Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
BYU's Administrative Program
As many of you know, I have been avidly seeking entrance into BYU’s Leadership Preparation Program (LPP) to become an administrator. Since the summer of 2006 I have been working towards this goal. I have taken the GRE, applied for BYU’s graduate studies program, and applied to BYU’s LPP program. I can’t even begin to tell you how many hours I have spent over the last five or six months in studying, emailing, composing, researching, typing, etc. to pass the GRE exam and complete the two applications.
Long story short:
About two weeks ago, I received a letter from BYU’s education department, inviting me to the second phase of screening to determine if I get into the LPP program.
Last night (Thu. 1/25/07) at BYU’s Mackay Building I attended that screening. The supervisor, Joe Matthews, met with all of us candidates to give a brief overview of the screening process. He also told us that after the screening we would all be notified by mail in about three weeks if we got in or not.
After a group activity, we were instructed to be interviewed individually by a BYU faculty member and one of the several public school administrators who had been invited to help in the screening.
As I sat in the waiting room with the other candidates awaiting my turn for an interview, Joe Matthews motioned to me and said, “I need to interview you.” This startled and excited me, in that I hadn’t seen him do this to anyone else. I went with him to his office down the hall.
“I want to apologize,” I said, “for having emailed you so much [about the program and the application over the last few months].”
“That’s OK,” he smiled. “You probably emailed three times more than anyone else here.”
After assuring me that it was a good thing, he asked me point blank: “Tim, how serious are you about this program? What if you don’t get the paid sabbatical leave from your district? How will you afford to stay in this program?”
I assured him that my wife and I were more than prepared to take out loans and do whatever would be necessary for the next 15 months of the course if I got accepted, and that we were committed to making it work.
“Good,” he said, “because we want you.”
My jaw dropped and I went into the Kip Dynamite lever pull of joy: “Yesssssssssssss!”
So, my news to you is that I am IN! After 12 years of blood, sweat, tears, and hormonally influenced children, this will most likely be my last year as a teacher. I am on my way to becoming a vice principal!
Just thought I’d let you know.
As a side note, I asked several of the candidates there if they had been interviewed by Joe, and I didn’t speak with any who had. As far as I can tell, I am one the only one I know of who has already been given the thumbs-up for the program.
If enthusiasm were muscle, I’d be Govuhnuh Awnold right now!!!!
Art classes or nursing?
Recently a dear friend of mine emailed me the following, which I am posting with her permission:
Last semester I started taking art classes again. Everyone says I should hurry and get my nursing degree. I know it is the practical thing to do, but for the past few years I feel like my soul has been crying out to create. I have had a difficult time feeling real joy, not that I haven't been happy, but part of me has been suffocating. I finally decided that I didn't really care about being practical. I feel like I can breathe again. I feel free. I wish that I didn't have to keep defending my decision.
I think that's totally sweet.
Some people simply cannot relate to what she said, but I can. Sometimes when I tell people that I have a blog and post on it regularly they look at me incredulously. "Whaddya doin' that for? Does anyone even read it?" Well, I don't really know who reads my blog, other than a few friends and a brother or two, but I don't really worry about that. Blogging is writing is a release valve that I occasionally need. The numerous somber responsibilities of fatherhood, husbandhood, profession, providing, etc. can leave one too serious.
It feels great to write and express and let it out. Like sending a balloon out in the wind. You never know where it'll land or how it will affect someone else.
Friday, January 12, 2007
What's in your bookmarks?
These are my current favorites:
My Church
Mormon Studies
Art Renewal's Museum
The price of silver
Utah Jazz
Live Portuguese radio
BYU Broadcasting. All sorts of (free) downloadable MP3 talks.
LDS Newsroom Search. Incredible source for high-res church pictures.
Trek Earth. Incredible pictures from pretty much all over the world.
Bartleby. On-line literature. Free. Beautiful.
Half.com. Sister company to eBay. Cool, rare, affordable CDs and books.
Dictionary.com. So informative and useful.
Wikipedia. Fun. Always accurate?
Portuguese dictionary.
The origin of words.
Download it. Often free (my operative word).
I hope you enjoy the "site-seeing."
Long live the Diamond.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Medial Meniscus
I went to the doctor today. I tore my medial meniscus (a cartilage shock absorber in the knee, which separates the tibia and the femur). I am in pain. They gave me a leg brace. I will probably be this way for about a month.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Knee, Possessions, Technology
(Go ahead and blog, if you want to.)
