

Makes us stronger. Is the quote most are familiar with.

The full quote is:

“Out of life’s school of war- what does not destroy me, makes me stronger.” Nietzsche

And my question is: Why focus on the killing thing? Does it make us stronger? Or, could we re-direct the quote to- What makes us stronger? Better yet, what in “life’s school of war” weakens us?

Lack of sleep? Proper nutrition? Safety (that which kills us in schools?) Drugs of all sorts readily available… weakens us (perhaps), into dependency? “destroyed”?

Therefore: What daily activities (small ones) when practiced, strengthens you? The I. And

Is that what you want? Okay, what do you want?

If answers include- “I want something that others need to give me before I can act,” would be an example of de-pendency. Would it not?

When you poke one finger out, you are also pointing at least 3 fingers back at yourself. “They” will not save you. “They” are getting what they want. Power, money and control. Now what about you? They are not going to change, but you can.

Slowly, thoughtfully, silently. Take time to figure out, not what is killing you (okay, well maybe), but more what can be learned. What makes you weak= what can you do to get strengths?

By understanding the “school” and how it is using you (perhaps), can you then use it? More that it uses you?

Thought for the day.

Lake Middle School, Denver Colorado.

I.School Job Process

Question. Where to start I.School?

Answer. Start like a normal person and Google AI “Job Application Process: Key Strategies for Each Step.”

check.

Describing the Job

“When advertising a job, it is important to clearly describe the role and the skills, experiences, and attributes required.”

I.School is an imaginary ‘playground’ for learning. A school within a school, of sorts. Your role is your choice. Your willingness to participate is entirely up to you. No experience necessary. Skills? What kind of skills do you want to acquire? That’s a good question. Attributes include, (wait, what does attribute mean?)

a quality or feature regarded as a characteristic or inherent part of someone or something. example: "flexibility and mobility are the key attributes of our army"

an inherent part of someone? Um… what does inherent mean?

existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute. example:"any form of mountaineering has its inherent dangers"

If attribute is inherent and a permanent characteristic/attribute (redundant), that already exists in something, then why is it required for a job application? You are already who you are. Attributes acknowledged. Next step.

Screening

The screening process involves reviewing resumes and cover letters to select candidates to interview.

Resume. That is exactly what I am trying to do. Resume my teaching and learning. Resume with the little thingie above the e, and fancily pronounced “rez-oo- May” is a summary of previous experience and education.

Interviewing

Shortlisted candidates will move through the interview process, which may include multiple interviews. For roles with specific skill requirements, there may be a skills assessment phase.

“Shortlisted”? I’m short. I can move. I also have multiple interviews. Former students, teachers, current students, the homeless, hopeful, random interviews anytime I can. Specific skills include, staying low to the ground. The assessment phase is daily. View in ter- any moment and check. Is this what you really want to talk about shorty?

Job Offer

The candidate may receive a job offer, which they can negotiate if it doesn’t meet their expectations.

Lower your expectations in I.School. Way, way lower. Lower than that. Then, Negotiate, meaning ‘bring about by discussion’. Change the subject. Offer, what? What do you want?

Onboarding

The onboarding process introduces the new employee to their role and the organization. This can be done through training or by pairing the new employee experienced employee.

First, onboarding sounds terrible. Sounds like on-water, boarding. Waterboarding, which the term and act officially constitutes as “torture, cruel, inhuman, degrading treatment or punishment.” United Nations report.

In the education profession, Boards. School Boards,

Background and reference checks

The company may conduct background and reference checks.

Please. Do that.

Change the conversation,

to- why do we follow prescribed, inauthentic, job requirements and resumes that are bolstered to say the least? If you are coerced into conformity, which means essentially lying about who you are just to land a job, will mean your job will always be a _________?

Question. Where to start I.School?

Answer. Start like an ab-normal ‘crazy’ person; stop playing games. Time is not waiting. Start a new game.

I.School 101, 2025

“When applying for a job, it is important to consider factors such as the job title, company size, industry, company culture, benefits, and working hours.”

Job Title: I.School? i.newson.org? Hmmm, other than that, I guess it is your choice _____.

