January Seed Swap Event-A Closer Look

Thank you Kathy. I have been working in the garden all week writing in my mind the book "Loss of Mom and Pop" which describes the downfall of the American Economy with the rise of corporate business and corporate privilege. This has caused all of the service, sales, and production business to lose the name on the door and leave a world where no one is responsible for the outcome of decisions centered around $.

Hi Kathy, I only hope I am doing a reasonably good job helping them navigate the world. It is completely overwhelming sometimes. And....I forgot to mention the 'lockdown' drill on Wednesday afternoon where we practice the plan for an event in which there is an intruder in the school out to do harm. I have to lock the doors, close the shades, turn out the lights and keep them quiet for half an hour. There was another class on the playground, and my room is closest door to enter, so they came in also to ride out the time with us. Picture 50 people in one room with all doors and windows closed, dark, and they had served beans for lunch. Need I say more?

Whoops, Steve I cross posted. hat sounds like a very interesting book.

This message was edited Apr 2, 2010 10:55 PM

You are too good at what you do Holly and when you do that it comes with a personal price.

I just think the other book really feels like it comes from your gut - not just an opinion, you know, but experience. It really comes out in your writing.

I'm sure it is overwhelming, Holly. That's one reason I didn't go into education. It's all about guiding and helping, but in the end you really have little control about the outcome. But it's all valuable. I remember almost all of my teachers - the good, the bad, the pretty, the ugly, the competent, the incompetent. And my experiences with teachers when I was 10 are just as significant to me now as the experiences I had with them when I 16.

I love kids. Truly, I love them. But if I had to chose between walking barefoot on slippery rocks in a freezing cold stream while blindfolded, or doing what Holly does, I might just choose the stream.

But Portland, didn't you raise six kids? That is the 24/7, lifetime occupation with joy, heartache, pride, frustration, etc. all mixed up together. My hat is off to you!!

Holly you must come to the party and talk to my daughter. You sound just like she does when she speaks of her students.

Actually, I have 7 kids. But dealing with your own children is much different than a classroom full of little ones. When my kids were getting all antsy and starting to bug each other I could take them on a walk, or throw them in the pool, or have them clean the garage. I remember one day when they were particularly obnoxious and I called them all in the kitchen and told them that they were being soooooo rotten that I was going to take them to get ice-cream. They all looked at each other like, huh??? What did she say??? I explained that it was all about me, and I wanted to have a nice day, and they had no right to spoil it for me. And I wanted ice-cream.

But seriously, Holly. You are in a position where teaching life lessons goes hand-in-hand with academics. Your students are spending most of their waking hours in your classroom, which is a little parallel universe with its own social structure. It's imperative that you teach them life skills. That's a big job. And so important. My hat's off to you.

Hey how do you like my weeks work. Vaccuming my winter debris with my loader and into the compost pit.

That looks like a job well done. WOW

Your manly adventure sounds like a great experience. One I would not like to participate in, but great.

Willow, I would love to meet your daughter. Where does she teach?

Judi, I love your story about going for ice cream when the kids were not getting along!! Too funny, but just what you all needed.

Holly, She is now teaching at North Mason Middle School, 6th grade. She began her career in Siletz OR teaching special ed. for five years. Came home an got a job at the new elementary in Belfair, Sandhill. Teaching Special Ed. for two years and then switched to Fifth Grade. She was doing 5th=6th for a couple of years then passed that National Teaching Certificate. Two years ago she was hired on at the Middle School and is really happy there.

Willow, your daughter sounds like a dynamo. Special Ed and middle school both take a very special kind of person just to walk in the door and stick with it. On top of that, she did the National Certificate which I know requires an intense commitment to complete. I have not done that yet, as I haven't decided where I want to put my energy, National Boards, getting a masters degree in curriculum development, or going for a certificate endorsement in teaching ELL (English Language Learners). I admit that I really just want to work in my garden in the Summer, not hit the books intensely for months, no matter how interesting and useful the topic. Some year soon I'm going to have to let the garden go to accomplish these other things though.

