The Teacher Factor

The teacher is the most important school-related factor for student achievement, especially for minority and low income students. 

The following are factors supported by research to consider when hiring our Esperanza educators:
#1:  Ethnicity of teacher:  What are the advantages of Hispanic teachers?  What are some barriers Hispanic teachers face?  George Monsivais has some great research to consider.  According to Dr. Martin Haberman white teachers can be effective with students of color --its the characteristics, not race, that makes them effective. 
#2:  Authentic caring relationships:  The importance of "confianza" and "respeto"
#3:  High expectations:  Never quitting until all children learn
#4:  "Warm demander"
#5:  Coach students with goal setting:  The book by Joachim Posada
#6:  Culturally responsive:  Teachers learn and use the teaching philosophy and methods that respect, value, and use strengths of culture and language
#7:  Professional development:  Collaboration and training
#8:  Rarely absent or tardy:  Research has shown that students who have teachers who are rarely absent or tardy have higher academic achievement.  Yet, teachers in schools with a high percentage of minority and/or low income students have a higher absent and tardy rate. 

Lessons From Chemistry and Life

This morning I listened to the BYU Devotional Speech given by Greg Burton, chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, on October 18th.  He started his speech with a couple of experiments that I feel have some implications for us at Esperanza.  In the first experiment he combined two clear liquids (A + B = C) that he told the audience the mixture would turn black but the mixture didn't immediately do so.  He explained that at times we need to be patient to see the results that are expected. 

Dr. Burton then did another experiement where he placed an ice cube on a pile of gray powder that exploded.  He explained that at times a result happens that is completely different than what we expected. 

Burton said,  “While these types of experiments have surprising conclusions, such outcomes can be truly enlightening because they lead us to think more deeply and often generate important new understanding and knowledge. However, they can also be discouraging because we don’t immediately understand what has happened. In this case we may give up, and in doing so, fail to gain the understanding and new knowledge that we could have received.”

Burton also gave the example of the taking down of the Berlin Wall as an example of something happening faster than what was expected.  He explained that results can happen faster or slower than what we expect.  In other words, the timing has to be right. 

All these lessons we can apply as we strive to make Esperanza the school of our dreams.  They are also great lessons we can help our Esperanza scholars learn. 

Grading

The November 2011 issue of Educational Leadership from ASCD arrived yesterday.  The theme of this issue is "Effective Grading Practices."  I read a few articles, and it is excellent. 

One article "Starting the Conversation About Grading" by Susan M. Brookhart that the first two questions we need to ask ourselves are:

1. What meaning (purpose) do we want our grades to convey? 
2. Who is (are) the primary audience(s) for this message?

This article and articles and others that I read fit beautifully with the Dr. William Glasser Quality School Model that we are implementing at Esperanza. 

Grant for Service Learning

This caught my eye because of our focus on service learning at Esperanza.  Obviously we can't apply for it now, but am sure that it is offered every year so we will want to look into it once Esperanza opens.  I have signed up for the newsletter from Youth Service America so we'll be reminded. 

State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grants - $1,000

Deadline:

November 9, 2011

State Farm™ is proud to team up with YSA (Youth Service America) in a dynamic partnership to offer grants of up to $1,000 for the promotion of service-learning projects in K-12 public schools in all fifty US states and the District of Columbia, and in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick.


Each grant engages participating youth in service-learning, an effective teaching and learning strategy that promotes student learning, academic achievement, workplace readiness, and stronger communities. The State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Grants encourage semester-long projects (a Semester of Service) that launch on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service (January 16, 2012) and culminate on Global Youth Service Day (April 20-22, 2012).

Lessons From Adam Bede

Last night we watched this movie version (library DVD) of the book Adam Bede by George Eliot.  I also checked out the book so I can also read the story.  Although this story is not one that we will introduce to elementary Esperanza scholars it is a reminder that even though it may be hard to get young people hooked into classics it's still important to expose our scholars to them.  They teach principles that are timeless.

Watching this story also reminded of the importance of narrow reading--reading a number of books by the same author and/or reading a number of books on the same topic.  I so enjoyed this story I want to read (and in some cases, reread) more of the books by George Eliot. 

The reason we watched this movie was because the book was mentioned a number of times in the biography of Van Gogh that I have been reading.  This is something else that reading does--it leads to more reading as interest is piqued in a certain topic. 

