" Those who can do more..." 'Michael A. Herr' (Aloha Friday)

Renowned author Michael Herr is back guest-blogging on this awesome Aloha Friday talking about the teaching profession and what it's really about...  Make sure and check out Michael's website at; http://www.michaelherr.com/

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It's Aloha Friday.

"Those who can do more ?"Aloha folks,

An old saying goes, "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."
I believe that the saying should be "Those who can, do. Those who can do more, teach."

I began teaching in September . . . 1965. I hung in there for thirty-four and one-half years. Probably more like forty if you count in overtime, for which I did not get paid. When I was teaching, teachers were expected to show up for Carnivals and Fun Days and spend the entire day working in order to raise money for the PTA or similar group. It was enjoyable, but it was time spent away from my family. I was also expected to prepare my classroom for Back-to-School night and I stayed after school for Parent-Teacher Conferences. It was what I had signed on for, and I fulfilled all my duties. Even sitting there in my room waiting time after time for a parent who didn't show, and didn't notify me that they weren't coming.

I've heard the word 'idealistic' applied to teachers many times. I started off idealistic, but I lost a great deal of my idealism in my first year of teaching. I was working in San Francisco, teaching students from the Bay View and Hunters Point areas. I was hired to teach English to 7th thru 9th graders in a middle school. When my students couldn't read the texts assigned by the District for their grade level, I did some quick testing of my own. I soon found that my average 9th grader was reading at a 3rd grade level, barely. I junked the District text (Robinson Crusoe) and began buying paperback books, high interest, low reading level. A little of my money; some free books through sales of Scholastic books to my students (one free book for me for every 4 or 5 books my students purchased). I gradually built up a library of easy to read books. Together my students and I made progress.

Then other things started to take my interest. Like the fact that we had to chain and padlock many of the doors leading out of the school, because too many bad guys were using them to get into the school to sell drugs and do other bad stuff. We had riots in the area, and they spilled over into the school. We survived them. But I finally had enough of inner-city schools when one of my 7th graders didn't come to class. At first none of the other students would tell me why he was absent. Finally I found out that he had cut school, gone to the elementary school next door, and had raped a 3rd grade girl in the bathroom there. I copped out. I applied for a job in the suburbs and moved my wife and son there with me. I figured things would be better teaching kids in the suburbs. Wrong. There were still lots of problems there. In my first year in the suburbs I discovered that the pudgy twin 5th grade girls in my math class were being regularly sexually abused by their father. In my third or fourth year an estranged husband came on site and shot his wife to death as she waited in the parking circle after dropping off their Kindergartner. About six years into my service at this suburban school a 6th grade boy killed a female classmate after she refused his sexual advances.

But there were also the good kids, the bright kids and the average kids. Kids who were just kids. Who were willing to learn, sometimes even eager, if you just helped them a little. Some of my students went on to become enormously successful. I'd like to think some of their success was because of my work with them. But I also know that most of those who succeeded would have succeeded even if I'd never met them.

There are still lots and lots of good bright kids in our schools. But they aren't going to learn if we keep cutting the school day, cutting the school year, cutting the school budget.

We have lots of truly wonderful teachers, though, as with any profession, there are some real duds out there. Some who are not dedicated, or much less idealistic. But we have good people in oh so many of our classrooms. It's just too bad that so many of those good people get pushed into Administration. Why? Because they can make more of a living wage as a school administrator.
We have some really big problems with our schools here in the USA. Solutions to those problems are hard to come by, and aren't accomplished overnight. But we keep working at finding answers. And one day we will.

In the meantime, this does apply to so very many of our teachers — "Those who can do more, TEACH."

Okay folks, see you next week.

check out Michael's website at http://www.michaelherr.com/ 

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

 

ALOHA FRIDAY

June 1, 2012

"Local Superhero revealed..." 'Obama Da Dog'

Obama Da Dog speaks tongue and cheek about Kauai's own Superhero...

editors note, this blog  is tongue and cheek and meant to bring smiles to peoples faces! To understand this blog you need to either  be familiar with the Kaua'i Garden Island news editorial page or just catch on quick, which I am sure you will. The people I speak of in this article  constantly echo each others thoughts, with that said I think you will get the gist of this with the knowledge that "ready fire aim" is a favorite quote of Mr. Mickens. Hope you enjoy....