Company Size: I

Industry: Learning

Company Culture: Variable

Benefits: Depends on your prospective. Retired teacher ‘benefits’? Not worth the sentence. More time has been spent writing, talking, being placed on hold, then actually benefiting from the benefits of institutionalized learning. It’s a cautionary tale. Benefits can be with-held by the with-holder. Any time. The benefits of I.School are intrinsic. Invisible value.

Working hours: If I’m here and you’re r here, that makes it our time. (Fast Times). I.School can be a minute, an hour, of our time, or a life time of ours. I.

I.School is an imaginary ‘playground’ for learning. A school within a school, of sorts. Your role is your choice. Your willingness to participate is entirely up to you. No experience necessary. Skills? What kind of skills do you want to acquire? That’s a good question.

New Year's Resolution

I.School

New Year’s Resolution 2025

In an 1813 Boston newspaper article titled, “The Friday Lecture,” written by an unknown author observed this:

“And yet, I believe there are multitudes of people, accustomed to receive injunctions of new year resolutions, who will sin all the month of December, with a serious determination of beginning the new year with new resolutions and new behaviour, and with the full belief that they shall thus expiate and wipe away all their former faults.”

In short, the author informs us that for over 200 years, people use resolutions as an excuse to misbehave up to New Year’s Eve.

The issue I have with New Year’s Resolution is in the words themselves. If something in life is already resolved, why change? Why keep adding? “Learn a new language,” If you didn’t have time to learn it last year, what do you think will happen this year? “Loose weight.” Same. Issues are already re-solved. What you are, who you are, are a play in motion, as we speak. If anything, believing you can “be a new you” designed by advertisers, sets individuals up for due failure. As the screens show- you can spend your life chasing an illusion. Realizing you are still stuck with you after a month of “this year will be different”, leads to a sense of failure, guilt, and further disillusionment. A set up to faulty advertisement. As planned. 

Here in I.School, we will take a different perspective on New Year’s Resolution by taking some time to break down meaning, thus purpose. 

First, start with the Etymology Dictionary definition and see if anything resonates. 

Resolution:

late 14c., resolucioun, "a breaking or reducing into parts; process of breaking up, dissolution," from Old French resolution (14c.) and directly from Latin resolutionem (nominative resolutio) "process of reducing things into simpler forms," noun of action from past-participle stem of resolvere "to loosen" (see resolve (v.)).

From the notion of "process of resolving or reducing a non-material thing into simpler forms" (late 14c.) as a method of problem-solving comes the sense of "a solving" (as of mathematical problems), which is recorded by 1540s, as is that of "power of holding firmly, character of acting with a fixed purpose (compare resolute (adj.)).

In Middle English it also could mean In mid-15c. it also meant "frame of mind," often implying a pious or moral determination.

\they generally were of a pious nature.

Pious- faithful to kindred; inspired by friendship, prompted by natural affections," perhaps [de Vaan, Klein] related to Latin purus "pure, clean.”

Next, read. What makes sense as defined?

A break up. Reduce dissolution. Simplify. Problem-Solve. Power is, a Hold firm a moral character with a fixed purpose. Frame of mind. (It does not need to make grammatical sense, it just needs to make sense to you). 

Now what?

Moral determination inspired by faith to kindred, and inspired by natural affections. Morally, resolve into a process. A simple process, holding firm to a fixed purpose. And what is that for you? Now do that. Simple. (Sort of).

Conclusion:

 A 200 year old tradition of New Year’s Resolutions deserves a break. If we keep repeating a pattern of “New Year, New you” frame of mind, and it’s not working, then our problem solving abilities are resolved. 

Reminds me of a quote attributed to Albert Einstein: “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” 

Here at I.School, we take (some) quotes seriously enough to investigate. And ‘I’ have time to discover that is probably not Einstein who originated this overly used, misquoted sentiment. Which begs further questions:

What is an actual definition of insanity? 

Repeating misunderstood quotes over and over again and expecting clarity or resolution? 

Making new years resolutions repeatedly. Breaking moral character repeatedly. Wait, is that a question? 

I am resolved. The super fun thing about this self-assignment, is that I found the original author of the quote, and stumbled upon an author I had never heard of and am currently reading new novels. This I.School thing is working. I am resolved to continue.