Language of the Soul

A favorite poetry book of mine is Cool Salsa.  I love this following poem that is in the book.  We want to remember when interacting with our Hispanic Esperanza scholars and their families.

Learning English

Translated by Lori M. Carlson

Life

To understand me

You have to know Spanish

Feel it in the blood of your soul.

If I speak another language

And use different words

For feelings that will always stay the same

I don’t know

If I’ll continue being

the same person.

Aprender el inglés

por Luis Alberto Ambroggio

Viva

para entenderme

tienes que saber español

sentirlo en la sangre de tu alma

Si hablo otro lenguaje

Y uso palabras distintas

para expresar sentimientos que nunca combiarán

no sé

si siguiré siendo

la misma persona

Great Message in Poem by Langston Hughes

I love the message of this poem by Langston Hughes, an African American.  The message is not only good for us who are founding Esperanza but it's also a great one to share with our Esperanza scholars.

Langston Hughes - Mother to Son

Well, son, I'll tell you: Life for me ain't been no crystal stair. It's had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up, And places with no carpet on the floor— Bare. But all the time I'se been a-climbin' on, And reachin' landin's, And turnin' corners, And sometimes goin' in the dark Where there ain't been no light. So, boy, don't you turn back. Don't you set down on the steps. 'Cause you finds it's kinder hard. Don't you fall now— For I'se still goin', honey, I'se still climbin', And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

Our Barbara Lewis Service Learning Plan

#1:  Issue-based problem that extends from a curricular topic:  How to establish the Esperanza inviting environment

     a.  Service experience(s) for students that connects to it:  a) "Families", b) structured recesses, c) Dr. Glasser's tutoring school program

     b.  Connect it to a curricular standard:  Global issues and problems + all the social studies.  Also, literature (different cultures)

#2:  Research (Where you would look?):  Internet, books, multicultural books, interviews

#3:  Brainstorm a solution:  Create strong and healthy relationships throughout the school.

#4:  Build a team (coalitions):  Parents, staff, scholars, Board

#5:  Work with our opposition (Who might they be?):  Some scholars, some parents, some staff who may not value the importance of building an inviting environment

#6:  Advertise:  Put up pictures of inviting activities on a school bulletin board.  Also, develop a relationship with a media person who could spotlight some of our activities.

#7:  Raise money (if you need to):  Possibly work with a bank person to give "scholarships" to scholars who serve as tutors to build an education savings fund.

#8:  Carry out solution.  List steps: 
     Kenna and Patricia:  Plan the structured recess idea
     Teach the scholars and teachers the tutoring program
     Organize the "families" and plan how they will function

#9:  Evaluate, Reflect, Celebrate:  Tally how many kids need to be sent to the principal.  Also, scholars and teachers and write and draw in journals about experiences.  Also, surveys can be taken from parents and teachers.

#10:  Don't give up.  How could the experiences be extended to GLOBAL service?  Work to change laws and apply to multicultural issues. 

Laughing Helps Learning

I once heard that we learn 700x more if we are laughing while we are learning.  Don't know if it is really 700x more but research does say that when emotion is tied to something there is a better chance we will remember it.  Therefore, not only do we want to challenge our Esperanza scholars we also want to have lots of fun in the process. 

Do I Make You Proud

Yesterday I went to the UEA (Utah Education Assn.) Convention to hear the keynote speaker, Cea Cohen Elliott.  It was an excellent speech.  I especially enjoyed the video she showed of the "Surfice Dog."  Below are the inspiring lyrics of the song "Do I Make You Proud" by Taylor Hicks that were part of the video. 

I've never been
The one to raise my hand
That was not me
And now that's who I am
Because of you
I am standing tall
My heart is full
Of endless gratitude
You were the one
The one to guide me through
ow I can see
And I believe
It's only just beginning

[Chorus:]
This is what we dream about
But the only question with me now
Is do I make you proud
Stronger than I've ever been now
Never been afraid of standing out
Do I make you proud

[Verse 2:]
I guess I've learned
To question is to grow,
That you still have faith,
s all I need to know,
I've learned to love,
My selfish part of me,
And I've learned to
Walk on the road I believe.
Everybody needs to rise up
Everybody needs to be loved
To be loved
Everybody need to rise on
Everybody needs to be loved, to be loved

[Chorus:]
This is what we dream about
But the only question with me now
Is do I make you, do I make you proud
This is what we dream about
Never been afraid of standing out
Do I make you proud
Stronger than I've ever been
Never been afraid of standing out
Do I make you proud
Do I make you proud

Both the dog, Richochet, and the lyrics of the song teach us much about how we want to approach our Esperanza scholars. 

