THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Tag Archives: teachers


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Teach 2

Who was your most influential teacher? Why? – Asks the daily prompt.

I answered the same question 2 years ago with a post called Teach and not much has changed since then. All those answers are still true.

So today I’ll answer this question a bit differently. I think I’ll list some things that hopefully I’ve taught others along the way.

  • I hope I’ve taught manors and courtesy.
  • I hope I’ve taught respect and admiration.
  • I hope I’ve taught truth to power and not being afraid to speak up.
  • I hope I’ve taught compassion and caring.
  • I hope I’ve led by example by a strong work ethic and ability to do well under pressure.
  • I hope I’ve shared as many life skills as I have trained people in work skills.
  • I hope I’ve shared love and laughter with you.
  • I’ve taught myself in retrospect I could have done better with the opportunity I had. But we all can.
  • I hope I have a lot more to teach. It’s almost as much fun as learning.

One thing that won’t need to be taught anymore is being a pressman. I hear the Washington Post is shutting down its Springfield Plant at the end of the year. That will spell the end of the 8 presses they purchased (4 for each plant) in 1995 for $250 million. I started out in Engraving rooms and learned a bit on an old 9-unit Goss press.

The things below are monsters compared to what I learned on.

Funny how a newspaper won’t even be in my grandchildren’s vocabulary in the future apart from me boring them with my history.

This was my favorite plant to work at. The old College Park facility. Photo by Mike Hartley


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Steps to success

Who was your most influential teacher? Why? – A good question from the daily writing prompt.

I’d say it’s a tie between my high school biology teacher and my art teacher. The reason they were so influential wasn’t because of the subject they were teaching but the life lessons they taught me.

The first taught me there was time for fun and a time to grow up through several personal stories. The second taught me about the freedom of artistic expression and gave me a lifetime desire to pursue it. On that one I just got a late start.

Then again, my daughter is a teacher, and she has always influenced me from the day she was born.

Staircase of life. Photo by Mike Hartley

Commentary – I’m not sure eliminating the Department of Education is a good thing. I think it could turn out quite poorly for students with the greatest needs and probably makes it harder for teachers overall.

Other replies to today’s question found here


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Someday

I keep waiting to hear this one day from my daughter or daughter in-law, who are both teachers. Especially when I’m playing with the grandchildren.

I want to say this to our legislators. Photo by Mike Hartley


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Learning the ropes

What makes a teacher great? – The Daily Writing prompt asks a very good question today.

I’ve been a mentor at times but never a real “teacher.” So this reply is from a novice.

Rope City. Photo by Mike Hartley

I guess it starts with mental and physical strength. Listening and compassion. Communicating expectations and goals. Remembering you’re in a profession that is very important but vastly underrated while remaining very upbeat. One who builds on the curriculum in new and interesting ways. An incredible immune system from all the germs the rug rats are bringing in and spreading around. Incredible patience while at the same time being driven. A love of building youthful minds and reaching each one.

I think the ability to endure and keep finding the passion that took you to it in the first place. There must be an internal love of seeing students learn and progress. I’m probably missing a ton and I might just ask my children what I should have written because I consider both of them great teachers.

There are a few of the ups and downs of being a teacher. I know it’s a tough job. You love the children but you see the vast discrepancies in abilities and levels but have to teach them all at the same time. You see who is doing a good job at home and who isn’t by the children’s actions and communications which means you are teaching a lot more than is in the books on everyone’s desks. You are in the middle between administrations and parents and that is a very tough spot at times.

So many factors go into what you might consider a great teacher. Is it one in a poverty-stricken area that works with kids who probably are more hungry than interested or scared because they had gunshots through the night and can inspire these children to do better and greater things with just words and actions?

Is it those few teachers who are singled out for Teacher of the Year awards? Or the masses behind and beside those recognized who work just as hard, who won’t win awards.

I think a great teacher goes to work each day has the best interest of the children in their care and imparts as much knowledge and skill in the given time to every child. And despite our uproar about education, there are a gazillion great teachers in this country. My hat is off to them.

Check out other replies to this question today: https://wordpress.com/tag/dailyprompt-1985


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Beat the heat

Going to be a warm one today in the mid-Atlantic and I love it. I’ll work on my tan while doing some yard work. After that, I plan on moving the hammock to the shade and maybe doing some reading. Whatever you need to do to beat the heat by all means do it.

Boating is a popular option to beat the heat. Photo by Mike Hartley

When going out to lunch yesterday I showed my better half a trick to enjoy the convertible on a hot day. There isn’t any rule against running the A/C with the top down. You can still stay comfortable cruising around with that combination up to 90 degrees easily.

I got a feeling after moving that wood pile today that a snowball would be a great way to beat the heat. And that reminds me I have to get the splash pad out for the granddaughter this week.

Shade and food. Photo by Mike Hartley

This is the kind of summer lunch I like above. Belly Busters in Ocean City. I love their rockfish tacos and the steamed crabs and shrimp have been good. And it’s one of the few places around where I’ve gotten conch fritters and they were very good.

We used to stay right across the street from them so we have had most of their menu over several years and always been happy.

To all the Teachers

May your rooms be blessed with ears eager to listen, minds open to learning, supportive parents and administrations, and facilities that will keep you warm and cool when needed.

May you get the support of family and friends when things aren’t going well. May you still see the humor in situations. May you be blessed with the wisdom and skills to help with all the needs kids have that aren’t being met on the outside that filter into your classrooms.

May you feel the admiration that many have for your profession and abilities, this year and throughout your careers.

May you be granted extra patience and love for your own children when you get home, to equal out the stresses of dealing with 20-30 of them all day.

Remember that when you make learning fun, the ones you teach will never forget you. Have a great year to all. Especially my daughters.

Random Thoughts of the Day

  • Feeling that sense of urgency again.
  • I like finding something amazing each day. Living near nature helps a lot.
  • It’s time to shake up the basement production facility.
  • The nation hasn’t hit an intersection like this in a great many years.