It's a new day

Every day presents us with the opportunity for change. Every channel, every reporter and every person seems ready and poised for wonder of a new year. Whats so important or powerful about January 1st. Just changing the calendar change the Earth's rotation of affect the seasons?

No!

We become so captured by gimmicks that we don't see the everyday opportunities. Everyday you lay your head on the pillow, there's a chance for change. If things are going terribly wrong, should you wait for New Years Eve to plan a fresh start?

No!

Take charge of you life and realize that no gimmicks or magic potions are necessary. Motivation and discipline are the only things that matter. True change starts within not with the change of the calendar. No change in the date is gonna help me lose weight. I need to eat better and exercise. But, if you need some motivation and New Years provides that spark, don't let me rain on your parade.

Personally, I am excited about the New Year. There are some great things that I need to accomplish and leave a mark on my profession. Michelle Obama has created the holiday theme in the White House of Reflect, Rejoice and Renew.

I reflect on the choice Tanya and I made to begin attending Flamingo Road Church. It was truly one of the most important and powerful decisions we have made. I was formerly under the impression that my personal relationship with Christ meant that I didn't need to attend church. Was I ever wrong. For the first time in my life, I look forward to attending church every weekend. I can't begin to the you how that one action has redirected me and returned me to the life that I already knew. Being good all by yourself really serves none. Tanya and I were baptized together this year and soon we will renew our vows in a church in the presence of God and not a justice of the peace.

Ok...I'm done for now. I wish everyone the best the year has to offer. Everyone has a open invitation to join Tanya and I at church.

Do I Know You?

Ever wondered who all those people in your dreams are? I do. Are they one of the millions of faces that we pass on the street, in the mall or at the stores? Are they people from a past life or a future encounter? I'm not sure. But one thing I now is that they didn't appear out of the blue. Those faces had to have come from somewhere.

There are those dreams that take the most recent thought or face and weaves them into your dreams. Sometimes, the heaviest thing one your mind continues to burden you as you sleep. However, the majority of faces are just random people who you will never meet, know or see again. Maybe deja vu is actually a face that appeared in a dream.

I don't spend much time trying to figure out what a dream means. More importantly I wonder, who are these people and have I seen them before?

Is it merely a coincidence when your alarm rings and a car in your dream honks the horn. So many sounds in our surroundings just melt seamlessly into our dreams. It's amazing the number of times the sound of the garbage truck has provided the ambient sound track for the gridlock in my slumber (that sentence just sounds like something out of a best selling novel).

Best of all, I love the dreams where I spend time with my mother. Since her passing, that's the only time we ever spend together... until we meet again :)

Private-eyes

I would like to talk about the systematic destruction and coordinated efforts of many politicians to "Privatize" the nation's public schools. The main thrust is afoot in Texas and Florida. The common thread, BUSHES, Jeb and George.

In order to support my theory, I will relate education to the automotive industry. Stay with me and read the entire blog and I promise No Reader Will Be Left Behind.

Whenever education is mentioned, the first thing one hears are the numbers. Statistics are showing that the education system is not producing the number of graduates as it did 30 years ago. The overall graduation rate has dropped significantly over the past 10 years. Presently, only 60% of students who enter the ninth grade can expect to graduate from high school in 4 years. Since that number was much higher 30 years ago, one can only assume that the public school system is failing terribly.

In the 1970's, car manufactures were required to test their cars in a 35 mph frontal crash test. Cars are rated by the amount of damage that is sustained by the car and the "passengers". Modern cars are designed to crumble and absorb the impact of the accident.

What if we changed the parameters of the test and insisted that car manufactures must use a 55 mph frontal test and sustain less damage than the 35 mph test. I'm sure all of you think this is ridiculous, but this is the plight of public school education. Its not that teachers are not teaching and schools are failing. The bar is being pushed so high, that it's nearly impossible to jump over it.

By the way, if your school is private, you won't have to complete any of the frontal crash test. Since they receive no federal funding, they are exempt from the litany of tests and mandates. We will simply judge you by graduation rate and post-secondary enrollment. One problem; private schools have entrance exams, unless you're a superstar athlete, but that's another blog entry.