John Brown's Passion

Yesterday I read the children's book John Brown His Fight for Freedom by John Hendrix--a biography of John Brown.   Brown's decision to wage war on slavery in America made him an outlaw and ultimately cost him his life.  While some considered him a hero others considered him a crazy man.  I like what the author said of him in the "Author's Note":  "We should remember John Brown because he was not afraid to fight for the freedom of an oppressed people to which he did not belong...Ultimately, John Brown's contribution was not freedom itself, but an unbridled vision of conviction."  

The author also quoted Frederick Douglass--a quote that touched me: " 'His zeal in the cause of my race was greater than mine.  I could live for my the slave, but he could die for him.' "

I would hope that we could have John Brown's passion (although bridled a little more) as we strive to make Esperanza a school that meets the needs of our Esperanza scholars. 

 

Horatius Cocles

Horatius Cocles, a 1586 engraving by Hendrick Goltzius

This morning I read the poem Horatius by Thomas Babington Macaulay.  I didn't know anything about the story upon which this poem was based so I "googled" Horatius which led me to all kinds of exciting information.

The legend of Horatius is used as an example of the men who have "devoted themselves to inevitable death ... to save the lives of other citizens. ... he threw himself into the river with his armor, and there lost his life as he had designed." Though Horatius did not perish in the river, the disability he suffered (and subsequent honorable discharge from the army) ended the life he had previously pursued.The phrase 'Romans on the Bridge' is used to refer to a valiant defence against impossible odds.

Not only did I find this information that was inspiring about how one committed life can make a difference but I also discovered some books by James Baldwin for young people about other famous stories and heroic people.  Those books are now on my Amazon wishlist.  Not only do I want to read them but I also want our Esperanza scholars to read them. 

Attitudes Toward Rules

The following thought came with my word for the day.  It fits well with Brian Mendler's work about the fact that fair doesn't mean equal. 

 THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Pedantry and mastery are opposite attitudes toward rules. To apply a rule to the letter, rigidly, unquestioningly, in cases where it fits and in cases where it does not fit, is pedantry ... To apply a rule with natural ease, with judgment, noticing the cases where it fits, and without ever letting the words of the rule obscure the purpose of the action or the opportunities of the situation, is mastery. -George Polya, mathematician (1887-1985)

The Importance of Knowing

Yesterday I finished reading Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich.  Although it was published 2001 it still applies to today.  It is especially pertinent for us at Esperanza because we are targeting the low SES population. 

One of the things that makes Ehrenreich's book so powerful is because she chose to live for a period of time like the people she was researching.  In the Introduction she says, "...low-wage workers are no more homogeneous in personality or ability than people who write for a living, and no less likely to be funny or bright.  Anyone in the educated classes who thinks otherwise ought to broaden their circle of friends."  She goes on to say that those not having to live in this manner don't understand or know this population and for that reason they make inappropriate decisions and policies that are harmful. 

I have found in my reading of The Fiery Trial:  Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery that it took Lincoln actually meeting and interacting with Blacks who had experienced slavery did he make wiser decisions concerning the issue.

These two examples are a reminder that we need to find ways to know our Esperanza scholars and their families if we are going to make the most appropriate decisions and policies. 

School Factors #4

#19  School environment is safe and orderly and students are always (or almost always) on task
Jane Bluestein's book Creating Emotionally Safe Schools is an excellent resource.

#20  Diversity in student and staff
Each Esperanza educator is a Haberman STAR educator.

#21  Service Learning/Social Action
Barbara Lewis's workshop and book are a great resource.  Sherri Sohm is another great resource. 

#22  Principals are visible and available.

Always Be Growing

I have started to read the book The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery by Eric Foner.  In the preface the author reminds us that the hallmark of Lincoln's greatness was his capacity for growth.  He was a man who never seems to stop growing.  He grew into greatness. 

The author goes onto say that not every individual possesses the capacity for growth.  In fact, there are some who seem to shrink, rather than grow, when faced with a crisis.  The reason Lincoln was able to grow was not only because he was true to an inner compass but also because he was willing to listen to critism and seek out new ideas. 

It is my hope that the Esperanza educators will follow Lincoln's example and do what is necessary to develop our capacity to grow.  We can, therefore, be examples for our Esperanza scholars in this--one of the most important lessons we can teach them. 

