Greek Stories and Mr. Rose

We are now in the final push to the end of the semester and with it comes all the craziness that December brings.  Sometimes, what the students will remember most about school, are the times their teacher gave them compassion, consideration, or even the figurative swift kick in the pants.  Thinking back to my days in high school, I had many teachers that did the latter, but none more than Mr. Rose.  Mr. Rose was my 12th grade English teacher and is the reason I have a representation of Sisyphus in my office.  You see, Mr. Rose taught the mythological Greek story in class and for me, it was far from engaging.  About 4 years ago, I was notified by my parents of the passing of Mr. Rose.  On the same day, I saw the statue in a Home Goods store.  I immediately thought of Mr. Rose and how difficult he made my life as Senior in high school. I still don’t know why, but I was compelled to make the purchase. There is one difference between Sisyphus in Greek mythology and the statue on the table.  The statue has someone helping Sisyphus roll the boulder up the hill. My interpretation is that we all have our own boulder to roll and help, in whatever form, is appreciated.  Thank you Mr. Rose, lesson learned.  Job well done.  Enjoy your weekend. Go Pups! (cue Beatles: Here Comes The Sun) 

Piers Plowman

There is nothing like the crisp mornings of Fall. We all know that when the cooler weather arrives, the vacation times are not too far off. With that anticipation comes students that get a bit rambunctious. It is for this reason, I am almost certain William Langland, author of Piers Plowman, had to be a teacher. In that narrative poem, written between 1360 and 1387, Langland is credited for having said “maxima enim, patientia virtus” (patience is the greatest virtue). Chaucer, between 1387 and 1400, later wrote in Canterbury Tales that "Patience is a high virtue... but virtue can hurt you." No doubt that the sentiment of these two gentlemen were correct. Patience is important. Have an awesome weekend. Go Pups! (cue Kenny Loggins: This Is It)

November is Here

November is here!  If you are anything like me, you welcome the cooler weather.  These days of crisp mornings and nice afternoons are the best.  (Much better than the breezy allergy filled Spring). Optimism fills the air as our students get the college applications done.  We should notice the little things around us during these times.  Take the time to acknowledge the hard work of a colleague.  Reach out to a student that works quietly to say, “Nice job.”.  We all know the big things we need to do to make our school function, but it is the little things that give us the smooth waters to sail. Have an awesome weekend. Go Pups! (cue Phil Collins:  In The Air Tonight) 

Senior Nights

What a week!  I always like to watch the Senior nights.  It always gives me an opportunity to reflect on what we do. Some students only participate in one extracurricular activity during their time in high school and Senior Night may be the last time they participate in their home venue.  Many try to trick themselves into believing they will never have to say goodbye to the activity, the camaraderie, or even the difficult practices, but they do. Very few continue at a collegiate level and they know it.  The feelings and emotions the kids feel are real and something they have never experienced before. For them, it is difficult to explain and only truly understood by others who have been in the same position. I am humbled by the hours and hours our students, coaches, and parents log during a season.  The relationships and bonds that are built during a season of performance have the power to change lives.  It is truly amazing! Have an extraordinary weekend. Go Pups! (cue Bon Jovi:  It’s My Life) 

This Is Me

The middle of October is here and with it some cooler weather.  This is the time to build a movie watching list and I have a recommendation:  The Greatest Showman.  After having seen it several times, it is still captivating.  The song ‘This Is Me’ from the movie makes me think about high school students. Sometimes teenagers are mean and they attack other teens that are a bit awkward.  As adults, we see all teens as a bit awkward at times.  The song makes reference to people who attack others and offers an appropriate response:  When the sharpest words wanna cut me down; I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out; I am brave, I am bruised; I am who I'm meant to be, this is me. What a message!  Of course words hurt, but be brave and larger than those that say them.  We should encourage our students to be who they are.  Have an exceptional weekend. Go Pups! (cue Keala Settle, Greatest Showman Ensemble: This Is Me) 

