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.

Responsibility

Teachers have a huge load of responsibility. This cargo comes in a number of different forms.

First, we have the responsibility to educate our students. We want to see them be successful. When they fail, we take it personally. Even after thirteen years of school, if they struggle, we may see that one year we taught them as the critical moment.

When I say we, I really mean me. I worry about my students' future every day, both on an individual level and a global level. People tell me I shouldn't take it personally. Yeah, uh huh. I challenge you all to work with children every day and not take their struggles personally.

Another area where responsibility applies is safety. Teachers must be aware of their students whereabouts at all times they are in their charge. If two students together equals a safety issue, teachers must be sure they are never together unsupervised, such as in the rest room. Tipping back in a chair may seem inconsequential, but my student teaching supervisor didn't think so twenty years ago, and I don't tolerate it today.

We are responsible for our students' self-image. We should be constantly building on their strengths and successes, and minimizing their shortcomings. The human psyche is a fragile thing. One teacher, saying one thing at the wrong time can crush a sensitive child's ambition to succeed. Who wants to be responsible for that?

Teachers must care. It comes down to that. We can't afford not to.

Snarling About Snow

Today is our second day back after an unexpected break due to snow. Road conditions made it unsafe in many parts of our district for buses and cars to be out driving. At such times, you hear complaints from many residents who come from more snowy parts of our country, such as the midwest and New England.

These people are usually disgusted by our inability to deal with snow and ice in our area. They don't seem to understand that the relative rarity of snow makes it impractical to have and maintain snow removal equipment, so local governments have minimal numbers of snowplows and sanders. This fact, along with the inexperience of northwest natives driving in these conditions, tends to make driving a nightmare.

If this is really such an intolerable situation for non-native northwesterners, complaining will do nothing but create additional stress and tension. Employers need to be more flexible and understanding of their employees with children, especially when emergency child care is a problem. Not everybody has options in such a situation.

Finally, if my words aren't enough to smooth over the anger, read this article by a friend.