Back to the message.....

The Florida senate has recently passed a measure that requires all present 6th graders to pass Algebra II and Physics as graduation requirements. How many of you even took Physics in high school? Florida students are required to fail the FCAT test 3-times before they can use the ACT or SAT as an alternate assessment. A student in the 60's who took all vocational courses and under-water basket weaving, wouldn't have a chance of graduating from the present high school system.

So...are we a system of failing schools or a system of ever-increasing mandates and testing programs? Who writes, scores and prints the test booklets for the standardized state tests? They sure make great money doing it. Your children are being psychologically abused and no one is doing a thing about it. Third graders are being bribed and pressured by teachers and administrators everyday. When the weight of the school rests on such young shoulders, could you take that much pressure? The average school spends more time test and prepping, than they do instructing.

So...could you graduate from high school in 4 years if you were presently in the 6th grade?

Saint Peter

When did we become judge, jury and holier than though. Michael Vick went to jail and did his time. Now that he has signed a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, the whole world is protesting. At what point are you forgiven and absolved of your crime? At what point have you suffered enough? At what point are you allowed to support your family financially?

We all bow our heads, bend our knees every night and ask for forgiveness. Yet, we fail to give the same grace to others. Michael Vick hung on the proverbial cross for the sins of his many friends. The same friends that participated in the crime took deals and sold their friend down the river. Why didn't they also go to jail? I guess only the millionaires and high profile ones have to serve time. Ever heard of a woman named Martha Stewart? Why did she go to jail?

So many of us call ourselves Christians and our brother's keeper. We need to "stand" by each other and not "step" on each other. We all fall down, but it's how you get up that matters.

For all those who are without sin...disregard everything above.

Something for Nothing

Do you know the difference between a Public and Private school education? Well, $20,000 a year and $80,000 over four years.

That is the simple difference. Parents who have to pay that type of money will insist on some non-negotiables. They will check the homework everyday after school. They will get their child out of bed and ensure that they arrive to school early. Report card will be placed on the kitchen counter for review. When they are not pleased with something the school is or isn't doing, their voice will be heard, without exception.

Those are the differences between private and public school. What do you value more, the free electricity at your job, or the electric bill at your house. When was the last time you turned off the light when you walked out of a room at work? What do you care, you're not paying the bills. Kinda like using cash or credit. That cash sure hurts when it leaves your hand, unlike the ease of swiping the old credit card.

I will challenge every parent I speak to this year. I will challenge them to get involved and become a partner in education and excellence(P.I.E). What I would like to call, "PIECE OF THE PIE". Challenge them to "get their money's worth". Challenge them to hold their child's feet to the fire, because money doesn't grow on trees. Pretend that you are paying private school tuition and insist on greatness.

By the way, PARTNER AND PARENT have the same letters. Partner has an extra "r".

Tired and Sick...Sick and Tired

I'm tired of people who have never taught a child or spent 5 minutes in a school(other than attending school) going on about the state of education. I'm tired of people quoting numbers and stating studies about education, in an attempt to bolster their argument.

Anyone can read a research paper and profess to know all there is to know about learning and education. If I can spend a few moments discussing nature vs. nurture, we can skip through all the BS and get down to the cold hard truths. While a student in high school and college, I was lead to believe that hard work heals all. Genetics only determine the color of your skin and size of your nose. If you want to be a doctor or lawyer, study hard. If you want to fly to the moon, study hard. Anything you want to do is possible, because everyone can achieve.

I'm here to tell you that there's nothing farther from the truth. I agree that the majority of students fall far below expectations. I agree that the majority of those who under achieve would have done much better under different circumstances. But to assume that all students are equally mentally equipped is simply untrue. This is the harsh, but true, reality.

Have you ever seen a kid make the same mistake constantly? They know what they are doing is wrong, but they lack the ability to say no prior to the action. Afterwards, they are truly remorseful and aware of the consequences of their actions. In effect, they are drunk. They go through life drunk, in a manner of speaking.

Have you ever seen a kid study and try their heart out, but come up short. When your limitations exceed your aspirations it leads to frustration. Many of those who drop-out are beyond their frustration level. And I repeat, with a strong foundation in early education, circumstances and outcomes may be different.

