What to Pursue

This quote goes well with an article I recently read about looking at our work as a calling rather than a job or career.  It is my hope that Esperanza will catch the heart of educators who see teaching ALL students as a calling. 

The Resourceful School

There are some terrific articles in the Dec.2011/Jan. 2012 ASCD Educational Leadership publication.  The theme of this edition is "The Resourceful School."  The article "Turning Crisis into Opportunity" by Naomi Calvo and Karen Hawley Miles focuses on three main strategies in order to more for less:

#1:  Invest in teacher quality
#2:  Give students individual attention
#3:  Maximize the use of time

The article also mentions a number of ideas on where schools can find money. 

Because charter schools receive less money than mainstream public schools it is even more important for us at Esperanza to be wise about the use of money and resources.  Therefore, articles and publications such as this can be extremely helpful.

Wisdom from Dr. Seuss

Today you are you. That is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you. -Dr. Seuss ♥

 

I love the wisdom of Dr. Seuss!  The best thing we can do for our Esperanza staff and scholars is to help them be their best selves--not a copy of someone else.  The same is true for the school itself.  We want Esperanza to be the best Esperanza--not try to replicate some other school. 

Wisdom From a 90 Year Old

A facebook friend posted the following wisdom from a 90 year old.  It is a reminder that it is wise to have a mixture of generations in our Esperanza staff and that we want our Esperanza scholars to be exposed to different generations in a variety of settings. 


Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer,
Cleveland , Ohio .....

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends
and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their
journey is all about.

13. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

14. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry;
God never blinks.

15. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

16. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

17. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

18. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second
one is up to you and no one else.

19. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take
no for an answer.

20. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

21. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

22. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

23. The most important sex organ is the brain.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years,
will this matter?'

26. Always choose life.

27. Forgive everyone everything.

28. What other people think of you is none of your business.

29. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

32. Believe in miracles.

33. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you
did or didn't do.

34. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

35. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

36. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

37. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

38. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,
we'd
grab ours back.

39. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

40. The best is yet to come...

41. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

42. Yield.

43. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Example! Example! Example!

I bought an expensive chess set at All-A-Dollar as a Christmas gift for my husband and me.  Felt I needed to learn to play chess if we are going to have all our Esperanza scholars learn.  Guess I'll soon need to buy a violin and learn to play the violin since our Esperanza scholars will be learning this as well.

This experience is a reminder that example is the best teacher.  If we want our scholars to be readers we need to be readers.  If we want them to love math and science we need to cultivate a love for these subjects.  If we want them to be good and moral people we need to set the example.  If we want them to strive for quality and excellence we need to be willing to do the same.

Visionary vs. Daydreamer

"If all you have is some good ideas, that doesn't make you a visionary; it makes you a daydreamer. The difference between a vision and a day dream is the audacity to act and the faith to get started." ~ Pastor Steve Furtick

I had a goal to submit an excellent application for our charter school Esperanza.  Therefore, it meant a lot when the state charter board told us our application was the most excellent application they had ever received.  Yet, the application is only our dream--our vision.  Now the real work begins--having the faith to what we need to do to make it a reality. 

¡¡¡Feliz Navidad!!!

The Christmas season is a great time for our Esperanza family to learn new vocabulary, new traditions, new foods, new songs, etc. from a variety of cultures. 

Christmas Season Tradition

Each year at KSL they get unique donations for Quarters for Christmas. This year, 5-year-old Ezra collected a quarter from all 50 states and made a collector's item, to help make his quarters worth even more.

This would be a fun tradition to start at Esperanza as a school. 

Where On the Earth Is This?

Where on the earth is this? 

Salar de Uyuni is a magical place: When covered by water, the world’s largest salt flat becomes a mirror, and anyone walking across it appears to be walking on clouds. The salt crust, which covers 4,086 square miles is in southwestern Bolivia.

Starting off with a question and a picture is a great attention getter.

Mojo

The word "mojo" that has been around for almost 100 years has African roots. It is said to refer to a small bag containing a magic charm (often a red flannel cloth) and herbs that is tied with a draw string and worn under clothes to bring good luck.

Mojo is now used to mean "finding the magic in what we do."  To have "lost your mojo," refers to a loss of inspiration or creative genius; a loss of that special spark. 

We want to do whatever it takes so that everyone who has a connection to Esperanza has and keeps mojo. 

Is That What You Really Meant to Say?

This cute cartoon is a reminder that what we hear isn't always what someone was really saying.  This can be especially true for those learning another language and culture.  This is something we definitely need to remember at Esperanza. 

Herstory As Well As History

I have been reading an intriguing book--Herstory--edited by Ruth Ashby and Deborah Gore Ohrn.  There are short pieces about 120 amazing women throughout history. 

This book is a reminder that not only do we want to expose our Esperanza scholars to people from different cultures who have made a difference in the world but we also want to remember women.  Young people are inspired by those who look like them. 

Lessons from the film Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas)

Joyeux Noël (English: Merry Christmas) is a 2005 film about the true World War I Christmas truce of December 1914, depicted through the eyes of French, Scottish  and German soldiers.
There are some great messages from this film--among others:  1)  Music can bring people together and 2) It is hard to fight someone whom you have come to know as a person.
These are two messages we can help our young Esperanza scholars learn. 

Wanted: Men and Women of Integrity

This morning I watched the BYU Devotional Speech Elder Tad R. Callister gave on December 6 , 2011—“Becoming Men and Women of Integrity.”  This speech had a particular appeal to me because I want Esperanza to be filled with men and women of integrity.  In fact, that is more important to me than skills for skills can be taught. 

Elder Callister said that men and women of integrity are desperately needed—and are in short supply-- in every profession.

