Education Activists

It's nice to know that there are activists supporting teachers. This L.A. Times article reported on a lawsuit regarding the following:

The complaint says California's student population is "among the most challenging in the nation," with the largest number of students learning English and among the highest numbers of students living in poverty. Yet California's per-pupil funding, especially when adjusted for cost of living, is among the lowest in the nation. And the budget cuts of the last several years have only made matters worse, education advocates say.

Photo retrieved from: Mrs. Chili's Blog.

Summer Algebra 2

I have 41 students in my summer school class. We meet five hours a day. This is not a sarcastic comment: the class is really going okay. It's actually quite enjoyable. The students participate, and it's pretty quiet when I teach. Twelve days per session, I'm teaching both sessions. Two days down, twenty-two to go.

The Element (Chpt. 2)

In chapter two, "Think Differently", Robinson continues to argue against standardized tests. Tests such as the SATs measure mathematics and verbal reasoning skills, not intelligence. Intelligence, manifested in multiple forms, is diverse, dynamic, and distinct. Millions of hours are spent by motivated and bright teenagers in studying for the SATs during the prime of their lives. What a waste!

It's a wrap

The school year is over. There are mixed emotions at the end of an academic term: exhaustion, gratitude, and satisfaction. I also have a profound sense of emptiness. The classroom is physically emptied of students. My calendar is emptied of appointments (for a few days). The energy and spirit in my gas tank is also emptied. I am so tired. Another chapter closes. This chapter leaves me with more questions than answers, but I'll turn the page. Summer school starts Wednesday.

Retirement Luncheon

We celebrated the retirement of a few veteran teachers. They all seemed to be in good spirit and happy to be retiring. One of the teachers has taught at this school for 38 years. Congratulations to them all.

On my way back home, I picked up a new laptop computer. I intend to make the best of it this coming school year. This is only my beginning.

Sierra HS Graduation

Our district's continuation high school held its commencement this afternoon. The students invited former teachers who had positively influenced them to attend the ceremony. I was honored to have been invited by two of the graduates, Chris and Irene. It was a nice, short, and simply event as I walked with the graduates in traditional gowns. Congratulations to SHS c/o 2010. I'm proud that you seized the opportunity to make the best of your second chances.

The Element (Chpt. 1)

Sir Ken Robinson is one of my favorite speakers, I'm a huge fan of his first and second talk. I am reading his book, The Element. In the first chapter, he points out three features in the U.S. education system. First, it is focused on academic ability, particularly with words and numbers. Second, it has a hierarchy of subjects. And third, it is highly reliant on particular types of assessment. Consequently, children do not get the opportunities to explore their talents. How can we find our passion and our element. "The features are aptitude and passion. The conditions are attitude and opportunity. The sequence goes something like this: I get it; I love it; I want it; Where is it?"

From the Coach

“Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out.” - John Wooden

photo from: http://www.socksoff.co.uk

My 1st Prezi

Design_Paper on Prezi

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Dan Pink on motivation

The surprising findings on what motivates us. I always wished I had artistic skills like this.

Disenthrall

A new TED video of Sir Ken Robinson is available! His 2006 talk is still one of my favorites. The most poignant point that he makes this time is that our education system is based on a fast food model. Also, he suggests that we cannot just try to improve on this broken system. A transformation is in much need.

Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution! | Video on TED.com

Varsity Banquet

This afternoon, the team celebrated a successful season of badminton. The players and I ate pizzas and pizookies at the BJ's in Arcadia. It's been a trying season for me personally, no one on the team will ever really know what I've sacrificed and lost to make time to coach. I have to believe that something good ultimately will come out of this season. After handing out the awards, I told the group that I just hope that they had fun.

Gift from a student

My student Julianna had been telling me about her ceramic pig for weeks. She insisted that she'll give it to me. I jokingly insisted that I didn't want to see it. Today, my pig arrived. On the other side of the pig, it reads "Increase the Peace". Cute.

Honors Pre-test

The math department gave out honors and AP pre-tests to students this afternoon. It's always refreshing to see students who are willing to stay after school to take a math test. These are the top students that our schools have to offer academically. Let's hope that we'll get our top students passing more and more AP tests.

The starfish story

On our last day of Link training, my coach John gave us this starfish pin and told us the related story. John's a masterful storyteller, his message really touched me. It closely reflected how I often feel as a public school teacher...

At a beach, a young man is picking up stranded starfish and throwing them back into the sea. An old man gazed in wonder as the young man again and again threw the small starfish from the sand to the water. He asked, "Young man, why do you spend so much energy doing what seems to be a waste of time. There're thousands, if not millions of dying starfish." The young man explained that the stranded starfish would die if left in the morning sun. "You can't save them all!" exclaimed the old man. The young man looked at the small starfish in his hand and threw it to the sea, and said, "Well, I saved that one!"