Sonic Inertia (364)

Soundwaves approaching, rapid fire staccato, Jazz, Soul, Blues surrounding the even keeled silence. Keys: black and white edging their way into a vision. Fingers just above, ready to pounce. Shiny brass gleaming in the foreground. Stage small, crowded with musicians. Hum of the crowd tickling the senses. It is a mirage of semblance. A wisp of ethereal ambiance- just before the reality of desks and hallways creeps in.

The mirage lingers. Smokey room, lights dim. It freezes for just an instant- teasing. Then the din of soft, eager voices, relax and the rat tat tat of the snare, taps to life. The jarring bell, echoes- replacing the smooth, chaotic notes of the performance. The noise jostles the wisp into a swirl, that slowly dissipates. The room brightens, the smoke clears and fluorescent lights blink on- pupils shrinking to adjust. Menu board becomes black board. The tables transform into desks.

Sonic sound waves of hustle and pivot reach every corner. Stage becomes classroom. The crowd, students. Each opening a case, removing an instrument. Tuning. Settling. Then tap tap....a count down and a semblance slowly arrives- wood, brass, percussion balance as they always have. The Jazz is effortless. Collision of sonic inertia- morning dreary meets anticipation. It is a moment that happens every morning as busses arrive and hallways empty.

The inertia of sleep and breakfast heavy. But familiar routines and faces clear the smoky haze of transition. Microphones scattered, instruments singing the sweet energetic song of learning. Our fingers just above the keys: black and white, edged now into a clear vision. We position them, we press, we add to the beauty of the piece. This sonic inertia, this classroom assemblage of grace and energy. It is inevitable- all we have to do is envision it.

And get out of the way...

Whoa its December 27th? (362)

A Sunday. The last Sunday of 2020. If you read Facebook or Twitter the messages are all about renewal, change, things are going to be different come January 1st. New year and all. People are sharing goals, resolutions and the like. It is a flurry of end of year- bests and worsts. It is a time for reflection- but it seems to be heavily tilted towards the negative.

Yes Covid happened. It literally changed the world. I watch the news and in so many places it is bleak. The blight of a virus erasing many signs of hope. It is such a strange thing to imagine- not being in a classroom, not being able to go to almost any store (mask adorned) and eat in a restaurant (if I wanted). I have somewhat of a normal existence.

I wake up go to work. Albeit a 1/2 virtual and face to face work. But there are students in the halls and in my classroom 1/2 the day. I plan with my team, socially distanced and attend any other meetings on Zoom. The 'something isn't right' moments, are few not frequent throughout the day. As students enter and leave face to face, it seems normal. Then Zoom classes at first seem odd- but quickly the routine sets in- and everything feels like, what many call the 'new normal'.

We have been in this mask covered phenomenon almost 9 months. But in my car- it seems normal, normal traffic. Everyone behaving as they always do: some rude, some kind- everyone in a hurry. When I am home of course things feel the same- because I actually go to a brick and mortar school during the week. Life is moving forward, even in a shadowy time. 

I feel so very lucky every day to have the opportunities I do- to live where I live. To teach where I teach. When so many others are not in the position to be able to do that. I feel eager for things to change, for the vaccine to get distributed and for people to be able to resume their lives. Quarantine is hard, isolation is hard. I have always been with family. 

I have been back in the classroom since August. Things have been somewhat as it has always been since August. And yet, every day when I wake up I speak aloud the mantra- my 2020 mantra "Stay healthy, balanced and grateful. Remember there are always thin, weak spots- steer clear. Put your weight on solid ground and always search the parameter. And always welcome visitors virtual or live- because connection is the life force. Safety first. But build relationships."

January is another month, another year. Big changes are not on the horizon. But hope is. Grace is. Kindness and generosity are. So embrace that. Accept that change will be slow. Be intentional, purposeful and get the momentum going. We are going to need it to get to the other side.

Tis the Day (360)

Christmas day always feels dream-like. Beautiful sparkly snow and ice cycles- no cold just the glorious sparkles all around. Voices and laughter seem louder and more excited than normal. The piles of wrapping paper seem purposeful and thus, there is no urgency to clean up. The tree smells more like pine. The ornaments are more colorful.

