Here is a link to my third column for the Dallas Morning News, which appeared in December of 2010.
Michael Haring: The frustration factor Dallas-Fort Worth Local Opinion Columns News for Dallas, Texas Dallas Morning News
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Update 2/21/11 Here is the column in its original unedited format:
I have always had a pessimistic personality by nature. I have found that I am pleasantly surprised a lot more often if I’m pessimistic. So, as a teacher of elementary school students in DISD, I find myself having very hopeless thoughts about the future of the human race more often than I care to admit. I have worked with the “future” of mankind now for 15 years and they are suddenly starting to approach the part of my life when they start becoming my “present.”
Working with students in DISD has always felt like an uphill battle for me, like using a rock and slingshot to fight off an approaching tank. I am not just talking about academics either. I’m talking about character qualities such as love for your fellow man, respect, and citizenship as well. Please don’t get me wrong. There are many smart and intelligent DISD students with excellent character out there. But, in my pessimistic view, more days than not, the future looks bleak to me.
On my drives to work, I always find myself letting out a sigh and muttering to myself, “What am I going to do with these kids?” On my way home from work, the same thoughts penetrate my mind. It happens all of the time, whether I’m pushing a shopping cart collecting my groceries, pumping gas, or waiting in line in the drive thru window, the thought is always there with me. Even during the summertime, it can be continuous and intrusive. What am I going to do?
This year, my school was fortunate to be the recipient of many kind gestures from churches and other charities, giving back in more ways than I have ever seen as a teacher. They have provided needy students with clothing and school supplies and extra food for them to take home on weekends. They have provided a spruced up lounge for the teachers and new carpeting for the school auditorium. And, then for Christmas, one charity even adopted the school and gave wrapped Christmas gifts to the children. What a grand gesture!
It was so great to see the kids excited to receive their gifts. Unfortunately, the greatness for me, was short-lived. I soon had a sour taste in my mouth because in the midst of all the generosity, were trickles of ingratitude and ungratefulness here and there... more than I’ve seen before. Comments like “I didn’t get all of the things I asked for” just stabbed at my soul. Students who consistently make bad choices, went right back to making their bad choices. And, to top it off, a lot of the ingratitude came from some kids who have benefitted from clothing donations or extra food in the past. I sighed and thought to myself, “What am I going to do with these kids?” Sometimes, it just feels like an exercise in futility. I want to put my rock and slingshot down and surrender to the tank.
But, then I opened the card. It was a re-gifted greeting card. Underneath the standard holiday print and stock message, the signatures of the previous senders had been scratched out with pen. Instead, the signature of one of my students filled the space below (a student who has struggled with math since the day she walked in my classroom door, but a student that has continuously made progress throughout the year). There was also a personal note that anointed me, “Best math teacher ever” and notified me that I “rock.” What a grand gesture!
I realize that it is not just me. To reference a popular and current documentary film, I am not Superman. There are other teachers that have worked with her as well. Her older brother (one of my former students) has also worked with her. And I have no doubt that her parents have worked with her too. But, she was thoughtful and considerate enough to let me know that she appreciated me for what I do.
What do I do? I get up every morning at 5:45. I shower, shave, and get dressed. I think to myself, “What am I going to do with these kids?” I pick up my rock and my slingshot and I head out the door with the hopes of winning this uphill battle.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
The Upside of Down Time For Schoolkids
Here is the second column for the Dallas Morning News which appeared in October 2010:
Michael Haring: The upside of down time for schoolkids News for Dallas, Texas Dallas Morning News Opinion: Viewpoints
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Update 2/21/11: Here is the column in its unedited format
When I think back to my 6th grade year, one thing that stands out vividly in my mind is a tag game we used to play at recess called “Lions”. It always attracted a large group of players and it was always something that I looked forward to with great anticipation. The rules were simple. There were 2 bases at opposite ends of the rectangular playground. One person was picked to be the lion (usually through some version of Ee, Nee, Mee, Nee) while the other 10-20 players would be the prey. The prey would run back and forth across the Savannah grasslands (i.e. the playground) trying to reach base. The lion would try to tag them as they ran across. When one of the prey was eaten (tagged), in a true passing-of-the-energy down the food chain fashion, the prey would then become the new lion offspring. By the end of the game there would be a few prey left and 20 bloodthirsty lions waiting to tag them as they crossed the playground. It never failed that the final remaining prey were always the “fittest” ones that were incredibly quick on their feet, juking and jiving their way across the playground trying to make it to the other side.