“Integrity is a purity of mind and heart that knows no deception, no excuses, no rationalization, nor any coloring of the facts…It is doing what’s right because our character demands it.”  Elder Callister used Sir Thomas More on which the play/movie “A Man for All Seasons” was based as an example of what it means to be a person of integrity. 

“Does our integrity, our honor have a purchase price?” Elder Callister asked. “A dime, a thousand dollars, the approval of our peers, some physical pleasure or temporary recognition? Is there some point at which our integrity can be purchased, or is it priceless – not for sale at any price?”

Elder Callister then addressed seven principles of integrity. Excerpts from his remarks follow.

1. Integrity is the foundation of our character and all other virtues.

2. Integrity is not doing just that which is legal, but that which is moral.

Integrity is not just adherence to the legal code or being fair, but to the higher moral code.  It is as Abraham Lincoln suggested – living in accord with the ‘better angels of our nature.’”

3. Integrity makes decisions based on eternal implications. 

 “Integrity is not shortsighted – it is not just a temporary change of behavior; it is a permanent change of nature.”

4. Integrity is disclosing the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

5. Integrity knows no alibis or excuses.

May it be said of us that we can be trusted because of the integrity of our heart. 

6. Integrity is keeping our covenants and our commitments, even in times of inconvenience.

“Integrity is the courage to do right regardless of the consequence, and regardless of the inconvenience.”

7. Integrity is not governed by the presence of others. It is internally, not externally driven.

“In Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, Polonius says to his son Laertes: ‘To thine ownself be true and it must follow as the night the day; thou canst not be false to any man.’ What wonderful counsel! We have a choice – we can either seize the moment and take control of our lives – or become mere puppets to our environment and our peers.

“May the integrity of our souls have a sign which reads in bold, black letters, ‘NOT FOR SALE AT ANY PRICE.’

Unique

I read a story this morning--"Maximilian and the Goose Boy"--that is a reminder how important each person with his/her unique talents and skills is for Esperanza. 

One summer day King Maximilian of Bavaria was walking in the country. The sun shone hot, and he stopped under a tree to rest.
It was very pleasant in the cool shade. The king lay down on the soft grass, and looked up at the white clouds sailing across the sky. Then he took a little book from his pocket and tried to read.
But the king could not keep his mind on his book. Soon his eyes closed, and he was fast asleep.
It was past noon when he awoke. He got up from his grassy bed, and looked around. Then he took his cane in his hand, and started for home.
When he had walked a mile or more, he happened to think of his book. He felt for it in his pocket. It was not there. He had left it under the tree.
The king was already quite tired, and he did not like to walk back so far. But he did not wish to lose the book. What should he do?
If there was only some one to send for it!
While he was thinking, he happened to see a little barefooted boy in the open field near the road. He was tending a large flock of geese that were picking the short grass, and wading in a shallow brook.
The king went toward the boy. He held a gold piece in his hand.
"My boy," he said, "how would you like to have this piece of money?"
"I would like it," said the boy; "but I never hope to have so much."
"You shall have it if you will run back to the oak tree at the second turning of the road, and fetch me the book that I left there."
The king thought that the boy would be pleased. But not so. He turned away, and said, "I am not so silly as you think."
"What do you mean?" said the king. "Who says that you are silly?"
"Well," said the boy, "you think that I am silly enough to believe that you will give me that gold piece for running a mile, and fetching you a book. You can't catch me."
"But if I give it to you now, perhaps you will believe me," said the king; and he put the gold piece into the little fellow's hand.
The boy's eyes sparkled; but he did not move.
"What is the matter now?" said the king. "Won't you go?"
The boy said, "I would like to go; but I can't leave the geese. They will stray away, and then I shall be blamed for it."

"Oh, I will tend them while you are away," said the king.
The boy laughed. "I should like to see you tending them!" he said. "Why, they would run away from you in a minute."
"Only let me try," said the king.
At last the boy gave the king his whip, and started off. He had gone but a little way, when he turned and came back.
"What is the matter now?" said Maximilian.
"Crack the whip!"
The king tried to do as he was bidden, but he could not make a sound.
"I thought as much," said the boy. "You don't know how to do anything."
Then he took the whip, and gave the king lessons in whip cracking. "Now you see how it is done," he said, as he handed it back. "If the geese try to run away, crack it loud."
The king laughed. He did his best to learn his lesson; and soon the boy again started off on his errand.
Maximilian sat down on a stone, and laughed at the thought of being a gooseherd. But the geese missed their master at once. With a great cackling and hissing they went, half flying, half running, across the meadow.
The king ran after them, but he could not run fast. He tried to crack the whip, but it was of no use. The geese were soon far away. What was worse, they had gotten into a garden, and were feeding on the tender vegetables.
A few minutes afterward, the goose boy came back with the book.
"Just as I thought," he said. "I have found the book, and you have lost the geese."
"Never mind," said the king, "I will help you get them again."
"Well, then, run around that way, and stand by the brook while I drive them out of the garden."
The king did as he was told. The boy ran forward with his whip, and after a great deal of shouting and scolding, the geese were driven back into the meadow.
"I hope you will pardon me for not being a better gooseherd," said Maximilian; "but, as I am a king, I am not used to such work."
"A king, indeed!" said the boy. "I was very silly to leave the geese with you. But I am not so silly as to believe that you are a king."
"Very well," said Maximilian, with a smile; "here is another gold piece, and now let us be friends."
The boy took the gold, and thanked the giver. He looked up into the king's face and said,
"You are a very kind man, and I think you might be a good king; but if you were to try all your life, you would never be a good gooseherd."

Inspiring Quote and Poem

"Throughout the centuries there were men [women] who took first steps, down new roads, armed with nothing but their own vision" ~ Ayn Rand

This is what I feel like we are doing with Esperanza!  It remind me of the poem The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost:

 

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

 

What Is An Expert?