It is a magical scene right out of Frozen. Olaf singing a glorious tune. Orchestral music carrying a sense of calm and love through the air. Nothing seems out of place. Everything feels just right. Like nothing can bring you down. That this day, this wondrous, whimsical day trumps all other days. Like the rest of 2020 didn't unfold as it did.

That December the 25th is a day to be treasured, experienced separate from the other 364 days of the year. And as you are fulfilling the days quota of happiness and warm regards- you do not see it as a a mist of wishes and hopes. You only live it as the perfect day. The family filled, everyone is home and together, day.

Then at the end of a dream-like state- the last of the cookies eaten, the room clean, the tree no longer atop a mound of wrapped boxes- you reflect. You lay in bed, watching the sparkling, flickering lights of the tree on the ceiling- and you take it all in. You breathe in the pine and cinnamon aroma of holiday candles. You smile at the moments you can now add to your long-term files. 

And... it all becomes less like a blanket of fresh snow, and more like any other day. A special day. A celebratory day. A family day. But just a day and not a fantasy. This is the moment I take it all in. See the edges. Remember the facial expressions as boxes were opened and stockings dumped out into a pile. And this is the moment I am truly thankful for- because this is the moment magical holiday, snow globe, memories become reality.

I like my reality. It can be bumpy. But I like the daily experiences- spilt milk and lost socks. I love it in fact and this day- this tis the day to be jolly- was jolly. And twas' the day of family and pure joy. Being together made it that way. Tomorrow we will have moments too and the day after that. My heart is full at this moment- before I fall asleep- and for that I am truly thankful.

What We Seek (359)

As humans we seek a lot of things: comfort, joy, love, companionship. We seek out a form of financial security. A place to live. Transportation. We have needs, food, water, shelter. We seek a secure existence, with out pain or fear. Our brains actively seek moments of calm- yet we often get stuck in idle mode, our flight or flight chemicals surging through our veins. Causing anxiety, depression, exhaustion.

This time of year- the holidays, often exasperates the situation. We are seeking a joyful time with family and friends. The trimming parties, the gifts, the celebrations. But these days we are only experiencing them virtually. It is heightening our hypothalmus- setting our emotional autonomic nervous systems a blaze. We are in turmoil in every way imaginable.

Financially we are strapped. Emotionally we are drained. Physically we are worn down. Muscles aching from the weight of the emotional turbulence. If we are isolating alone- absence is heavy. If we are quarantining as a group- we are seeking privacy. It is a no win situation. Then you add the holidays on top of it. These holidays may not be as joyful for some as for others.

We seek moments of joy- and the are there. We just, at least recently have been more focused on negative things- a tumultuous election, delays in stimulus checks, contagion and shut downs. New strains. Misinformation, miscommunication and simple thievery. Thievery of our security. Thievery of our well-being. Thievery of our freedom. But at times of war- we must remember that freedom might be lost temporarily. These days we are at war, battle with information and distrust and of course we are fighting a heavy tolled war against a virus.

When we are seeking things we can not control- we often forget we have many things we can control. Our attitude, positivity, optimism and daily intentions. Our values, our goals, our determination and our resilience. When we are walking through our days, we must remember to ask ourselves "What an I control in this situation?" We need to remember that there is a lot we can in fact control.

This is our history unfolding. Our circumstances shaping our situation. We must continue to seek- solace, sanctuary and solid footing. We must continue to seek answers, truth and justice. We must remember every one of us is human and deserving of financial stability and the ability to take care of ourselves. We seek family during these times- not only because of the holiday but because that is what allows us to achieve what we seek.

Family is the tie, the tether, the cord that allows us to stretch ourselves and then return to the center. Family is the eventuality of contentment and security. Whether your family is build on genetics or friendship- it is family. The bond stronger than most. So listen and seek the moments that remind you of the positivity in the world- not the negative. 

Seek the joy. Seek the wonder. Seek the opportunities around you for they are the answers to what you need. They are the hug, smile and honesty we all seek these days. Be the one- others need and others will be yours as well. This is a season to be jolly as the old adage says- but it is also a season of reflection and change- just ask Ebenezer Scrooge. 