Back then, we would have recess after lunch for at least a good 20 to 30 minutes. We looked forward to it without question. We relished that time. It was our time to interact with each other on a non-academic level. It was our time to problem-solve and find ways to get along. It was our time to get the blood pumping. As Forrest Gump might say, it was our time to run.
Now, flash forward to present day. Old Macdonald had a test. Here a test, there a test, everywhere a test, test. Teachers, schools, districts, states are all under the microscope for test scores. So, in the interest of filling students’ minds with all of the necessary knowledge they need to be successful on their tests, recess is going by way of the lion’s prey. After all, how does it look if a child is outside playing when they could be inside learning? There is not enough time in the day to fit recess in anymore. The urgency lies in getting test scores up. A new superintendent to any school district would say that his or her main goal is to get test scores up. Never in a million years would he or she say that the goal was to get heart rates up.
But, despite what people may think, recess is important. If you look in any education textbook, there is always a section in it addressing the importance of playtime in the development of a child. If you have any experience teaching, you don’t even need a textbook to tell you that. The exercise and socialization that goes on at recess allows the children to burn away their daily residue. It helps second-language learners aquire the new language. It helps all kids re-energize. And let’s just face it: kids need to run. Childhood obesity issues make the evening news at least 2 or 3 times a month. Some children don’t even have a safe place to exercise at home. What better place to do it than the school playground?
Most of us adults went through our elementary school years with more recess than today’s children. We also went through our elementary school years with less standardized tests. We turned out okay, didn’t we? Yes, I understand that the world is getting more competitive and it is not the same as it was when we were kids. But, surely countries like China aren’t skimping around when it comes to the physical well-being of their young students, are they?
But, what about corporate America? Out of curiosity, I went to the Fortune magazine website and looked up the 100 best companies to work for. Is it a coincidence that a lot of these top companies offer on-site workout facilities for their employees? Wouldn’t exercise time in the company workout room decrease employee productivity? Obviously, it doesn’t, or such perks wouldn’t exist.
So, maybe there really is something beneficial to having the opportunity to blow off steam or burn away stress. Maybe there is something beneficial to making our children into lions. Or should we just settle for making them into prey?
Michael Haring: The upside of down time for schoolkids News for Dallas, Texas Dallas Morning News Opinion: Viewpoints
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Update 2/21/11: Here is the column in its unedited format
When I think back to my 6th grade year, one thing that stands out vividly in my mind is a tag game we used to play at recess called “Lions”. It always attracted a large group of players and it was always something that I looked forward to with great anticipation. The rules were simple. There were 2 bases at opposite ends of the rectangular playground. One person was picked to be the lion (usually through some version of Ee, Nee, Mee, Nee) while the other 10-20 players would be the prey. The prey would run back and forth across the Savannah grasslands (i.e. the playground) trying to reach base. The lion would try to tag them as they ran across. When one of the prey was eaten (tagged), in a true passing-of-the-energy down the food chain fashion, the prey would then become the new lion offspring. By the end of the game there would be a few prey left and 20 bloodthirsty lions waiting to tag them as they crossed the playground. It never failed that the final remaining prey were always the “fittest” ones that were incredibly quick on their feet, juking and jiving their way across the playground trying to make it to the other side.
Back then, we would have recess after lunch for at least a good 20 to 30 minutes. We looked forward to it without question. We relished that time. It was our time to interact with each other on a non-academic level. It was our time to problem-solve and find ways to get along. It was our time to get the blood pumping. As Forrest Gump might say, it was our time to run.
Now, flash forward to present day. Old Macdonald had a test. Here a test, there a test, everywhere a test, test. Teachers, schools, districts, states are all under the microscope for test scores. So, in the interest of filling students’ minds with all of the necessary knowledge they need to be successful on their tests, recess is going by way of the lion’s prey. After all, how does it look if a child is outside playing when they could be inside learning? There is not enough time in the day to fit recess in anymore. The urgency lies in getting test scores up. A new superintendent to any school district would say that his or her main goal is to get test scores up. Never in a million years would he or she say that the goal was to get heart rates up.
