I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking that something needs to be done to stop [...]]]> In the day following the brutal attack against the elementary schoolchildren in Newtown, CT, before I’ve heard details on whom and what and why, I found myself awake before 5am with something to say based on what little I knew.

I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking that something needs to be done to stop people from going into public places and attacking our own citizens, young and old, in schools and in theatres, in malls and at work. I’m not arguing for gun control. I’m arguing for people control and instituting consequences for one’s actions whenever anyone needs it, no matter his age or her special label.

Watching President Obama brush his tears from his eyes yesterday, I saw more than grief in his face; there was anger rumbling beneath his jaw. I can’t say how, but I’m sure that he wants to make strides to stop unnecessary violence like this. Now, my opinion may not be popular or politically correct, but as a teacher and a parent, I’ve got to say that learning right from wrong must happen early and enforcing right from wrong must happen continually.

IF this incident were committed by a Special Needs young man who resented his mother who loved her classroom full of children who read, listened, wrote, and learned, then PERHAPS if he was forced into a regular classroom where the teacher(s) had overwhelming responsibilities to meet the needs of 20 or 30 differences, and he would have been able to get what he had needed in a special class run by a teacher trained in Special Needs, he might have felt some success and not the jealousy of those who find it more quickly than he. PERHAPS if his Special Needs label weren’t confidential and kept from those who could’ve sold him weapons that made his environment more unsafe, then PERHAPS someone who had trouble with right from wrong wouldn’t have been able to carry out delusions or misdeeds.

Furthermore, we have to stop handing out “Get out of jail free” cards to people with special labels. Behavior can be modeled, taught, practiced and expected. I’m not saying mistakes can’t be made; however, if there are consequences in place, consequences that are tough and consistent, the behavior can be learned. And for those who say, “Not always,”– well, then those people need to have special placement that will limit their freedoms from citizens who know how to follow societal expectations. I know not all citizens who CAN follow the law actually DO, but then, again, they must pay the same consequences as any other citizen.

We have to stop saying that someone didn’t know any better, and let it go. Without a consequence, how will that individual EVER learn right from wrong? He won’t. And, then someone else will have to live with the consequences. And, that’s not right or fair.

I was persuaded to watch “Hard Knocks,” a mini-series on HBO featuring the Miami Dolphins training camp.(My husband is a devoted Dolphins fan since the Dan Marino years–I’m a Pitt fan.) Despite some of the language and hazing that [...]]]> Effective teaching techniques have more to do with coaching NFL football than I ever presumed.

I was persuaded to watch “Hard Knocks,” a mini-series on HBO featuring the Miami Dolphins training camp.(My husband is a devoted Dolphins fan since the Dan Marino years–I’m a Pitt fan.) Despite some of the language and hazing that the players can get away with because they are, no surprise, adult men, the similarities between coaching NFL players and teaching 8th graders unfolded one after another as we watched each episode. The one unfortunate difference is that ALL the players, undoubtedly, WANT to be there.

Fundamentally, the components of coaching are similar to teaching:  activation of learning (connecting to prior knowledge), student (player)-centered objectives, engaging and meaningful activities, evaluation/assessment. The coaches are prepared to teach, and the players come ready to learn. Everyone is dressed appropriately for the day. Everyone puts forth effort, and the ones that don’t are told as much, directly and sometimes even harshly. Because that’s life if you want the job. You get a break to regroup and refresh, but then you continue the work for the day. The coaches encourage open dialogue so that everyone is involved in the learning process, and the players apologize when they haven’t demonstrated their best performance. The coaches have high expectations, and when they aren’t met, their strategies change; players are given multiple chances to succeed, but follow the directions they must, or they’ll be redirected. At the same time, players are complimented when expectations are met. Players are expected to follow instructions, cooperate and work hard because not everyone can make the team–only the best will stay. And, that goes for proper behavior, not just performance. Although there are disagreements, teasing and some pushing and shoving at times, there is ultimate understanding of the purpose at hand–to learn the game and to play without errors. There are manners and handshakes, thank you’s at the end of the day. Hopefully, everyone feels like a game could’ve been won; but if not, both the coaches and the players know they need to return tomorrow with a renewed willingness to try. I wish every day were like this in school. Doesn’t it seem like a successful climate for learning?