So find the reason to better yourself now- it is not a single day, a season or a year- it is a daily momentum that we seek- can you hear the drum beat- the cadence, the rhythm?  

The Pretender (356)

We all feel like pretenders once in awhile. We enter the arena unprepared, surviving on less than three hours of sleep. Distracted, eyes foggy from lack of coffee. We focus on every moment rather than the big picture. Say this, walk over there, smile at her, smile at him. Just keep moving. We know the second we sit down - we will lose the tether. Our grip on the now, will abandon us. So we keep in motion. We walk and talk. We engage.

The static crackling, overtakes the hum we designed to nudge us to attention. The constant becomes sporadic and we shake it off at the bell. We down a cup of joe and continue our circulation. Slowly the shadow is replaced by fluorescence- the downward focus, of overhead illumination. The striking contrast like a bolt of energy. We are now aware of every note of the harmony- the semblance of voices, learning, interacting. We recognize where we are- we lean in.

Some days this is instant- the transition of parent to educator or personal to professional. We change gears as we cross the parking lot to our second residence. Other days, it takes a bit, so we hold on nervously to the tether. We feel awkward- we hear the sound of our own voice and it is unnerving. We seem to feel paralyzed in the motion of teaching. We always feel better once our voice settles in to the background noise.

Accept these days- for they are never going away. I guess what matters most is the follow through. The stalwart stance we take as we shift from location to location. This dedication is what realigns us. The world is chaotic right now, it is understandable that it might take us a second to engage in our role in it. When we learn to listen to our transitions, accept our slow to start days- the rest follows into place naturally, and students, they don't notice.

As long as we redirect ourselves- it is okay to pretend for a a bit in the morning. At the beginning of class when we scramble to make sure copies are done and desks are clean. We have this bridge we cross many times a day and thank goodness its sturdy. Because it has a lot of tread. Just cross it. Just look around once in awhile and notice the view. What is the view?

For you it could be New York City, London, Toronto, Sydney- any beautiful city with a bridge rising above a gorgeous body of water. For me its San Francisco. The bay sparkling from under the fog. The fog rolling in, like a wave of unexpected cover. This the morning haze we have to scuff off- and I am ready. The fog is inevitable, the bridge inevitable- it is the click click of tires on tread that is personal. So wake up, and drive into the mist, because on the other side of it- well that is spectacular. 

Holiday Juxtaposition, and I Cried (354)

Forgiveness is like iron in our blood. It circulates, it nourishes, it binds to the oxygen we breathe. We have all experienced moments of dread, anger, frustration, empathy, sadness and pure joy. We have all entered the flow willingly, even though we know there is a tidal wave up ahead. We have geared up with a life jacket, wet suits and tanks of oxygen, knowing that some days we may need to SCUBA dive, others we might be forced to ride the wave.

Yet, we don ourselves with the equipment to stay afloat. We sink some days, far below the surface. We stand amongst the seagrass, looking up at the darkness. Other days we may start the descent and the current pushes us up. The current saves us. Most days we are sitting on our surf boards, feet dangling in the calm water- seeing shore, but not wanting to paddle towards it. We like the open sea. We embrace the ripples, eager to wait for the next opportunity to enter the curl.

The holidays is such a curl. The sparkly, iridescent flourish of activity. The cards, the smiles, the gifts. The excitement of students as they enter the season of family and presents. You can feel the positive, joyful spirits. But underneath for some, is a gloom. The festivities are huge for many, and minuscule for some. So a smile and "see you next year", might not seem as happy for them, or merry. For many being excluded from the gift sharing is painful.

The buzz is lit and many are discussing wish lists, family vacations (yes even in Covid). Others are retreating, saddened by their lack of thereof. So it is important for us to make contact with everyone. Ask them about what they need from us. Ask them if they want to borrow a book (yes, I lent out several personal copies), and even open up a bag of candy canes and offer them to whomever wants one. 