Blaze A New Trail

"If you can see your path laid out in front of you step by step, you know it's not your path. Your own path you make with every step you take. That's why it's your path.”   Joseph Campbell

I also like the quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson: 

“Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail”

This picture and all of these two quotes are a reminder that we want Esperanza to blaze a new trail. 

The United States Isn't the Only Rich Culture

Thanks to Juan Freire for sharing these two graphic cartoons.  As they say, "There is a lot of truth in humor!"  Although we want our Esperanza scholars to have a love for the United States and all that it offers, we also want them to have an appreciation for the richness of other cultures. 

Everyone Is a Genius

I love this quote.  It fits well with a favorite book of mine--The Animal School.  We want to bring out the genius of each of our Esperanza scholars by remembering the uniqueness of each one. 

What's "Normal"?

In my posting yesterday I noted that I'm reading Creating Emotionally Safe Schools by Jane Bluestein.  In my reading this morning the author mentioned her all-time favorite Twilight Zone episode which all happens to be my favorite episode, too.  Jane summarizes the episode writing, "...a young woman, waits in a hospital room, her face swathed in bandages, waiting to see the results of a plastic surgeon's final attempt to reconstruct her face so that she can live among 'normal' people.  In a feat of remarkable camera work, you don't actually see anyone's face throught the entire show until the bandages are removed, revealing a perfectly lovely young woman--much to her horror and the horror of everyone around her.  Only when the camera reveals the grotesquely distorted faces of the doctors and nurses do you realize that, in this society, the standards for beauty are quite different from those of the show's intended audience."

It is important for us to remember this episode when we tend to judge or criticize based on a criteria that makes any of our Esperanza scholars look like he or she doesn't measure up. 

Jane Bluestein: Another Great Resource

I get so excited when one thing leads to another and then I see how a variety of things complement each other.  Because of an article I read in Educational Leadership I bought and read the book The Win-Win Classroom by Jane Bluestein.  Bluestein's ideas resonated so much with me I bought another book of hers Creating Emotionally Safe Schools that I have been reading.  In this second book Bluestein mentions ideas from Dr. William Glasser (The Quality School) and Dr. William Purkey (Invitational Education).  All these ideas reinforce each other. Obviously Bluestein will be another author I'll encourage our Esperanza educators to meet. 

School Factors #3

Please comment on how we can address the following factors:

Factor #15:  Engage parents (families) as partners and build confianza

Factor #16:  Motivational messages in English and Spanish on the walls.  It might be a good idea to put pennants from colleges on the walls, too.

Factor #17:  Accountability systems are linked to data drive instructional goals

• Alternative assessments such as portfolios
• Proficiency in both languages is measured

Also, use data to uncover and erase systematic inequities such as Gifted/Talented, Special Education, discipline (do one at a time) using the following three steps: 

1. Analyze if inequity existence
2. Implement a solution
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of the solution

Factor #18:  Each student plays a musical instrument. 

Technology ideas from Flavia

Flavia:  Sent me the following in an email.  Felt it should be here on Esperanza BLOG so all of you could see it. 

Hi Barbara: Technology has been a great way for me to turn in my assignments. I have had good instructors who have taught me the importance of using technology in our classroom. Recently, my special education teacher brought us ipads to play with.  We got so excited just to be able to use them for a bit. She told us that she is being using them a lot and are great. I was thinking that kids learn in a different way and it will be nice to have something like that at Esperanza. Kids are growing up with technology in these days. Ipads can really help the students to learn the language, especially the little ones. There are so many programs that are free to download. Anyways, just a thought. I get excited to use them.

Times Are Good

This morning I watched the BYU Forum speech that was delivered September 20, 2001 by Gregg Easterbrook, an economist who is both an author and journalist. The thoughts he shared were drawn primarily from two of the books he authored, Progress Paradox and Sonic Boom. 

He stated the fact that most of what is happening in the world has been positive for decades even though the nature of the media and others would want us to think otherwise by the emphasize on bad news.  In spite of the positive things many people are still suffering much anxiety and are experiencing less happiness than their parents and grandparents.  What psychologists have discovered is that the big red line between the group with a sense of well-being and those with a negative sense of well-being is whether they believe their lives have meaning. 

Easterbrook went onto share that because of the many positive things happening in the world such as more people having greater access to education there is an opportunity for more ideas to improve and change the world.  He encouraged his audience to contribute to the development of the world.

