I am such a sap for Aesop. He’s like wisdom in a can. Real simple. To the point. With a whiff of truth. His skinny books were all over my childhood … and all over my house. My first recollection is of “The Tortoise and the Hare” because … I think … it was actually … Continue reading I’m Such a Sap for Aesop
Category: Education
A Grave New World
The entire universe of education has been turned inside out over the last decade. Long-revered pedagogical precepts have been blue-penciled by classroom-allergic theorists now leveraged by profiteers who see public schools as the next sustainable profit-producing mother lode. And the political class … put into office by all of us … has mocked our vote … Continue reading A Grave New World
Mind Time
“Time, time, time ... see what's become of me …” I’m an old father now. Suddenly, it seems. My sons have sons. I own lots of memories. I polish the sweet ones and never dust the ones that hurt. I mind time now. I didn’t use to. In fact, like lots of you, I was reckless … Continue reading Mind Time
Lost Beans
On September 2nd, Diane Ravitch lost her beans. And she's never found them again. She skidded off into a rabid rant about Trump supporters and some "grizzled old man" in "a beaten-up, dirty truck" who "must have gone to public schools" because he didn't "look like a graduate of Andover or Exeter." I'll let you … Continue reading Lost Beans
About Those Statues
The Civil War took place when this nation was in the bumpiness of maturing. It was as much an economic conflict as it was any other. Slavery was most certainly one of the compelling issues ... but it was not the lone issue. There is, in this nation, a certain acknowledgement that different regions … Continue reading About Those Statues
This Needed To Be Said Long Ago …
This needed to be said long ago ... I dig Islamic history. And I’m not a diversity pusher. Nor a globalist. I’m no liberal or progressive. And I believe America is the finest place on the planet. But I still dig Islamic stuff. And Japanese stuff. And Dutch stuff. And Spanish stuff. The stuff I … Continue reading This Needed To Be Said Long Ago …
Déjà Vu All Over Again
Let's act like some steam-punks ... and do some time travel. It seems that present day educrats … think Arne Duncan, John King, and Bill Gates … might have channeled a dusty figure from the past. Meet Horace Mann who ... at times ... could actually be a pretty horrid man. Mann, a mid-nineteenth century peacock, was perhaps America’s … Continue reading Déjà Vu All Over Again
After School Routine
Here's an after-school routine that'll shock you some ... Grab ‘em by the ankles … turn ‘em upside down … and give a mighty shake. Do it every day … for a week or two … and see what tumbles out of their little noggins. Have a good stare. Too many schools aren’t just schools … Continue reading After School Routine
Missives Worth Reading 