Make A Difference

October 6, 2008 ~ Tomorrow’s Debate - Yes, We Can vs. No, We Can't - America, write your own Story!

2008-10-06T12:06:00.000-07:00

Yes, We Can!

[If you have not seen them, check out these music videos!]

Yes, We Can! Vs. No, You Can’t!

No, You Can't!

Today, let's consider the fact that we all seem to be part of...

America’s story: Is it a tale of tragedy? Or are we on the verge of something amazing?

As we stay tuned to the tube, seeing the economic downturn caused by oligarchy I wonder how much more we can take before American’s wake up, hit the streets, and take America back from the thieves who are robbing us.

My literacy teacher has mentioned that true story tellers boil all stories down to just a few main stories. [Is this the story of “Robinhood” ?]

What are these common themes and what story is America acting out in this current drama?

Are we really out of control and allowing others to write the ending to our current story?

Or do we have a voice, a say in how this plot ends up?

I am struck today by one of the main messages I have taken away from my education so far:

“We write our own story.”

Dave Polland writes:

If Thomas King is right, and stories are all we are, then it seems to me we have two choices in life. We can either live the story that others have written for us, or we can write our own story...

At age 54, I am nearing my college graduation in June of 2009 with two more quarters of class work and my student teaching ahead of me before I am finally certified to teach my passion as an elementary and special education teacher.

What does this have to do with writing my own story?

After years of allowing life to get in the way of my career choices; I am coming to the end of one chapter of my life – graduating college. I made a choice to write a different ending to this chapter of my life.

Another thing my literacy teacher has taught me:

“As each story ends, a new story begins.”

As I enter my student teaching I have chosen the school to match my own philosophy of education as closely as possible. You can check out the vision these educators created here if you like: Gatewood’s Vision. We can encourage children to rewrite their own stories through education.

We can use this mantra to change our own self-talk, our own actions, and alter the end of our own outcome. My grandmother’s mantra that I carry with me to give me just a small bit of her strength was always:

“Turn a new page in the book.”

Clearly we all experience tough times, bumps in the road, adversity and challenges – it is what we do with them that makes the difference in how each chapter ends.

Here – you can find another blog that helps us look at how the story we have been indoctrinated with makes all the difference in the world…writing our new story…

So, America – I challenge you –

· Write and call your public servants…incessantly.
· Never give up.
· Take charge of our American story.
· Don’t let others write your chapters.
· Write your own story.
· Get out in the streets.
· America’s story can change…if they see us all together…

By the way...here is some change that has come from the efforts of political activism, sent to me by my friend Lesley:

Financial Bailout Carries Mental Health Parity Bill Through Congress

WASHINGTON -- Tucked neatly under the wing of the financial markets rescue legislation, the long-sought bill to require mental health insurance coverage in parity with somatic conditions was passed by Congress today.

full story
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Psychiatry/GeneralPsychiatry/tb/11169

Through the political activism of individuals and groups -

Yes, We Can Make a Difference!

Check out this link and take all the action you can today and in the future:

at this great organization...

RESULTS

Thank you, Lesley, for sharing this with us!

ALL workers deserve a living wage.

People deserve equal pay for equal work.

People deserve health care, sick leave, wellness leave, and retirement benefits.

People deserve a stable home.

People deserve a quality education.

People deserve the truth and a government that is not corrupt.

People [in this case, Americans] deserve its government’s promise of “liberty and justice for all”.

America deserves an opportunity to rebuild our self-esteem after 8 years of pummeling by the crimes committed by the Bush Administration!

America deserves a representative democracy, not a tyrannical dictatorship run by a military industrial complex, a corporate state, an oligarchy that has robbed us of our constitutional rights!

America deserves HOPE!

We can write our own story!

Yes, We Can!

... even John McCain today says..."you know me...you know my faults...you know my story..." Is McSame the story we want to end this latest Bush chapter?

Perhaps we can start a new story - check this out: Simplicity ~ Belonging to the Earth

a few lines to get our new story started:

In his thought-provoking book Ishmael , Daniel Quinn says that every society and every individual life is a story about the questions What is the world for? What am I for?

The basic story of consumer culture says that the Earth was created for the use and pleasure of human beings and that the purpose of human life is to conquer and subdue the Earth for human purposes, including the delusion that we can live without connection to the sacred powers. The result of living out this story is what we see around us: a damaged environment, social inequity and violence, psychological and emotional pain, and spiritual emptiness. If we find this story unfulfilling, two things are required: first, that we stop acting out the old story, and second, that we start acting out a new story. In general, people don't give up their old story until they have a new one. Voluntary simplicity is a blank book in which we can write a new story. Daniel Quinn also suggests an exciting opening strategy: Instead of telling a story about how the Earth belongs to us, we could tell a story about how we belong to the Earth.

We are conscious, spiritual, reflective beings capable of living with simplicity and elegance in caring for the Earth we belong to. It would be a cause of regret if we just consumed the planet and left in its place the refuse of a very brief and selfish party. It would also be a cause of regret if we passed our days living in the fear of death, the denial of our interdependence with other species, and the futile delusion that we can somehow control and dominate the living communities that sustain us.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

Thank you for being a beacon of HOPE, Obama!