This evening I went to play in a church basketball game. I went up pretty strongly off my left leg and felt something crunch/snap. I would equate it to the feeling you get when you bite off a piece of chicken from the bone and sink your teeth into a piece of gristle. I suspect that I’ve done something very grave to my left knee. I wonder if I’ll need surgery. I wonder if I’ll need crutches. I am in pain. It hurt. I’m done for the season. I’m getting older. I’m 39. I’m about half way there. Oh well. What can be done?
A pet peeve: possessions. I feel absolutely burdened by possessions. We are constantly worrying about our budget, yet I look around my house and all I see are piles of things to arrange, dusty CDs, food that’s gone bad, parts of dolls, old clothes, broken toys, and bla bla bla bla. Bla. It’s enough to drive one crazy. We are rich Americans. Enough is enough. Let’s give some of this stuff away. Let’s spend our money conservatively. But then tomorrow I’ll see something else I want to buy. It’s quite pathetic.
And technology is a two-edged sword as well. I love the Internet and cable TV, yet at the same time hate it, in that it obsesses my attention, consumes my peaceful renewal time, and turns me into less of a human and more of a robot. I swear.
This evening I went to play in a church basketball game. I went up pretty strongly off my left leg and felt something crunch/snap. I would equate it to the feeling you get when you bite off a piece of chicken from the bone and sink your teeth into a piece of gristle. I suspect that I’ve done something very grave to my left knee. I wonder if I’ll need surgery. I wonder if I’ll need crutches. I am in pain. It hurt. I’m done for the season. I’m getting older. I’m 39. I’m about half way there. Oh well. What can be done?
A pet peeve: possessions. I feel absolutely burdened by possessions. We are constantly worrying about our budget, yet I look around my house and all I see are piles of things to arrange, dusty CDs, food that’s gone bad, parts of dolls, old clothes, broken toys, and bla bla bla bla. Bla. It’s enough to drive one crazy. We are rich Americans. Enough is enough. Let’s give some of this stuff away. Let’s spend our money conservatively. But then tomorrow I’ll see something else I want to buy. It’s quite pathetic.
And technology is a two-edged sword as well. I love the Internet and cable TV, yet at the same time hate it, in that it obsesses my attention, consumes my peaceful renewal time, and turns me into less of a human and more of a robot. I swear.
Judging
This topic is nagging me, and I have to flush it out of my system by writing about it. I have rewritten my thoughts a ton in an effort to sort things out in my mind.
The topic is judging.
This issue hits close to home for me living in Utah. Living here as a Mormon is like walking a tightrope. We pretty much know who is/n’t a Mormon. Expectations are high for conformity and activity. If you publicly break a commandment people will notice and remember and gossip. (I guess we love to see people fall....)
And the judging problem is also present between members and nonmembers. It’s particularly ugly here in the Salt Lake Valley. It seems we don’t know how to get along. The non-Mormons slam the Mormons, talk trash about them, and belittle. We draw political lines. We exclude. We’re the narrow-minded, self-righteous conservatives and they’re the left-wing liberals.
It has caused my wife and me to talk about moving to another state where Mormonism isn’t dominant. Maybe there we could live our life more peacefully and seek to practice our religion a little less stressfully; maybe wards would be more united and less gossipy; maybe friendships would be more long lasting. And maybe our own imperfections would be a little less glaring in the eyes of our non-Mormon neighbors.
I pretty much hate it all --- the contention, the division, the petty back-and-forth bickering, the ignorance, the gossiping, the hostility, and the judging. Yet sadly I must confess that I have engaged in it.
But it is so monstrously difficult not to judge when you yourself have been judged. It’s hard not to judge others when your own friends in the Gospel make fun of you and act like you’re a clueless, narrow-minded idiot because you’re an extremely conservative movie watcher. It’s hard not to judge others when you’re slammed by fellow Mormons because you don’t drink caffeine. It’s hard not to retaliate when you get ostracizing, puzzled looks because you’re not addicted to a TV series laden with sex, profanity, violence, and everything that contradicts our beliefs. It’s hard not to judge others after having been endlessly poked and dissected by members for being single until 31. Simply put, it’s hard not to judge others when you yourself feel mercilessly, unfairly judged --- even while you are doing your best to be good.