I was especially impressed with three scenes. One was during a pre-season game when a player got into a tussle on the field and ended up being penalized. When the player came off the field, the coach calmly asked, “What happened?” He let the player explain without accusation in tone or statement. The coach knew this wasn’t a battle to fight. The player felt accepted and redeemed and the focus could return to the game overall. A second was during a one-on-one meeting between the head coach, Joe Philbin, and Chad Johnson (of “Ocho-cinco” fame). The coach was having to “let him go.” Their conversation was polite; each person was respectful and understanding. The coach said he knew that this was disappointing for Johnson (I liked how he acknowledged the player’s feelings) but that he had given Johnson three chances, AND he had warned him after each of the prior two offenses that exhibited behavior unbecoming to the team (I liked how clear warnings made consequences logical). This process alone taught lessons. The third scene was a conversation between Coach Philbin and a quarterback. The player was being told that he’d have to be back-up, not starting. Again, there was politeness and respect even though the player was clearly not happy, perhaps feeling wronged after working as hard as he could. But the player said he was still 100% for the team and would continue to work towards their shared goals. Again, a lesson in life–it’s not always going to be the way you’d like it to be. The way you respond to those dissatisfactions will show you how strong and persevering you are. School is supposed to prepare you for life ahead not pretend that life’s a game where everyone wins or plays without consequences.

I wish that I could run my 8th grade classroom as Coach Philbin runs his Dolphins team, at least based upon the training camp scenes that I saw, without running into backlash from parents or misunderstanding from administrators. Regardless, these are some maxims I’d like to teach by, if not live by:

1. When you are wrong, Coach will tell you so.

2. When you do well, Coach will tell you so.

3. Not everyone is good at everything, but do your best and you will make something of yourself to be proud of.

4. Be respectful no matter what. It feels better that way.

5. Be truthful. Talk to each other genuinely because it’s right and will get you further towards your separate and mutual goals.

6. You get what you get, and you don’t get upset.  Work harder next time, and maybe you’ll get what you wanted in the first place.

I’d like to especially thank [...]]]> I’d like to thank Mountain Side Books in the Blue Mountain Shopping Center next to the Giant for holding yet another successful book signing featuring Violet’s Secret. I helped them celebrate their GRAND OPENING while bringing in readers from the community who had seen that I’d be visiting this past weekend.

I’d like to especially thank Maggie for visiting me. I hope she doesn’t mind that I mention her here in my blog, for her purpose and her brother’s story has inspired me to keep pursuing writing novels in the unpredicatable, sometimes bleak, future of education that I trudge through in my “other” life.

Maggie is a 10-year-old effervescent reader who was given the opportunity to write through the vision of a couple of her teachers who started a Young Authors’ Club (I’m going to steal that idea in some form, by the way). She and her lovely “Nanny” traveled a distance to visit me to secure a signed copy of Violet’s Secret to read before summer vacation comes to a close. Delightfully, I signed her book; but the story doesn’t stop there.

I’m not going to use his real name, so I’ll call Maggie’s brother W.  From what I learned, W is fighting mitochondrial disease, for which there is no cure. He asked Maggie to bring home a book about roller coasters for him. W loves roller coasters, and I hope that he builds them big and strong someday! W wanted me to sign his book, too. Maggie’s “Nanny”  (I never did catch her real name, but she is one special lady) had a great idea:  they bought a journal for Maggie and her brother to write stories about roller coasters. Not only did I feel that I had inspired reading but also writing! With her humble, hopeful way, Nanny never once wavered from giving Maggie and her brother this opportunity to create a new world, one where they could turn back time if they wanted to, and I was chosen by Maggie to be a part of it. At least that’s how I felt.

I’m sharing this in my blog, hoping that no one is upset that I’ve shared any of these details, but instead, hoping that I’ve conveyed how genuinely moved I was by this visit at my book signing. I told my family when I arrived home afterwards, just barely inside before a fierce thunderstorm swept overhead, and I cried only then. My sons hugged me and looked at me with tilted heads–curiosity, wonder, sympathy–I’m not certain. But what I do know is inspiration came when I least expected it.

Thank you, Maggie & family, for reminding me why I write. Look for rollercoasters in my next book!