I was saddened greatly by an experience my ten year old encountered in his class. A group of boys and a group of girls each decided to do a secret Santa. They included almost all of the students in the class- but apparently they voted to not include my son. My sweet, outgoing, loving son. Only one other girl was excluded. They shared their gifts on Friday in class in front of my son and this other little girl. 

Needless to say- it made them both very sad. I can not speak about the excluded little girl- but my son was devastated. When he got in the car- these were his first words- after a day that should have been fun and full of holiday cheer- "At least I have my family." I said "What? What happened?" and he told me the story. If it wasn't bad enough that he was excluded- he asked one of the boys why and they told him "It was a close vote but the group decided to not include you, sorry."

Now kids are cruel. That was mean spirited and just plain old awful. I want to yell and scream at everyone of them. If they wanted to exclude anyone- they should have exchanged gifts, outside of school. So I am more upset at the teacher. Did she know? I certainly hope not. But when she saw this unfolding- she should have stopped it, seeing that two students were not included in the festivities.

I cried. I got home and cried. Privately of course. I did not want my son to see me break down. But, I cried because of the same mean-spirited, selfish, disgusting circumstances I was subjected to. I cried for my sons whose spirit was crushed. I remember the cruelty of this happening to me on Christmas, Valentines Day and at the end of the year. I was always excluded and my teachers never did anything to stop it.

The holidays are not joyful for all. All I can say as an educator look for these situations. As a parent, make sure your child knows you love them and just hug them a lot. Remind them of why they are spectacular and beautiful human beings. Have the conversation with them about inclusivity and acceptance and let them know- not everyone does get included. For no other reason than some kids are just mean. For no other reason other than ignorance and selfishness.

Then tell them humans are kind and generous. That humans are loving and giving. That humans are worth getting to know. That humans are forgivable. We have to forgive and move on. Family is important and friends are important but- the way you believe in yourself and show yourself grace and hope is the most important thing of all. 

No Christmas Movies- Science Videos (352)

The default this year, this last week of school before the holidays is showing holiday films, or Disney animated movies. But, this year our district has forbidden them. Students are to stay on academic topic. This upset many of course. This is the week to relax normally, and just eat snacks and let students get their fill of holiday cheer. 

But, I have found time to show science videos- Pushing the Limits, Myth Busters, even Bill Nye- all of which I don't normally find time to share with them. But this week, with finals throwing our schedule into disarray- this is the perfect time to show them. We do not see every class every day, so only some kids get to see them but- it is a great way to open up meaningful conversations.

It is a great way to show them how science is important. We are watching a lot of clips of each and afterwards we are discussing what we saw and how it ties into our curriculum. They are really enjoying the down time - no assignments and some extra time to study. So why not shift from holiday to academic? Why not change things up a bit?

This week has been far more meaningful for me because I have gotten to witness a lot more relevant conversations and it doesn't feel like wasted time- it feels like purposeful down time and there is nothing wrong with that.

The Importance of Myth Busters (349)

We all know Myth Busters, a great problem-solving TV show that shaped our understanding of STEAM. Many teacher across the globe has shown this program in their classes. But why?

Not only is it all about engineering and clearing up misunderstanding- but it also displays failure, experimentation and teamwork. All with Adam and Jamie's humor and signature style.

I used to show it all the time. But in recent years, with Amoeba Sisters, Crash Course and other science programs I had forgotten about it. I haven't shown any episode this year, so I though why not? Is there an episode or clip that applied to my content, as a life science teacher?

In fact today there was a perfect one- How do Viruses Spread so Quickly? In the episode Adam is given a 'fake' cold by using a tube with gooey stuff to make his nose run. Then in the goo they added invisible coloring only visible under black light.

Then they took six people - three who knew what the experiment was about (the spread of viruses), three who didn't. And they had a small dinner party. All six, plus Adam with his runny nose, sat around a table and has drinks and food by passing bowls around the table- they shook hands and interacted - mask-less. This was filmed years before Covid-19 hit the population.  

At the end they looked under the black light and 5 out of the seven were highly infected- lots of red goo droplets hit them. Only one avoided contamination (she was a germaphobe and behaved differently.) It was a great way using familiar, comfortable individuals that students trust- to demonstrate a relevant fear- catching a virus.