So what would Jesus do? I think he’d adhere to the following:
1) JUDGING MUST BE DONE RIGHTEOUSLY (with good, pure intentions, and in a spirit of love and charity (definitely never with contention)), even if nowadays it is so taboo and un-PC to do so. Two scriptures clarify things:
“Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged: but judge righteous judgment.” (JST Matt. 7: 1-2)
And
“15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.” (Moroni 7:15-16)
2) JUDGE QUALITIES, or characteristics --- NOT PEOPLE. Separate the sin from the sinner (easier said than done though, no?).
3) DON’T FORCE YOUR JUDGMENT on others, yet don’t hide it either. To do so leads to falsity (compartmentalized ethics) and gossiping. My rule of thumb is this: if I wouldn’t be comfortable saying it in their presence, I shouldn’t say it out of their presence either.
That’s what I want to do.
The topic is judging.
This issue hits close to home for me living in Utah. Living here as a Mormon is like walking a tightrope. We pretty much know who is/n’t a Mormon. Expectations are high for conformity and activity. If you publicly break a commandment people will notice and remember and gossip. (I guess we love to see people fall....)
And the judging problem is also present between members and nonmembers. It’s particularly ugly here in the Salt Lake Valley. It seems we don’t know how to get along. The non-Mormons slam the Mormons, talk trash about them, and belittle. We draw political lines. We exclude. We’re the narrow-minded, self-righteous conservatives and they’re the left-wing liberals.
It has caused my wife and me to talk about moving to another state where Mormonism isn’t dominant. Maybe there we could live our life more peacefully and seek to practice our religion a little less stressfully; maybe wards would be more united and less gossipy; maybe friendships would be more long lasting. And maybe our own imperfections would be a little less glaring in the eyes of our non-Mormon neighbors.
I pretty much hate it all --- the contention, the division, the petty back-and-forth bickering, the ignorance, the gossiping, the hostility, and the judging. Yet sadly I must confess that I have engaged in it.
But it is so monstrously difficult not to judge when you yourself have been judged. It’s hard not to judge others when your own friends in the Gospel make fun of you and act like you’re a clueless, narrow-minded idiot because you’re an extremely conservative movie watcher. It’s hard not to judge others when you’re slammed by fellow Mormons because you don’t drink caffeine. It’s hard not to retaliate when you get ostracizing, puzzled looks because you’re not addicted to a TV series laden with sex, profanity, violence, and everything that contradicts our beliefs. It’s hard not to judge others after having been endlessly poked and dissected by members for being single until 31. Simply put, it’s hard not to judge others when you yourself feel mercilessly, unfairly judged --- even while you are doing your best to be good.
So what would Jesus do? I think he’d adhere to the following:
1) JUDGING MUST BE DONE RIGHTEOUSLY (with good, pure intentions, and in a spirit of love and charity (definitely never with contention)), even if nowadays it is so taboo and un-PC to do so. Two scriptures clarify things:
“Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged: but judge righteous judgment.” (JST Matt. 7: 1-2)
And
“15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.” (Moroni 7:15-16)
2) JUDGE QUALITIES, or characteristics --- NOT PEOPLE. Separate the sin from the sinner (easier said than done though, no?).
3) DON’T FORCE YOUR JUDGMENT on others, yet don’t hide it either. To do so leads to falsity (compartmentalized ethics) and gossiping. My rule of thumb is this: if I wouldn’t be comfortable saying it in their presence, I shouldn’t say it out of their presence either.
That’s what I want to do.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Dote Real Eye Sew Munch Awn Yore Spell Czech
This is humor.
For the past month or so, I have had my students work on composing a research paper. A couple of days ago I had them bring in their rough drafts for a group editing session. Unfortunately, too many students nowadays rely almost exclusively on spell check, instead of their own knowledge of spelling. One of the kids had a sentence in his paper like this:
"George Washington Carver is defiantly very important in U.S. history." (supposed to be "definitely")
And from another student:
"Abraham Lincoln helped the slaves by bringing about the Mastication Proclamation." (From dictionary.com: "Masticate: To reduce to a pulp by crushing or kneading, as rubber.") That's interesting. I didn't know the slaves wanted to masticate. You'd think that being in slavery and all they'd want to be emancipated....
For the past month or so, I have had my students work on composing a research paper. A couple of days ago I had them bring in their rough drafts for a group editing session. Unfortunately, too many students nowadays rely almost exclusively on spell check, instead of their own knowledge of spelling. One of the kids had a sentence in his paper like this:
"George Washington Carver is defiantly very important in U.S. history." (supposed to be "definitely")
And from another student:
"Abraham Lincoln helped the slaves by bringing about the Mastication Proclamation." (From dictionary.com: "Masticate: To reduce to a pulp by crushing or kneading, as rubber.") That's interesting. I didn't know the slaves wanted to masticate. You'd think that being in slavery and all they'd want to be emancipated....
