FISH TALK

It has been said it is difficult to know what fish talk about.  They know they cannot change the water.  Fish probably talk about how they must adapt to the changes the water brings to them.  Schools can change.   The student must realize they must adapt to the changes brought to them.  

HELP MAKE A BOOK REVIEW FOR STUDENT BETTERMENT

The KC Star and local book review media such as Rainyday Books do not address the issues of Kansas City and local authors as they could.  I have written and sent book copies to said media outlets and none will respond with an interview or book review.  In fact, their silence is deafening.  I have written a book about how to support a student so he or she will realize a gain in educational success.  The media reports on how the district and proponents wish to change a district.  District change will not guarantee student success.  Student success will guarantee district change.  It takes all of us, teacher, parent, administrator, community member, to work with the student.  It takes a village to educate a child.  Start the dialogue with me at graspeducation.blogspot.com.  Help me gain a book review / interview in the Kansas City area.  You will be glad to read my book and discover at least one avenue to help our students better themselves educationally, better the school district, better the community and better our national interests.  Thanks and I look forward to your input on the blog and in starting a dialogue to change the KC district by improving student educational success.

PODCAST ABOUT GRASP EDUCATION

Be sure to take the opportunity to listen to the podcast about me and my book.  Thanks for listening.  Now you are ready to read the book and start a dialogue about parents, students and the educational system in the USA. 

http://grandviewcsd4.blogspot.com/2011/10/ghs-science-teacher-and-published.html

REDEFINE YOURSELF - DO NOT RETIRE

I have been amazed coming back to the USA from my work in Africa at what getting older means.  Too many people I meet have one goal when they have a career.  This goal is to have a paid retirement.  In Africa there was very little paid retirement.  In fact, about the only time a person would say they were going to retire meant they were going home to sleep and relax for the evening.  The next day that person would get up and do some gainful work.  As a person in Africa become an elder they would never retire only redefine themselves.  I am trying to redefine myself as I get older.  USA people my age do not understand what I am doing writing a book and working each day.  Most USA people only wish to stop gainful work and retire.  The Merriam-Webster dictionary has a meaning for retire which means ‘withdraw from action, use or service.’  It is always a good time to redefine and not only retire.  More elders need to keep the youth in their focus and to assist in guiding them.  When I discuss my book with grandparents or parents with grown children they seem not interested in the educational system.  Each person must not retire from the ‘grown-up’ position in front of the current youth generation.  So I shall keep on redefining myself and starting the dialogue as I write in my book.  Please join me, all ages.  No retiring.  Keep redefining yourself and sharing your experiences and lead the youth and their parental generation.  Read my book.

PLEASE VISIT BOOK ARTICLE

There was an article about my book in the Independence Examiner.  The article was written by Frank Haight.  Please visit the webpage listed and the website for the book.  I hope to have you as a reader of my book and a regular member and contributor of this blog.  Thanks for the support.  http://www.examiner.net/news/news_columnists/x919542292/Haight-Author-hopes-students-will-G-R-A-S-P-tips-for-success

EDUCATORS CHANGING STUDENT SCORES ON STANDARIZED TESTS

This week in Atlanta numerous teachers, administrators and superintendents were revealed to have changed students  scores on standardized tests.  The report indicated this unprofessional practice is  widespread across America and not localized to any particular geographic region.  Too many educators have only two goals in their careers.  The first goal is to reach tenure with a school district.  Then the union can give them protection through job security.  The only other goal for too many educators is retirement.  Educators submit to cheating and sub-par practices to make their student and the district meet and better achievements and set statistical data. The powers overseeing the school district often narrow their look at data, not the individual student’s comprehension of said subject material.  “Students aren't knowledgeable, and are probably lazy and procrastinate, so they cheat. These are crimes based on a lack of knowledge. It's a terrible character trait to develop” Quote by  Fran Cohen.  As my book is about character traits I fully agree with the words of Fran Cohen.  The educator is deficient and lazy while not doing their job and knowledge so the student performance is acceptable.   Educators should not only do what is expected, they must do what is correct.  Let me conclude this entry with a description of the school district the educators have made through cheating.  Sri Guru Granth Sahib wrote,  “ Cheating is eating a rotting carcass.”