Lessons from "A Bug's Life"

"Silence gives consent." No doubt you've heard it, albeit not always true. But silence can provide the fodder of false assumption to principals, policy makers, law makers, and district officials that all is well. It can also solidify fear!

Sometimes the onus is on a few individuals and organizations to speak up, be the voice of many, and risk distorted classroom observations, censure (whatever that means...ha), daily classroom visits, ludicrous write-ups, etc. etc. etc. to say what is often spoken of behind closed doors, at dinner tables, in cafes, at the copier, and other private/not-so-private places. {Except that I/we cannot say what you can say, how you can say it and from the place and experience through which it is said. As a black man, I have particular experiences and places from which I speak. Your experience is not mine.}*

(Although I must say, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia voters have CLEARLY made their voices heard during the past two elections!!!!!!!!)

I understand (sometimes) people's desire to remain quiet. There are families to think about. They don't want to make waves. They don't want the principal hovering over them all the time. In some minds, we're all better off leaving well enough alone.

Well, if no one ever spoke up, I'd still be in chains, women still wouldn't be able to vote, neither would African Americans. We wouldn't have the Americans with Disabilities Act. There'd be no teachers of color. It would still be illegal to teach black kids how to read and write and THE LIST GOES ON AND ON AND ON!!

As advocates, we can all stand to improve in our efforts and to encourage others to join us!!

Here to help us, "A Bug's Life!!" This from the desk of Ed-Deformers everywhere...a behind the scenes conversation in board rooms, offices, state capital AND capitol corridors across the country, DC, etc:

*Added hours after the original post as I pondered, staring into the night, consuming my blueberry water ice

My "Arts" Beliefs...

My belief in the arts being a component of children's learning experiences is not anything new.
As I was looking through old facebook pictures, I came across one when I was the Youth Program Director at the YMCA in West Philly! (Yup, I was born and raised in West Philly---and Southwest---52nd Street corridor)

I was responsible for nearly all youth programming at the branch and was always looking to improve upon the quality of our programs. I loved my team of youth program staff and volunteers and the majority of them loved "Mr. Steve" right back!

You'll notice the book I circled in the picture. With our leadership and with a great core of young arts teachers (high school students who I hired from CAPA in South Philly) we put together a PHENOMENAL dance program and a budding drama program!! At one point we had more than 100 girls enrolled in any one or more of our dance classes in two studios at the Y!

We had big productions throughout the year that would coincide with hat/glove drives and would also bring news crews. One year, we chose to take our end of the year performance at one of theaters at the Annenberg Center on Penn's campus!!!

The School District of Philadelphia, City Hall, and Harrisburg must do more increase the arts experiences of the students in Philadelphia, something that is as basic and expected in many of our wealthier suburban school districts. Many of our students have creative minds and abilities and are stifled because of the dearth of arts programs in our schools. Many teachers try to fill the void as best we can, but I will humbly admit my limitations!!

Click the link to find out what I did this past week for a kid who is always drawing in class!

We have GOT to do better!

Looks like my kids and I will be writing letters and sending some emails! It's not enough to just complain. Stay tuned!

P.S. I remember one critique from one of my principals was that I do too much "arts stuff" for Social Studies and not enough reading, lol (I actually did do quite a bit of reading with them--and it was good too, but every time there was a visit it seemed to be during our singing/rapping segments)

Lowered standards for PA Reading Specialists? I object!

So the state of Pennsylvania has lowered the standard to become a certified reading specialist. Whereas before, (up until now), one would have to enroll in a graduate level program of study and take and pass the appropriate Praxis, now all one needs to do is take the Praxis and ((((BAM))) you're not a certified Reading SPECIALIST!!!

Here are my initial comments to this notice:
Forgive any spelling/grammatical errors, I was fuming!

As a recently certified reading specialist, who went through a very rigorous program of study, with hours upon hours of reading, studying, collaborating, field work, portfolio compilation, etc., I am vehement in my objection regarding Pennsylvania's lowering of the standard to become a certified reading specialist in this state!! This move seems to coincide with the ebb and flow of organizations like Teach for America and others who believe that anyone with a pulse is good enough for the the classroom. As an English/Language Arts teacher for years prior to enrolling in a graduate program for reading education/reading specialist, I took a great deal of pride in the fact that I registered to gain even more knowledge and would learn additional skills, strategies, and best practices under the tutorship of well-versed professors and senior reading specialists. No test can replace hours of study, collaboration, reading, field-work, mentorship, and the like.