Sunday, November 19, 2006
If You Want to Write
I have owned a book for about 12 years that tonight I picked up for the first time. (Why have I have never cracked it open until now?) I have only read about 10 pages of it so far, but it has really struck a chord within me: If You Want to Write: A Book About Art, Independence and Spirit: by Brenda Ueland. It has fascinated me. It tells of the need to express yourself through writing and art, and how it nourishes the human soul. I need to read that, because my life is so regularly inundated and mind-bleared with duty.
When I was younger I used to write poetry frequently. As I've aged and assumed numerous roles and responsibilities, the poetry has all but died out completely. I want to revive that poetic-ness inside me and my family. We'll be happier.
There is already too much of TV (which I both love and hate, My Precious) and the Internet. To be connected to the world is great, to watch Jazz games and The Crocodile Hunter (may he rest in peace) is great, to e-mail is great, to compose my lessons on the computer is great, but sometimes it all gets too much and I need to get away and reclaim my mind, my heart, my spirit, my peace. For that reason power outages are often a blessing.
And as I was remarking to Karin this evening about some of what I had read, she encouraged me to get back to poetry and toothpick sculptures. Awesome!
William Blake - visionary poet
Gerard Manley Hopkins - keen observer of nature
Cat Stevens - "If you want to sing out, sing out"
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Choose
There are many good things to do, but some are much more important than others. Make the better choice.
Why e-mail?
Read my blog.
If you want to talk with me personally, call me. Or visit me.
E-mails (speaking in general terms) are starting to bug me. They are just one more thing I have to take care of. The burden of too much responsibility. That's why we sold our dog.
Simplify, simplify.
Avoid e-mails (and I don't even work for the postal service).
If you want to talk with me personally, call me. Or visit me.
E-mails (speaking in general terms) are starting to bug me. They are just one more thing I have to take care of. The burden of too much responsibility. That's why we sold our dog.
Simplify, simplify.
Avoid e-mails (and I don't even work for the postal service).
Distractions, Language, Hopkins
I won't title this blog until I'm done writing it.
I have been so distracted lately from scripture study. Other pursuits derail me: a television show, a task in the house, a crying baby, a desire to go play basketball. It's not smart to lower-level my scripture study, for when I do it right it becomes the spine of my life, upholding the rest. My faith.
We should try to speak and write the English language correctly. What we speak closely reflects what's inside. I have enjoyed teaching prefixes, suffixes and roots this year to my students. Some cool web sites I have used to help me: www.etymonline.com, www.dictionary.com, and www.acronymfinder.com. The more I understand about our English language, its origins and influences, and the meanings of words, the more amazed I am. I believe that language is a gift/creation of God. Language is so incredibly complex; how on earth could we have evolved from a one-celled organism into this? Surely we had some Outside Help.
Although I'm nearly 39, I know that I can still maintain good physical shape. I just need to get into a good routine.
Beautiful music is beautiful.
I have been reading some Gerard Manley Hopkins' poems lately. Here is one that enriches me:
"God's Grandeur"
The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.
And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs--
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.
=======================
I don't fully understand the poem, but it's beautiful. It has multiple meanings.
I have been so distracted lately from scripture study. Other pursuits derail me: a television show, a task in the house, a crying baby, a desire to go play basketball. It's not smart to lower-level my scripture study, for when I do it right it becomes the spine of my life, upholding the rest. My faith.
We should try to speak and write the English language correctly. What we speak closely reflects what's inside. I have enjoyed teaching prefixes, suffixes and roots this year to my students. Some cool web sites I have used to help me: www.etymonline.com, www.dictionary.com, and www.acronymfinder.com. The more I understand about our English language, its origins and influences, and the meanings of words, the more amazed I am. I believe that language is a gift/creation of God. Language is so incredibly complex; how on earth could we have evolved from a one-celled organism into this? Surely we had some Outside Help.
Although I'm nearly 39, I know that I can still maintain good physical shape. I just need to get into a good routine.
Beautiful music is beautiful.
I have been reading some Gerard Manley Hopkins' poems lately. Here is one that enriches me:
"God's Grandeur"
The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.
And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs--
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.
