Twlight

    I sat down to write this because my beloved Grandmother was worried about my soul. I've written before about my early spiritual experiences and they weren't always so great. While those experiences made it difficult for me as a young Christian they are in no way my only defining spiritual experiences.  I don't like to make declarations about what I believe. It seems like a risk. Risking hurt feelings, misunderstandings, and general discomfort. I believe every person has to find their own beliefs. I also know I am flawed and surely have some wonky ideas. Don't take this as everything I believe or will one day. Change comes with every breath.

Having made my disclaimer, I can make a few statements with utmost certainty.
           Jesus was a prophet who spoke, lived and died for the godly love of every other living person.  EVERY living person regardless of age, race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation. Seriously, every single person excluding.... no one.
       The universe is a miracle. The universe is full of energy. It was created billions of years ago and it will continue for billions more.
         Science isn't a conspiracy. Science is, full of humans doing their best to quantify the miracle swirling all around us. If science doesn't amaze you then you aren't paying enough attention.
         
      As a child I heard the stories of this amazing man, some called him the son of god, some the light, others the shepherd. Whatever name maybe used he has had a lasting impact on the creation of my spiritual self. The passion and love for the ill, the forsaken, the young, the meek and the unwanted has shone through my actions for many years now. However, this wasn't the only influence on my spirit.            Other leaders words and actions have been like a lamp for my wanderings in this often dark, confusing world.  Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of absorbing evil with love and turning an enemy into a friend. I know and teach this simple truth, more hate cannot create love. Ghandi called for those of us who desire change to be the change we wish to see around us. The power of self control and responsibility is endless. My father taught me to control my emotions and always look to logic. Then there was my own dear mother. The love she has for people isn't diminished by disability, sexual orientation, or race.

Luke 6:37
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Matthew 7:11"Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2"For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.…

I am not perfect, I have not only walked in light every day of my life.  The dark isn't my nature either. I guess I'll call it twlight. I'm doing the best I can but I know the dark will always be around the corner.

Props Poem

Teach Deserves Props

Listen here!

I’ve taught in the Barrio.

I’ve had parent teacher conferences,

with tear drop tattoos,

across the table.

Get out da' way

and let me do what I do!

Teach children

Math and vocabulary,

Kindness and tolerance,

Statistics, physics and future aspirations.

I've faced
twisters,
armed shooters,
disaster and swine flu.
The cuts we've taken
are harder hits.
I hope it isn't the end.

Won't Be a Fool Twice

School Stats
School:	Independence Elementary	Columbus Enterprise Elementary School
Grade:	C	B
Funding:	City and State only funds	City, State, and Federal Funds
Poverty:	Less Poverty	High Poverty
Safety:	Low rates of gang violence	Highest rates of gang related homicides in Oklahoma
Classroom Support
Curriculum:	1 curriculum up to current standards	3 curriculums up to current standards
Special services:	Blind Services: drops off equipment and checks progress once a month.	Blind Services: Weekly 30 min-1 hour sessions to teach important skills like typing to the students.
Technology:	2 computers	Early Learning system in classroom with 4 desktops, and extra 2 desktops for general use.
	Little parental support or involvement.	Some mothers were so dedicated they worked as low paid assistants to improve the school.
Assistant:	No assistant	Bi-Lingual Full-time Assistant
Special education staff:	4 special education teachers	1 Special Education teacher
Confidence in Special Education:	Occassionally questioned the legality of actions in special education department	Frequently questioned the legality of actions in special education department
Development:	No teachers attended Education conferences	Select teachers took trips to Education conferences (in city and nationally)
Supplies:	Closet empty other than a strange piles of worksheets	Learning games, bingos, manipulatives, teaching aids, books, organizational gear
Fundraising:	There are fundraisers, not sure what they fund	Organized Fundraising Efforts
Supply	$20 supply “fund”	Order forms to request at will needed basic supplies.
Technology:	Smartboard	Smartboard, Elmo Camera, Smart Clickers
Your Pocketbook
Raises:	No Raises 7 years	No Raises 7 years
Pay:	$2,200 per month	$2,500-$3,000 per month
Supply Source:	Most supplies provided by teacher	Most supplies provided by school
Time Compensation:	Not paid for missed planning	Paid for missed planning
Loan Forgiveness:	$0 in teacher loan forgiveness	$5000 in teacher loan forgiveness
Time Compensation	Not paid for supervising extra students	Paid for supervising extra students
Time Compensation	Not paid for outside professional development	Paid for outside professional development
The Bottom Line
Student outcomes:	Does a worse job educating at risk students	Does a better job increasing performance
Value:	Not getting your money’s worth	Great Investment

10 Ten Reasons I Burnt Out of Education

Why I won’t be In the classroom next year

1.    30 students in one classroom isn’t safe or functional.

2.    I shouldn't be told to find my lessons on Pinterest.

3.    All schools, even suburban schools are crippled by these cuts.

4.    Oklahoma education compares most closely with Kazakhstan.

5.    I know felons and college drop outs who make significantly more every year in salary, bonuses, and raises.

6.    After 7 years without any increase in wages it is no longer financially responsible for me to stay in education.

7.    I’m certified to teach the blind/visually impaired. I have 3 VI students, yet still I don’t get paid as a teacher of the visually impaired.

8.    I want my children to have the quality of education I benefited from. It is no longer enough that I am an educator. I must lend my voice to bring about change in education if we hope to have a bright future.

9.    Poor education and ignorance are some of the most easily avoided challenges. We are a rich, growing and vibrant state. We can provide quality education!

10.   We all rise together.

OKIE Proud

Why I Rally!

I am here today, not for me but for my 59 students back in Yukon. Working incredibly hard to achieve higher standards without complete curriculum or adequate supplies.

Not for me but for the teachers all over the state willing to face shooters, tornados and test pushers to protect this state's children.

 A loud RED Reminder,  if congressmen in their fancy suits had been doing their jobs none of us would have to be here!

I won’t beg for the budget we had in 2008, I’m demanding better.

Readers:

Do you rally? 

Would you rally?