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.