2: Malala - Loyal to a Cause

I.  Cannot. Even. Imagine. Being.  Shot. Because. Of. Education.  Blessed beyond measure I am to live in a country where I have attended high school and college...and beyond...and have now tuaght in public education for 27+ years.  Blessed.  Not all females have such blessed settings, including Malala who was shot by the Taliban at the age of 11 for promoting education.  Even now at the age of 21,  Malala remains loyal to ensuring that all women have a right to an education.

In BBC News' article "Malala Yousafzai returns to Pakistan for first time since shooting,"  Malala's goal remains, "...working for a world where every girl

Also, in the article, the writer says,  "...jkjkljflkflkjlkfjldkajf"

Conclusion

Writing: Paragraph 1 - Qtr. 1

Experiencing a six-year school would be beneficial for many students.  According to Sam Litow, a IBM vice president, in an article entitled "Six Years of High School?  An Educational Experiment in Chicago," he stated, "Right now, only about 25 percent of students that start at community colleges complete. If you can move that number up to 60 percent or 70 percent or larger, the economic gains are really, really substantial."   This means requiring students to spend more time in school helps ensure their future monetary stability.  For example, many of those just entering our local community college would more succeed from such a decision as this.  Opposing this, professor of psychology Jeffrey Jensen Arnett at Clark University in his editorial "At 18, It's Time for a Change," countered, "They [high school seniors] have a strong sense of being ready to move on to a new life stage in which they will have more independence and freedom to make their own decisions."  His research illustrates the thoughts of many students today who even think they would benefit from not having to attend their senior years.  These soon-to-be graduates relate to this as many of them already have mounting bills and secured to jobs to assist in their financially supporting themselves.  Even President Obama, though, as reported in "Obama, at Brooklyn School, Pushes Educational Agenda" supported a six-year school when he spoke,"If you think education is expensive, wait until you see how much ignorance costs."  In other words, those not furthering their education will make less money and, in many instances, cost the taxpayers more money.  Thus, promoting such educational increases also add to our economic growth as a nation.  Therefore,secondary institutions across the land should consider this shift in a non-traditional school setting.


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Experiencing a six-year school would be beneficial for many students. 

According to Sam Litow, a IBM vice president, in an article entitled "Six Years of High School?  An Educational Experiment in Chicago," he stated, "Right now, only about 25 percent of students that start at community colleges complete. If you can move that number up to 60 percent or 70 percent or larger, the economic gains are really, really substantial."   

This means requiring students to spend more time in school helps ensure their future monetary stability.  For example, many of those just entering our local community college would more succeed from such a decision as this.  

Opposing this, professor of psychology Jeffrey Jensen Arnett at Clark University in his editorial "At 18, It's Time for a Change," countered, "They [high school seniors] have a strong sense of being ready to move on to a new life stage in which they will have more independence and freedom to make their own decisions."  

His research illustrates the thoughts of many students today who even think they would benefit from not having to attend their senior years.  These soon-to-be graduates relate to this as many of them already have mounting bills and secured to jobs to assist in their financially supporting themselves.  

Even President Obama, though, as reported in "Obama, at Brooklyn School, Pushes Educational Agenda" supported a six-year school when he spoke,"If you think education is expensive, wait until you see how much ignorance costs."  

In other words, those not furthering their education will make less money and, in many instances, cost the taxpayers more money.  Thus, promoting such educational increases also add to our economic growth as a nation.  

Therefore,secondary institutions across the land should consider this shift in a non-traditional school setting.



______________________________________________________________________

Experiencing a six-year school would be beneficial for many students. 

According to Sam Litow, a IBM vice president, in an article entitled "Six Years of High School?  An Educational Experiment in Chicago," he stated, "Right now, only about 25 percent of students that start at community colleges complete. If you can move that number up to 60 percent or 70 percent or larger, the economic gains are really, really substantial."   

This means requiring students to spend more time in school helps ensure their future monetary stability.  For example, many of those just entering our local community college would more succeed from such a decision as this.  