Yes, We Can…write a new story for America!

October 1, 2008 - Letters to the Next President

2008-09-30T21:25:00.001-07:00

What will YOU say to the next President?

You can write him/her a letter here.

What does our country need to make decisions for the massive econmoic crisis, to solve our dependence on foreign oil, to provide quality healthcare for more than the priveledged few, and keep America at work with the ability to make a living wage?

What about corruption and the corporate state we now find ourselves living in?

Here's what I wrote: http://www.letterstothenextpresident.com/2008/10/02/666/feed/

How did we get the largest government and the highest amount of debt, squandering a deficit in just 8 years?

Who could have let this happen? [hint: follow the money]

Discover what other American's have to say to the next president ~

Visit the Letters to the Next President site here. I encourage you to write your own letter.

Now check out what types of things are flying under the radar these days. NPR today said there is sooooo much [bad] news these days that the journalists can't keep up with all of it. Here's some things that we all might consider writing to our congressmen/women - political public servants about:

http://www.alternet.org/rights/100347/

http://www.alternet.org/rights/101013/

Psssssstttt! Do something! : )

September 30th - Impeach Bush - Return America to the People -

2008-09-30T12:05:00.000-07:00

Bush has failed at trying to rob the American people of $700 Billion - but do we really want him to get by with more lies?

We need to remove the power from the corporate state as given to them through massive deregulation since Reagan, the Patriot Act through Bush, and give it back to the American people now! What we have in place is an oligarchy where just a few wealthy people hold all the power through lobbyists, corruption, and bribes. I call on all of you to help by using your voice.

I recommend this letter which can be sent to all of your public servants:

To all elected public servants representing the people of America:

I make the following recommendations regarding our economic crisis – STAND UP FOR AMERICA – Take her back from the corporate state and give her back to her people! I am concerned about the legality and constitutionality of the current economic practices in the US. Here’s how we can get back on track:

1. Freeze all foreclosures for Americans
2. Increase HOPE for Homeowner’s Act – keeping all Americans in a home, providing homes for the homeless recently [since 2006 when A.R. M.’s began causing foreclosures] foreclosed Americans
3. Emergency flat rate mortgage rate of 3-4% for ALL Americans – stimulates economy, housing market
4. Emergency increase in wages to a LIVING WAGE and FULL BENEFIT packages – provide all corporations who provide this a huge tax break – stimulates economy without penalizing corporations
5. Emergency Instant Heavy-handed Regulation of Wall St. – To be rethought and scaled back after economic stability with a long-range regulatory bill
6. Broker a deal with America’s wealthiest – They have proven success over financial management. Let them solve America’s Wall Street crisis and govern the ‘bail-out’.
7. End the War in IRAQ – Use this $9 billion per month to stimulate the economy - create jobs in green energy to remove our dependence on foreign oil, poor money into education in specific ways – fund the mandates, professional development, reward innovation, teach the 3R’s through the arts and electives, increase apprenticeship programs to reduce drop-outs, get in front of the parade regarding new jobs and bring them into the field of education.

8. Impeach Bush, his entire administration, and put in a brand new administration as per an emergency vote by the public immediately!

It's all politics. Make a difference by being active. Hey have you watched the movies on this website? ...http://bravenewfilms.org/ Oh, so true!

How about Michael Moore's film: Slacker Uprising? See the full length film here:

http://slackeruprising.com/download/location.php?utm_medium=download&utm_source=31992520

Enjoy some humor! We need it during this time of stress. Take care of yourself - get some exercise, enjoy your family, your kids, and some great filming!

Thanks for your help!

September 29, 2008 - Just wondering, is this who we want for president?

2008-09-29T21:45:00.000-07:00

I try to keep an open mind about politics. Especially on a day like today when it seems the American people are finally finding their voice - both Republicans, Democrats, and Independents are telling our government...ENOUGH!

I have to ask though...just wondering...is this man in these videos someone we want as president of our country? Check it out: [Note - language content warning!]

Wow! Is this how we want our future president to act? I'd call him McShame on you!

September 15, 2008 - Teaching Empathy = Improved Behavior

2008-09-14T21:15:00.000-07:00

Child advocacy in my passion as well as my avocation. How do we make a difference? Certainly by being teachers. As we know, there are those students whose only warmth in their day comes from you while in your classroom. How can we dig deeper to provide and effect real change? Here's one program that is making a difference, "one child at a time".

Seattle launched a program called "Roots of Empathy" to help teach children in ten public schools empathy in January of this year. I wonder how it is working? Does anyone know?

We can see a short video about their program here:

Roots of Empathy Video

One of our challenges as teachers comes about as parents become increasingly less involved in teaching these basic skills to their children. Some want to blame parents for this change, but we really need to take a second look. Most parents are forced to work more and more hours away from home in order to support their families.

Here's what one teacher with the Roots of Empathy in the classroom has to say about the program:

"My favourite moment was when our baby stared at my smallest fourth grade student for the whole class. This boy has several learning/behavioural issues, but with our baby's eyes on him, he fell in love. You could see the walls soften, and the self-esteem (hey, the baby likes ME! Nobody usually likes me!) shoot upward."