These thoughts should influence as we approach our Esperanza scholars.  Making service learning a part of our Esperanza program will help scholars see that they can influence the world with their ideas which in turn will help them see that their lives have meaning.

I'm anxious to read these two books mentioned as well as other books by this wise gentleman. 

Benjamin Franklin and Compromise

This morning I finished reading Benjamin Franklin by Walter Isaacson.  What an amazing man!

I liked this part in the book:  "For him [Benjamin Franklin], compromise was not only a practical approach but a moral one.  Tolerance, humility, and respect for others required it."  Some accused him of not having principles because he was so adamant about compromise, but that is not true.  He was a principled man but he felt that it was important to listen to the views of others with an open-mind and be willing to change one's mind.

I feel this counsel will serve us well as we work together at Esperanza. 

Haste Not Hurry

I love this poem Waiting by John Burroughs.  It is a great reminder as we strive to make Esperanza a reality.

Waiting

by John Burroughs

Serene, I fold my hands and wait,

Nor care for wind nor tide nor sea

I rave no more ‘gainst time or fate,

For lo! My own shall come to me.

I stay my haste, I make delays—

For what avails this eager pace?

I stand amid the eternal ways

And what is mine shall know my face.

Asleep, awake, by night or day,

The friends I seek are seeking me,

No wind can drive my bark astray

Nor change the tide of destiny.

What matter if I stand alone?

I wait with joy the coming years;

My heart shall reap where it has sown,

And garner up its fruit of tears.

The waters know their own, and draw

The brook that springs in yonder height;

So flows the good with equal law

Unto the soul of pure delight.

The stars come nightly to the sky;

The tidal wave unto the sea;

Nor time, nor space, nor deep, nor high,

Can keep my own away from me. 

In the book The Majesty of Calmness William George Jordan reminds us that there is a difference between hurry and haste:

It [hurry] seeks ever to make energy a substitute for a clearly defined plan…Hurry is a counterfeit of haste. Haste has an ideal, a distinct aim to be realized by the quickest, direct methods. Haste has a single compass upon which it relies for direction…Everything that is great in life is the product of slow growth; the newer, and greater, and higher, and nobler the work, the slower is its growth, the surer is its lasting success. Mushrooms attain their full power in a night; oaks require decades. A fad lives its life in a few weeks; a philosophy lives through generations and centuries. If you are sure you are right, do not let the voice of the world, or of friends, or of family swerve you for a moment from your purpose. Accept slow growth if it must be slow, and know the results must come… Let us not be impatient, chafing at delay, fretting over failure, wearying over results, and weakening under opposition. Let us ever turn our face toward the future with confidence and trust, with the calmness of a life in harmony with itself, true to its ideals, and slowly and constantly progressing toward their realization.

Take Aways from Steve Jobs

Today many people throughout the world are mourning the death of Steve Jobs, a visionary  man who changed the world.  Last night a TV program that did a segment on his life played a segment of his Commencement Address at Stanford on July 12, 2005.  I was so touched by his words I "googled" the address this morning so I could read the whole address which can be found at http://news.stanford/edu/news/2005/june15/jobs-061505.html

There are three take-aways from his speech that I feel we will want to consider for our Esperanza scholars:

Take away #1:  The classes Jobs took in college that he wanted to take rather than the ones he was required to take had a tremendous influence on what he was able to accomplish in his life.  Therefore, we will want to provide opportunities for our Esperanza scholars to learn more about their interests.

Take away #2:  Jobs was fired from the company--Apple--that he started.  Although this was extemely painful for him, he stayed true to the work that he loved.  We want our Esperanza scholars (and educators!) to understand that pursuing that which they love does not come without a price and there will be obstacles.  Yet, if they work through the obstacles and overcome "failures"--possibly having to take another route to reach their dreams--they will probably accomplish more than they would have otherwise.

Take away #3:  After receiving word that he had pancreatic cancer, Jobs realized in a more real way that our time on earth is limited.  Therefore, it is not wise to allow the opinions of others to drown out one's inner voice to become what each person already knows what he truly wants to become.  It is important for us to help each Esperanza scholars (and educator!) to become what his/her heart is saying rather than striving to make all of them the same. 

In closing Jobs told about the need to "Stay hungry, Stay foolish."  May we help everyone at Esperanza to live this counsel. 