But, despite what people may think, recess is important. If you look in any education textbook, there is always a section in it addressing the importance of playtime in the development of a child. If you have any experience teaching, you don’t even need a textbook to tell you that. The exercise and socialization that goes on at recess allows the children to burn away their daily residue. It helps second-language learners aquire the new language. It helps all kids re-energize. And let’s just face it: kids need to run. Childhood obesity issues make the evening news at least 2 or 3 times a month. Some children don’t even have a safe place to exercise at home. What better place to do it than the school playground?
Most of us adults went through our elementary school years with more recess than today’s children. We also went through our elementary school years with less standardized tests. We turned out okay, didn’t we? Yes, I understand that the world is getting more competitive and it is not the same as it was when we were kids. But, surely countries like China aren’t skimping around when it comes to the physical well-being of their young students, are they?
But, what about corporate America? Out of curiosity, I went to the Fortune magazine website and looked up the 100 best companies to work for. Is it a coincidence that a lot of these top companies offer on-site workout facilities for their employees? Wouldn’t exercise time in the company workout room decrease employee productivity? Obviously, it doesn’t, or such perks wouldn’t exist.
So, maybe there really is something beneficial to having the opportunity to blow off steam or burn away stress. Maybe there is something beneficial to making our children into lions. Or should we just settle for making them into prey?
My Teacher Could Have Protected Me
I've been writing some volunteer columns for the Dallas Morning News. Here's a link to the first one that appeared back in September 2010:
Michael Haring: My teacher could have protected me News for Dallas, Texas Dallas Morning News Opinion: Viewpoints
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update: 2/21/11: My unedited version of the column has been added below.
Spaz… Spaz…. Spaz…. Spaz… Spaz… The chanting continued in an audible whisper. More voices joined in. The chanting grew louder and quicker. SPAZ..SPAZ..SPAZ..SPAZ.. Finally, the teacher interjected with an, “All right everybody, get quiet.” The interspersed giggles and chuckles in the classroom started to subside as I continued my walk to the front to make my presentation. I don’t quite remember what that presentation was about 27 years ago. But, I can never forget that incident leading up to it.
All it took was one voice.
A good friend of mine had started the chant. It was from a scene in the movie, “Meatballs,” which I had only seen small portions of on cable. I was familiar with that scene then, although I can’t quite remember it now. Spaz was the nickname of a nerdy, socially awkward character in the movie. Of course, there was a chanting scene in the movie as well. That day, in my 7th grade Language Arts class, it was truly a case of life imitating art.
I was not pleased, but I took it in stride. Don’t let them know that they got to you, right? I read my report and sat back down. But, the damage was done. My confidence was shaken. I had always been a smart kid, but equally as shy. Getting up in front of a group of people and speaking was always a challenging task. But, on that day, I was silenced for good.
Each school year thereafter I always got a seat hidden in the back of the classroom, with my hand firmly planted by my side…never in the air for fear that the chanting might start again. I only spoke when I absolutely had to or when I was called on to answer a question. My A’s and B’s suddenly weren’t making as many public appearances anymore. I grew proficient at always being able to find just the right moment to “feel sick and go see the nurse” or “go to the bathroom.” My 7th grade teacher had taught me how to be a ghost.
I blame my teacher’s inaction for the spaz incident. I don’t blame my friends. They were all just ignorant 7th graders who didn’t know any better. But I do wonder from time to time, what kind of person I would be today, if my teacher had maybe laid into them just a little bit more. Would I have become more confident and outgoing in my future life? Only a DeLorean with a flux capacitor can answer that question now. One thing however, is certain: a safe environment would’ve at least given me the courage to volunteer again. A safe environment would’ve kept me out of the nurse’s office or the bathroom. Regardless, my teacher chose not to address it directly.
Back then, I wouldn’t have thought of that ordeal as a bullying incident (just as today’s kids may not be able to recognize their own experiences with bullying.) I’m still hesitant to call it bullying today, but the more I think about it, the more I believe it was. Bullying exists on another plane besides the physical one. The physical one is the one we, as a society, tend to address the most (and sometimes not enough at that). The mental one is the one we tend to ignore the most (after all, sticks and stones can break our bones, but words will never hurt us.) We as adults know this to be false, yet we continue to spout that off to our children and our students because we don’t know exactly how to deal with it.
