Acceptance, tolerance and just plain judgement

Ok, so recently I have had a few conversations that have stuck with me, and not in a good way. I can't seem to get them out of my head. Essentially they were about politics and my disbelief in realizing that someone I know fairly well was so misinformed about the candidates - going so far as saying to me that she knows people who believe that Obama is the "antichrist." Her words. Wow. I mean, I kind of stared, in shock at such an utterly insane comment. She was serious. Then I just kept repeating, "that's insane, I can't believe someone would actually think that" over and over. I became a broken record (like I can, I know) and she said, "Heather, these are your peers who think that." My friend is my age and by peers, she meant her peers (and I think mine).

Ok, after having some time to chew on this, I have a few points.

First, I have a hard time even stating the obvious and even addressing the first comment. I doesn't even deserve a comment it is so ridiculous.

But the second, that the person who said this was my "peer" really bothers me. It assumes that she knows me well enough to know what "label" or "category" I place myself in and that she would think I am a "peer" with this crazy person is kind of insulting, I think.

While I think that ultimately we are on different ends of the spectrum politically, what I realized is just how intolerant I am of her view and the view of the conservative right, in general terms. I always thought of myself as opinionated, but willing to see other sides to issues and work out compromise in coming to an "agree to disagree" moment. I have family members and family friends who are conservative, pro-life bumper sticker Republicans. But I am finding it harder and harder to really give an inch in the conservative direction, and I find I have little patience for people who are so ill-informed and make irrational statements based on lies and propoganda. I just can't take it. I think I used to be able to separate the person from the political view much easier in the past. What I have come to understand, really, is that your politics really is in part based on your core beliefs about what you value and who you are. I am trying not to make this into a hallmark card, but I really do think this. Our perspectives and life experiences have shaped who we are and what we believe and I think this is a fundamental part of politics and why so many people are passionate about it. Because we care. And if you care, it means that it is important to you and what is important demonstrates in part, who you are and your identity. I think that is why I can't ignore/can't separate the person from the politics.

Don't get me wrong, I am trying not to place a value on this judgement. In other words, I don't think conservatives or Republicans are bad people, just that we have fundamentally different values that make up our core beliefs. This might mean that on some level there is an incompatibility and you might never get to the "agree to disagree" level.

In this case, I am ok with my judgement of this random no-name "peer." I think this person deserves my "judgement" just as much as I am probably getting it directed back at me through the universe. I'm not going to agree with this "peer." I'm ok with it. I don't have to understand everyone....this sounds like a senior convocation we heard today, and it probably had some influence on my rant.

What do you guys think? Should I accept all the people of the world? Should I be tolerant of varying viewpoints? Or is it ok to judge people based on their politics??

Well, it's late, and I'm sorry if this entry doesn't make any sense and I rambled on.

Signing off,
The Judgemental and Intolerant Liberal

Well, it's been exactly 1 month....

Since I posted an entry and I am feeling a bit guilty. August was a whirlwind. I had my summer camp, getting ready for school, and Joshua's baptism (I am his Godmother officially now!).

I just finished my first full week of school and I am super excited about the fresh start and new beginning. I always love the start of school. I love the school supplies (lets be honest, most people secretly do!), I love seeing my colleagues and catching up on summer events and activities, and I love seeing the kids. What I find most amazing are the students that I struggled with last year, are some of the first to come up to me and ask how my summer was and tell me it is good to see me. It is almost unreal and a little hard to grasp, but I take it in good faith and smile. It really is wonderful to see how the newly minted seniors have changed over the summer. They grow a little taller (I swear!) and there is definitely something in the way they carry themselves that says, "I am not the same girl I was two and a half months ago" that is a bit scary, but in a good way, I see their self confidence and assurance as signs they will be leaving us soon to move on to bigger and brighter things.

I have had a good week. This time last year, I felt like I knew I was going to have a difficult time with two of my four classes. This time, I am excited about all of them. I have some really great groups this year, and I feel very lucky.

I also have realized that I am so much happier doing this job. Parent's night was on Wednesday and I said to the parents, "before I came to Bryn Mawr I was in research, and I feel blessed to have both research and teaching experiences in my life, because I love them both. I am able to give my students a sense of the enthusiasm, energy and love I have for research, and that makes me happy."

It is important for me to remind myself that I love teaching. I mean, I know I do, but on the rough days/weeks, it is important for me to remember why I do it.

The picture is of a praying mantis eating a moth. Look how well it blends in! One of my students was doing her nature journal entry in class and was using it as a subject. I quick grabbed my camera!

Good friends, good times!