Those National Boards are intense. It was amazing to me that she knew how to do all that stuff. She got her masters in Special Ed. while she was teaching in Siletz.

Portland, what a marvellous way to make an excellent point! Why does this put me in mind of Socratic debate?

MHF, like all of the others, I am really proud of your approach to teaching and your interests in your students. It just does my heart good to know you are there working with the next generation. And hearing that WW's daughter is working with similar ideas makes it even better. I do think teaching has taken a real knock sideways having to 'hit' results (at least here), rather than keeping a child's developement in mind, and to hear that is not a universal approach heartens me. I think we have lost the direction of 'helping/inspiring' students in this country.

sofer, nice compost heap, and still some of the most attractive bins anywhere.

Ah, yes, Sofer does have nice bins.

And MHF just shines as a teacher. Wish my grandchildren were in her classes.

You guys make me blush. I am somewhat embarrassed by all this confidence and praise which I'm not certain I really qualify for. There are people who have been really happy to have me for their child's teacher, and those who didn't like my style so much. I know that the truth is that in any one day, I do some things well and help children make real connections, and other moments are times I wish I could say, "beam me up Scotty"

Laurie, It's not just your country that is losing sight of the true goal of inspiring and guiding children. I often feel like I am in a pressure cooker to cram more curriculum into the day. I wish the focus in education would "keep the child's development in mind" because that would make much better sense. I am proud of my school though, that we have kept a firm commitment to maintaining our arts program, at least thus far in all the rounds of cuts.

Now I better get off of my soap box or I will bore all of you to tears.

Steve, I am envious of your beautiful compost bins. Mine are a far cry from aesthetically pleasing.

xo.

MHF, I too wish we were in your class. It's hard to balance the push from parents/district and the developmental speed of some kids. On top of that, as a group, you're mostly under appreciated for the great responsibility you have. Glad your "kids" are amongst the lucky ones.

Sofer, wonderful compost bins. That is my summer project.

Holly, as always I so thoroughly enjoy (not to mention appreciate) hearing about your school days with the kids. When you spoke about the lock down drill, I thought what a good idea that is. My sixth grade grandson's school was in a lock down recently (Maple Valley area). Apparently it was handled well as he came home "un-traumatized" and for him that is saying something as he is quite excitable at times.

I've gotten a bit behind on DG again, but not as bad as last time! And I'm really trying to get things done in my gardens . . . long way to go, but step by step . . .

Carole, are you able to go to the gardenshed party this Saturday? Wanna drive down with me?

Thank you for your thoughts, Murmer. I'm glad your grandson came through that event alright. The real thing (as opposed to the drill) can be disconcerting, especially since there is no chance to prepare the children for it ahead of time and you don't have a clue how long it will last. I tell the kids that in any emergency situation, the most important thing for them to do is be calm, quiet, and listen to my instructions, because I'm going to have to think and figure out the best thing to do to take care of whatever it is...the little and the big, problems ranging from a kid with a nosebleed (or the flying pink blob of go-gurt in the tale of woe above) to an earthquake. Our school has emergency backpacks with supplies in them which come in handy, like a flashlight to read by in the dark. I need to replenish the snacks I had kept in there, because I used them up at the last earthquake drill when we had to stay out in the play field for a time.

I'll let you know tomorrow - not sure if my disabled stepson needs to come over here that day for some banking assistance. Would you mind my dog going along as usual?

Nope, not a problem. Just let me know!

I hope you can come Mummer, dog and all.

Looks like I'll have to pass on this one, darn it. My stepson is developmentally disabled and needs some help with a financial issue. To top it off, I hurt my back yesterday (not serious, but definitely wouldn't benefit from a long car ride).

Sorry you can't come. Maybe one of these days.

Definitely one of these days!

I worked today in Wrangell and looked out the window allday at the beautiful sun and dreamed of my garden. I am getting it all cleaned up for those of you coming.

Sofer, looking out the window and dreaming won't get your garden cleaned up - I know this from personal experience and much experimentation!

Hard to clean up and work 2500 miles away though.