But, deal with it, we must. If we don’t defend our children, we will be emboldening them to do something more harsh. 9-year-old Montana Lance of The Colony was being bullied. It bothered him enough that he decided to end his life. Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris were frequent targets of bullying, before they decided to end their lives and the lives of many others. You can Google the words “bullying suicides” and see the names and the stories for yourself. It’s an epidemic and it’s getting worse. It is time for society to truly address it and come up with a solution.
Some people have thicker skin than others. Some people can fight through it, but they don’t come through unscathed. For me, my wound is my apprehension of sharing myself, my thoughts, and my ideas. When the ghost appears, everybody loses. I don’t put myself out there often enough. People who don’t know me, may actually think I’m stuck up and aloof. And, sadly, I never get to know them.
Michael Haring: My teacher could have protected me News for Dallas, Texas Dallas Morning News Opinion: Viewpoints
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update: 2/21/11: My unedited version of the column has been added below.
Spaz… Spaz…. Spaz…. Spaz… Spaz… The chanting continued in an audible whisper. More voices joined in. The chanting grew louder and quicker. SPAZ..SPAZ..SPAZ..SPAZ.. Finally, the teacher interjected with an, “All right everybody, get quiet.” The interspersed giggles and chuckles in the classroom started to subside as I continued my walk to the front to make my presentation. I don’t quite remember what that presentation was about 27 years ago. But, I can never forget that incident leading up to it.
All it took was one voice.
A good friend of mine had started the chant. It was from a scene in the movie, “Meatballs,” which I had only seen small portions of on cable. I was familiar with that scene then, although I can’t quite remember it now. Spaz was the nickname of a nerdy, socially awkward character in the movie. Of course, there was a chanting scene in the movie as well. That day, in my 7th grade Language Arts class, it was truly a case of life imitating art.
I was not pleased, but I took it in stride. Don’t let them know that they got to you, right? I read my report and sat back down. But, the damage was done. My confidence was shaken. I had always been a smart kid, but equally as shy. Getting up in front of a group of people and speaking was always a challenging task. But, on that day, I was silenced for good.
Each school year thereafter I always got a seat hidden in the back of the classroom, with my hand firmly planted by my side…never in the air for fear that the chanting might start again. I only spoke when I absolutely had to or when I was called on to answer a question. My A’s and B’s suddenly weren’t making as many public appearances anymore. I grew proficient at always being able to find just the right moment to “feel sick and go see the nurse” or “go to the bathroom.” My 7th grade teacher had taught me how to be a ghost.
I blame my teacher’s inaction for the spaz incident. I don’t blame my friends. They were all just ignorant 7th graders who didn’t know any better. But I do wonder from time to time, what kind of person I would be today, if my teacher had maybe laid into them just a little bit more. Would I have become more confident and outgoing in my future life? Only a DeLorean with a flux capacitor can answer that question now. One thing however, is certain: a safe environment would’ve at least given me the courage to volunteer again. A safe environment would’ve kept me out of the nurse’s office or the bathroom. Regardless, my teacher chose not to address it directly.
Back then, I wouldn’t have thought of that ordeal as a bullying incident (just as today’s kids may not be able to recognize their own experiences with bullying.) I’m still hesitant to call it bullying today, but the more I think about it, the more I believe it was. Bullying exists on another plane besides the physical one. The physical one is the one we, as a society, tend to address the most (and sometimes not enough at that). The mental one is the one we tend to ignore the most (after all, sticks and stones can break our bones, but words will never hurt us.) We as adults know this to be false, yet we continue to spout that off to our children and our students because we don’t know exactly how to deal with it.
But, deal with it, we must. If we don’t defend our children, we will be emboldening them to do something more harsh. 9-year-old Montana Lance of The Colony was being bullied. It bothered him enough that he decided to end his life. Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris were frequent targets of bullying, before they decided to end their lives and the lives of many others. You can Google the words “bullying suicides” and see the names and the stories for yourself. It’s an epidemic and it’s getting worse. It is time for society to truly address it and come up with a solution.
Some people have thicker skin than others. Some people can fight through it, but they don’t come through unscathed. For me, my wound is my apprehension of sharing myself, my thoughts, and my ideas. When the ghost appears, everybody loses. I don’t put myself out there often enough. People who don’t know me, may actually think I’m stuck up and aloof. And, sadly, I never get to know them.
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