2 Sub Guest

I’ve been substitute/ guest teaching (twice in two weeks). My fishbowl. My playground.

I.Learned this, after answering a question of, “what do you want?”

  • I learned, “to get out of class early,” “to get my phone back,” “to go get food,” are indeed legitimate answers to a vague and rarely asked question to high school students.

However, as legitimate and honest as that may be, they are not the answers I am looking for when prospecting future I.School students.

More intriguing answers might include, “more time,” “a class I can learn stuff I need, now,” or “anything better than this.” And other not so obvious responses, would crook my neck in a different direction, indeed.

Potential students of I.School don’t necessarily need to be ‘rock bottom’ in order to qualify; more like a “what was that you just said?” and “more insights please,” would suffice.

Just getting my cup filled after four years without student interaction. I genuinely want to listen to student voices of 2024. I listen, and genuinely want to reflect.

10 Days of I

After researching the 12 Days of Christmas song, what I learned was simple.

  • A sincere greater appreciation for actual birds.

  • Time well spent. Learning. About birds.

Which is better than thinking, watching, or talking about today’s drama. Time is short. Therefore,

I declare an I.School Holiday.

A holiday just for you! The I. Self.

A prescription.

“Take a Vacation from my problems.” Bob

In the Mean Times. 10 Days of I.

  1. I give the gift of Time. To myself, and others (I wish). I will not be exchanging gifts this year with anyone. I will use my time to,

  2. Think about what I want to think about.

  3. Plan out 10 days. Build a solid foundation prior. What I (really) want, to do.

  4. Plan backwards. What simple Truths do I want by December 25?

  5. Plan one day of Silence. Word- fast. (Plan accordingly to minimize drama).

  6. How do I want to balance out 10 days? Maintenance. Learning. Play. Skills?

  7. Now choose. Make decisions to minimize wasted time. Commit.

  8. Daily strengths include: Sleep, nourishment, physical activities, learning (research is I passion), drawing, meditation (quiet time), writing, play, my friendly people connections (or lack there of- solitude).

  9. Value Time above all, these 10 days.

  10. Write your I.Story. Privately.

I prefer themes. It keeps me on course. Reduces distractions. Easy to remember. Colorful.

If you don’t know what to do, do what you know. 10 in 10 Plan: I.Sample.

Day One. Clean the grounds. Focus is One space, clutter free. Relax.

Day Two. Focus on writing. One Blue book, One Red book. Read.

Day Three. Outline I.School’s 2025 Foundation. Learn. (Set up my 2025.I classes)

Day Four. Express Emotions. Craft Day focus. Project I Book; Paint Draw.

Day Five. Day of Silence. Focus on as few interactions as possible. Music, activities welcome.

Day Six. Spend the day outside. Focus on nature. Return, retreat, express.

Day Seven. Choose anything day. Free Day (within a free day). Imagine that.

Day Eight. Gym, swim. Pick a favorite meal. Date night movie.

Day Nine. Spend some time with friends family. Meaningful. (*December 25th)

Day Ten. *December 24th. I.Day favorites. Repeat 1-8. Mix and match. Light candles to reflect Inner-light, meant- during darkest days of the year. What do you want? What do you need? What do you want to return to? Just You. I.

*Days reflect my 10~10, I.School self grounding numerical order; but may not necessarily be in order of the days. We’ll see.

Florida.

Friday the 13th

December. Friday. 13. 2024

I.School Lessons for 2025. 10 in 10 Plan. More to come.

In the mean-time, Here are 13 Lessons I have learned in the past 4 years of “I.School”

  1. Find something to ground I, every day. Sleep. Nutrition. Music, movement, one simple chore.

  2. Reflect on what I say, every day. Ask, do (two of) I thoughts and conversations align with I values (see #9)?

  3. Build a solid philosophical foundation. Example. My pre-2020 calendars were filled with appointments, diets, exercise routines, finances, linear dates etc… and they are BO-Ring. Post I.School experiment- filled with Ideas, Imagination, Interesting drawings, Times blocked off to dance. Mornings dedicated to writing and processing my dreams. Personalized classes ranging from basic nutrition to foundational drawing to dance fundamentals. Classes I want to learn about like night sky watching, bird identification. Skills I can build on like crochet and knitting.