This came from Justin Tarte's December 11, 2011 BLOG posting.  I really liked the message so wanted to share it. 

The 13 habits of experts...

As part of the Poplar Bluff Junior High School book club, we decided to read "Fires in the Mind" by Kathleen Cushman. Though the book was not quite what I expected, it nevertheless had some great takeaways. One of the many takeaways was Cushman's part on "the habits of experts." As educators, we are constantly learning and growing, and I can personally say that most times I do not feel like an expert. The term "expert" is defined as:

ex·pert/ˈekspərt/

Noun:	A person who has a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of or skill in a particular area.
Adjective:	Having or involving such knowledge or skill.
Synonyms:	noun. specialist - connoisseur - adept - judge - master adjective. skilled - skilful - skillful - proficient - adept

The 13 habits of experts:

1) - Experts ask good questions...

2) - Experts break problems into parts...

3) - Experts rely on evidence...

4) - Experts look for patterns...

5) - Experts consider other perspectives...

6) - Experts follow hunches...

7) - Experts use familiar ideas in new ways...

8) - Experts collaborate...

9) - Experts welcome critique...

10) - Experts revise repeatedly...

11) - Experts persist...

12) - Experts seek out new challenges...

13) - Experts know their own best work styles...


After looking at and reflecting on this list of habits, I realized that Cushman defines expertise not in the traditional way many of us are accustom to. Cushman doesn't focus on what you know or the skills that you might have, but rather as how you use information and approach a particular situation or issue. She focuses on the "growth" mindset rather than the "fixed" mindset. The way Cushman describes the term "expert," makes me much more comfortable than the traditional dictionary defined way. If these are the habits of experts, then I want to be this kind of an expert...

Problem-Solving

I really like this quote.  It is not only great wisdom for Esperanza educators but it is a reminder that one of the most important skills we can teach our Esperanza scholars is problem-solving. 

Recording Favorite Sections of Books

In the book The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay there is a section I like.  Doc says, "Always listen to yourself, Peekay.  It is better to be wrong than simply to follow convention.  If you are wrong, no matter, you have learned something and you will grow stronger.  If you are right you have taken another step toward a fulfilling life."
Doc went on to say, "The more you know, the more you can control your destiny.  Man is the only animal who can store knowledge outside his body.  This has made him greater than the creatures around him.  You brain, Peekay, has two functions; it is a place for original thought, but also a reference library.  Use it to tell you where to look and then you have for yourself all the brains that have ever been."
Peekay says, "He [Doc] taught me to read for meaning and information, to make margin notes and to follow these up with trips to the Barberton library...."

Not only is this wise counsel but it is also a reminder that we want to help our Esperanza scholars keep a record of their favorite sections, quotes, descriptions, etc. of the books they read. 

Go the Extra Mile

Go the extra mile – it’s never crowded.

I love this quote.  If we will remember to always do this at Esperanza we will never need to be concerned about recruiting and retention--whether for students or staff--because we will stand out. 

Knowing History

I listened this morning to James McPherson from Princeton University as he gave a BYU Forum speech on November 29, 2011.  His speech was titled "Why the Civil War Still Matters Today."  It was an excellent speech that I would encourage all of our Esperanza people to read once it becomes available. 

The effects of the Civil War affected the Civil Rights Movement in the 60s and still affects the social issues in our day.  McPherson explained the difference between negative liberty and positive liberty and how important it is to move in the direction of positive liberty.

This speech by McPherson is a reminder of how important it is to teach history to our Esperanza scholars and especially how important it is to connect past history to currect events that affect the lives our scholars. 

The Power of One

I have been reading the book The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay.  Last night we watched the DVD.  This book has a great message as Marilyn Green Faulkner states in Back to the Best Books--"...help us believe in the value of each individual and in the power of each individual to triumph over adversity and make a positive contribution to the world." 

Although this particular book and movie are probably not appropriate to share with elementary students they are reminder to us as educators that we need to remember this message and find ways to help our students understand it.  Involving our Esperanza scholars in quality service learning and social action is a pathway to do just that. 

Learning First-Hand a Quality School Principle

Yesterday our Esperanza Board went before the state charter board to answer questions about our application.  We were excited that they were so impressed with our application and the quality of our Board.  Yet, we learned first hand one of Dr. Glasser's quality school principles.  Even though they felt our application was excellent and of the highest quality they challenged us to ask ourselves, " What is the next level of performance?" and use our answers as a "lifting point." 

Building Vocabulary

                                            Marie Antoinette in a muslin dress

Art: Elisabeth Vigée-Lebrun

I really enjoy wordsmith.org that I receive 5 days a week.  A word is featured giving the pronunciation, the background of the word, the defnitition (s), sentences using the word, and a picture. This is a great way to help students learn new words. 

Fun Code Switching in a Poem

‘Twas the night before Christmas y por toda la casa,
Not a creature was stirring-Caramba! Que pasa?
Los niños were tucked away in their camas,
Some in long underwear, some in pijamas,
While hanging the medias with mucho ciudado
In hopes that old Santa would feel obligado
To bring all children, both buenos y malos,
A nice batch of dulces y otros regalos.
Outside in the yard there arose such a grito
That I jumped to my pies like a frightened cabrito.
I ran to the window and looked out afuera,
And who in the world do you think that it era?
Saint Nick in a sleigh and a big red sombrero
Came dashing along like a crazy bombero.
And pulling his sleigh instead of venados
Were eight little burros approaching volados.
I watched as they came and this quaint little hombre
Was shouting and whistling and calling by nombre:
"Ay Pancho, ay Pepe, ay Cuco, ay Berto,
Ay Chato, ay Chopo, Macuco, y Nieto!"
Then standing erect with his hands on his pecho
He flew to the top of our very own techo.
With his round little belly like a bowl of jalea,
He struggled to squeeze down our old chiminea,
Then huffing and puffing at last in our sala,
With soot smeared all over his real suit de gala,
He filled all the medias with lovely regalos-
For none of the niños had been very malos.
Then chuckling aloud, seeming muy contento,
He turned like a flash and was gone como viento.
And I heard him exclaim, and this is verdad,
Merry Christmas to all, y Feliz Navidad!