Seeing the Magic Happen

On Facebook Darren Beck shared a diagram that I really liked that showed that magic happens outside of our comfort zone. Then this morning I was sent the following from the "word a day" listserve.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
If they give you ruled paper, write the other way. -Juan Ramon Jimenez, poet, Nobel Prize in literature (1881-1958)

Both of these are a reminder that if we want Esperanza to be a one of a kind excellent school, we must be willing to move out of our comfort zones and "write" in another way. That is when we will see the magic!

Sharing the Same Skin Color

On Thursday, September 29, 2011 The Washington Times had an article about a major new study from the University of Missouri that found that sharing skin color with their principal makes life better for many American teachers. Although the study was focused on black teachers I feel that the findings could also apply to other ethnicities and cultures.

The study found that teachers who shared the same skin color with their principals felt they received more support, encouragement, and recognition from their superiors and were therefore, less likely to leave. The bottom line was that people feel more comfortable with people who look like themselves.

We want to be sensitive to this at Esperanza. Even perceptions are important. Therefore, we want to continually monitor our thinking and our behavior so that all Esperanza eduators feel "invited."

School Factors #2

Please comment on how we can address at Esperanza the following school factors that affect achievement, especially for our Hispanic learners.

Factor #8: Reciprocal relationships/"family ethos": Research has shown this is even more important for Hispanic learners and their families. A great resource on the importance of and how to create a caring school environment is Nel Noddings.

Factor #9: High expectations: All students need to receive a gifted/talented curriculum and instruction. Ron Clark, a nationally known excellent teacher, suggests that we teach to the highest level students and scaffold the others.

Factor #10: Summer loss: We can address this not only with finding ways to get our Esperanza scholars to read during the summer but also through enticing after school programs, longer days, and Saturday classes.

Factor #11: Content is presented in a thematic manner

Factor #12: Whole language literacy approach and explicit vocabulary development

Factor #13: Identifiable learning priorities: Some great resources for this are the books Focus, Results Now, Champion Teachers, and Molasses Classes.

Factor #14: Peer tutoring: Latinos in Action is a great program to involve with Esperanza.

Be Zealous, Not Overly-Zealous

This morning I listened to a BYU Devotional speech "Appropriate Zeal" given by Pres. Cecil Samuelson on September 7, 2010. In this speech Pres. Samuelson spoke about the dangers of being over-zealous. Zeal itself is not inherently bad as it represents dedication, entensity, and passion, but misplaced zeal can lead to poor decisions that can have an adverse effect on ourselves and others within our influence and miss "the mark."

To benefit from zeal, it must be correctly focused which will require us to thoughtfully forbear (patiently hold back). It will also require us to do the following three things:

1. Do what we do with wisdom and order
2. Don't run faster than we have strength and means
3. Be constantly diligent

These wise insights are important for us to remember at Esperanza.

Please All, and You Will Please None

I have been reading a book about Benjamin Franklin. In the book Franklin relates a favorite fable of mine:


The Man, the Boy, and
the Donkey
An Aesop's Fable

A Man and his son were once going with their Donkey to market. As they were walking along by its side a countryman passed them and said: "You fools, what is a Donkey for but to ride upon?"

So the Man put the Boy on the Donkey and they went on their way. But soon they passed a group of men, one of whom said: "See that lazy youngster, he lets his father walk while he rides."

So the Man ordered his Boy to get off, and got on himself. But they hadn't gone far when they passed two women, one of whom said to the other: "Shame on that lazy lout to let his poor little son trudge along."

Well, the Man didn't know what to do, but at last he took his Boy up before him on the Donkey. By this time they had come to the town, and the passers-by began to jeer and point at them. The Man stopped and asked what they were scoffing at. The men said:

"Aren't you ashamed of yourself for overloading that poor donkey of yours and your hulking son?"

The Man and Boy got off and tried to think what to do. They thought and they thought, till at last they cut down a pole, tied the donkey's feet to it, and raised the pole and the donkey to their shoulders. They went along amid the laughter of all who met them till they came to Market Bridge, when the Donkey, getting one of his feet loose, kicked out and caused the Boy to drop his end of the pole. In the struggle the Donkey fell over the bridge, and his fore-feet being tied together he was drowned.

"That will teach you," said an old man who had followed them: Please all, and you will please none.

Although we want to welcome ideas and suggestions from others about Esperanza we always want to make sure that they fit our vision, mission, and target population before implementing them...otherwise we can end up not serving anyone well.