Guest Column: Invest yourself in the next generation of this community | Opinion - The Puyallup Herald

Guest Column: Invest yourself in the next generation of this community Opinion - The Puyallup Herald

Guest column: Fundraisers have definitely changed significantly | Opinion - The Puyallup Herald

Guest column: Fundraisers have definitely changed significantly Opinion - The Puyallup Herald

My fellow 2011 Herald Guest Columnist, Diane Johnson, wrote this piece about a topic of interest to me and all teachers. What do you think?

An Open Letter to My Students

Dear Students,

I am here to assist you in learning. You are here to learn. The word "learn" is a verb. A verb is a word which names an action. In order to learn, you must be actively engaged in learning.

When I am unable to get you involved in your own learning I worry. I worry a lot. I cannot just give you knowledge and skills. You must seek them out. You must want to have them. If you are tuned out during instruction you miss important information. When you half-heartedly do assignments you miss important practice. If you then do an assessment without complete focus, you will achieve below your actual ability.

In September, I will see your WASL scores. I will take them very personally. Even though I am not the only teacher you have learned from, I will blame myself if you don't meet standard. If you do meet standard, I will recognize your other teachers contributions to your success, as well as yours. Every moment this year will have an important part to play in your future school success.

Progress Towards a Goal

At the beginning of the school year I set a substantial personal goal for myself. I want to complete the Seattle to Portland bike ride this July. Since that time I have been training for the event, though a little inconsistently. I am now able to ride for two hours at a moderate pace (12 mph average), but must increase both time/distance and pace to be successful. My plan is to ride the bulk of the event on the first day, staying in Kelso, Washington for the night. That would put me at about 150 miles, with only 54 to complete on Sunday. Ideally, I will increase my average speed to 15 mph+ so that I do not have to be on the road any longer than necessary on Saturday. Since January, I've dropped about ten pounds. I will need to lose a minimum twenty more to be able to complete the event. I have a ways to go!

The Kindness of Humans

Yesterday I witnessed the kind of thing that gives me hope for our future. I was on my way to pick up Christopher at day care. Near the Puget Sound Energy building, I noticed a couple of cars pulled over on the shoulder, and three people huddled around something. As I got closer, two of them turned and started walking. They were holding a male Mallard duck very gingerly. The duck was trying to peck at their hands, and obviously in distress. It seemed pretty clear that the duck had been injured some way, probably trying to cross the busy road. The people had taken the time to stop and help the bird, which was probably confused and afraid.

It was one of those moments that can really make my day. At the end of a long work day, with stress piled upon stress, and the serious responsibility of my job ever present in my mind, my load is lightened witnessing people behaving in a caring way. As I slowed and passed by these kind people I was able to forget the many narcissistic (Excessive love or admiration of oneself. A psychological condition characterized by self-preoccupation, lack of empathy, and unconscious deficits in self-esteem) individuals I am confronted with daily.

I believe we are heading toward the downfall of our nation if we do not do not reverse the stunning growth of narcissists within our population. The success of the United States has been built upon a belief that helping each other is beneficial to all. What needs to change? People need to ask, "What can I do to help?" not "What is in this for me?" It's as simple as that.