Homecoming

Homecoming has now past and October has arrived.  The cooler weather is upon us and it could not have come at a better time.  Hot weather seems to make for shorter fuses in our students.  As educators we all learn patience during the months of October and March…long stretches with no 3-day weekends.  When challenges arise, I always ask myself a question about perception or reality. Are these concepts the same?  Probably not.  We need to understand that a student perception is their reality.  We should seek to understand their perception and the lens with which they view us. Have a most wonderful weekend. Go Pups! (cue Foreigner: Juke Box Hero) 

 

First Day of Fall

The first day of Fall was this past Saturday and the heat of the summer remains.  We are all looking for a change and a change will soon be coming.  We are happy the forecast is for after homecoming.  No matter when it arrives, it will not last.  What remains will be glorious weather.  As I wrote back in 2014, whether rain is literal or metaphorical, just remember that in both cases, it takes both rain and sun to make a rainbow.  That is always a lesson we need to teach our students.  The measure of a person’s character is not how they perform during the easy times, it’s how they persevere in difficult ones.  Don’t quit, wait out the rain, and cherish the rainbow.  Have an outstanding Friday and an even better homecoming.  Go Pups! (cue Creedence Clearwater Revival: Have You Ever Seen The Rain)

What's Your Soundtrack?

Many of you have asked why I make musical references in my weekly update.  Here is the explanation from my update on October 10, 2014:  I guess it’s time I explain why I have musical references in my updates.  When I was young, I lived in the country with only 3 TV stations, but we had radio and a great set of 8-tracks (Don’t hate!).  Around the house and on long trips we used to play games such as “Name that Tune” as the new song switched on the radio (first to yell the title won) or “If I was in a movie, what would the soundtrack be?”  The brainstorm of songs was hilarious to say the least.  Now however, the games are gone but the great memories and the soundtracks remain.  So the song references are reminders that however stressed or difficult times may be, there is always time to smile and possibly create a new memory.  So ask yourself, what soundtrack is playing?  Have a remarkable Friday and a most excellent weekend.  Go Pups! (cue: Michael Jackson – Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’)

Embrace the Good Things

Now that Spring Break is over, we look forward to the final push to graduation. Events are going to come and go at an increasingly fast pace, stress levels will be on the rise, and the weather is getting warmer.  Take the time to slow down and actually see the world around you.  Embrace the good things, throw away the bad things, and strive everyday to be better.  Isn’t this what we are asking our students to do?  Maybe we should spend the weekend swinging in a hammock pondering that question, or, since your in the hammock, read a good book or simply sleep. Have a fabulous weekend…Go Pups! (cue: David Lantz and Pual Spear – Behind the Waterfall)

Valentine's Day

 We are now into the second half of February having just past Valentines Day.  As one of our celebrated ‘holidays’, many simply buy the obligatory card and flowers.  The origin however is much more interesting. Legend has it that Valentine was a priest during the rule of Cladius II. The emperor decided that single men made better soldiers so he outlawed marriage. Valentine defied the law and continued to perform ceremonies in secret. When Emperor Cladius II discovered this, Valentine was put to death.  Makes for a compelling story, but not historically accurate.  Valentine, was real and Cladius II did actually sentence him to death on February 14th for cimes against Rome. Quite interesting how the story changes.  I guess it is not much different than today.  Sometimes it is hard to believe all the stories we hear. That being said, I choose to assume the best of intentions. Have a super weekend…Go Pups! (cue: Andrea Bocelli – Con Te Partiro)

New Year

Happy New Year!  I think I am okay saying that until the end of January.  As for the weekend, thanks to Martin Luther King Jr., there is no school on Monday. For that, we should probably remember the issues for which Reverend King stood.  His push for civil rights through civil disobedience and nonviolence was inspirational at the very least.  As a Nobel Peace Prize winner, he was devoted to equality for all.  In his famous ‘I Have A Dream’ speech delivered on August 28, 1963, he made the most famous statement, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” Powerful words that today we look at and say, “dah”! Judge people on the content of their character? Absolutely!  Everytime.  Thank you Dr. King for your profound words and actions.  We will forever be grateful. Enjoy yourself and have an unbelievable weekend…Go Pups! (cue: Pete Seeger – We Shall Overcome)