The olympics feature so many events, because all of us, even the elite athletes, have our own strengths and weaknesses.

Just had to get that off my chest. Well, that's not everything, but I'll save everyone the rambling.

Measure of your worth

I know my worth and everyday it is validated. Procedures and fairness say that we should share the burdens and lend a helping hand whenever possible. The burden always seems to fall squarely in my lap.

I write this entry setting in the pediatric ER for the 3rd time in almost as many months. When parents are not available to travel with students who need medical attention, a school official must accompany the student. Their was once a policy that female staff would travel with female students and male staff with male students. Well, needless to say, those rules have gone by the wayside. New rules, Mr. Thompson goes with everyone.

Can't say that I resent that decision anymore. My belief is simple, when you're given lemons, suck hard and enjoy that sweet taste. Only kidding...you really have the choice to make the best of every situation or complain to deaf ears and to no avail. My choice...enjoy the moment. The ER has wireless connection and getting away for a moment "ain't too bad."

Back to measure my worth....it is obvious that my absence from school really makes no difference to the function of the school. Everyone else must have such important functions and tasks that they couldn't possibly be pulled away. But Allan, hey, he can jump up and be whisked away in the drop of a dime and all will be well.

Just for some clarification...this is simply venting and addressing the situation as it presents itself. Through very careful analysis and diagnosis, this is the measure of my worth.

To further clarify...the measure of my worth changes as you speak to different people and look at the situation. I know my real worth and those who know me and my talents, do as well.

Plan B

Whenever a child tells you that they want to become a professional athlete, singer or billionaire, we always ask, do you have something to fall back on? We would hate for a child to have a lavish dream or goal. Why would a child select something that only 1 in 50,000 possibly achieve? Kids should be more realistic and set a goal that is within their reach.

I wonder...what is the Plan B for all the students we put on a college track knowing they don't have the ability or resources? How will they support themselves when graduation comes and they awake with no skills to earn a living? We have no problem assassinating a child's dream when they reach outside the box, but have no qualms about selling them our nightmare.

We can't all compete in the Olympics, practice medicine or rap. One size does not fit all. We must make those tough, sincere and realistic choices. At some point a child must be pointed in a direction that will prove successful and profitable. If they wake up and choose something different for themselves, everyone has the right to change their mind. It's the same change every student who is not going to college makes after they have invested 13 years in a college prep curriculum but want to join the yacht industry.

Every wonder how much money someone can make repairing yachts, or plumbing? How much did you pay the last time your car needed to be repaired. I bet it was more than you paid your doctor.

Don't be a dream assassin!

The Three Amigos

This week during church, Pastor Troy(yeah, there's also a rapper named Pastor Troy) spoke about the three different types of people. Until you know about these people, you won't know who is surrounding you.

The ones who "use you": I think that's fairly self-explanatory, so I won't even waste any more words.

The ones who are "for you": The person who is for you will cheer you on and be one of your top supporters. Though they are a supporter, they have no vested interest in you and will turn on you in a second. You can also call them the "fair weather fan". When things are great, they are behind you 100%. The second you say or do something that they disapprove of...the fans are gone.

The ones who are "with you": This person is in your corner and laughs when you laugh, they cry when you cry and are invested in you. The difference between those who are "with you" and those who are "for you" is measured in the level of commitment. Pastor Troy explained commitment in a very clever way once. He spoke about the pig and chicken. When you eat breakfast, you eat bacon and eggs. The chicken contributes the eggs, but the pig gives his life for the bacon. The difference lies in the level of commitment.

Take some time to look around you and identify those who either "use you", are "for you" or are truly "with you".

Find My Way

I am struck by a puzzling reality. How will a student find their way or find an interest when they never gain any exposures. Students who are low in reading or math must take 2 reading and 2 math classes. These don't replace their regular English coursework. With such a course load, when will they find their way and meet that elective teacher or have the aha experience so necessary for future growth. When will they try something new and gain a liking for it and pursue it during the post-secondary studies. Maybe it's the woodworking, automotive, computer, or myriad of other vocational courses that they will never experience.