 For those of you familiar with the Kaua'i Garden Island editorial  forum and know the regular letter writer's styles I have come to the conclusion;

 It's a bird, it's a plane it's Glenn Mickens and Walter Lewis are one in the same person.  Just Like like Bruce Wayne is actually Batman and Clark Kent is Superman,  Glenn Mickens is actually  superhero Walter Lewis.

Whether it's about bike paths, roads, the Kaua'i Marathon or politicians overspending, these men stand in unison with "truth, justice the American way."

 All I can say is "ready fire, aim!"

Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.

"School days..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesdays)

Guest-blogger Bettejo Dux is one of Kauai's most colorful people, she has lived on the cosmic island of Kaua'i for over 40 years... She is an animal lover, people lover and enjoys life to the fullest.Today she guest blogs about  "School days..." and how truth and justice shall prevail plus as an encore(Hana Hou)  of  her daughter Blu singing her award winning song on YouTube- "Kalaheo shuffle."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT0YuQLhBVo
 Bettejo  also  publishes her own blog column.
You can check it out at ;  http://www.bettejo.wordpress.com .   Besides her blog she recently published and authored the humorous fiction book, "The Scam," check it out at(www.bettejodux.com) or  on Amazon.

"School Days..."

This can be filed in the ‘how in the hell did I get here’ folder, but interesting, I think, because, surely, we are the living product of our past.

I graduated from Tamalpais Union High School in June 1947, at sixteen, and started to college in the fall as a pre med major. Hated it. I wanted to act,  I wanted to write, but my father wanted me to be a doctor and those were the days when father knew best. The first time someone handed me a frog to chop  there was  mayhem in the class.

But I did love Math, so I took a Freshman class in accelerated Math, four years of High School Math rolled up in one. Don’t think I missed a problem all year and was Dr. Llewellyn’s pet.  I could do no wrong, I was the littlest, the youngest, the only girl, all the rest of the class were young men returning to school on the GI.
Whenever one of those guys would go to the board to solve a problem and couldn't, Dr. Llewellyn would say, “Well let’s see if little Bettejo can solve it,” and ‘little Bettejo’ would. By the end of the year all those darling young guys hated me. So, in my sophomore year I said, “This is stupid, ” and changed my major. Drinkin’, smokin’ and boys became the order of the day.

At the same time I took Psych 101. Dr. Pencharz. She had the most terrible voice, wore a red wig and  didn't like me any better than I liked her. The kids in this class were serious students. Big guys, girls and boys, and for some reason or other Pencharz decided to make me the goat. The class, at her direction, would play tricks on me. The entire class would agree on something obviously stupid, and noisily, jointly, nastily attempt  to prove me wrong in my correct observation. I never caved. I stood my ground and faced that bunch.

I did not get good grades in this class – I’d almost always been an A student- so at the end of the year when Pencharz assigned  a term paper that would be valued at a third of our grade average, I reveled.  Pencharz knew herself well enough to know that if she didn't like you she couldn't grade you fairly so we numbered, instead of signed, our papers.

When the papers were returned, mine didn't. I went to the desk and said, “Dr. Pencharz, I didn't get my paper back.” “Did you do one?” she croaked.  I nodded.  ”What was your number?” I told her.
With that she reached into a lower drawer and pulled from a crisp manila folder what was probably the only A+ paper she’d ever given anyone in her entire life. “Who did it for you?” She said and snatched the paper from the folder and handed me a crumpled mess.Do you think this might explain my actions on-line?

All Americans, not just women, are facing a force they had better learn is real and fierce and dedicated. Powerful and rich. They’ll stop at nothing. They’ll stoop lower than a sunken hulk in the deepest sea; but, trust me, we’ll defeat them. The truth will out, it always does.

Encore blog, (Hana Hou) Blu Dux, "Kalaheo Shuffle..."  

I had the pleasure this past Memorial day to meet Bettejo's daughter Blu. Enclosed is her award winning song on YouTube; "Kalaheo Shuffle." Please take a minute relax and listen, it's a great song...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT0YuQLhBVo


Bettejo has a blog of her own you can check out at ; http://www.bettejo.wordpress.com  


Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.


http://www.bettejodux.com/



"Chutzpah..." 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source)

Dakinetalks good friend and regular contributor is back explaining one of my favorite words, "Chutzpah!"
Unc is a reitred cinematographer living his twilight years on the island of Oahu. Chester served in the Korean war and enjoys the naturist lifestyle. He also wishes everyone a Happy Memorial day!

