Thank you, Holly! It still shocks me, that people don't all look out for each other...but, then I am reminded of the goodness when I read your writing, The Isolation Journals, and the comments people leave. Good people, unite!
What is it with the tyrants of the world? And OMG how could you possibly teach little kids without those Physics classes? People like this make me want to scream.
And I’ve never been able to hold back tears. Good for you for not giving her the satisfaction.
Agreed...I've never understood the allure of "controlling" others. Ahhh...the fingernails in the palm trick...Mom taught me years ago, but I don't recommend it for a long term solution (which I didn't learn until years of holding back my emotions). Thank you, Sweet Friend. Good People, Unite!
I was a terrible student in high school, I totally struggled. My high school counselor told my parents I would never make it in college and that I should just do day care in their basement. My dad told me it wasn’t a choice, I was going to college. I wanted to go to college like my friends. I got into Maryland on probation and graduated with a 3.5 grade point. Went onto John’s Hopkins for my masters and graduated with a 3.8. Taught Early childhood special Ed for 31 years. I’d love to find that counselor and let him know how I did!
Oh Yeah!!! You know what....you know who knows "how you did"? ALL of the students, the families, the teachers and staff who have worked with you over those 31 years. We were all better for your dedication, creativity, enthusiasm, problem solving, laughter and team work. I am so glad that your dad saw the real you, the you and what you wanted to do. You made that happen. Thank you for telling your story here-reminding us all, that the voice inside us, although the voices around us might be shouting "you can't"...the voice inside us knows we can.
Good morning my dear friend! I am so very grateful that you triumphed against such an ugly person. The ugliness dripping off their tongue like tainted honey! I’ll call mine Madame Terror in a tiny package. She was not quite taller than my 4’11 body full of energy and stars. Madame Terror, my dance instructor, was nasty; the kind of nasty that makes one shudder just to be in her presence! I was at dance class having fun twirling and, well, expending my great energy on the floor. Madame Terror bellowed for the music to stop and came toward me like a tornado. “Look at this!” she yelled, while pointing to my stomach. I instantly knew what I’d “done wrong”. I’d forgotten to suck in my stomach as all dancers were supposed to do. Oh the horror and shame I felt for being called out like that in front of everyone. I never forgot that, but decided at that moment to always be aware of myself and to do my very best every time I stepped out onto the dance floor! I went on to dance with another local dance company and travelled abroad.
My Sweet, Strong Friend...what possesses people like Madame Terror to belittle and shame? You have never forgotten her words and they live in your cells, just as Dr. Dismissal's live in mine. I LOVE that you switched dance companies, kept on twirling and traveled as well. Thank you for telling your story here....may it remind us all that dancers, writers, people of all disciplines deserve dignity, and that when we point out something, make it positive, uplifting, life giving, joy giving.
My first year in public school I was given a mixed self-contained class of K-3rd grade students. I had no mentor teacher or school system support, and no materials. I spent hours creating lessons and materials only to be told, "There is no teaching going on in here." I moved to another school (my own transfer) and survived another class of mixed levels. Had I not been surplussed, the principal wanted me to stay. I continued on in that system for a total of ten years, then left for 25 years in another county. I was a mentor teacher through TSU for years and have notes of thanks from so many parents. Despite the initial negativity, I loved my job! And Mary, I still think about the wonderful fun and true co-teaching experiences we shared in kindergarten!
Oh, Mary....to be told what you were (from that higher up ) means that he/she had no vision, no understanding of the language of play...the true language of children. Oh my gosh, we had SUCH fun co-teaching, creating, implementing, planning, problem solving, and oh my, did a lot of laughing together. You KNOW one of my favorite stories from that time was on one of our "Specials Centers" (Thursdays and Fridays) days. You and I were at the story writing table, and one of the little girls looks up and says to me (we were using Inventive spelling), "I want to write'Ass' but I don't know how." I almost bust a gasket, trying not to laugh, and I looked up at you and said, "Mrs. Parr, perhaps you can help out here!" The child repeated her request, and you understood (given the context of what she had written thus far) that she was looking to spell the Pokeman character, "Asch". I KNOW we had had tears streaming out of our eyes, shoulders shaking, not laughing out loud, but not able to contain the sheer innocence of her request versus her saying it louder and louder to get us to understand, "ASS, ASS, ASS". Classic. Those teachers whom you mentored are so very fortunate to have had your as their model of expertise.
I loved that you won!!!! Way to go!