Opposing this, professor of psychology Jeffrey Jensen Arnett at Clark University in his editorial "At 18, It's Time for a Change," countered, "They [high school seniors] have a strong sense of being ready to move on to a new life stage in which they will have more independence and freedom to make their own decisions."  

His research illustrates the thoughts of many students today who even think they would benefit from not having to attend their senior years.  These soon-to-be graduates relate to this as many of them already have mounting bills and secured to jobs to assist in their financially supporting themselves.  

Even President Obama, though, as reported in "Obama, at Brooklyn School, Pushes Educational Agenda" supported a six-year school when he spoke,"If you think education is expensive, wait until you see how much ignorance costs."  

In other words, those not furthering their education will make less money and, in many instances, cost the taxpayers more money.  Thus, promoting such educational increases also add to our economic growth as a nation.  

Therefore,secondary institutions across the land should consider this shift in a non-traditional school setting.


______________________________________________________________________

Experiencing a six-year school would be beneficial for many students. According to Sam Litow, a IBM vice president, in an article entitled "Six Years of High School?  An Educational Experiment in Chicago," he stated, "Right now, only about 25 percent of students that start at community colleges complete. If you can move that number up to 60 percent or 70 percent or larger, the economic gains are really, really substantial."   This means requiring students to spend more time in school helps ensure their future monetary stability.  For example, many of those just entering our local community college would more succeed from such a decision as this.  Opposing this, professor of psychology Jeffrey Jensen Arnett at Clark University in his editorial "At 18, It's Time for a Change," countered, "They [high school seniors] have a strong sense of being ready to move on to a new life stage in which they will have more independence and freedom to make their own decisions."  His research illustrates the thoughts of many students today who even think they would benefit from not having to attend their senior years.  These soon-to-be graduates relate to this as many of them already have mounting bills and secured to jobs to assist in their financially supporting themselves.  Even President Obama, though, as reported in "Obama, at Brooklyn School, Pushes Educational Agenda" supported a six-year school when he spoke,"If you think education is expensive, wait until you see how much ignorance costs."  In other words, those not furthering their education will make less money and, in many instances, cost the taxpayers more money.  Thus, promoting such educational increases also add to our economic growth as a nation.  Therefore,secondary institutions across the land should consider this shift in a non-traditional school setting.

1: Loyal...for a Cause

This summer, while at a conference, I had the opportunity and pleasure to hear Marley Dias speak...and promote her new book.  There, she sat...alongside one of my favorite young adult authors Kwame Alexander.   Lively, vivacious, seemingly quite comfortable in front of an audience of adults, she quickly impressed me with her drive, energy and loyalty to her cause.

In the Forbes article entitled "From Activist To Author..." written by Maggie McGrath, Dias further explains why she began the mission to find #1000BlackGirlBooks, "I’m working to create a space where it feels easy to include and imagine black girls and make black girls like me the main characters of our lives."  From those original few books...to the goal of 1000 books, Dias discovered and now promotes over 9000 such books.  What an inspiration she is!  As I listened to chatter this past summer and have reflected on her book, I mentally confirmed that within my own class library...and maybe the one here within our local high school?...that we, too, do not excel in discovering books with main characters of other races.  Soooo...know a book about a black main character?  Click here and join the movement.

Another person who demonstrates such loyalty would be my friend Linda Bastian.  One of her many faces...or roles...or jobs...in her very busy 70+-year-old life...takes place at the Independence County Jail where is the coordinator of the Women's Ministry.  In this position, I am sure that she is the person I always meet and greet...every single time...smiling, telling stories, and giving that last hug as she leaves for her next adventure.  Did I mention she travels there every week?  Yes, weekly.  What a role model!

In conclusion, these women...of vast age differences...truly provide inspiration for their intense loyalty to an endeavor they hold close to their hearts as they make a difference within their own lives and many they encounter.  This should be a goal of all...to impact those around us, even if they are just observing us from afar.  Girl power!  Yay!