"Chutzpah" is a Yiddish word meaning gall, brazen nerve,  effrontery, sheer guts plus arrogance; it's Yiddish and , as Leo Rosten writes, "no other word, and no other language," can do it justice.

 

A little old lady sold pretzels on a street corner for 25 cents each.. Every day a young man would leave his office building at lunch time, and as he passed the pretzel stand, he would leave her a quarter, but never take a pretzel.

This went on for more than 3 years. The two of them never spoke. One day, as the young man passed the old lady's stand and left his quarter as usual, the pretzel lady spoke to him.  Without blinking an eye she said;

 

"They're 35 cents now."

Encore (Hana Hou) For a different perspective on what Memorial day means read today's, "Got Windmills blog by Andy Parx
"WHERE HAVE ALL THE COLLIE FLOWERS GONE..."
http://parxnewsdaily.blogspot.com/2012/05/where-have-all-collie-flowers-gone.html


Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.

"Another flying adventure..."'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Monday)

"Guest-blogger Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst N.Y. and has worked in the ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years..." She talks about her recent flying adventure, all we can say is have a safe flight home... Enjoy...


Flying on a plane can be an eventful or uneventful experience. These days most airlines pack a plane with passengers so it is unlikely that you will have an empty seat between you and the other person. Recently flying from Buffalo to L.A. we chose to fly Southwest for their economical flight.

My husband and I always pick an Aisle seat across from each other for easy access and more room; our flight left Buffalo at 7am; grabbing a breakfast sandwich on the way to the airport, we were ready to fly the no frills airline. As soon as we took off, the stewardess offered us peanuts, pretzels and drinks. I knew I would be in trouble as soon as the guy next to me ordered two bloody marries and no food to start out with. Keep in mind, its 7:30 am and we have started the drinking already. Turns out his wife was sitting in front of him since they boarded late and had to take the empty seat available. She started drinking her breakfast as well. After a few hours, he began to get squirmy and edgy and ordered a couple more beers this time around, Still no food, just booze.

We had to change planes in Las Vegas and once again my husband and I sat across from each other. Again the plane was packed and a nice young woman took the window seat across from me, leaving the middle open between us. We hoped for it to be empty but no luck again. This time a middle aged Casanova decided to plunk himself down next to her; it didn't take long for him to get the skinny on her and try and be impressive at the same time. Although he was told she had children and a fiancé, it discouraged him little. At first it was comical and then it turned to be obnoxious; could this young woman not see through his array of attempts to impress her. The worst part was he began to cough and sneeze a lot and without covering his face. I had to make a 90 degree turn, put my feet in the isle so as not to face forward and try not to catch what he was sharing. I could not wait for that plane to land and jump out of my seat.

To add to the enjoyment, I think the pilot was training his co pilot to land the plane because on a beautiful sunny day this plane took forever to make its landing, weaving and dipping all the way to the ground…I had my little white paper bag ready just in case. Needless to say, we landed safely and I am now enjoying the warm sunny weather in L.A.

Another flying adventure to check off; hope the flight home is totally uneventful and peaceful but I have a feeling it won’t be.

Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher

Homosexuality, the choice is yours or is it...? ' Obama Da Dog'

Obama Da Dog who possesses the same views as her Master and best friend James"Kimo" Rosen  and believes the gay lifestyle is a choice  most times... What's your view?

The question remains is homosexuality something you are born with or something you chose?

Homosexuals are now called, "Gay," a much kinder word. Gay to me is still someone light hearted and  brightly coloured.

 People say it's not a choice? I believe the majority of times it  is choice, sure some are born homosexual ,but not  all?  I know middle aged woman who were once married with children in a traditional  marriage and just gave up on guys.  I know guys who have had families then opted for a change in their mid life crisis stating, "they got bored and variety is the spice of life."
 Many men in prison change sides because there are no females present, which is a choice. The brain can be taught and programmed for many things...

 The choice is yours, or is it?

"Keep your brain working..." Sue Siegel (Source)

"Exercise your brain and try figuring this one out!  Enjoy..!"

Keep that brain working; try to figure this one out.... See if you can figure out what these seven words all have in common?
1. Banana
2. Dresser
3. Grammar
4. Potato
5. Revive
6. Uneven
7. Assess

Give it another try.... Look at each word carefully. You'll kick yourself when
you discover the answer. This is so cool.....
 No, it is not that they all have at least 2 double letters.... Answer is below! 



Answer:

In all of the words listed, if you take the first letter, place it at the end of the word, and then spell the word backwards, it will be the same word. Did you figure it out? .