Forget the Casket: Lay Me Out on a Couch

Okay, the  title might seem morbid, but it's actually a brilliantly succinct expression of what my dear friend Claudia has chronicled for almost 20 years and calls "The Secret Life of Mary Hannon." I should add to the title that instead of rosary beads in my hands, just give me a nice Cablevision DVR remote.  Oh, but enough about me.

Still A Mary Louis Woman After All These Years

I guess in addition to faith, family, friends, and work, TMLA remains an important factor in my life. Actually, my ongoing TMLA experience encompasses all of those things. Most recently, I attended a dinner welcoming SSP, Student Sponsor Partnerships to its first year with Mary Louis. SSP is a Manhattan-based, not-for-profit company which matches students with financial need to appropriate private secondary institutions. This year, TMLA welcomed 9 ninth graders via SSP-- to be matched to TMLA, the girls demonstrated the ability to be successful in the rigorous TMLA academic environment. Each girl will be supported also by a "time" sponsor. This is an adult who partners with SSP and TMLA to serve as a mentor or academic coach for the students. 

I am very excited to be a sponsor this year to a young lady who lives in Roosevelt, Long Island and has begun her career at TMLA. I met her and her parents at the opening dinner and quickly realized that I taught several of her cousins years ago. I am proud that TMLA is embarking on this journey and I am very excited to be a part of it.

Progressive Lenses, Golden Eagles, and Bartimaeus?

Maybe my new glasses, dubbed "progressives" will help me progress further --- I've been a bit stalled lately. Now that I think about it, I have been using vision metaphors increasingly to describe my new position, or more precisely, the different perspective which  my work responsibilities require. I welcome new lenses. ** I wonder if they come with a weight loss lens? (That's for another post)

The home of the Golden Eagles, I am realizing, is a wonderful place with lots of opportunities for experimentation and for extending students' experience beyond the traditional classroom. As I get a better understanding of the landscape, I think I need to work creatively  on a two tier track: enhancing these experiences (21st century learning opportunities) outside the classroom AND transforming the traditional classroom to embed these new instructional strategies and learning experiences within the classroom.

**Writing often clarifies and occasionally illuminates.  The concept of vision is indeed powerful. It turns out it is the subject of today's Gospel. [Excerpt posted by David McCallum, S.J. on Ad Maioriam Dei Gloriam]

Mk 10:46-52

As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a sizable crowd,
Bartimaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus,
sat by the roadside begging.
On hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth,
he began to cry out and say,
"Jesus, son of David, have pity on me."
And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent.
But he kept calling out all the more,
"Son of David, have pity on me."
Jesus stopped and said, "Call him."
So they called the blind man, saying to him,
"Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you."
He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.
Jesus said to him in reply, "What do you want me to do for you?"
The blind man replied to him, "Master, I want to see."
Jesus told him, "Go your way; your faith has saved you."
Immediately he received his sight
and followed him on the way. 

Polarity Management:I'll Take a Ying Yang Combo:

In friend's blog post yesterday, (Ad Maioram Dei Gloriam) he discussed the concept of polarity management. This is based on the premise that oftentimes, what we consider problems to be solved are really "polarities to be managed."  I think this is especially true in cases or points of view that seem entrenched or intractable or in which people have taken sides or formed camps. Working within existing polarities in an organization makes so much more sense than the traditional problem-based, either/or methodology. That does not mean it's not difficult, or that such an approach will always be successful, but I think it's the right frame of reference from which to start. It suggests an honesty, a recognition of differences, and a respect for them. In my current undertaking, this approach will be interesting, but challenging because many people (myself included) at times feel confident that they alone know what needs to be changed and how to change it. 

While the details may be different and the terms new, this reminds me of the Aristotelian idea of moderation. Our current political culture would certainly benefit from a little polarity management, which I think the president is attempting. 

Facebook and Morning Coffee

I wonder how many others check their email and Facebook before leaving the house in the morning? I cannot remember when I started doing this, but now I don't even pick up the Sunday Times.  It's online. I will say that it is hard sometimes to be charitable and nonjudmental when confronted with statuses that do not seem to need updating or with invitations, pokes, and photos. I did go through a FB addictive phase, but I've gotten more of a handle on it. Like most things with me, there are fits and starts to my FB activity. 

Opening Day 28

Tuesday morning from about 8AM to 10Am, members of theBethpage School District gathered for their Opening Day. This featured the new Superintendent, a beloved 24- year Bethpage veteran, and his slide shows of results, who's new, milestones, then the year in review. Very nice, engaging way to begin the year.  Like the other 2 public school districts, of which I have been a part, at Bethpage, the teachers seat themselves (like children) in the last possible rows, so there is about one third of the front of the auditorium empty... except for administrators. Unlike the other two, Bethpage is a one man show-- no introduction of Board members, building administrators, anniversary celebrants, Teachers of the Year, or student entertainment. My sense, however,  was that there was sincere enthusiasm for and mutual appreciation of the Superintendent and staff, which set a very positive tone to begin the year.

The Other First Day: Opening Day

No, not the first day on the bus for kindergartners or anxious moms following in SUV's, not the dreaded summer reading test, nor the first foray into the cafeteria for a "new kid" in school. Those concern students and families and often evoke strong memories.  This other opening usually occurs the day before, when the faculty and staff of a school (for private schools) and of the entire district (in public school) gathers en masse for its own opening day ritual. If my count is accurate, after tomorrow, I will have attended 28 such events, including eight in three Catholic secondary schools and twenty in three public school districts. I think that gives me sufficient credibility to weigh in on the subject... and I shall, tomorrow.