Reflection on My Sophomore Year

Assignment:

1. Think.
2. What are two positives from this year?
3. Then Write!
1. Introduction
2. Positive #1
3. Positive #2
4. Conclusion

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What can I say?!  I have had the most delightful students in English 5A and 5B ever throughout the year 2017-2018!  Really!  Truly!  One class filled to the walls...the other small and spread throughout the room.  All talkers.  Did I mention they ALL like to talk?  (Well, almost all...you silencers know who you are!)

This sophomores truly have been a blessing...

Another way they have blessed me...

There.  See?  Are you not just amazed and so blinded by the delights of these classes that you need shades?!

The Right Time

According to Martin Luther King, "The time is always right to do what is right."  Always?  Today, as we wrote in our Writer's Notebook, I shared with my students two examples of when I made the right choice.  Disappointed, with some, I had to change the topic or end the conversation, for, a few..yes, some...were just a bit too proud to proclaim their decline in making the same decisions.  Still, though, I stand by my decisions...and now begin to wonder as we initiate a the Case of Tom Robinson, did that jury make the right decision?

Let the Games Begin!

The 2018 Olympic games are officially underway!  Athletes, in shape, more than ever in their lives, are prepared physically, mentally, emotionally to bring home the gold for the USA Team!  Go, USA!  With that said, who are you cheering on?  Whose names will you call out as they skate, ski, and snowboard to the finish lines?  Hummmm, if you are like myself (yes, as we hang our heads in shame), maybe, you, too, are not quite sure for whom to cheer?  Check out this article and video by Time magazine entitled "What to Know About Every Single Winter Olympic Sport in 2018" and expand your background to be better prepared to cheer on the winners.

According Jennifer Calfas, author of this Time article, states, "When she was just 18, [Mikaela] Shiffrin became the youngest athlete ever to win an Olympic gold in the Winter Olympic sport of slalom — an event that involves skiing downhill between poles and gates — a gold medal she’s trying to earn yet again at age 22."  Go, MiKaela! I can only imagine the time, money and effort spent preparing for such an event.  AND the chapstick!  Spending so many hours outside, braving the elements of wind and cold, training every day, every week every month, she knows she has to be the best to win.  Only the best make here.

Check out Elana Meyers Taylor!  "Meyers Taylor was the first American woman to ever win a bobsled world championship in 2015.  The two-time Olympic medalist has also advanced gender equality in the sport...competed in the 4-man event with three male brakemen, a first for the Winter Olympic sport that had required women to race only two-person sleds."  Go, Elana!  Show those men how to win!  She should be the face of women's rights...not those that march here in America and display posters and paraphernalia that border on inappropriate!

As I read further, I was amazed at competitions of which I had never heard.  Luge? Nordic Combined? Skeleton?  Have you heard of these?  More than just reading about these events, I need to allocate some hours to watching these events...and, yes, learning what they actually are!  I am fairly certain that, surely, the Skeleton does not involve bones.  Right?!  Surely!

My favorite Olympian sport?  The ice skaters...especially the pairs, who act out scenes to songs I hopefully know.  The balance, grace, and smooth moves these couples display as they circle that ice rink leave me in awe of their skills.  In essence, they are just gifted.  Truly.

How about you?  Are you an Olympian watcher?  Why do you enjoy your favorite competition?  On the flip...are the athletes giving up too much just to compete for a few short minutes of time?  Why is the time spent from family and friends worth the fame?  Consider this:  the games are not so much for the athletes as they are for the competitions and displays of athletic power displayed by all the countries represented.  What do you think?  Please share your thoughts below!

My One Word for 2018: Less

Each year, for several years now, I have chosen a theme word to go with me throughout the year.  What a journey these words have been for me...and I strongly encourage everyone to adopt this focus each year.

In 2011, I needed peace...I had so much turmoil.  During this time, the gift of peace came.

In 2012, I need times of quiet, for my mom eased into Heaven in January, and, while this was a prayer for which we had prayed...my mom suffered from severe dementia...that grief process simply takes time.

And so on...every year a word.

This year, my word is less.  Part of the reason I chose this word is, yes, less is more.  In several areas of my life I certainly need to do less as they responsibilities do dominate quite the chunk of time.