  4. Build on Truths. I am alive. I will die. I have emotions. I am a truth seeker. What are U’re/I Truths?

  5. Be Silent. Observe. There are so many lessons passed by daily due to AI’s. My interpretation of AI’s are those thoughts, people, advertisements- Always Interrupting my precious time, with absurd repetitious un-truths. Silence means a private personal mind Retreat, from AI’s. With practice, I can quietly escape into I’s mind-myriad’s spectrum of lively, and ironically I imaginary-fantastical truths. Honest fantasies?

  6. Balance. Once I got some basic values to rely on, the trick is to prioritize sleep and proper nutrition with all the fun things I get to learn. It’s a constant act, that gets easier when repeated often.

  7. Choose. Order of operations. I took the days of the week and narrowed down my choices, so I have more freedom and time to I.School. Example, Mondays have been renowned melancholia. Like the song “I don’t like Mondays” by the Boomtown Rats. Mondays elicit student verbal grumbled protests. first order of operations? Make Mondays extra calm. “Just take the trash out, that is all I ‘have’ to do today. Dress comfy. Take an extra hour to relax with a favorite #1 grounding activity. I graduated to Monday’s being one of my favorite music/ drawing and writing days. Re-define. Re-condition the condition.

  8. Strengths. “That which does not kill you…makes you stronger.” Nietzsche was quoted to say. The full quote goes- “Out of Life’s School of war, what doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.” Twilight of the Idols. 1888. I prefer to interpret this as- “okay, not dead yet”. How about I focus on the “what makes me stronger part.” Starting with the question, “what makes me weaker?” Lack of sleep. Disordered ideas of nutrition. Doing more then, that which is killing I.

  9. Values. I: Dream, Dance, Draw; Balance, Flexibility, Strength; Time, Truth, Trust. Interchangeable. Enduring. Worthy of Repeating.

  10. Repeat. One. Zero. Start again. Keep what works. Learn from mistakes.

  11. My favorite number. It appears in my dreams. Reminds me to rise above. Not better than, not less than; More- Be more than, miserable? Ha. Seriously, I.School is a “yes” to life, as is. Now what? Tick tock clock…

  12. Learn. Learn. Learn. Do not speak 1. until I know better. 2. (ideally). OR #1. Always have a plan! #2. Always Have a back up plan. #1. #2. Example, finding two ways to calm yourself. (Music and reading)I-self. Two distractions delaying getting pulled into less-optimal situations. (Watching tv with my cat, one hour cleaning/laundry). Think of vulnerable situations, plan for them. Twice.

  13. Friday, March 13, 2020. Changed me. As of today, Friday, December 13, 2024. I want nothing more, than to keep living the I.School Life. YES! I ultimately refuse to allow a hostile institution to take anymore of my Lively-Hood. I.School, for me was like going from Incarceration, to a Hospice situation. Not literally.

    1. Incarceration- “state of being confined, by law.” (K-12)

    2. Hospice- a program that gives special care at the end of life, (like the department of education?) . 3. Formerly defined as a place to rest for weary travelers. Either way, seems like a more pleasant philosophy to live by. If you have ever witnessed actual hospice and the people who dedicate their lives to helping end of care people, you might agree. Amazing people. Beautiful.

      In the MEAN Time-

      I.DEAS- Special Care, stuff that is working for me.

Bombard Basic Senses with- idée fixe- (concern with self-ideas)

Sounds- 10 song Playlist based on your own notions of 1-10

Colors- One a Day. Could couple up with touch- sensations on the skin. Clothes, for example.

Sip on cold or warm water while thinking about how it feels.

Move in accordance to simple body parts. Gentle, roll the head, shoulders, elbows, hands, spine, knees then feet- toes. Give each body part special spotlight.

Watch as many screens as you like. Now study them. What Story’s are being told? (What is the message? The product behind the products product?) What life-styles do the screens want you to mimic? How close or far are the screens to ‘real life’?

Are Stories owned? If so, by whom? How few-many own mass-media?

What is your story? What do you want it to be? Ideas?

I.School morning snapshot.