Narrow Reading Is Valuable

I have been thinking about how valuable narrow reading is--whether it is reading the same book numerous times, reading a number of books by the same author, and/or reading a number of books about the same topic.

I recently reread Middlemarch by George Eliot.  Then we watched the DVD--all 7 hours of it!  Then yesterday I finished reading the Middlemarch Cliff Notes.  Every experience with this book gave me new insights that I would have missed if I had just said, "I read that book once.  I have also been reading a number of books by George Eliot even those I read quite some time ago.  Even though I knew some of the stories revisiting them enriched me. 

Growing Exponentially

I love it when I find people I admire and respect share books, articles, websites, ideas--and even people, etc.  It's a great way to grow exponentially.  This is one of the reasons I enjoy GoodReads so much.  I have one friend--Pam Werner--who has introduced me to numerous books I have enjoyed immensely.  It is also fun for me to see that she is reading books that I have recommended.  Both of us have been enriched through this sharing.   It is my hope and desire that everyone associated with Esperanza will do this kind of sharing so everyone can have the opportunity to grow exponentially. 

Be A Light

This morning I listened to the BYU Devotional Speech by Dr. Damon Bahr from the David O. McKay School of Education given on November 15, 2011.  I felt that his speech had an important message for us who are committed to Esperanza. 

Bahr referenced 3 Nephi 12:14-16 from the Book of Mormon [Verily, verily, I say unto you to be the light of this people.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.  Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel?  Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house; Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.]  to illustrate four different ways and degrees we can shine our light.

1)      There are candles that are never lit; 2) those that intentionally hide their candles and 3 )others who put their lights in places that aren’t visible and 4)  those who put their lights in places to maximize their illuminating opportunities.

I feel we have a responsibility to make Esperanza into the fourth kind of candle—a candle that lights and guides others.  In other words, we need to make a difference—“to stand up and be counted in ways that will change the course of history.” 

Letting Go

This is not only important to remember in our personal life but in our professional life, too.  There were will be people (parents, educators, founders, etc.) associated with Esperanza who we will need to "let go" when their part in Esperanza's story is finished. 

What Newt Gingrich Doesn't Know

When someone like Newt Gingrich who could possibly be the Republican nominee and possibly the next President of the U.S. makes such outlandish comments my heart sinks.  He told an Iowa audience that children in poor neighborhoods have "no habits of working" nor getting paid for their endeavors "unless it is illegal."  He also said, "Really poor children in really poor neighborhoods have no habits of working and have nobody around them who works."  He feels that child labor laws are really stupid...and are too rigid...and that they entrap poor children into poverty. 

I have worked numerous years in majority/minority schools (mostly Hispanic) with up to 90% of the students on free and reduced lunch.  I learned some things about this population--which apparently Gingrich doesn't know:

• Many parents were working 2-3 jobs
• Hispanics--as a whole--have an incredible work ethic that would behoove all of us to emulate
• Hispanics--as a whole--have an entrepreneurial spirit

Until we focus on the strengths of those we want to serve instead of focusing on perceived deficits it will be hard for us to be effective.  It is even more challenging if the nation's leaders don't get it.  We must continue to educate them.

Giving Classics to Classic People

Continue to love serendipitous experiences.  I was looking for something else this morning and found this wonderful article in the Meridian by Marilyn Green Faulkner, the author of Back to the Best Books on December 15, 2010.

Christmas is coming, but don't worry - I've got you covered.
If you are like me, you are just now getting around to Christmas shopping, and cussing at yourself for leaving it so late. But not to worry – this year I have your gift giving all wrapped up and ready to go: simply give classic books to your classic friends. What’s a classic? It’s something that has been proven with the test of time. Whether it’s a friend or a great book, a classic just gets better with age. It doesn’t fluctuate with swings in popular opinion or the economy – it’s a constant. Just as some books are classics, so are some of the special people in our lives.