Last Wednesday I was so happy to get together with college friends and spend some time in DC. I met up with Kate in the morning and we went to Starbucks to catch up and stay cool. Even though it was 10am it was already a steamy summer day. We had a great time catching up, laughing and chatting. It was wonderful to renew those bonds that we shared so many years ago. We met up with Christina, Emanuel, Ubah and the girls and went to lunch at a restaurant on U street. Bronte was a charmer, Hywel was an adorable baby with no fussing and we talked and talked and talked. We had an appointment at 2:30 for a US Capitol Tour, so we headed off when our bellies were full.

Justin, Kate's husband met us at the Capitol and the tour was great because it was just the 8 of us. We learned a little history, saw some art, and got to sit in the House of Representatives Gallery. It was interesting because Congress was on it's August break, but the republicans were there pushing their energy bill - to no one. Literally. The only people there were interns and a few spectators like ourselves. No CSPAN. No cameras. Just congressmen/women talking to themselves with no one to debate or argue against them. So Ub and I took care of that in our own way and could help spewing rebuttals to almost everything they said. It was fun.
We left the Capitol and headed back to U street.

Our feet were hurting, the heat was getting to us, but we plodded through the sticky August haze and arrived at Saint X on 14th street. Katie met us there and we ate some delicious food. I mean delicious! We walked to Katies apartment and had a slice of spectacular peach pie (I want that recipe!!). Bronte entertained us with her percussion skills and we laughed, talked and talked some more.

All in all, it was a wonderful day and I am reminded again about how special every one of my friends is in my life - how important it is to maintain friendship throughout life - "Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other is gold." I am so blessed to have these wonderful people in my life.

Summer Days.....

I could get used to this teacher thing. Yes, I'm admitting it; for those of you that say teachers are slackers and they are lucky to get the summer off, I say to you, my friends, you are right. The summer is a wonderful thing. I have freedom to adhere to my own self-prescribed schedule; I am not dictated by grading, planning, student impromptu meetings, faculty discussions, or researching the latest teaching techniques. I love it. Can't help it. I am tired of fighting people who tell me I have it made, that I have such an easy time.


But I will say, that I deserve it. Yep, that's right. During the school year, I take work home with me. I don't have the luxury of leaving it at the door. I have a deadline every day. I am responsible for standing in front of real human beings (yeah, I know!) and answering to them. They wait expectantly for me to deliver. They await the "teacher" with the "plan," knowing that I will present the task, the content, the material, the lab, something. Of course, that means I have to have "something" to present! Teachers are some of the hardest working professional I know.


But God love the summers. It is The Respite. The proverbial charging of the batteries, and the much needed mental holiday. I will tell you, that without the summer, I couldn't do my job. It would be impossible for anyone - I callenge anyone - to maintain the level of intensity, concentration, and preparation it takes for 12 months. You would see many more teachers in the mental institutions if that were the case.


Sorry about this rant, but I just had to get it off my chest. I love the summer, not for the weather, but for the freedom.

On a different note:
Yesterday, I went with two friends to Annapolis, MD. It was my birthday present to both of them. It was like a little mini vacation. We had a picnic at scenic Quiet Waters Park, then walked along West St. admiring artisans work and jewelry. In the afternoon we had Afternoon Tea at Reynolds Tea Room in Church Circle, and then took a boat ride to St. Thomas Point Lighthouse.

Wow! I have neglected this blog!

Ok, so I am feeling guilty for completely ignoring this blog for SO! long.
But here is a recap of some things that have been going on.

I got back from the Klingenstein Institute and took my car for a second opinion - it died right before I had to drive to NJ and the garage told me it would cost $2,000 to replace all 4 oxygen sensors. So the day after I got back, it took it to the same place I was going to in Westminster for a second opinion. They fixed it for $100 and it has been fine since. Can you BELIEVE IT?!! I was pissed. I was so worried - should I spend this money fixing a 2000 with 90,000 miles? I can't afford a car payment yada yada yada. WHAT a rip off. Anyhoo, I am NOT going back to that first place if my life depends on it.

The following Monday (July 7th) my mom went in for her second knee replacement surgery. Everything went much more smoothly this time and she is about 2 weeks ahead of the last surgery in terms of recovery and ability to bend and do physical therapy. She was in the hospital until Thursday July 11th and I stayed at my parents helping out until Sat.

Saturday was Stephanie's Bridal Shower in Alexandria, VA. I got to see the crew - Ub, KT, Christina, Ramona, Stephanie of course and some other folks. I also got to meet Hywel for the first time, which was very exciting! She is so cute, and a lovely baby. Everyone seems to be doing well and as Ub would say, "a good time was had by all!" :-) I dropped KT off at her apartment and it was great to catch up with her and see her place.