Twelve Drummers Drumming

Intro-

The Little Drummer Boy, is a personal, sad-mirthful saga for I. And I’m not sure why. Some deep psychological trauma, no doubt. It all started with the 1968 Claymation- “The Little Drummer Boy- A Gift of Love”. It was the year I was born, so I have no early recollection of the flick. Was it the music? The climactic, “I Played My Best for Him…”? Dunno. I just know, when that song comes up, anytime, anywhere. I cry. Not known for my tears. I’m rather stoic in that regard. Following me throughout childhood, adulthood and later parenthood. The Little Drummer Boy’s initial and distinguishable “pa rum pa pa pum”, stops me. My two kids used to get a big kick out of me sob-bing! in grocery store Isles, car rides home listening to the radio in late November. Four little eyes and two twisted smiles. “Oh, moooom, it’s your favorite soooooong…” Oh, it was hi-larious. Seeing mom cry, to the same song over and over again like groundhog day. I actually cherish those uncontrolled tears through intermittent smiles at my own children’s laughter. Layers of memories.

Basic-

drum: "to beat rhythmically or regularly" (with the fingers, etc.) is from 1580s. Meaning "force upon the attention by continual iteration" is by 1820. ED

Iteration: “a procedure in which repetition of a sequence of operations yields results successively closer to a desired result.” MW

Proficient-

When The Drummers were Women: Review, “For millennia, the sacred drummers of pre-Christian Mediterranean and western Asia were women. In this inspiring book, Layne Redmond, herself a renowned drummer, tells their history.
Artistic representations reveal that female frame drummers carried the spiritual traditions of many of the earliest recorded civilizations. During those ancient times, the drummer-priestesses held the keys to experience of the divine through rhythm. They were at the center of the goddess worship of matriarchal societies until the ascendance of patriarchal cultures and the loss of drumming as a spiritual technology. With wisdom and passion, Redmond chronicles our species’ deep connection to the drum, our rich heritage of inseparable spirituality and music, and the modern-day women reclaiming it.
This book encourages readers—both women and men—to reestablish rhythmic links with themselves, nature, and other people through the power of drumming. Redmond illustrates her message with an extensive collection of images gathered during ten years of research and travel. Woven throughout the book are strands of ancient ritual and mythology, personal stories, and scientific evidence of the benefits of drumming. It is at once a history, a memoir, and a resounding call for spiritual and social renewal.” When The Drummers Were Women: A Spiritual History of Rhythm.

Advanced-

Listen. Decide for yourself. Think. Think for yourself. Create.

Take what you know #1, Interpret #2, = Build a Life. Dance, Draw, Sing; Create, re-create your Story. The Story of I.

Song #12. Step, by Vampire Weekend.

Ingrid Stor Newson. Created with Lara Golden Cade. 2022.

Eleven Pipers Piping

Intro-

Eleven Pipers Piping. Visually I see, either the tall black bearskin British footguards flaunting flutes; or Scottish Bagpipers.

Basic-

Eleven: Being one hour before 12:00, the eleventh hour means the last possible moment to take care of something, and often implies a situation of urgent danger or emergency. 11 is a prime number, and a super-prime. 11 forms a twin prime with 13,[6] and sexy pair with 5 and 17. Wikipedia.

Piper. Piper. Named after types of birds, "to chirp, warble, whistle, sing." Meaning "convey through pipes"

Old English pipian "to play on a pipe" or similar instrument, from Latin pipare "to peep, chirp,"

Piping: To pipe up (early 15c.) originally meant "to begin to play" (on a musical instrument); sense of "to speak out" is from 1856. Pipe down "be quiet" is from 1900, probably a reversal of this, but earlier (and concurrently) in nautical jargon it was a bo'sun's whistle signal to dismiss the men from duty (1833); pipe in the nautical sense of "to call by the pipe or whistle" is by 1706.

Proficient-

From “Be Your Own Birder.”

“When birders hear the term “piper” they automatically think of sandpiper. There are more than 25 species of birds in the world with “sandpiper” in their names, and even more birds of the Scolopacidae bird family are classified as sandpipers, even without the term as an immediate part of their identity – including yellowlegs, curlews, dowitchers, phalaropes, and godwits. Seeing 11 species of sandpipers in any day would be a true gift, and given the widespread ranges of these species, a remarkable feat for any holiday gift-giving. It wouldn’t be an impossible day of birding, however, particularly during migration periods or in winter when these birds intermingle more on their non-breeding ranges.”