It was an eye opening video for most students and it started a meaningful, real world situation discussion. Myth Busters is a show students love and it is always a good way to show them that science is fun. Science is exciting. That science is discovery. 

Compare Yourself, to Yourself Yesterday (348)

Take your skills and apply them to a new problem, for they arise frequently. They may not be earth shattering but even the small ones need our attention. They make us more resilient. They make us more cognizant. Sometimes we need to drop our long held tools in order to pick up new ones. We must always keep a healthy tension, a level of static magnetism that provides jolts of realignment.

It is our nature to compare. To see others as grand masters of their universe. We forget that in fact they are just that. Masters of their universe, not ours. Our orbits are fierce, they have to be in order to revolve around one another. But within our own star, our own super heated gas giant- is us, and we are the energy that keeps the fusion alive.

There are amazing bright sparks of energy filling the vast expanse of our profession. Some vibrate and send such a force of energy we get swept away by their resonance. But they are in their own orbital path- they are supernovas. We are too quasars and pulsars reverberating cosmic flare. We all have our purpose, our revolutionary aura.

There will always be asteroid dangerously close and comets racing by. But we need to stay our course. We need to holdfast to our orbit. We need to slow our comparison and look inward to our miraculous journey from a spark to a fire. From a speck of dust to a glorious planetary system. We are all radiant solar galaxies- we are all lithosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. 

So compare yourself to yourself yesterday- not someone else today. For when you do you see your own evolution, you continually expand. You recognize every 'big bang' of energy you create. You recognize that your location in the vastness of space might be orbital, it might be stationary for the moment- but you can always hop on a comet, collide into a white dwarf or become a nebula of ingenuity.

It is all perspective, perception and power. And that is all you my friend.

Mindfulness Molecules (347)

This last week I searched high and low for the rapid firing electrons of energy. 

The energetic radiant photons, the positively charged protons of mindfulness. 

I tried to latch on to as many as I could find. I turned my power level to magnetic- allowing them to attach themselves to me- level me up. I needed to find moments of mindfulness around me. I myself was not upset, or sad. I was not frustrated or depressed. I was simply drained.

This is the time of year, in normal circumstances, is a time where everyone is feeling run down and ready for winter break. But in 2020 it is amplified. 

It is finals, it is finishing a semester- rapid grading, reviewing, and settling in for a week of tests. A week of mandatory exams.

Trying to keep it festive with some holiday music. A few candy canes and group interaction. But the weight of it all is heavy. Students are feeling the heft of expectation in a time when we have all been isolated. 

Staying positive, cause that is me. 

Staying calm, cause that is me.

What we put out into our classrooms, what we emanate - spreads like wild fire. So all those photons, protons and waves of positivity- they are gaining momentum and next week- splash.....riding the wave all the way to holiday break.

Migratory Patterns (344)

"The herds on the move again," Zazoo's infamous line from The Lion King. It rings true in this Savannah of school life, as much as it does on the wild grasslands of Africa.

It seems so strange these days- the moment you bond with a student, they switch classes or go asynchronous. I feel a loss every time. A part of me is hesitant in making the deep connections I usually do with my students- yet I do. I find little ways to get to know them and let them know me. I see them in the hallway, we wave- but bonds are broken so frequently these days, it is migratory, classrooms herds, ever moving towards a new watering hole.

It is hard for us as teachers indeed- but imagine how it impacts students. They feel discombobulated already. A bit lost. Isolated. And just when they start to feel even keeled- we move them to a new classroom. New face, new routines. It has to be unnerving. I guess if I could say one thing to the powers that be- think about these consequences. Just try to minimize the herd's movement.

For they feel safer in the group. Protected., and these days- we need this security more than ever. We may be social distancing, mask laden- but our words, actions, laughter, interactions are what helps us feel connected. This should be the focus- making sure they are not just learning, but also that they are growing socially. A safe haven is key.

 

Superhero Projects (342)

It is amazing what students can create, what they pour themselves into- when we give them something like this. My students were given the assignment of creating a superhero- and to explain at least six body systems, and how they are enhanced. Why biologically, the superhero is a superhero. In other words how science, biology- helps create a superhero.

