I am what I am because you are what you are
Written by Dan Salzwedel
Introduction is like a Texas longhorn ..: .. Great to be here – hope you’ve enjoyed the conference, Everybody get thru Homeland Security OK? Have all of you gotten your complimentary Drivers Licences, YOU KNOW we are famous for that here …. ……….saw where you were exposed to so many good things, have you had a good time, learned a lot? Can you give me a response can you fake a response Good . I also know that the org. is financially strapped. When asked to come here today Dr. Lamman said, do you believe in Free Speech – I said you know I do. She said good I need you to come give one . You know I’m your entertainment. I do hope you’ve had a drink or two – it sure would make things easier.
…….I’m a rural/small school guy, and while I’ve had experience at – rural schools, urban, large and small schools, it’s important to know that it is the rural and small schools that are the salvation of our system for a lot of reasons the research says . Let’s set the table. And this is interesting Rural schools have less Free/reduced lunches, books, supplies, among other items, parents are less likely to take aid or welfare Well why is this important.. because the studies show that the more we give students, the less likely it is that they’ll achieve future success and they don’t learn at the same level they don’t learn to earn you see, its all about values and that’s where you come in this is the real stimulus package because you’ve done this as advocates and very few people recognize it.. ….. As I said earlier, I grew up in a small rural school- one room – we had inclusion before it was thought of and We learned to earn when entitlement meant you got what you worked for . ……we had differentiation, heuristics, directed learning, discovery, small groups before they became in vogue . But even talking about this stuff now and going against the grain is a little like selecting a deck chair on the titanic ….
But we’ll handle it – I’ve had a number of jobs where I’ve felt like a fire hydrant. Lets milk the cow. Let’s talk about the reasons for small or rural schools. I do a little analysis work and lobbying at the legislature and over 96% of the legislation in this state comes as a result of problems in the large schools Rural schools. Most are viewed like backups, like me, back up QB, afterthought to my parents, backup to my first job …I’m even a backup husband and my kids all have other kids parents they think are better,,””” Sounds like a therapy session – doesn’t it? Anyway, legislatively across the nation we don’t spend time at the top talking about small school problems, it’s the big schools that represent the problems and there are a # of reasons for that.
Now it doesn’t mean that things are great and that we cannot improve obviously but there are compelling reasons as to why what you do and Rural schools are successful. it’s simple and verifiable thru the research in spite of what the spin doctors say… And most of what they say at times makes about as much sense is going to bed with a full bladder. .5tudents feel more engaged, more involvement in activities, greater faculty accountability, greater parental accountability as well as students why greater transparency, greater collaboration, greater sense of commitment, Teachers feel more like they make a difference more intimate learning climate which results in a higher level of confidence self worth and esteem and you are a big part of this arena – as advocates and resources for learning and functioning in that environment… . Its about . Character or Value education do we walk the talk . It was Aristotle who said among others in one form or another. that the aim of education is not of fact, but of Character – you see knowledge attainment is a product of a positive character trait, a value if you will Small schools excel in this area I am what I am, because you are what you are .
Peabody said that education defined is the debt due this generation to the next and that’s a tall order but it’s what we do there are also three specific purposes of education (as framed by our forefathers) and we who are in the formal process neglect this area terribly you forget the past and forsake the future and we’re experiencing it now . If it isn’t apparent now “:’Jt will be 1fine solace and wisdom in and like old as well as Dead people . …..and sometimes my pilot light goes out without notice .in fact, if you don’t have wrinkles, are fit and are without continence issues you’re probably not in my calling circle or whatever they call that stuff . This technology thing is changing so rapidly and we’ve got to keep up with it and train our people at a much higher level each year did you know that 95% of what we know about medicine we’ve learned since the Korean war and information does double every ??? compared to when I graduated from HS and sometimes I think we get infatuated with the make up and forget about the face or substance of what we do we must not forget the three purposes of education as it was originally framed by Washington, Jefferson and Franklin but My kids all are so good in this area tech stuff I mean but I do worry a little about them however. ….. You see I’m an estrogen hostage ……let me explain …..three female type blonde daughters – and a token son and a female type wife that’s a Visa/ Mall All American (she really has such a good attitude toward life ….she’s a K/spec. educ.teacher she can go to a store and welcome a piece of broccoli into the shopping basket like an old friend l st daughter well the only book she’ll ever finish is a checkbook, the 2 nd •.•••• is quite proud actually that she finished college and we are too …..she did it in just two terms – Clinton and Bush the 3 rd , well she got kicked out of Sunday School, did finish college and did do some government work – she called it as did the officials – community service I believe …..and is the one who is setting us up for our later years in life our retirement home is now a cardboard box in Juarez . But I’m optimistic if fact so much so that I’d go out fishing for whales in row boat and would pack along the tartar sauce thats how much I also believe in what your mission is as well. you are the, salvation of education in our country no one does this better in the world than you and the research strongly supports it …..: I’m really retired from education full time a~d·we’ve established that I’m old only get a few hours out of the’ rest home each day ……•…..~;iny daily diet consists of Kaopectate, Geritol and Prep. H is mandatorv-dailv, “, . and those Rogaine, Viagra and Depends commercials are getting pretty important.. I have no butt, no teeth, sense or hair as I said . You’re laughing but I see a glare out there from but don’t worry they don’t put marble tops on cheap furniture.
