By the way, what DOES an American mean?

The other day, I was conversing with some friends on issues facing the U.S. and other parts of the world. I know what a broad topic. Well, one thing that came up was the fact that you could travel around the world observing different cultures. However, the U.S. remained unique because what exactly defines an American?

A friend of mine pointed out that if you visit Sweden, majority share the same Swedish culture by being Swedish citizens. If you go to Italy, you see majority Italians or people that have embraced the Italian culture. However, when you think American (U.S.--not Canada or Mexico, or South America), what comes to your mind? Diversity. In America, you will see people who have different cultures and are living those cultures. Examples include Chinatown, Greek town, Little Italy, etc. You can visit those places in the U.S. It is common for many Americans to eat Italian or Chinese food any day.

So a friend of mine said that is exactly what makes the U.S., a culture full of diversity. The friend continued to say, an American is a Chinese, Spanish, Italian, Arab, Greek, etc. Americans are diverse with diverse needs.

Does this say something about our teachers?

OK, I found this news item on MSNBC: Texting 101: Don’t send pot messages to cop
Kentucky teacher sent trooper drug-deal details intended for dealer. When I read this article, I thought first of what a shame an educator who teaches children is accused of dealing with drugs.

Then I thought how embarrassing as an educator, to make an interesting mistake by sending the text details to law enforcement. Maybe tougher teaching standards should be enforced in college for future teachers, and detailed background checks.

Is it me, or is this some kind of irony that this educator sent her drug details to a police officer?

Read the story and groan or laugh...http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17307671/?GT1=9033 .

Abu Ben Adam

This is an interesting poem written by James Henry Legh Hunt. I read this, and to me it is very calming to read, sort of spiritual.


Abu Ben Adam

by
James Henry Legh Hunt (October 19, 1784 - August 28, 1859)

Abu Ben Adam, may his tribe increase

Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace

And saw, within the moonlight of his room

Making it rich, like a lily in bloom

An angel writing in a book of gold.

Exceeding peace had made Abu Ben Adam bold

And to the presence in his room he said

' What writest thou?'

The vision raised its head

And with a look of all sweet accord Answered:

'The names of those who love the Lord.

'And is mine one?' said Abu.

'Nay not so' Replied the Angel

Abu spoke more low

But cheerily still and said

'I pray thee then Write me as one that loves his fellow-men'

The angel wrote and vanished.

The next night it came again with awaking light

And showed the names of whom love of God had blessed.

And lo! Ben Adam's name led all the rest.

Is pay everything?

I got this in an email. I thought I would post it here. If you are the author or you know who is the author of this forward, let me know , so I can put it here. It is nice and ideal, but is this realistic?


WHAT TEACHERS MAKE

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...)

"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental...

You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each
and every person at the table.)

I make kids wonder. I make them question. I make them criticize.

I make them apologize and mean it. I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions. I teach them to write and then I make them write .

I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.


Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life. (Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)

"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my
head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant...

You want to know what I make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?"

Roles of males and females

We didn't finish our lecture on gender today, due to a piece of technology not working properly. I wanted to show a video to end the lecture, followed by a discussion of the video. That didn't happen because the speakers were not working. In the mean time, I need to call the service people to repair that before next class period--Thursday.

Basically, we discussed what are genders and the stereotypes of genders. The class really enjoyed it. There some good discussions on if physical job standards should be lowered for females to enter certain fields of work, for example soldiers, firefighters, and police officers, to name a few. Majority of my female and a male students said no. Standards shouldn't be lowered for physical demanding work. If a female is qualified, then she is more than like to enter those types of careers.

I also asked them, who would your rather work with? Men or women? Majority of them said men, a couple of them said mixed, none of my students said women. I was surprised by that. I asked them why not? Some of female students replied women tend to be more emotional, gossip, and dramatic. *You think?* I explained to the class those were a form of stereotypes.
To be fair, I, personally, have worked with some awesome female and male colleagues. I personally find that both men and women have some personal issues at work. I do plan to discuss age issues in the workforce, I believe that is important because we are living longer and some of us are even staying longer in the workforce.

I do plan to finish this lecture next week. Then we will be discussing other race issues.

Let the debates begin!

Starting tomorrow and for a couple of more weeks, my students and I will be discussing stereotypes of minorities. It should be really interesting because many students do not like to talk about this in a formal setting, like an institution. I always manage to have a healthy debate on these issues. I want students to know that it is important NOT to ignore sensitive or controversial issues, but instead engage in a healthy, yet democratic discussion/debate.

First we will discuss gender issues, what are they and some stereotypes, etc, followed by race and ethnic issues, and multiculturalism education.

So for now, adios, ciao, stay tuned, shalom, salaam, aurevoir.

War is ugly

According to Al Jazeera English 's article "Blair 'to announce Iraq pull-out' " http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/646AC730-BD49-48E7-967C-7636EEB15448.htm, and CNN's article "Reports: UK to begin withdrawing Iraq" troopshttp://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/02/20/uk.iraq.troops/index.html, Blair is finally going to begin withdraw British troops from Iraq. All I can say is about time. I mean they should have never been sent there in the first place. I think Bush needs to follow suit. I say bring our troops home, enough headaches and heartaches.

Although, ruling under Saddam may have not been the best in the world, I think Iraq's situation has worsened than under Saddam's ruling. In Iraq, there is chaos, kidnappings, religious tensions, and corruptions, it is just plain crazy. All for oil? For location of the Middle East? Solve this through peaceful actions and missions.

The solution is complicated and complex. A wise person once told me, "You can kill a person, but you can't kill the idea." War is not the answer. People die, but ideas live on. The bottom line is we have to negotiate with words, followed by diplomatic actions. We all have the same, basic human needs of survival.

I know I just kind of jumped from one point to another. It is just is frustrating to see a country that used to be the Mecca of Education in the Middle East, to go down in ruins as if they have never had anything great happen in that country. I mean, how long, will wars have to last, and people have to suffer?