Their super strength, super speed, super anything really- all comes from an alteration of their already existing attributes. We spent a semester learning about all of the body systems: structure and function. I feel like it is so important, along the way to make the connections of course, have them demonstrate how the systems work together to maintain homeostasis- but they also need a culminating project.

I think it is important for them to use them, see them, manipulate them- in every way possible. Analogies, sketch notes etc. But also, these glorious systems of human life need to be brought in to a realm of creativity. The best way I figured to do this, was to design someone- who has the ability to do amazing things. Someone who we know and love in our pop culture. 

To see how these heroes of lore, can do what they do. No teleportation or flight (unless they had viable wings) allowed. But anything they could explain using science- suing biology was fair game.

So students wrote origin stories and descriptions of all the enhancements of their superhero- six body systems and how they use their powers. And boy, every year these come out so cool. They spend a lot of time drawing them, creating their back story and just getting into the engineering and biological amplifications of the human body. I have done this project six years now and they are just getting better and better.

By Sheer Brute Force (340)

By sheer brute force- we often form an anchor knot. Heavy, steal, chain- fastened with a foothold. We hook and latch into place. We have a vision, successful endeavors, repeating like a needle stuck on  spinning vinyl. The crackle of the groove somehow comforts us. Because we know the steadfast heft, will secure us in our routine.

Routine is the indentation, in which the needle finds its orbit. This spin, is automatic. The rotation being generated, by an energy we have built up over time. We understand the mechanics. We understand the maintenance. We understand the design. And we thrive because of this. We have dissected it enough times, to be able to avoid the scratches, to the album.

With this security comes- a prediction. A repetition. A predictability, yes, but also a set speed, a set order. The only way we can flip the album over, on the turntable, is to lift it and manually flip it. We are not jukeboxes with automatic changing of the guard. We are record players. We are old school stereo's. Not because we are antiquated, but because we see the value in the sounds of originality and style. We appreciate the beauty of the crackle and vinyl spin.

But by sheer force of spirit and ingenuity- we thrive. We decipher the code to being modern and timeless. We unlock the clues to finding the bridges and byways - to connect with our students. This is what it is all about. This staying stationary, in an ever moving timeline. We adjust, pivot and grow but we are anchored in our generation. They, our students, theirs.

It is a beautiful sight- every year watching how trends change, catch phrases, emojis, gifs, You Tube sensations shift. Tick Tock, Instagram and Snapchat- dominate. But we maneuver through them. We are up-to-date and yet we know the short cuts. We know what has endured the -quick to shift -fads of late. And this is synergy, this collision occurs, by sheer brute force of spirit, observation and a desire to grow along side our students.

Farewell Sweet Slumber of Doubt (336)

This situation feels relentless. We must endure in every way we can. Smile upon the graces bestowed to us. Welcome a beginning, for every morning if we wake a beginner- we are consistently optimistic at the potential. We know the unpaved, gravel laden path is waiting for us. 

We engineer better shoes on which we firmly tread. We establish a pattern, in order for our next excursion, to be more fruitful. We get choosy because we have our preferences. But, we continue to walk, our stride forever gaining momentum.

The blended, hybrid, virtual merges - with PPE, masks and social distancing. The two venues unique yet, combining into a beautiful ensemble of giggles, simmering beneath cloth, and energetic hallways. Even behind a screen they long, they believe, they engage. 

We the megaphones deafening the isolation. Creating an even playing field- some shoes covered in turf and dirt, others clean- yet both worn in with enthusiasm.

Farewell sweet slumber of doubt. The months have passed- dents, scuffs and indentations have become a part of the scenery. Displaying a classroom charm. Students are students- whether from their desks at home or their tables in school. It is their terrain to manage, it is our landscape to shape. So that they have oceans to swim, mountains to climb and skies to take flight towards.

Doubt is our companion as much as it is theirs. But if we abate it, tackle it, encage it behind our energy and action- they will be lead towards engagement and learning. It is going to continue to be full of surprises- this situation, has settled in for the long haul. But, so have we. And we are warriors. We are educators. 

We are eager to change and grow and this....this is an opportunity to do so.