Stay awake, this may be profound and I don’t do profound very often sometimes we don’t understand our business, for example-if I’m in the Tire business what business am I in …Transportation. If I produce grain my business is agriculture lf I teach english, may business is Education etc Our job is to prepare people to be productive and moral citizens of our country responsible for their own being, in our great nation that gave us the liberty to fail and or succeed on our own merits lf I knock you down today its on me lf you are still down in 7 days …………..its on you . My wife, the Colonel is a Kteacher and her classroom is an incubator for disease, I love going in a riling them up then leaving . I don’t worry about the flu or anything .I’ve built up an immunity to anything ..I’ve eaten my wifes cooking for some time now . Does this sound like a Charlie Sheen moment. Winning . The most important thing we do is role model.. she is very good at that .from all perspectives. She too, comes from a rural school background.
Most people who know me know that I love sports, have coached at HS and College levels, am a big fan of the GB Packers, my wife not so much she thinks a OB is a discount at the store . — But in her role she does IEP’s quite often as you know and I’ve been involved with them in a variety of roles myself ….. Now these are things I’ve witnessed in one role or another or she has..:….. and some of you can relate to these and others ….. You know its probably going to be a rough IEP when they …the school people ….. start with a prayer. …..or how about this one then they (the school rep.) asks for a update ofthe social history with “there haven’t been any more children born into your family …..have there? Or when the mother arrives and the principal has a cup with her name on it in the conference room for coffee you know there is a history or when the parents know due process better than the Spec. Ed. Coordinator. . Or the IEP invitation to the parents list “drive thru hours” …kind of like California -they go to church in places out their in Drive-ins Of course that’s also the home of the Brittany Spears School of Parenting as well or how about the parents that thought inclusion wass some kind of venereal disease . And this was a dandy – in my wifes classroom a while back after the IEP the parent wanted to put the kid up for adoption …..
As kind of an aside to this and . What’s sad about the whole process is that we’re willing to fail the teacher and the school but not the student or the parent we cushion failure which becomes an unhealthy entitlement by itself .failure is the destiny of all who succeed and we should never cushion them from consequences YOU’LL take away the opportunity to substantially learn……….. That’s a mouthful. . Brings us back to expectations and how important you are ….. Action is the Fruit of Knowledge and it starts with expectations kids will wear the hat you put on them … We want them to have a sense of ambition and a will to succeed in whatever they pursue we want them to have the sense of urgency of a chicken that just found out – Colonel Sanders is coming to visit . We want kids and our colleagues frankly to possess an enthusiasm to grow, produce, learn and be better tomorrow than they are today.
Tell all our prospective student teachers that ask me for a recommendation for whatever. ..that they must have three things to get one from me:
1. A high level of Character/professionalism
2. A thirst to learn and
3. A thirst to produce.
You see, high expectations are the architect of success how many times have you heard someone in sports or any field say that you have to rise to the occasion …..to deal with an exceptional opponent or challenge or whatever. .it was Vince Lombardi, and to have you’re A game lt means that you have to be the policeman of your own behavior. …. Winston Churchill once said ….To every person there comes a time that special moment when you figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do something special, unique to your God given talents. What a tragedy it would be if that moment found you unprepared or unqualified, in what could have been your finest hour . As educators we a blessed to have many opportunities to have a finest hour actually . So, what comes of your efforts and what do you contribute to well.. . Rural schools have less behavioral problems, more constructive parental involvement and responsibility, …….more likely (according the National Center for Educational Statistics) to achieve AYP, 72 to 76% of the local, state and national leaders come from small and lor rural schools and students have a higher incidence of success in life and I am what I am because you are what you are . They also teach values well. You see a child can have the aptitude to learn but without the attitude -learning is largely inconsequential… its all about value education and you have a significant role …..in that success.
Expectations this is where the rubber hits the road . …..great people don’t spend their lives …..they invest them and that’s a value ….that best represents … you . Like it or not, I’m one of your products and I’m very grateful to you and what you stand for. . You’ve made me happier than Rosy O’Donnell at a buffet for the honor to be a part of your program ………………..- its now time to go back to the rest home and enjoy a little Geritol.. . Thank you and enjoy the remainder of your conference . ……….and I think its important to always have that mindset – to have a sense of urgency of a chicken who just found out that Colonel Sanders is coming to make a visit… … You’re the practitioners of learning………Do you walk the talk?…………