[quotes from Roots of Empathy website found at http://www.parentmap.com/content/view/875 ]

If you're looking for reasons to implement a program like this consider another great bit of information from this same site which tells us:

"They found that fully 50 percent of academic success is dependent on social and emotional literacy; the other 50 percent on traditional intelligence. Simply put: Raise your kid’s social and emotional competence, and you raise his test scores."

[quotes from Roots of Empathy website found at http://www.parentmap.com/content/view/875 ]

Consider reading Mary Gordon's book: The Roots of Empathy, Changing One Child at a Time found here on Amazon. This is a great Canadian site, "The Changemakers" about this program, which originated in Canada. We can all learn from this model. I hope you'll consider a social justice program modeled after this program in your classroom. Imagine what it might serve - to help students with emotional behavior disorders for example!

Here's what others have to say about this book, this program:

"...a comprehensive guide to fostering empathy and thus social responsibility among children and adults." (Quill and Quire )

"This brilliant program belongs in every classroom in every school in every country of the world, forever. There's no better way to teach empathy--the essential human trait." (Raffi Cavoukian, Singer, Author, Ecology Advocate ) [quotes, book, as found on Amazon ]

I hope you will join me in exploring this program, keeping tabs on the results, and making a positive difference in the lives of many children in the years to come.

Here are some of my favorite quotes:

"Be engaged. Be involved in what goes on around you. Be present in your own life. Find something you believe in passionately and get involved in it. Get outraged. Take a stand." ~ Tom Wales

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~ Anne Frank

"The best exercise for the heart is to reach down and lift someone else up." ~ Tim Russert

September 14, 2008 - Join Me in A Million Doors for Peace

2008-09-14T12:40:00.000-07:00

I love this picture I found when searching for an image on world peace at

http://www.maddspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/3d_art_-_our_world.jpg.

How many of you are wanting to know how to make a difference?

We all have time constraints.

What is the one thing we could do that will have the biggest impact?

How can we focus on something that will bring about the most change in the shortest amount of time?

What are the most important things that need change in this world today?

I know I am focused on the upcoming presidential election as an active voter. This is one simple way I can make a difference. By creating my blog, I hope that others will join me in careful consideration and vote our conscience. I'll be writing more about this as the day of the election is approaching.

What is one more thing I can do that has a petential for a huge impact?

Today I received an email from Progressive Democrats of America.

I'm really excited about this idea for action!

Join me in making a difference:

1 Million Doors for PEACE

- 1 Day -

September 20, 2008

Today is a great opportunity for all of us to make a difference by joining 1 Million Doors 1 Day for political activists who are interested in world peace.

This is a perfect example how the power of one can be exponentially increased!

What is 1 Million Doors for PEACE?

Click on the link above for all of the details.

Each of us can sign this petition and exponentially "grow the difference"

by knocking on doors on September 20th!

You can knock on doors - or make phone calls.

Join here!

Why stop at one million?

I suggest we go for an even higher goal!
Spread the word to all of your email contacts and ask them to spread it to theirs.

What else can we do today?

We can each find our own way to peace and happiness

by changing our way of thinking and our "self-talk".

Take some steps today towards inner peace.

Consider looking at:

Deepak Chopra's website on meditation.

Have a most peaceful day!

Give some happiness and peace away ~

to yourself, your children, and your family today.

Enjoy your life in the moment no matter what you are doing and who you are with today!

Saturday ~ September 13, 2008

2008-09-13T21:39:00.000-07:00

We learn best by doing ~

I'm a full time college student, entering my final two quarters prior to graduation in the field of education. My mind is realing with active, critical thinking as I explore and expand my ideas of what teaching looks like, feels like, and sounds like. Every day I compare and contrast my own education with what I am being taught in my classrooms and my internships. Most of what I find is far different than the "old school" teaching I experienced as a child.

I set out today to get my homework completed and ran across a video done about a year ago called

Did You Know?

The link that led me to this video is amazing! It is all about teaching and "learning by doing". For those of you who are not familiar with it and who love to teach try this and imagine the possibilities in the classroom! Give it a try and then I hope we all pay it forward by creating our own video and adding to the diverse information available to anyone ~ imagine the connections and difference we can make today and in the future with this site!

Teacher Tube

I decided one of my main projects in my internship will be to attmpt to explore blogging with students. I love the idea of digital storytelling and teaching students through relevant, updated, motivating, and creative methods.

My first step would need to be creating a blog myself because we learn by doing. Today, I learned how easy it is to set up a blog. The next step will be to explore this more deeply.

In order to practice adding pictures this evening I will be inserting one of my son as he too is learning by doing in this photo as he experienced an Outward Bound School Multi-Element class in Costa Rica this summer. He is learning how to rapell down a 100' waterfall in this photo. Congratulations! We both "did it"! I wonder what's next? Ahhh, now we are ready to teach! But, wait...there's more to learn! As my grandmother always said..."Turn a new page in the book!"

And Garret says, "Thank you, Gretchen for the lovely trip!"