Having pipers as such a high gift in the carol’s numerical count is very appropriate, as these are highly social birds that congregate in tremendous flocks throughout the year. They may even work together while foraging, darting back and forth into shallow waters or wave edges as they chase after worms, insects, and other prey. Many sandpipers will joined mixed flocks at times, making it even more possible to spot more than one type of sandpiper at once – though perhaps not 11 separate species in the same flock.”

Advanced-

“Ultimately, the gift of pipers piping is a gift of music. This season is fill with so many carols, ballads, orchestral pieces, and other amazing sounds, it’s hard not to think of the holidays when you hear certain chords or lyrics. Yet that also means that this musical gift could be a gift of any accomplished songbird, particularly one known for singing throughout the year, such as a number of thrushes, cardinals, chickadees, tits, lyrebirds, and other feathered musicians. These birds are more likely to stay in their same range year-round, and thus not only are more apt to be spotted during the holiday season, but will be using song to help claim their territory right when festive music is at its height. And that’s music to a birder’s ears!” Be Your Own Birder

Lesson-

Eleven is a sexy, natural, prime- piping pipers playing bird songs. Sing.

Song #11. A Song For You, by, Leon Russell.

Ten Lords a Leaping

Intro-

Reminds me of a scene in the ballet, The Nutcracker. The Russian dance, as I just found out, is called the Trepak. “Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's famous 1892 ballet The Nutcracker Russian dance scene where men in tights gallantly leap around the stage”.

Basic-

Lords: "one who guards the loaves," from hlaf "bread, loaf" (see loaf (n.)) + weard "keeper, guardian;" "perceive, watch out for".

Leaping: "to jump, spring clear of the ground by force of an initial bound; run, go; dance,”

Proficient-

Think beyond stereotypical gender roles. If Ladies are “kneaders of the bread” and Lords are “guardians of the loaves,” which roll are you? A kneader or a protector? What are you making/ producing? What are you protecting? Daily.

Advanced-

Ten is a Dance. A Leap into non-action action. I Count. One, two three, one two three; two Ten.

Return again and again. To Ten.

I.Playlist song #10, The Returner by Allison Russel.

Nine Ladies Dancing

Intro-

Now we’re talking! Or dancing I should say. From maids-a-milkin’ to Nine Ladies Dancing. One of my personal 9 values of I.School IS Dance.

Basic-

Lady: apparently and literally "one who kneads bread," from hlaf "bread" (see loaf (n.)) + -dige "maid," which is related to dæge "maker of dough" (which is the first element in dairy; see dey (n.1)). Also compare lord (n.)). Century Dictionary finds this etymology "improbable," and OED rates it "not very plausible with regard to sense," but no one seems to have a better explanation. Etymology Dictionary

Dance: Meaning "to leap or spring with regular or irregular steps as an expression of some emotion." ED

Proficienty-

Move. Which brings me to a proficient question. Kids in school move/ dance seldom. Below basic. Withholding. Opposite of proficiently- “to move forward.” Literally.

Kids need to move because physical activity is crucial for their overall development, including their physical health, cognitive abilities, social skills, and emotional well-being; movement stimulates brain development, improves coordination, builds strength, and can even enhance focus and learning capabilities. Psychology Today.

I will dance around reasons why I think there is a lack of movement in schools. My real question is this- why do we dance around the conversations? “Kids need to move.” Right! “It’s a shame kids don’t exercise.” Agreed. Now what?

End of conversation.

Advanced-

“If I could tell you what it meant, there would be no point dancing it.” Isadora Duncan.

Nine Values.

Song. Walk the Moon, “Shut up and Dance”.

Eight Maids a Milking

Intro-

In true I.School fashion, we take an obscure phrase and try to make sense of it. I picture Eight Maids-a-Milking like the pictures. 8 young, apron clad women literally milking cows. Isn’t that the image, the story conjured up within the song? Until this project, that was my minds picturesque scene as well. Step one. Break down each word. Step two. Search the origin of the words. Re-interpret. Three step process. The rest is left to you. The I.