The following week I was back and forth to my parents, helping my mom etc. and going into school to do some work. I met with my Director of Upper School to talk about the Klingenstein and our conversation was excellent! I feel like I really have an ally and support there - very reassuring.

On Sunday July 21, I went to a 311/Snoop Dogg Concert at Nissan Pavillion (where Ub works). I tell ya, it was interesting to see Snoop Dogg. He "sang" some classic songs - songs Christina and I would sing together - sipping our gin and juice - and he sang some classic derogatory, police-hating crap I am not a fan off. But it was interesting to say the least.
I bought these tickets to see 311 for Jami's birthday. They did not disappoint. It was an awesome concert and I can honestly say, it was one of the best I've been to. Jam and I are still gushing over lead singer Nick Hexum and his last song he did shirtless. Ah. :-)

This past week I took my mom to get her staples out on Tuesday. The doctor said she is doing fabulous! Yeah! Go mom! I also got to meet Mandy and Jeff's new baby boy, Sullivan, or Sully for short. He is adorable with a huge head of black hair! Mandy is doing much better after a complicated delivery and I was so happy to meet Sully.

Then on Thursday I took the 7+ hour train ride to Boston to see Paige, Jeremy and new addition, Elliot! So cute! He is 4 months old and a little bundle of joy. He is smiling and giggling and a great baby. Paige and Jeremy are doing well and managing their new life like pros. I came back last night from Beantown and am tired! It is amazing how tired you can get just sitting. huh.

Anyway, today I am headed to Jami's for a little more 311 stalking, tropical drink drinking and maybe a movie.

So sorry for not updating regularly. I will try to post some pictures. I hope everyone in blogland is going well!!!


K- Can't WAIT to see you and give you a big hug!

:-)

Klingenstein Summer Institute

So I'm in New Jersey working. Yes, working. In fact, working very hard. But loving every minute of it. I am in Lawrenceville, NJ, 5 miles from Princeton, 45 minutes from Philly, and an 1 and 1/2 hours from NYC. I am staying at The Lawrenceville School (http://www.lawrenceville.org/), an independent co-ed boarding school for 9-12 grade. It is a beautiful place, steeped in history and reminds me of our small alma mater in its size - meaning its BIG for a high school! It has green lawns speckled with clover and a library that is to be envied by anyone. Let's not even talk about the Science Building, I get choked up.

Anyway, I have been doing a lot of listening, reading, writing, reflecting, thinking, analyzing, planning and sharing. As someone told me today at dinner, it's kind of like "teacher camp." The cool part about it is we are all relatively new teachers (teaching 1-5 years) and we are mostly like-minded in that we aren't jaded, are optimistic about education, and are excited to take all this knowledge back to our schools.

We have two main groups, our curriculum group (Science for me) and a Diversity Group, made up of members of every curriculum group. I try each night to reflect on the days events because believe me, it all muddles together a bit. So here goes. (Sorry if it is so short, and not much reflection, usually there is, but my brain capacity is getting limited)

This morning I got up at 6:30 to get to breakfast by 7:15.
Breakfast from 7:15-8:00
Morning Meeting at 8:00
8:30-10:30 Lecture about Designing lessons. We talked about misconceptions in learning and watched a video calld "Minds of Our Own" (great video!)
10:30-11:00 Break
11:00-12:00 Curriculum Groups - we evaluated our comments by looking at praise and feedback from yesterday's discussion
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-3:00 Curriculum Groups - we learned about Inquiry based learning and its applications in our curriculum. We asked what it means to have Inquiry, How this looks in a classroom, what students look like that are doing inquiry and how we can assess what the student knows.
3:00-5:30 Finished my homework reading for tonight on Diversity and White Privilege
5:30-6:00 Checked my email
6:00-7:00 Dinner
7:00-8:30 Diversity Groups. We discussed the articles and talked about white privilege we see in our schools, in ourselves and how this relates to learning and educating all students. We asked whether we should sacrifice and if so, what because of this privilege afforded us. We talked about how to educate all of our students about the power structure in society and how we have to be able to talk and open to discuss our own place in this structure.
9:00 Called my parents
9:05-10:15 Read 3 articles for the Diversity session tomorrow on sexual orientation in schools
10:15-10:20 surfed the internet, began writin this blog
10:20-10:45 Talked to parents

Finishing this blog. Going to bed. It all starts again at 7:15 tomorrow.