=======================
I don't fully understand the poem, but it's beautiful. It has multiple meanings.
Faz muito tempo desde a última entrada a sério aqui....
Eu gostaria de escrever em português. Estou neste momento a ver o jogo de futebol (americano) entre a equipa BYU contra os UNLV. Os Cougars estão a matá-los mesmo. É um massacre no campo....
Uns dias atrás finalmente os empregados de Comcast vieram aqui para instalar a maquinaria para nós termos internet e televisão a cabo. Após alguns pequenos problemas no início, essa nova ligação virtual ao mundo tem sido uma festinha para nós. Finalmente podemos escrever/receber e-mails com nossos colegas, finalmente posso ir aos meus sites mais preferidos e ver o que se passa fora de casa.
Estou consciente de que, e temo que a presença dessas novas distracções podem acabar por serem justamente isso, nomeadamente, distracções. E o que menos nós precisamos hoje, com tres filhas e uma vida cheia de responsabilidades, projectos, e tarefas é mais distracções. Espero que possamos usar estas ferramentas (a internet e a televisão) com bastante juízo e moderação.
Felizmente o que dá mais contentamento, segurança, e calma mental é o que sempre foi a solução certa: manter contacto sincero com Pai Celestial. Uma televisão, internet, um lindo carro, riqueza, etc. não são necessários para tal.
Uns dias atrás finalmente os empregados de Comcast vieram aqui para instalar a maquinaria para nós termos internet e televisão a cabo. Após alguns pequenos problemas no início, essa nova ligação virtual ao mundo tem sido uma festinha para nós. Finalmente podemos escrever/receber e-mails com nossos colegas, finalmente posso ir aos meus sites mais preferidos e ver o que se passa fora de casa.
Estou consciente de que, e temo que a presença dessas novas distracções podem acabar por serem justamente isso, nomeadamente, distracções. E o que menos nós precisamos hoje, com tres filhas e uma vida cheia de responsabilidades, projectos, e tarefas é mais distracções. Espero que possamos usar estas ferramentas (a internet e a televisão) com bastante juízo e moderação.
Felizmente o que dá mais contentamento, segurança, e calma mental é o que sempre foi a solução certa: manter contacto sincero com Pai Celestial. Uma televisão, internet, um lindo carro, riqueza, etc. não são necessários para tal.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
I don't have much to say. It has been forever since my last blog. I am going crazy. Decision making. Salary. School teaching. Should I stay or go to another state? Dropped retirement benefits. Increase in health benefit monthly premiums. Baby on the way. Tired. Hot summer. I think I'll go into administration, seeing as how I'm currently making around 40K and a beginning vice principal starts at around 69K. Do the math. It makes so little sense to stay in teaching. Hot rooms. Low salary. Big classes. Yep, I'm a whiner.
Monday, May 29, 2006
One woman, One man
Today I sent the following e-mail to Utah Senator Orrin Hatch:
"Dear Mr. Hatch,
I am aware that soon you will be called upon to help decide if marriage can be defined as solely between one man and one woman. I strongly urge you to support such a concept.
Please do all that you can do to support those traditional marital values that have maintained stability in our society for centuries.
Please also do all that you can do to make sure that homosexual marriages are NOT given legal or economic approval.
Although I do not consider myself homophobic, I am outspokenly against homosexuality. Aside from Biblical accounts that condemn the practice as offensive to God, homosexuality is clearly a cancer that is eating away at the basic family traditions of America. If allowed to further inch its foot in the door of social acceptance, homosexuality will corrode our society even further. It goes against nature. It confuses sexual identity. It does not allow the human race to thrive and propogate. It spreads disease.
As a side note, I am a Republican delegate here in West Jordan, and voted for you at the last Republican Convention in Sandy. (Congratulations, by the way.) I voted for you because I trust you, your character, and your wisdom.
Thank you for all the work you have done in behalf of the state of Utah over the years. I respect you tremendously.
Sincerely,
Tim Brooks"
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Politics; and Mark Cuban
This Saturday I'll be attending the delegates Republican convention at the South Towne Expo Center.
My choices are John Jacob (http://www.electjohnjacob.com/2.0/), Chris Cannon (http://www.chriscannon.com/), or Merrill Cook (http://www.merrillcookforcongress.com/).
I have perused all three men's web sites, and I'm planning on voting for John Jacob. He is conservative, God-fearing, pro-second amendment, pro-Ronald Reagan, pro-local government (as opposed to federal government) and gives sound, Founding-Father-based values. I like what I read.
