Education as more than a Fast Food Model

Oh how I love Sir Ken Robinson. He spoke at TED 4 years ago, and then returned again this year. He inspires me...

Yes! College does not begin at Kindergarten. Children should not be expected to sit before a committee determining whether or not they have 'qualified' for Super Fancy Kindergarten. Each child should have access to the best schools, not just the ones who have been born into a corner of the world where their parents advocate for good education and can finance private tutors and lessons.

Yes! Why do we expect every child to go to Kindergarten?!?! What's wrong with being a firefighter, or servicemen or massage therapist. These people impact my daily life and I love them! And the uniforms mmmm mmmm

Yes! Schools should not be set up on a fast food model where each 1st grade classroom is exactly like every other one. Schools should be like all the local restaurants we love. Each one different, each one resonating with the community it resides in. Each child's education should be personalized. Their interests should be highlighted and encouraged.

Perhaps my favorite moment was as Sir Ken set up the Abraham Lincoln speech. He referenced the date and then went on to say that he has not idea what was happening in society then. You see, in Britain they don't teach american history. Well in America they do. I was taught American history for 12+ years. And you know what Sir Ken? I don't know what was happening in society then either, so Ha!

a welcome distraction

Funerals suck. Viewings suck. Gravesite memorials suck. They suck big hairy donkey balls.

I love, love, love being Jewish. B/c being Jewish commands us to "bury our dead as quickly as possible." B/c burying our dead quickly allows the process to have an end, a quick end rather than a long drawn out week of torture.

Throughout said viewing, funeral and gravesite memorializing, I was asked many times- you're really going back to work? You can't get the rest of the day off? Are you sure you can handle that?

To those questions I answer Yes! (a: no one was available to finish my day and b: just look at the rest of my day)

I return to school during naptime, noone awake (praise the lord, its a miracle!) As my kiddos begin waking up I get one of 2 reactions...

Starring almost like they've seen a ghost. or my favorite. Chanting of Carri! Carri! Carri! Followed by lots and lots of hugs as if we are long lost friend who haven't seen each other in years, as opposed to 24 hours.

I said throughout the day, my children better be angels when I get back. And they mostly were. There was the boy wearing underwear at school for the first time and he made it through the afternoon with no accidents. none. Soooo proud of him. There was the girl who insisted I sit down and read the same book a bazillion times, but it was worth it to see the smiles on her face. There was the random comments that always punctuate our conversations: "I'm making a veil cause I'm getting wedding-ed!" "I'm having a campout. A pesto campout" "It's super hot here. But its ok cause I was born in Arizona. It's super duper hot there"

I remember when my grandma died, I couldn't wait to get back to my classroom. I remember when dear friends shipped off to the desert, I couldn't wait to get back to my kiddos. I remember when everything in my life was changing (oh like moving cross country) and the only place that made sense was my classroom with my kiddos and my materials and playing all day.

Yes, everyday they drive me INSANE! But yes, everyday they bring me such joy.

Except when from the bathroom I hear the dreaded words..."Teacher, why is my poop on the floor?" Oy! and lots and lots of Bleach! I'm all for using non toxic, green cleaners. But there are some things that can only be solved by a gallon of bleach