Each day, I see the hundreds of students who are forever destined for failure. A lifelong failure, one that academics cannot reverse. Our students are wasting their most productive and exploratory years worrying about a single standardized test. A test that does little to boost or predict future academic success.

Let's take a tour of a hospital, factory or college; or will we miss FCAT practice time. We are creating a generation of students who will be lost and forever without a direction or purpose.

I truly believe we are not helping students find their way. The longer we focus all our attention on a test that does little to predict college readiness or success, the farther behind our students will fall. The ones the need the most direction and career guidance, get the least, because all their coursework is focused on a infinitely minute bulls-eye.

All aboard

Ever been up the down escalator? Seems pretty futile, but that's how I feel everyday the bell rings and the school day ends.

Everyday the bell rings to end school and the children are sent home. Sent to a cold, dark and non-nurturing environment. Many have to fend for themselves because mom or dad is working late. Many have to fend for themselves because there is no mom or dad at home. Many have to take care of a sibling while mom and dad are working, or mom and dad just want to put the responsibility on the child. I enjoyed my childhood, because my mother told me that my job was going to school and getting good grades.

Everyday the bell rings to end school and children are sent home. Sent home to violence. Sent home to a community that teaches values of the street, not the suite. Sent home with a mean look on their face, because a smile means you're soft. We teach students skills that would get them hurt in the streets. It's fine to say sorry, please, thank you, and excuse me, while at school. Unfortunately, many of these same skills that are welcomed in mainstreet are discouraged in MLK boulevard.

Everyday the bell rings to end school and children are sent home. One day they won't have to go home to the empty house or the rough streets. One day, they'll go home with me. They'll go home to the dorms of my boarding school. A school that will nurture all the behaviors that truly lead to success in the suites, not the streets. I would staff my boarding house with college grads who cannot afford to buy a house or pay rent. There would also be veteran teachers who want to dedicate themselves to a great cause.

Each day, students would receive intense life building, study, communication, and career building skills. The onsite social worker and psychologist would assist with behavioral issues. Since I'm a realist, I know my utopia will have its share of problems. Students would be able to go home after school Friday and return by 3 pm Sunday.

I can't tell you how many times parents have come to the school after the child was involved in a fight, and tell me; "If a bitch touch you, whoop a bitch ass."

Mend the chain

Two weeks ago, I went to my 95 year old uncle's funeral. During the eulogy, well it was actually a sermon preached by my cousin, I became both sad and proud. Other family members and friends were talking about the past and remembering the good times. As time past, many stories seemed to create links and draw me limbs on the family tree.

This was the part that made me sad and proud at the same time. First the pride..

I am so proud of the accomplishment and roots of my family. I am so proud that I can draw the tree and connect many of the branches. I am proud that my family has valued "family". I know what profession my father and mother had. My first name, Allan, was my grandfather's name. Six men in my family are named Allan. George, my middle name, is my father's name. Shervington, my other middle name, is my great-grand mother's maiden name. Other members of my family are also named Shervington. As far as I know, my mother's maiden name Jacobs come from our Jewish roots. According to tale, my great-grandfather was a Jewish and married my great grandmother who was from Antigua. Oh, Annie Shervington was her name. That's were the shervington comes from and also Anna, which is my cousin's name.

The web of family is important. At least it is to my family. I could continue with the family tree and all the relationships, but the sad part is why I'm writing this blog.

The sad part....

As an educator in an urban high school, I talk to kids everyday who have no relationship with one of their parents, any of their parents or don't know that parent at all. I almost never assume that a parent's last name is the same as the child. I almost never assume that both parents live in the home.

Children today have issues that we can't begin to comprehend. They look to us for love, belonging and stability. So many children yearn for caring and a parental figure in their everyday life. Many of them are very angry and at it out every single day. If one of my parents didn't care enough to love me, stay with me or be in my life, my anger would consume every interaction.

How would you feel is you had no clue who your father was? Just think about that question. That thought consumes me and my heart goes out to all those who didn't have the support I had. My heart bleeds for those who ache, cry, scream, and yearn for the love and caring that only a teacher or staff member can give.

As usual, I just stop typing mid-thought, before the rambling really gets bad.