As a thirty-something father in the thick of child rearing and career, it is very difficult to find, or make, the time to healthily and adequately involve myself in politics as I would like. I feel under-read and under-studied on the issues, but that is not from a lack of desire.
I care about the issues. I do care about what happens in my community and country. I want to make my voice heard, as opposed to being silently complacent while the passionately liberal minority makes the decisions. I do not want what I consider unhealthily aberrant or liberal views to dominate society.
Changing gears now....
As a fun note, Mark Cuban (owner of the Dallas Mavericks) has an insightful, entertaining, even hilarious blog: http://www.blogmaverick.com/. You'll get a kick out of it. Articles of interest:
"I'm a whiner" (http://www.blogmaverick.com/entry/1234000210073685) and
"How to Improve NBA Playoff Officiating" (http://www.blogmaverick.com/entry/1234000970073680).
Happy reading!
My choices are John Jacob (http://www.electjohnjacob.com/2.0/), Chris Cannon (http://www.chriscannon.com/), or Merrill Cook (http://www.merrillcookforcongress.com/).
I have perused all three men's web sites, and I'm planning on voting for John Jacob. He is conservative, God-fearing, pro-second amendment, pro-Ronald Reagan, pro-local government (as opposed to federal government) and gives sound, Founding-Father-based values. I like what I read.
As a thirty-something father in the thick of child rearing and career, it is very difficult to find, or make, the time to healthily and adequately involve myself in politics as I would like. I feel under-read and under-studied on the issues, but that is not from a lack of desire.
I care about the issues. I do care about what happens in my community and country. I want to make my voice heard, as opposed to being silently complacent while the passionately liberal minority makes the decisions. I do not want what I consider unhealthily aberrant or liberal views to dominate society.
Changing gears now....
As a fun note, Mark Cuban (owner of the Dallas Mavericks) has an insightful, entertaining, even hilarious blog: http://www.blogmaverick.com/. You'll get a kick out of it. Articles of interest:
"I'm a whiner" (http://www.blogmaverick.com/entry/1234000210073685) and
"How to Improve NBA Playoff Officiating" (http://www.blogmaverick.com/entry/1234000970073680).
Happy reading!
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Meeting Elder Oaks
Today a very special experience happened to Karin and me. It seemed that today’s events pointed us to be in a special place at a special time.
This afternoon we went to the Jordan River temple. Our plan was to have dinner downstairs in their cafeteria then go do sealings. Unfortunately, when we arrived we came to find out that the cafeteria did not take credit cards, and we had only brought a credit card. (Strike one.) Knowing that my pregnant wife was hungry, I asked her what she would like to do. She replied that she was OK enough just to go up and do the sealings. So we went up to do sealings. It was then about 4:30 PM.
When we got to the sealing office, the workers there told us that there wouldn’t be more sealings done until 6:00 PM. (Strike two.) Karin and I looked at each other. We were unsure what to do, especially since my pregnant wife was stiff, sore and hungry. We decided to go through an endowment session. So we went back downstairs, changed back into our temple whites, and went up to the chapel.
When we arrived at the chapel, there were about a dozen people in the pews. One of them was Elder Dallin H. Oaks. He was seated by himself. I whispered to Karin that it was him, and at first she wasn’t so sure. I assured her that it was him. After a few minutes, a worker motioned to our group that it was time to go to the endowment session. Everybody stood except Elder Oaks, who was obviously waiting for his wife, so we left without them. Karin and I were the last two to leave the chapel.
When we arrived at the endowment room, Elder Oaks and his wife, who had just arrived, sneaked in and sat down beside us. As Karin and I were the last two to enter the room, the vacant seats for Elder Oaks and his wife were by Karin and me. Elder Oaks sat down, said “Hi” (not hello) to me, and shook my hand. Afterwards I patted his back. I was so excited to be seated next to him!
Long story short: we rubbed elbows with them for an hour and a half! It was awesome! I could hardly concentrate, and I definitely didn’t doze off when the lights dimmed.
My thoughts raced throughout the session. I thought of my own personal worthiness. I thought of the talks of his that I remembered. I wanted to thank him for being such a good example. I wanted to thank him for his talks on preparation for the Second Coming, and how to be a good teacher, and hymn singing, and the Joseph Smith Symposium at the Library of Congress speech. I thought better of our situation and kept silent but grateful.