click to buy

So here’s the plan: Start with my guide to the classics, Back to the Best Books. It features 36 great works of literature and there is something for everyone in there! Now, choose one of the selections from the book that fits the personality of the recipient. For example, your brother might love The Count of Monte Cristo or Master and Commander. Your favorite veteran may enjoy All Quiet on the Western Front or Les Miserables. The fantasy lover on your list may not yet have discovered Watership Down or The Once and Future King, and the mystery reader will love curling up with The Moonstone. Bundle the classic with the book guide and you’ll give a gift that will keep on giving through the year! Add a note letting your loved one know why they are a “classic” in your life and you’ll be a hero. Want to get even fancier? Add some gourmet hot chocolate and a mug, or a little booklight and some slippers, and you’ve got a gift basket worthy of Santa himself!
A book is the perfect gift: one size fits all, you don’t have to feed it, and it’s easy to wrap and ship. As a special treat, consider buying a beautiful, hardback copy of a classic work of literature rather than the paperback. (It’s nice to pass a book along to one’s children with the cover still attached!) I was delighted to see my nephew receive a beautiful leather-bound copy of his favorite novel (The Count of Monte Cristo) from his new bride for his birthday. I thought that a very nice tradition for a new family.
One book that is both new and one hundred years old is the Autobiography of Mark Twain. As you may have heard by now, Twain left instructions that his autobiography remain unpublished for a hundred years after his death. So this year it’s finally available! I downloaded it from Audible.com and I am looking forward to over 24 hours of listening pleasure with our nation’s “Lincoln of literature.”
Just to get you thinking, here are a few more great books that most people would love to own, and that you might want to put on your personal wish list:
Books for Men:
Einstein, and Benjamin Franklin, by Walter Isaacson. Both excellent biographies of fascinating men.
Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson. A beautiful last letter from an aging father to a young son. Trust me, it’s just wonderful.
The Old Man and the Boy, by Robert Ruark: A sweet tale about a boy raised by his grandfather in rural North Carolina.
We Were Soldiers Once, and Young, by Harold G. Moore: The true account of the first major battle of Vietnam, by the man who led it. You’ll believe in heroes again.
All Quiet on the Western Front, Erich Maria Remarque: Wrenching saga of WWI, and one of the greatest war novels ever written.
The Three Musketeers, Alexander Dumas: Don’t be fooled by its vintage; Dumas has today’s bestsellers beat for action and intrigue. Any man who likes to read will love it.
A Walk in the Woods, Bill Bryson: Perfect for an outdoorsman with a sense of humor.
Books for Women:
A Gift from the Sea, Anne Morrow Lindbergh: A classic, always inspiring. For a thoughtful reader you might pair it with No More Words, by Reeve Lindbergh. The account of the last two years of Anne’s life. Anyone who has experienced caring for an elderly, ailing parent will relate to her honest, moving memoir.
Delta Wedding, Eudora Welty: Welty is my new favorite Southerner. A gorgeous book for someone who loves great writing.
A Room With a View, E.M. Forster: A beautiful tribute to true love, and funny besides. Forster captures an England that now exists only in fiction.
How Green Was My Valley, Richard Llwellyn: A story to savor, a family you want to know, and a part of the world that supplied many of the early pioneers.
O, Pioneer! Willa Cather: Any book of Cather’s is a joy to read; this is one of her best.
Books for Both:
The Forsyte Saga, John Galsworthy: The “saga” is actually three novels about a prosperous English family, and a big, wonderful read.
Keys of the Kingdom, A.J. Cronin: This book drew the most responses of any book we read in the Best Books Club. Cronin’s story of a humble priest is life-changing. Another like it: Death Comes for the Archbishop, by Willa Cather
The Good Earth, Pearl S. Buck: A book just doesn’t get any better than this. If you haven’t read this as an adult it will speak to you in a new way.
Books for Smart Kids:
If you have a child who loved Harry Potter and the Ring Trilogy as much as mine did, I recommend some classic tales of adventure and fantasy:
Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson: Still great, and a nice book to give in hardback.
King Solomon’s Mines, H. Rider Haggard: We could not put this book down. A kid who likes Indiana Jones will go nuts over this, and get a little smarter while reading it.
The Neverending Story, Michael Ende: A beautiful fantasy with a wonderful message, great characters and thrilling action sequences. We love this book at our house.
A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens: A teenager can read this book, and should. Dickens (like tomatoes or cottage cheese) is delicious, but requires a certain maturity of taste. This book is historical fiction and is about half the length of the bigger novels, so it is a good place to start.

Commitment to Education

I have been reading a wonderful book Black Stars African American Teachers by Clinton Cox.  I have been inspired each day as I have read a 3-4 page synopsis of an African American who overcame insurmountable obstacles at different times in history to educate himself/herself and to educate others.  What a commitment to education. 

It Takes Everyone to Make a Team

During the football season we watched LOTS of football games at our house.  I am not a football expert by any stretch of the imagination but I have learned a few things.  I know how important it is to have an excellent quarterback but I have also learned that no matter how excellent the quarterback is each player must do his part.  A great pass means nothing if there isn't a great receiver who can catch the ball and run with it.  The quarterback can't even make the pass if there aren't other team members blocking those who are trying to sack the quarterback.  Also, I have watched a number of games that were won or lost because of a kicker making or not making a field goal. 

Although it is important for us to seek excellent leaders for Esperanza that leadership will mean nothing without each "player" doing his/her part in an excellent manner. 

Build on Their Strengths

Last night I watched a segment on “60 Minutes” with Scott Pelley about children who were homeless.  What he learned from and about these children not only applies to children who are homeless but also to children from low socioeconomic status.  Because we will be working with low SES children at Esperanza there are some things from the segment that would be wise for us to remember. 

 Q: What did you like about Destiny Corfee and Jacob Braverman [two of the children interviewed]?

 A: What I absolutely loved about them was neither was whining. They answered our questions about what it's like to be homeless, but each of them went out of their way to say things would get a lot better and we'll be fine. Destiny says, 'When we get back on our feet, we'll be able to help others.' Jacob says, 'You can get through anything as long as you have your family together.' Those are both ideas we put in the piece that said so much about the character of those kids.

Q: Will we see more stories from you about the Great Recession?

 A: Absolutely. The Great Recession has been an incredible story to cover, because so many Americans are hurting. We're told the recession ended in 2009. This is a jobless recovery we're in. Millions and millions of people are hurting. It grinds on and on and on. We're raising a generation of kids in hard times. These are formative years for these kids. They know this time as a time of hunger and homelessness. You talk to a lot of older Americans who grew up in the Great Depression who say that it made them better. I wonder if we're doing the same thing.

Overcoming Language and/or Culture Misunderstandings

This morning I watched the BYU Devotional that Dr. Bill Eggington gave on November 8, 2011.  It was a perfect speech for those of us who are Esperanza stakeholders.  Even though I encourage all of us to read the whole speech once it becomes available the following are some highlights.

Dr. Bill Eggington, BYU’s Department of Linguistics and English Language Chair, used several studies from his field of study to illustrate how misunderstanding can develop between individuals from differing backgrounds, even without a language barrier. Language not only has grammatical meaning, but also an intended meaning that develops out of cultural norms.

