Let's Talk About Life

Believe it or not even with over 30 people gathered for the holidays there are times that we run out of things to talk about. Inevitably, someone will say "Let's talk about life!"

It is at this point that our conversations take a serious and thought-provoking stance. Our topics can range from the mundane to the very serious. Everyone has an opinion and of course no one is wrong! Though we were raised under the same roof by the same two parents, our life's experiences and education, led us to be independent thinkers. Consequently, very early on we learned to respect that everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Each one will tell you; however, that their opinion is the right one.

As parents and educators we need to remember that respecting differing opinions is a foundation of maturity and growth. It is also what makes us lifelong learners. We teach by example....

Pass it on:)

Character Education

I viewed this video and found myself wondering why can't we, the system otherwise known as the education field, take the time and funds to implement character education into our curriculum. Yes, technology is the 21st century but building character is the foundation to success.

This video profiles a high school in California and shows the benefits of using CHARACTER COUNTS!, the most popular character education program in the United States. More info: www.charactercounts.org

Pass it on:)

Belonging

One of the factors that affect our social systems is that our community is fragmented which often times creates conflict which affects, businesses, social services, education, etc. It is no wonder that our students lose their individuality and search for outlets that may be inappropriate and misguided.

One author that I have been introduced to is Peter Block. His ideas of creating a better community for every disillusioned citizen and every civic leader are indeed worth reading and studying.

A worthwhile reading project is Community - The Structure of Belonging by Peter Block. I also recommend you visit his site on Designed Learning http://www.designedlearning.com/

Taking Responsibility -Break the Cycle

The easiest thing to do is to do nothing - accept the status quo and resign yourself to your destiny or fate. However, most parents' dream and desire is for their children to do better than they did.

Just because your siblings, mom, dad, or grandparents didn't complete their education doesn't mean you can't. If you sit and talk with them, they might share their reasons why. Generations before didn't have the opportunities you have today. Many of our parents and grandparents didn't have the choices you have. There were families to sustain by providing shelter, food, and safety. You might try to find out what it was like to walk in their shoes.

America is the land of opportunities. What is your tomorrow? Will you give your children better opportunities? Our free enterprise system gives you the right to TRY. Success is never guaranteed, but I can guarantee that the only option to not trying is failure. Millions of people have risked their lives to come to this country for just that opportunity. There are books filled with those names on Ellis Island. Countless have also died attempting the journey - some by land, and some by sea.

Break the cycle. You're worthy. You're entitled.

Pass it on :)

"Don’t ever start a fight, but you can’t walk away from one either…."

My four year old grandson just got into his first scuffle. He was at the water park when his mother observed him in a tussle with another boy. Apparently the boy came up to him and informed him that he was about to get scratched, which he proceeded to do, right across my grandson's chest. He in turn defended himself by pushing the boy away which led to fisticuffs.

I told my daughter, "Be careful how you handle this; it will impact him later on in life should he ever be in a similar situation." My wise daughter was way ahead of me. She and her husband had a plan to help him deal with this. They made sure that he knew that they understood his position and why he had to defend himself. They were not upset at him for that. They also made sure to discuss alternatives with him.

I found myself thinking back to the wise words my father had bestowed upon my brothers. He told them not to ever start a fight, but of course, men being men, you can't exactly walk away from one either. He also discussed alternatives with them.

My grandson's parent's alternative was similar to what my father had told my brothers years before. "Defend yourself intelligently." His belief was that a person who opens his/her mouth and starts spewing out profane or derogatory remarks has already lost the fight; he looks ignorant. That said, he told them "Mejor un loco y no dos." translated, better one fool than two. There are times when the best thing to do is walk away.

Though I never had any boys, I still applied by father's philosophy. Once my daughters reached middle school, I was worried that someday someone would come up to them and try to goad them into an altercation, be it verbal or physical. I passed on my Dad's philosophy; if that day should come simply walk away. "Mejor un loco y no dos."

Pass it on :)

My First Teachers

Hi and welcome to my blog space! This blog was created as a requirement for EDTC 6340 under Doctor Juan Chavez Jr. at the University of Texas at Brownsville. As an educator, I think that I shall use this space to share the importance of character, respect, and responsibility. I was fortunate to have had parents that valued the importance of an education.

My parents raised nine children on my father's blue collar salary. We were given unconditional love, a set of rules to live by, and responsibilities that included household chores, educational goals , as well as our responsibilities to our community and to our church.

Our goals for education were set early on. Older siblings tutored the younger ones. Our dinner meal consisted of our father going over "Words to Know" from Readers' Digest. Reading the newspaper every day was a mandate. We were given a library card by the time we were six years old. Every Saturday, after our chores, we would trudge our way to the city library and bring back the maximum books allowed.

Our report card grades were displayed in a big poster board in the living room for all to see and to give us encouragement (though we didn't always see it this way) to do better. Our daily routine, even during the summer revolved around reading. After school we would sit around the dining table doing our homework. We were not allowed to say "we do not have any homework" because we were expected to "get ahead" by studying our textbooks.

We were not asked IF we were going to college, we were told that we WERE going to college. Yes, it was hard work for our parents and for us, but my parents got to see their nine children graduate from college. Fifteen (15) of my parents' grandchildren also became college graduates. The last one, #16 is in her sophomore year.

My parents' wisdom and values is what guides our family even today. I'd like to share some of these life's lessons with you.