At the end of the session, I leaned over to him and whispered, “This has been very special for me. Thank you.”
He replied something along the lines of, “It’s been great to be here with you.”
This was a one-in-a-million experience, to be so near to an Apostle. I haven’t had something like this happen to me since Nyman Brooks’ wedding when we sat at the same table with Elder Maxwell and his wife.
Things I noticed about Elder Oaks:
* He wears his watch with the face on the inside of his wrist.
* He is well groomed and nice.
* His temple clothing is just like our temple clothing.
* He is a regular man --- a good, divinely called, inspired, good man.
* He is an Apostle of Jesus Christ. He has had incredible spiritual experiences with Deity.
This was an exciting, memorable, spiritually rejuvenating experience!
Spewing on education
It's been a LONG time since I last blogged, and my fingers are gettin' itchy to type a bit more. I haven't been into blogging for the last month, because for one reason or another I have been swamped with life. The more important things have occupied my time and attention.
In addition, there hasn't been much to say about my life in the way of crises. Life has been good for us lately, and if I were to complain I'd be an ingrate and a wart.
I have now been teaching at West Jordan Middle School since 1995. I am about to conclude my 11th year. This year has been a unique one, and I daresay that over the summer there will be huge changes occurring in our school and perhaps throughout Jordan School District.
* Reason #1: The district has limited retirement benefits to employees, effective at the end of this school year. As a result, many, many teachers are opting to retire, and numerous others are transferring out.
* Reason #2: The school climate among WJMS' teachers this year has been particularly grumpy, with an enmity between teachers and administrators. We're not on the same page. There has been a lot of gossip and grumbling, and several teachers are seeking reassignment because of this.
Long story short: At a mere 11 years of teaching experience, next year I will be one of the veterans at our school. The turnover rate over this summer will be about as high as I can remember ever. It also means we will have numerous young teachers at our school. Experienced teachers are leaving.
This might not seem like much to you, but to us in the profession it's huge. Imagine if the medical profession had a mass exodus over the summer and next year the hospitals were stocked with only limited-experience physicians and interns. Yeah, it's still medicine, but you know that there'd be a lot of problems.
There is a lot of bad occurring in our schools and in education in general, and not just money wise. While Utah is still tops in the nation in graduation percentage and test scores, it's not because of the teachers. It's because of parent support! You, the parents, are the #1 reason why your child succeeds or fails in school. As an example, I like to draw two different scenarios.
Scenario #1: An eighth grade girl has a supportive family. Her parents have firm but fair guidelines and expectations, read with her, and expect her to succeed academically. Whenever she shows signs of slacking, they step in: privileges revoked, teacher contact, or whatever it takes. They make it perfectly clear that education is important.
Now, let's say girl #1 has an extremely lazy history teacher. On the first day of school, Mr. Lazy hands her a textbook and, in essence, instructs her to study the entire textbook and do X amount of exercises from it per day. He will only tell her this once, and expect ALL work to be completed on the last day of school, when she will also be tested. For the next nine months he won't teach her anything. I can guarantee you that by the end of the year, with her supportive parents, she will have completed all exercises and passed the test with flying colors.
Secenario #2: An eighth grade girl with an indifferent family. Her parents both work, complain about being tired all the time, couldn't care less about school, hated it themselves, and view it as government-supplied day care. They never ask her about her homework, don't show up to parent teacher conference, and never check the school's web site where her grades are posted. If a parent ever calls, they might not even return the call.
Now, let's say girl #2 has an extremely proactive, organized, high-level history teacher. On the first day of school, Mr. Proactive Teacher greets her warmly, gives her individualized instruction as necessary, maps things out, keeps grades updated, has scheduled conference time available, invites her to work, uses incentive programs, sends home progress letters, gives her supplies for free, etc. etc. etc. In other words, he breaks his back for her. I can guarantee you that, regardless of how awesome a teacher he is, she will still fail 999 times out of 1000 ---- all because of lacking parental support.
As you can see, in either case it wasn't the teacher who was the deciding factor. It was the parent! You are the key!
While I'm on this soapbox, I'd like to give two suggestions to those of you who are parents, and whose children are or will soon be teenagers:
1) Read with them every day! Especially you fathers. It makes a gigantic difference in their ability to succeed academically. They think better. They understand better. They solve problems better. School is easier for them.
2) Check their grades, with them by your side, on a regular basis. Don't believe them when they say they don't have any homework! It's a lie!
