I'm about to date myself, but I don't care.
I sit here at my desk with a sad heart at the news of Davy Jones death. I used to watch "The Monkees" faithfully every afternoon as a child and, yes, I just bought the DVD releases of the entire series. I have several CDs and can sing most of the hits by heart. Somewhere in my closet is a videotape of the Monkees reunion movie that aired several years ago. I'm going to go home and find it so I can watch it.
My children even know the Monkees and, especially Davy Jones. He appeared on "My Two Dads," one of our favorite old TV shows that, yes, I also own on DVD. He was featured on "The New Adventures of Scooby Doo" and sings a song on that sound track, as well. They'll be sad, too.
In the late 1980s, I dragged my best friend Matt to a Monkees reunion concert. I don't know how much he enjoyed it, but I was in heaven. Davy, Mickey and Peter were fabulous. It's a memory I carry in my heart.
As you take that "Last Train to Clarksville" Davy, know that several generations of women are crying for you. Heaven will be happy to have you as you join that great Rock and Roll Band in the sky.
God speed, Davy Jones.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Apathy Run Amok
I have had students that didn't have much to give, but gave me all they had. I can work with that. What troubles me nowadays is the students who have plenty to give and choose not to give it. It's not about the types of activities, types of literature, etc.. It's a simple case of apathy.
"Aren't you going to turn in your work?" I ask hopefully.
"Nah, I'll just take the F," students respond.
I feel like a failure, because I am invested in my students. I want them to succeed. I ask them to keep notebooks to increase their organizational skills, thereby edging them toward success in the future. (Yes, I have explained this.) Many of them see no future for themselves, many of them don't care, others, I just don't know.
I pray everyday for success in the classroom and success for these students.
When I am at my lowest, I remember what my mother, also an English teacher, used to tell me. "If you reach just one student," she would say with a grin, "You are doing a good job." She would go on to remind me that oftentimes teachers never know what effect they have on young people. (Oh, the stories she would tell after reunions)
So, I take a deep breath and sigh. I pray a little harder and plow ahead. As long as I am doing the best that I can, that's all I can do.
"Aren't you going to turn in your work?" I ask hopefully.
"Nah, I'll just take the F," students respond.
I feel like a failure, because I am invested in my students. I want them to succeed. I ask them to keep notebooks to increase their organizational skills, thereby edging them toward success in the future. (Yes, I have explained this.) Many of them see no future for themselves, many of them don't care, others, I just don't know.
I pray everyday for success in the classroom and success for these students.
When I am at my lowest, I remember what my mother, also an English teacher, used to tell me. "If you reach just one student," she would say with a grin, "You are doing a good job." She would go on to remind me that oftentimes teachers never know what effect they have on young people. (Oh, the stories she would tell after reunions)
So, I take a deep breath and sigh. I pray a little harder and plow ahead. As long as I am doing the best that I can, that's all I can do.
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