Thank you, Holly! It still shocks me, that people don't all look out for each other...but, then I am reminded of the goodness when I read your writing, The Isolation Journals, and the comments people leave. Good people, unite!
Yes--we have to stay connected to the good. It’s there! And it can overcome the self-serving.
Total Agreement!
What is it with the tyrants of the world? And OMG how could you possibly teach little kids without those Physics classes? People like this make me want to scream.
And I’ve never been able to hold back tears. Good for you for not giving her the satisfaction.
Agreed...I've never understood the allure of "controlling" others. Ahhh...the fingernails in the palm trick...Mom taught me years ago, but I don't recommend it for a long term solution (which I didn't learn until years of holding back my emotions). Thank you, Sweet Friend. Good People, Unite!
I was a terrible student in high school, I totally struggled. My high school counselor told my parents I would never make it in college and that I should just do day care in their basement. My dad told me it wasn’t a choice, I was going to college. I wanted to go to college like my friends. I got into Maryland on probation and graduated with a 3.5 grade point. Went onto John’s Hopkins for my masters and graduated with a 3.8. Taught Early childhood special Ed for 31 years. I’d love to find that counselor and let him know how I did!
Oh Yeah!!! You know what....you know who knows "how you did"? ALL of the students, the families, the teachers and staff who have worked with you over those 31 years. We were all better for your dedication, creativity, enthusiasm, problem solving, laughter and team work. I am so glad that your dad saw the real you, the you and what you wanted to do. You made that happen. Thank you for telling your story here-reminding us all, that the voice inside us, although the voices around us might be shouting "you can't"...the voice inside us knows we can.
Good morning my dear friend! I am so very grateful that you triumphed against such an ugly person. The ugliness dripping off their tongue like tainted honey! I’ll call mine Madame Terror in a tiny package. She was not quite taller than my 4’11 body full of energy and stars. Madame Terror, my dance instructor, was nasty; the kind of nasty that makes one shudder just to be in her presence! I was at dance class having fun twirling and, well, expending my great energy on the floor. Madame Terror bellowed for the music to stop and came toward me like a tornado. “Look at this!” she yelled, while pointing to my stomach. I instantly knew what I’d “done wrong”. I’d forgotten to suck in my stomach as all dancers were supposed to do. Oh the horror and shame I felt for being called out like that in front of everyone. I never forgot that, but decided at that moment to always be aware of myself and to do my very best every time I stepped out onto the dance floor! I went on to dance with another local dance company and travelled abroad.
My Sweet, Strong Friend...what possesses people like Madame Terror to belittle and shame? You have never forgotten her words and they live in your cells, just as Dr. Dismissal's live in mine. I LOVE that you switched dance companies, kept on twirling and traveled as well. Thank you for telling your story here....may it remind us all that dancers, writers, people of all disciplines deserve dignity, and that when we point out something, make it positive, uplifting, life giving, joy giving.
Was her name really Dr. Dismissal ?
Miss you Mary.
My first year in public school I was given a mixed self-contained class of K-3rd grade students. I had no mentor teacher or school system support, and no materials. I spent hours creating lessons and materials only to be told, "There is no teaching going on in here." I moved to another school (my own transfer) and survived another class of mixed levels. Had I not been surplussed, the principal wanted me to stay. I continued on in that system for a total of ten years, then left for 25 years in another county. I was a mentor teacher through TSU for years and have notes of thanks from so many parents. Despite the initial negativity, I loved my job! And Mary, I still think about the wonderful fun and true co-teaching experiences we shared in kindergarten!
Oh, Mary....to be told what you were (from that higher up ) means that he/she had no vision, no understanding of the language of play...the true language of children. Oh my gosh, we had SUCH fun co-teaching, creating, implementing, planning, problem solving, and oh my, did a lot of laughing together. You KNOW one of my favorite stories from that time was on one of our "Specials Centers" (Thursdays and Fridays) days. You and I were at the story writing table, and one of the little girls looks up and says to me (we were using Inventive spelling), "I want to write'Ass' but I don't know how." I almost bust a gasket, trying not to laugh, and I looked up at you and said, "Mrs. Parr, perhaps you can help out here!" The child repeated her request, and you understood (given the context of what she had written thus far) that she was looking to spell the Pokeman character, "Asch". I KNOW we had had tears streaming out of our eyes, shoulders shaking, not laughing out loud, but not able to contain the sheer innocence of her request versus her saying it louder and louder to get us to understand, "ASS, ASS, ASS". Classic. Those teachers whom you mentored are so very fortunate to have had your as their model of expertise.