There is so much evil in the public schools: sex, swearing, sarcasm, drugs, disrespect, gangs, ... you name it. However, there is reason to hope when parents are heavily involved in their kids' lives, because those kids make it. They do. I've seen it every year as a middle school teacher. Kids with a secure home life, structure (which is love), accountability, dinner at home, etc. make it. Like a duck in water, they seem to impervious to the evil that often surrounds them.
As a final note, I encourage you to check out www.aft.org. Click on salary surveys.
In addition, there hasn't been much to say about my life in the way of crises. Life has been good for us lately, and if I were to complain I'd be an ingrate and a wart.
I have now been teaching at West Jordan Middle School since 1995. I am about to conclude my 11th year. This year has been a unique one, and I daresay that over the summer there will be huge changes occurring in our school and perhaps throughout Jordan School District.
* Reason #1: The district has limited retirement benefits to employees, effective at the end of this school year. As a result, many, many teachers are opting to retire, and numerous others are transferring out.
* Reason #2: The school climate among WJMS' teachers this year has been particularly grumpy, with an enmity between teachers and administrators. We're not on the same page. There has been a lot of gossip and grumbling, and several teachers are seeking reassignment because of this.
Long story short: At a mere 11 years of teaching experience, next year I will be one of the veterans at our school. The turnover rate over this summer will be about as high as I can remember ever. It also means we will have numerous young teachers at our school. Experienced teachers are leaving.
This might not seem like much to you, but to us in the profession it's huge. Imagine if the medical profession had a mass exodus over the summer and next year the hospitals were stocked with only limited-experience physicians and interns. Yeah, it's still medicine, but you know that there'd be a lot of problems.
There is a lot of bad occurring in our schools and in education in general, and not just money wise. While Utah is still tops in the nation in graduation percentage and test scores, it's not because of the teachers. It's because of parent support! You, the parents, are the #1 reason why your child succeeds or fails in school. As an example, I like to draw two different scenarios.
Scenario #1: An eighth grade girl has a supportive family. Her parents have firm but fair guidelines and expectations, read with her, and expect her to succeed academically. Whenever she shows signs of slacking, they step in: privileges revoked, teacher contact, or whatever it takes. They make it perfectly clear that education is important.
Now, let's say girl #1 has an extremely lazy history teacher. On the first day of school, Mr. Lazy hands her a textbook and, in essence, instructs her to study the entire textbook and do X amount of exercises from it per day. He will only tell her this once, and expect ALL work to be completed on the last day of school, when she will also be tested. For the next nine months he won't teach her anything. I can guarantee you that by the end of the year, with her supportive parents, she will have completed all exercises and passed the test with flying colors.
Secenario #2: An eighth grade girl with an indifferent family. Her parents both work, complain about being tired all the time, couldn't care less about school, hated it themselves, and view it as government-supplied day care. They never ask her about her homework, don't show up to parent teacher conference, and never check the school's web site where her grades are posted. If a parent ever calls, they might not even return the call.
Now, let's say girl #2 has an extremely proactive, organized, high-level history teacher. On the first day of school, Mr. Proactive Teacher greets her warmly, gives her individualized instruction as necessary, maps things out, keeps grades updated, has scheduled conference time available, invites her to work, uses incentive programs, sends home progress letters, gives her supplies for free, etc. etc. etc. In other words, he breaks his back for her. I can guarantee you that, regardless of how awesome a teacher he is, she will still fail 999 times out of 1000 ---- all because of lacking parental support.
As you can see, in either case it wasn't the teacher who was the deciding factor. It was the parent! You are the key!
While I'm on this soapbox, I'd like to give two suggestions to those of you who are parents, and whose children are or will soon be teenagers:
1) Read with them every day! Especially you fathers. It makes a gigantic difference in their ability to succeed academically. They think better. They understand better. They solve problems better. School is easier for them.
2) Check their grades, with them by your side, on a regular basis. Don't believe them when they say they don't have any homework! It's a lie!
There is so much evil in the public schools: sex, swearing, sarcasm, drugs, disrespect, gangs, ... you name it. However, there is reason to hope when parents are heavily involved in their kids' lives, because those kids make it. They do. I've seen it every year as a middle school teacher. Kids with a secure home life, structure (which is love), accountability, dinner at home, etc. make it. Like a duck in water, they seem to impervious to the evil that often surrounds them.
As a final note, I encourage you to check out www.aft.org. Click on salary surveys.
Monday, April 03, 2006
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