In Australia, teachers met in the lounge to commiserate with each other about certain classes or students. But in America, when he voiced similar complaints among his colleagues, they responded by giving unwanted advice. His fellow teachers, he said, interpreted his complaints as pleas for help, and he subsequently interpreted their suggestions as assumptions of his incompetence.

“I even went through a period where I started thinking about know-it-all, patronizing Americans in terms of stereotypes reinforced by a process known as confirmation bias,” Eggington said. “This process can easily become a silent killer of goodwill, charity and compassion.”

In these situations, Eggington said individuals have two choices — either withdraw and create an isolated environment to avoid such situations, or become open to foreign ideas and treat other cultures with respect, love and understanding.

With English quickly becoming a dominant world language, Eggington said it is easy for native English speakers to develop a subconscious sense of cultural superiority — a belief that other cultures could be improved by becoming more like a more prevalent culture. Eggington cited statements made by former LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley to suggest that we  resist this mentality.

“This is our responsibility to all the kindreds of the earth,” Eggington said. “This responsibility extends not just to people who are like us, or to people who want to become like us, but to all the kindreds of the earth.”

Great Idea for Meetings

Barbara Glanz had this great idea on her BLOG:
Are most of your meetings dull and laborious? Here is an idea to make them more efficient, more creative, and more fun!
Get red, green, and yellow paper plates. Glue each one to a tongue depressor or other kind of stick. Give one of each to each person in the meeting.
When someone agrees with what a person is sharing or wants to vote “yes” on a question, they hold up the green plate. When someone disagrees or wants to vote “no” on an issue, they hold up the red plate. When someone wants more discussion, has a question, or wants to share their opinion, they hold up the yellow plate.
You will be surprised at how much clearer this makes everyone’s communication and how much more efficient your meetings will be. It also adds the element of creativity and fun to what most employees dread the most — boring meetings!
For more creative ideas to spread contagious enthusiasm and enhance employee motivation, go to www.barbaraglanz.com/ideas www.barbaraglanz.com/ideas/

Such a Time As This

LINCOLN, THE MAN OF THE PEOPLE

by: Edwin Markham (1852-1940)

HEN the Norn Mother saw the Whirlwind Hour

Greatening and darkening as it hurried on,

She left the Heaven of Heroes and came down

To make a man to meet the mortal need.

She took the tried clay of the common road--

Clay warm yet with the genial heat of earth,

Dashed through it all a strain of prophecy;

Tempered the heap with thrill of human tears;

Then mixed a laughter with the serious stuff.

Into the shape she breathed a flame to light

That tender, tragic, ever-changing face.

Here was a man to hold against the world,

A man to match the mountains and the sea.

The color of the ground was in him, the red earth;

The smack and tang of elemental things:

The rectitude and patience of the cliff;

The good-will of the rain that loves all leaves;

The friendly welcome of the wayside well;

The courage of the bird that dares the sea;

The gladness of the wind that shakes the corn;

The pity of the snow that hides all scars;

The secrecy of streams that make their way

Beneath the mountain to the rifted rock;

The tolerance and equity of light

That gives as freely to the shrinking flower

As to the great oak flaring to the wind--

To the grave's low hill as to the Matterhorn

That shoulders out the sky.

Sprung from the West,

The strength of virgin forests braced his mind,

The hush of spacious prairies stilled his soul.

Up from log cabin to the Capitol,

One fire was on his spirit, one resolve:--

To send the keen axe to the root of wrong,

Clearing a free way for the feet of God.

And evermore he burned to do his deed

With the fine stroke and gesture of a king:

He built the rail-pile as he built the State,

Pouring his splendid strength through every blow;

The conscience of him testing every stroke,

To make his deed the measure of a man.

So came the Captain with the mighty heart;

And when the judgment thunders split the house,

Wrenching the rafters from their ancient rest,

He held the ridgepole up, and spiked again

The rafters of the Home. He held his place--

Held the long purpose like a growing tree--

Held on through blame and faltered not at praise.

And when he fell in whirlwind, he went down

As when a lordly cedar, green with boughs,

Goes down with a great shout upon the hills,

And leaves a lonesome place against the sky.

Just as Lincoln had an important mission to perform so does each of us.  It reminds me of Mordecai, Esther's uncle, who said to her, "...knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"  (Esther 4:14)
 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Whether you love history or just want to teach our Esperanza scholars more about America's history, Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday to begin with as it is deeply embedded with how our country began. Many times, if we can see where we've come from, we can better understand where we are now!

Thanksgiving Fun Facts #1 Thanksgiving was first celebrated on the Plymouth Colony by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians celebrated with a feast. The year was 1621 when the leader Governor William Bradford invited the Indians for the feast.

 Thanksgiving Fun Facts # 2 The Turkey likes to sleep in trees at night. At sunset, they rise and spread their wings and begin their day.

 Thanksgiving Fun Facts #3 Turkey are fast birds and can race as fast as 50-55 mph.

 Thanksgiving Fun Facts # 4 The Indians taught the Pilgrims how to survive off the land and brought food with them to the feast.

 Thanksgiving Fun Facts #5 George Washington wanted to establish a National Day of Thanksgiving and did so in 1789 and again in 1795.

 Thanksgiving Fun Facts #6 Congress made Thanksgiving Day a legal holiday in 1941 and is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of the month.

Thanksgiving Fun Facts #7 There are three cities around the country which take the name turkey: Turkey, Texas; Turkey Creek; Louisiana; and Turkey, North Carolina.

 Thanksgiving Fun Facts #8 The very first Macy's Thanksgiving Parade was held in New York City in 1924. The first Macy's Thanksgiving Parade was started by the Macy's employees and they used animals from the local zoo.

 Thanksgiving Fun Facts #9 Benjamin Franklin thought that the national bird should be the turkey. AS we now know, the national bird of the United States is the Bald Eagle.

