ASKING QUESTIONS, EXPLORING OPTIONS, CHANGING THE IMPACT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.

School House

A Wiser Old Owl?

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Let me explain…A wiser old owl is my hook to let you know that this blog is coming from a retired educator, retired after thirty-six
years in this rewarding profession.  For twenty four years, I taught students mathematics all the way from grade seventh
grade through grade twelve. After that, I was an administrator in an elementary school for twelve years.

In all of that time, I am absolutely convinced that I am wiser…wiser to “the know” of how little I know.  What I’m hoping this post will do is entice you to learn from my mistakes, misgivings, and faux pas so that you will be freed up to make your own errors with a clear conscience.  Over the next several months, I will share with you and welcome you to respond, question, and share your own experiences so that others can learn.

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Leadership

The Gift of Listening.

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A listening ear is, sadly, among the rarest of gifts. Listening deeply is difficult – there are so many voices in your head that want to come out, and listening can become just “pausing to reload” – “I will keep my mouth shut while you talk, so I have time to think of the next thing I will say to you.”

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School House

Meet Micaela Canales…Our Newest REEP Blogger.

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Hello, intensely diverse and ever-expanding universe. I am Micaela Canales, extending a firm handshake and big smile. I am currently a high school senior in the Houston area. My goal here is to introduce myself to our readers and offer insight as to my background, which will frame my future blog posts.

I have been surrounded by educational chatter since I was in diapers, with opinions from my varied and various family members in the business of education. Common conversation themes around my house include professional development, diminishing school budget, and funny stories from the classroom. As I have grown up and been encouraged, I have found my own voice in the educational mix, the voice of a student.

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School House

The Sad Reality of PE Class.

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Gym is dead, may it rest in peace. Not that it has to rest, because honestly, it has never had to work very hard, just like the kids who are forced to take it.

For my readers who aren’t quite seeing what the above personification is implying, let me try putting it this way: gym in the public school system (at least in my school district in Houston) is a waste of time, finances, and an educational credit.

The system is just flawed. There really is no other way to put it. What we need is a place where we, kids and teens, can go, maybe even a class of sorts, to exercise and get the physical stimulation we were built for. But where?

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