So Many Books, So Little Time

Frank Zappa knew a thing or two. 

The resolution to unplug and engage more is going swimmingly.

So well, in fact, that now I'm reading four books. Here's a glimpse of each:

1. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink:

This book is a fantastic look at what motivates us in this day and age compared to what used to motivate humans. I can't help but read it and think, "So THAT'S why I zone out during ______!" or "No wonder I couldn't care less about [insert some useless task that apparently is required for the world to go 'round]." I employed some of this knowledge in a recent training and received positive feedback. Here's a taste: Motivation is about trust, not micromanagement. This idea should be intuitive, but clearly it needs to be more openly discussed. I recommend this work to anyone who works with human beings. And if you don't work with humans, I'm envious, but only slightly. Where do you work?

2. Teaching Sucks, But We Love It Anyway! by Frank Stepnowski. 

Stepnowski is a veteran teacher who, frankly, tells it like it is. Some dislike him for saying things people don't want to hear. On days that I want to gripe about this profession, I read this book and he gets it. It's like a bitch session without placing that sort of burden on a friend and bringing us both down. The bonus is that I usually end up laughing. If you really want to understand some of the unfortunate realities of the educational system in America, read this. Just keep in mind that though he's angry, he stays in it for the kids. A recent excerpt that jumped out at me on a particularly frustrating day follows:

"Sometimes, the reality of the teaching profession is so much stranger than fiction that one can only look upon it and laugh, because if you didn't (as the saying goes), you would cry; sometimes from heartbreak, sometimes from frustration, and sometimes just because the things that are done to us are so profound in their ridiculousness that all you can do is laugh."

I'm unsure of the page number this is found on because I'm reading the Kindle version. The emphasis on the last part was what resonated so purely with me the moment I read it. Here's why: that day, I was asked to backlog two months' worth of attendance data for an after-school program into a specific spreadsheet that wasn't distributed until over two months into the program using odd symbols that I have no idea how to make. Ha! Nope. This isn't nearly the most ridiculous task I've been asked to do; it just hit me on a down day.

Other favorite insights include: Anti-Teacher America, the "Data Deity" that is our system (which relates to the incessant testing of our kids), and muffin recipe lesson plans. And more. So much more. 

3. Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan:

I just started this one, given to me by a friend. So far, it's clearly a sad setting for positive and kind protagonist Jigana, but I'm hopeful for him. It promises to be heart wrenching thus far. I need to know that good still triumphs, so that shapes my mindset on this one right now.

And lastly,

4. It Can't Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis:

I'll be honest, I'm only reading this one because I saw it in the library during a reading day with my students. I'm sure you're wondering this: A reading day for science students? Well, I walked into my classroom last Friday to discover that it was 20 degrees F -  a window was left wide open by an as-yet-unknown individual, snow on the floor. Lab supplies were frozen; two faucets as well. Some lab experiments for the science fair are now delayed. I figured we could take a day off and enjoy some reading in a room that was above a freezing temperature. 

Anyhow, the old cover and yellowed pages drew me in. Published in 1935, it has a style that demands a more focused sort of attention than other pieces. It's like flexing reading skills I'd forgotten I had. I'm sure Mr. Anderson, P. Schultz, Mr. Kallis, and Ms. Miner would be proud. 

So many books, so little time indeed. What are you reading? 

Back to Basics

First off, Happy New Year, y'all!

Before the New Year, I had it in my brain that I would resolve to write more in 2014. I tried last year and failed, so of course, why not give it another go? Seems logical. (Or oddly similar to Einstein's definition of insanity: to do things over and over again the same way and expect a different result.)

Kayaking on the Missouri River.

January 1st is a solid marketing ploy and I suppose a nice, clean time to overhaul whatever in your life needs overhauling, but nothing other than the writing thing really came to mind this year. Also, I didn't want to commit to it just for the sake of making a resolution, so it was put on hold, at least until my return to the village. Sure, I wanted to improve myself, or at the very least improve my habits so that those around me (my precious students) may benefit, but nothing else jumped out at me. So I waited.

The return trip to Mountain Village was riddled with missed connections and weather delays, including an 18-hour stay at the Denver airport. (Thanks to the guy who let me in to the United Board Room so I could sleep!)

Then I got sick. (I take full credit for that: too much fun and not enough sleep over break.)

Then report cards were due. (I still don't understand why the semester must end 9 days AFTER Christmas vacation.)

Then I discovered that I would be involved in leading a district inservice less than two weeks before we were to give it. (Fun, but I'm reliably a nervous wreck beforehand.)

Then the Science Fair started to kick into high gear. (Worthwhile stress.)

Then I was allowed to start planning for a new Health Careers elective two days before it started. (No comment.)

Then we had conferences. (Necessary.)

I've decided that January is a mean month which proves to test my resolve yearly, but I refuse to believe this makes me weak. February seems just as good of a time as any. Hey, it's about the intent and the process, anyway, right?

Hiking in Kaua'i.

One day while lesson planning (or grading, I don't really remember), I meandered into the library, partially because it was empty and partially because I felt a heat wave pouring from it; my classroom usually settles around 63 degrees without students in there. So I went in to warm up, and it happened.

I started scanning the shelves. It took me back to the good ol' days at Beadle Elementary when the library was an endless source of adventure. I was convinced that librarian Mrs. Huennekens was partly psychic, because she always knew where to direct me and I could be in my own world for what felt like hours. Nerdy and introverted, yes I know, and proud of it!

Hiking south of Anchorage.

As I wandered the aisles, I felt this overwhelming and energizing sense of calm. Or maybe it was a calm energy. Or the warmth. I dunno, but my brain began to perk up. In that moment, I knew what my resolution would be: to read more. Or maybe, to readily tap into that sense of calm. But how to accomplish that?

I realized the zen that I felt came from the fact that I had no technology link at that moment: my phone wasn't on me and I'd taken a break from the computer. Holding a book felt so...engaging! I decided I would try for two resolutions: no technology (other than music) after 9 pm to allow for more reading. Now, trust me, the irony is not lost on me that you are reading this on a computer or some device. Bear with me here.

Lately, with the Facebooking, Pinteresting, reading of random news/pop culture/scientific articles, and checking my email and the weather countless times just because I can has left me feeling restless and, frankly, bored. I check those sites and feel that I am becoming a dullard. So why not cut it?

Turnagain Arm while hiking south of Anchorage.

It may sound like a silly thing, to read more, but I don't think it's any less ambitious than are fitness goals or any other of the usual resolutions that, when one inevitably fails to maintain them for too many days, make one want to drop the crazy idea altogether and resign oneself to a few extra pounds or a bad habit of cursing or snacking or smoking or what-have-you. The beauty of this goal is that it offers vast rewards despite, or maybe due to, its simplicity. I aim to keep things simple for my students; why not get back to the basics myself? I figure that if I keep this resolution at least 4-5 times a week, I will be calmer, and my kiddos will benefit from that.

And that, dear readers, makes me want to keep this year's resolution.

One last thing: it's currently raining here. Give us back our snow, Lower 48!

Cheers!