 Thanksgiving Fun Facts #10 Wild turkeys have excellent vision. They've been known to have heart attacks. Although this isn't a proven fact, by thoughts are these "heart attacks" happen more often as Thanksgiving approaches.

Seeing More Than One Side

My husband and I watched the Republican debate last night.  In fact, we have watched every Republican debate thus far.  This is quite amazing when my husband is a die hard Democrat and I tend to lean that way. 

I became aware this morning of two studies that have been done that found that Fox News viewers are much more likely than others to believe false information about American politics. 

I'm not sharing this to influence anyone's political view. I am sharing it to demonstrate how beneficial it is to see things from another point of view. Therefore, we want our Esperanza scholars to learn how to do this.  Teaching them debate skills and even learning how to defend a side with which they don't agree are great skills to learn to become informed and involved citizens. 

Personal Factors #2

The following are some personal factors that research has shown benefit Latino students:

• Persistence--empeño
• Hard work
• Ability
• Clear goals
• Interpersonal skills
• Inner locus of control
• Self-efficacy
• Religiosity

How can we help our Esperanza scholars develop these attributes and skills?

English Only Is Ludicrous

The following information came with my "Word-for-the day"  this morning.  It definitely supports our desire to help our Esperanza scholars preserve their language. 

If you speak English, you know a little of more than a hundred languages. That's because English has borrowed words from so many languages around the world. Through trade, conquest, colonialism, etc. it came in contact with other languages.
When two languages rub against each other, as with humans, there is a certain give and take. Languages exchange words. English has many words from Latin, Greek, French, and Spanish, but it has also borrowed from languages as obscure as Basque (chaparral), Tongan (taboo), and Shelta (moniker).
When English meets with another language, the other language usually ends up badly. That's the downside to the spread of English. It enjoys a certain prestige among languages and everyone wants to learn it. It opens more opportunities. With each successive generation, interest in one's native language declines and eventually there's no one left to speak the tongue.
That makes the English-only agitation in a few states around here ludicrous. English is alive and well and thriving. Linguistic diversity is a good thing. Already a language dies every other week, and with it a whole culture. And as anthropologist and explorer Wade Davisso well describes it, "a language is not just a body of vocabulary or a set of grammatical rules, ... but an old growth forest of the mind."

Choosing Esperanza Leaders and Educators

This morning I listened to the BYU Forum Speech that Senator Joseph Lieberman gave on October 25, 2011.  I listened to him speak I was reminded how important it is for us to have Esperanza leaders and educators who are principled people—no matter what their religion.  In other words, we need to look at his/her personal qualities, leadership, experience, and qualifications. 

In 2000 Sen. Lieberman became the first Jewish American to become nominated for national office as the vice presidential running mate to Al Gore. “In that year I personally experienced the American people’s generosity of spirit, their fairness, and acceptance of religious diversity.”

 Sen. Lieberman recounted that on the day he was nominated, Reverend Jesse Jackson said, “In America, when a barrier is broken for one, the doors of opportunity open wider for every other American.”

This quote by Lieberman in his speech should be something else we want to remember as we teach our Esperanza scholars:  “Faith in God, love of country, sense of unity, confidence in the power of every individual—these are the things that are going to carry the American people through crises greater than the ones we face today, and will, I’m sure, propel us forward to a better place if only we will return to those values and recognize them as a source of national strength. And I hope in some sense, the presence of faith in the public square will let us do that. The greatest source of American strength and hope for the future is not in current devices and rigid politics of Washington, it is in the broadly shared faith and values of the American people,” he said.

"The Lion King"

Last night I watched "The Lion King" for the first time.  I put off seeing it because I didn't have any young children with whom to share it.  It is a reminder that I need to respond to the child within me more often and enjoy movies and books (and songs!) written for children. 

Also, I loved the message of the story.  Each of our Esperanza scholars is a "king" or "queen" and we need to treat them as such and help them see it in themselves. 

Involving Grandparents

On November 16, 2011 KSL posted this article about a study that supports what Hispanics have apparently instinctively known all along—that family means extended family. 

A new study praises grandparents for helping kids be kinder and, in some cases, smarter.

 "The bottom line is that grandparents have a positive influence on their grandkids that is distinct from the effect of the parent-child relationship," said lead study author Jeremy Yorgason.

 It's that experience and the investment in spending time with grandkids that researchers say has a tremendous influence on kids.

 For the study, Yorgason and a team of researchers interviewed more than 400 kids ages 10 to 14. After one year, they found the kids were kinder to others outside their immediate family and friends - and, in some cases, smarter.

 While Yorgason encourages grandparents to be more involved in their grandchildren's lives, he says that if kids don't have grandparents of their own, families should try to find a similar adult figure to spend quality time with.

We at Esperanza will want to intentionally do things that involve grandparents (and in some cases adopted grandparents) and extended family. 

Learning From Famous Stories

I recently bought a book Fifty Famous Stories Retold by James Baldwin.  I have been reading one story a day which only takes a few minutes.  These stories would be great to share with students.  Not only could they be used to teach about history, geography, and famous people but they also teach great lessons. 

The Essence of Communication

This is a great reminder that we need to be sure that the messages we send are the ones that are received--the essence of communication. 

Great Opportunity to Learn About Others

Personal Factors--Message from Jaime Escalante

Jamie Escalante, the incredible math teacher who inspired the movie Stand and Deliver: "Children of the barrio have enormous obstacles to overcome to get an education...Minority students may be affected by these barriers, but they are not victims of them.  Students can learn to overcome any barrier they will every face."

Jaime Escalante's wisdom is a great introduction to the personal factors that we'll address for the next couple of weeks.