Basic-

Eight: Octagon, in geometry, "a plane figure having eight angles and eight sides," 1650s, from Latin octagonos, from Greek oktagōnos, literally "eight-angled, eight-cornered," from okta- combining form of okto "eight" (see eight) + gōnia "angle," which is related to gony "knee" (from PIE root *genu- (1) "knee; angle"). Also octogon (1650s), from French octogone.

Maids: A word, used in Middle English of unmarried men as well as women (as in maiden-man, c. 1200, which was used of both sexes, reflecting also the generic use of man). From c. 1300 as "a virgin," also as "maidservant, female attendant, lady in waiting." By c. 1500 this had yielded the humbler sense of "female servant or attendant charged with domestic duties." Often with a qualifying word (housemaid, chambermaid, etc.); maid of all work "female servant who performs general housework" is by 1790.

Milk: "opaque white fluid secreted by mammary glands of female mammals, suited to the nourishment of their young,"

Proficient-

Proper definition of proficient is appropriate here. “Well-versed; to make progress; go forward, be useful” Advance. Interpretation.

Advanced-

Doubly Magic. Eight is considered a magic number in nuclear physics. Too advanced for me at this level of I.School, and I’m very interested into milking this topic more. A Quantum Leap.

It does not make sense.

As far as the Eighth verse in this song? My thought is this- Somewhere, sometime, somehow, for some reason, the meaning and/or words changed. The game (12 days of Christmas), rules reengineered.

“The exact origins and the meaning of the song are unknown, but it is highly probable that it originated from a children's memory and forfeit game”. History of Christmas Carols.

Time to Take a Break!

And the train conductor says
Take a break, Driver 8
Driver 8, take a break
We can reach our destination
But we're still a ways away, but it's still a ways away

Song #8 Playlist. “Driver 8",” by REM

Seven Swans a Swimming

Intro-

Song aside for Swans. I think of the story of the Ugly Duckling. A misfit chick, until realizing True inner nature.

“The duckling, now having fully grown and matured, cannot endure a life of solitude and hardship anymore. He decides to throw himself at a flock of swans, feeling that it is better to be killed by such beautiful birds than to live a life of ugliness. He is shocked when the swans welcome and accept him, only to realise by looking at his reflection in the water that he had been not a duckling but a swan all this time. The flock takes to the air, and he spreads his wings to take flight with the rest of his new family.”

Basic-

Swans are the largest extant members of the waterfowl family Anatidae and are among the largest flying birds. The largest living species, including the mute swan, trumpeter swan, and whooper swan, can reach a length of over 1.5 m (59 in) and weigh over 15 kg (33 lb). Their wingspans can be over 3.1 m (10 ft). Compared to the closely related geese, they are much larger and have proportionally larger feet and necks. Adults also have a patch of unfeathered skin between the eyes and bill. The sexes are alike in plumage, but males are generally bigger and heavier than females. The biggest species of swan ever was the extinct Cygnus falconeri, a flightless giant swan known from fossils found on the Mediterranean islands of Malta and Sicily. Its disappearance is thought to have resulted from extreme climate fluctuations or the arrival of superior predators and competitors.

The Northern Hemisphere species of swan have pure white plumage, but the Southern Hemisphere species are mixed black and white. The Australian black swan (Cygnus atratus) is completely black except for the white flight feathers on its wings; the chicks of black swans are light grey. The South American black-necked swan has a white body with a black neck. Wikipedia

Proficient-

In Christmas, some believe Seven Swans Swimming are analogous to Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom (the greatest gift), Understanding (ones purpose), Council (guidance from the Wise), Fortitude (courage), Knowledge (path to Wisdom), Piety (reverence), Awe/ Wonder (fear of separation from something greater, Wisdom).

Advanced-

In a very shortened Greek Myth, Leda and The Swan produced Helen, which is a daughter of Nemesis (the inescapable agent of someones downfall; retribution), the goddess who personified the disaster that awaited those suffering from the pride of Hubris (given to wantonness, insolent). Etymology Dictionary.

#7. Choices. Swan Song. Playlist- “Seventh Nation Army”, by The White Stripes.