Pay it forward

I have been trying to take advantage of the lingering spring/summer weather we have been having lately, as with my chosen profession, I will be spending a majority of my days from August to June indoors. I believe sunlight, fresh air and exercise are three of the most important components to good health and happiness, and we should make solid efforts to include them whenever possible. Last night, I ran the streets of my Drake home and happened to run into another reason why I run.

Running brings adventures and realizations one would not have crossed without the roads. Strangers turn into friends, as anyone’s true self can really be exposed at mile 22. Aside from other runners we meet, we also travel the world and become more acquainted with our homes, and the people in them, the more we run. Last night, I happened to be running across an intersection at just the right time to see a very petite girl walking out of a local pizza establishment with a large pizza in her hands. I laughed a little, as I immediately thought there’s no way she’s gonna eat that. I was quickly reprimanded by my judgments as I watch her walk across the street and give the pizza to a man in a wheelchair holding a sign saying he doesn’t have much help and needs money or food. Having spent a good deal of time in the city of Chicago growing up, I have built a wall against the trust I have in those who ask for money. I don’t want to believe they will spend the money on drugs or alcohol, but no one actually knows the reality. Most of us just walk by, glad that it’s not us in the wheelchair.

Once the girl handed the pizza to the man, he thanked her, and the girl moved along. However, she did not walk away from the intersection but rather back towards the pizza place. I never asked her if she had been handing out pizzas all night, if it was some kind of event or if she had a heavy conscience. I never even approached her at all for that matter. I naturally just kept on running.

In the span of one minute, I was enlightened and reinforced of our city’s integrity by the dignity of the Good Samaritan. I ran along thinking of how amazing this intersection or even this town could be if we all did a good deed each time we saw one. I quickly caught myself plagiarizing Haley Joel Osment’s idea in Pay it Forward. However, I don’t think that’s an idea when intellectual property rights become an issue. I couldn’t think of something right away, but it’s on my mind. Perhaps I will pass the idea along to my students – try giving 3 compliments a day, or do something for someone else that will have no benefit to yourself. That’s a lot to ask of middle schoolers, but maybe I’ll bring in pizza for encouragement.

It all started with right foot, left foot. I run to pay it forward, why do you?

Happy Trails

Ask for forgiveness

Yesterday was the day to nationally recognize the elimination of the derogatory use of the R-word. Our goal as global citizens is to “spread the word to end the word.” In homes, schools, playgrounds and any other socially-inhabited place around the country, we are pledging to resist using stupid and retarded as synonyms. My personal pledge was implemented into my classroom by having my students sign their class’ respective poster board with their own pledge and signatures. Thus with the question being “How will you pledge to end the R-word?, my answer was “I pledge to end the word by teaching others to end the word.” I signed mine on each poster and had students follow.

A few thought it was a waste of time, a few were slightly interested and few definitely had my back. After watching the following video, I think nearly all were in the last category.

http://www.cleanvideosearch.com/media/action/yt/watch?videoId=qVgoS_IQXck

The video shows a girl expressing a message of the same “end the word”-theme, except she uses all note cards to talk. After seeing someone else besides myself give reasons to end the word, the students seemed a bit more passionate. The video is powerful, but there is one that I wanted to show much more. This one:

http://www.cleanvideosearch.com/media/action/yt/watch?videoId=T549VoLca_Q

I shared the clip with my mentor teacher, and she agreed that the message is powerful, but I would be flirting with a very risky line in showing it. I suppose during a time when a grade and possible future could be compromised, I should have better judgment. After sharing it with the vice-principal as well, I was politely told to refrain from the presentation. Perhaps on my last day here.

A philosophy I like to think my rebellious side lives by is “ask for forgiveness, not for permission.” Sometimes that motto leads me to a much more difficult situation to amend than just some hurt feelings.

Nevertheless, I believe the students took away an important lesson yesterday. But with the addition of a shortened Wednesday due to professional development, some of the class had extinguished their entire time with the “spread the word” lesson and never reached the actual academics I am currently targeting. On my drive home, I worried about the tangent that my day took. I then relieved some of my stress by remembering something my sister once told me about her current job. She says that for one Friday each month, her entire company is suggested to do anything but work. They are still on the clock but are utilizing their time either volunteering, helping schools somehow, conducting networking events, or anything else good for the company’s soul.

I’ve realized just how important the real-world application of our careers is. I think we need to nurture the ideas and passions which revolve around our unique lives and always remember that it matters.

“Someone doesn’t get to be great marksman by taking target practice only once a year.”

Happy Trails.