A Different Approach to Circumstances

I reread a story this morning that has had a tremendous impact on me.   It's a story Elder David Bednar relates from the journal of Daniel W. Jones titled Forty Years Among the Indians during a BYU Devotional speech he gave on October 23, 2001. 

"Game became so scarce that we could kill nothing.  We ate all the poor meat; one would get hungry eating it.  Finally it was all gone, nothing now but hides were left.  We made a trial of them.  A lot was cooked and eaten without any seasoning and it made the whole company sick.  Many were so turned against the stuff that it made them sick to think of it...
"Things looked dark, for nothing remained but the poor raw hides taken from the starved cattle.  We asked the Lord to direct us what to do.  The brethren did not murmur, but felt to trust in God.  We had cooked the hide, after soaking and scraping the hair off until it was soft and then ate it, glue and all.  This made it rather inclined to stay with us longer than we desired.  Finally I was impressed how to fix the stuff and gave the company advice, telling them how to cook it; for them to scorch and scrape the hair off; this had a tendency to kill and purify the bad taste that scalding gave it.  After scraping, boil one hour in plenty of water, throwing the water away which had extracted all the glue, then wash and scrape the hide thoroughly, washing it in cold water, then boil it to a jelly and let it get cold, and then eat with a little sugar sprinkled on it.  This was considerable trouble, but we had little else to do and it was better than starving."  (p.81)

Daniel Jones goes onto say that they asked the Lord to bless their stomachs and adapt them to this food.  In other words, he did not pray that his circumstances would be changes, but he prayed that he would be strengthened to deal with his circumstances.

There will be numerous times as we build Esperanza that we will wish that we could change certain circumstances but it might be wise for us to learn a lesson from this story of Daniel Jones---and seek to be strengthened to deal with the circumstances rather than murmur because the circumstances aren't what we would desire. 

Valuing Those Who Came Before Us

I love this picture.  It is important to help our Esperanza scholars value the contributions of those who came before them.  Therefore, we want to think of ways to connect generations. 

Christmas

Even though celebrating Christmas and saying "Merry Christmas"  at Esperanza are acceptable it still behooves us to be sensitive to the religious and cultural beliefs of others.

A Slogan Needs to Be More Than a Slogan

http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/joe-paterno-fired-penn-state-football-coach-president-graham-spanier-child-sex-abuse-scandal-board-of-trustees-meeting-110911

This scandal at Penn State has taught me some lessons.  I loved the slogan they had--"Success with Honor."  Yet, what good is a slogan if it doesn't have an influence on one's behavior.  I want us at Esperanza to have short and crisp slogan at Esperanza that inspires us and that all of us strive to live up to each and every day.    No matter how much good we do it can be wiped away by one unwise decision and/or action. 

Name Calling Is Unacceptable

If you were like me your mother probably taught you the phrase, "Sticks and bones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me."  Although I know my mother was well meaning this phrase is not true.  Names do hurt.  In an inviting school setting calling others names is unacceptable. 

Incidentby Countée Cullen
Once riding in old Baltimore,
Heart-filled, head-filled with glee,
I saw a Baltimorean
Keep looking straight at me.
Now I was eight and very small,
And he was no whit bigger,
And so I smiled, but he poked out
His tongue, and called me, "Nigger."
I saw the whole of Baltimore
From May until December;
Of all the things that happened there
That's all that I remember.

Be True to Oneself

I was so sad to hear of the death of Andy Rooney last Friday.  I liked him so much!  He loved his life and he lived it on his own terms--even when it made others angry. 



This above all:  To thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
(Polonius' Advice to Laertes in "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare)

Community Factors

ALL KIDS ARE OUR KIDS---For this reason we want a school-family-community partnership. 

• Increase social capital---Great book to read is Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam
• Make school the center for community activities
• The staff knows the community, networks with the community, and builds relationships
• Do asset building--"Protective Factors"--some great resources are Bonnie Bernard's book Resiliency, Stephen H. Glenn's book Raising Self-Reliant Children and the 40 Developmental Assets. 

Message from "The Lion King"

This morning I listened to the BYU Devotional Speech that Pres. Thomas S. Monson gave on November 1, 2011.  In his speech he quoted from the Disney movie "The Lion King" -- advice Mufusa gave to Simba and related it to students about reaching their potential in life.
"Look inside yourself Simba, you are more than what you have become. Remember who you are," Mufusa said.

This is something we want to remember and to say to our Esperanza educators and scholars every day not only with our words but also with our actions.

Words of Wisdom from Stephen Krashen

This article by Dr. Stephen Krashen supports why it is so important for us to have our Esperanza scholars read a lot, including doing PALA (our Spanish translation of sustained silent reading) every day. 


Sent to the Taipei Times, November 3, 2011

Lii Ding-tzann (“Reading your way to true wisdom,” Nov. 3) argues that reading in a way that connects to your own life makes a powerful contribution to our intellectual development. Research strongly supports his position: Studies show that wide, self-selected reading is related to our literacy development, our knowledge of the world, and achievement: People who read more read and write better, know more, and accomplish more in life.

Creativity researcher Dean Keith Simonton has concluded that "omnivorous reading in childhood and adolescence correlates positively with ultimate adult success.” Strong evidence comes from cases of highly successful well-read individuals with little formal education: Famous examples include Thomas Edison, who profited from reading books in his father's home library as well as the Detroit public library, and Michael Faraday, who had the good luck to work for a bookbinder, and became an enthusiastic reader.

School can either encourage or discourage the development of a reading habit. The over-emphasis on testing, a disease that seems to spreading world-wide, inhibits intellectual development by not allowing time or opportunity for students to develop their own interests by reading widely. But school could help students by exposing them to many different ideas, allowing them time to explore their interests, and by providing access to a print-rich environment.

Stephen Krashen

Professor Emeritus

University of Southern California