Jack’s Winning Words 1/20/15
“Don’t prepare the path for the child, prepare the child for the path.”  (Anon)  Football is not only played on the gridiron.  Politicians seem to be playing the game in the classroom, as well.  Curriculum, budgeting, measuring success/failure, public/charters, federal/state...“They” say it’s for the kids, but “kids” don’t seem to be the priority.  Successes that I see come from caring parents, teachers, administrators, legislators.  Leave “football” to the jocks.    ;-)  Jack

FROM PC IN MICHIGAN: True words.....====JACK:  Sad, but true.  However, there is hope, because of people who still care.

FROM EDUCATOR PAUL:  Great thoughts today regarding  kids!====JACK:  I can't remember where I saw it...and what organization said it...KIDS ARE OUR ONLY BUSINESS!

FROM HONEST JOHN:  The key words = "kids don't seem to be the priority"====JACK:  Too often, the lips say that kids are the priority, but the brain has something else in mind.

FROM TARMART REV:  I remember a fellow student who came to Bible College because of his grandmother's desire for him to be a pastor . . . we ended up in Ohio at different cites , but close by . . . his personality never set well with those he was to pastor and eventually went into the cleaning business. We even brought him on staff for a time at the church I served as a youth pastor and helped get him a part-time job driving a Coke truck to various businesses and stocking their shelves . . . they had to let him go because he kept condemning the bar owners he supplied. I saw him two years ago in Michigan when we were visiting . . . retired now and enjoying playing roles in church dramas at Easter and Christmas.====JACK:  At what age do we stop being children?  Robert Frost's, "The Road Not Taken," seems to describe God's decision to let "the children" be responsible for choosing life's path.  There is a time when we have to accept responsibility.

FROM MICHIZONA RAY:  The dirt, mud, and blood in the game of football washes off in the shower. It cannot be transferred upon the people who sit in the stands and pretend that "they won" (or lost). "Fans" don't actually play; they just sit and eat hot dogs and drink beer. The filth and lies of politics -- especially when fed to innocent children in the disguise of "education" -- won't ever wash off! That kind evil has long-lasting effects and affects to the afflicted. History class pointed-out to me that "propaganda" was a tool utilized for "educating" the children of our enemies. Maybe, it's not propaganda when we use it; it's education. I'll leave that to the politically well-educated!====JACK:  There are people...fans, players, coaches, writers...who talk a good game.  Most of us who use "the blog" are like fans in the stands.  We need to do more than stand up and cheer or boo.  But, what?

FROM DR J IN OHIO:  RIGHT ON!====JACK:  I like the college football cheer:  "AY ZIGGY ZOOMBA ZOOMBA ZOOMBA...ROLL ON."  Now, how can that be adapted for cheering on those who are working to improve the way children are being educated?====DR J:  Ay Ziggy Zoomba to you!  and yes…. cheering for educators is too often forgotten.====JACK:  Wasn't being granted tenure once regarded as kind of a cheer?

FROM TRIHARDER:  Good, caring parents not only create a good environment for their kids, they create it at school by insisting on good teachers, curricula, administrators who, in turn, want to be in those districts.====JACK:  The education of a child is a partnership.  Too many say that "poor" test scores are the fault of the child, parent, teacher, district or the politician.

FROM DAIRYLAND DONNA:  Well said Jack. I would not be a good teacher in today's world.====JACK:  You could do it, because a good teacher is able to adapt.

FROM CHESTER THE GOOD:  If football is going to be played in the classroom, we need to move the goal posts.====JACK:  That's part of the problem.  The players involved are using different goalposts.  Everyone should agree on where the goalposts (goals) should be.

FROM PEPPERMINT MARY:  i'm off to another day of observing children preparing their own paths.  what a gift!====JACK:  Your song for the day..."
Heigh-ho, heigh-ho   It's off to work we go
 We keep on singing all day long   Heigh-ho   Heigh-ho, heigh-ho
 Got to make your troubles go   Well, you keep on singing all day long
 Heigh-ho   Heigh-ho, heigh-ho

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  So much of success in education does depend on caring parents, and that is the major challenge today  with so many one parent homes, or grandparents raising children, or kids raising kids....a teacher can only do so much, and many dedicated teachers  go the extra mile in helping students achieve success!  I used to have a quote on my blackboard; "The most important result of all education is to make yourself do what HAS to be done, WHEN it has to be done, whether you want to do it or not!"  It helped  some of my  students 'get with the game...'====JACK:  When I was teaching confirmation students, I remember the challenges...but, most of all, I remember what a great educational opportunity it was for me, as well as the students.  I'll cherish it always.