Opening your own school, folly or possible?

I got an interesting email from an old friend yesterday. Unfortunately it was not a pleasure call, rather he had business in mind. Says he is putting together a small team of teachers for the purpose of opening a new school. 

For those of that are not familiar with the working of the NYC school system, the head offices are always looking for its staff members to propose and eventually open new schools throughout the city's boroughs. The process is lengthy but for those with a vision and some ability, the opportunity exists. 

My first reaction to his opening paragraph was what I would consider to be a natural one. I actually uttered the word "folly" out loud. After all, teachers teach and they do not open schools. This is done by people in far away lands, with degrees titles as long as a winter night. Yet, looking through the attachment he linked, the opportunity was there. Clear as winter morning. 

This brings me to the dilemma I'd like to share with the 50 or so readers that have accidentally read this blog. Are teachers a completely risk adverse community. Is it true that "those that can't do teacher" (and those that can't teach, teach gym) ? Light reflection of my own career would seem to indicate that I have been entirely risk adverse for most of my adult life and you know what, it's been fine. That is till now. 

Speaking to my buddy you can hear his passion. You can hear the drive in his voice. I won't bore you with the entirety of the conversation but he told me something that is quickly becoming my mantra. He says, "we must sometimes sacrifice what we are today, for what we will be tomorrow. " Good sales pitch no? Do you give up a comfortable yet unremarkable job for the chance to do something great? 

I guess it's a good dilemma to have. Choices are rarely bad. What would you do?

Marijuana and schools

No linky for this blog as there are so many articles about it all the links would be a blog onto itself.

I'm talking of course about the slow and steady process of making pot legal in the US of A. I'm not going to weigh down my blog with rights or wrongs, because after all this is a comment on the educational world, not on the folkways of our society. However I find it interesting to connect outside events and their eventual effect of schools.

A little context. I grew up in the late 70's and reached high school in the mid 80's and for us smoking a joint before school and right after school was not all that strange. In fact, it was more strange that I didn't do. I wish that I could say I had altruistic reasons, but it was more of matter of being broke than anything else really.

Fast forward to 2014 and it just begs the question, will we go back to that should pot be fully legalized throughout the country. My magic virtual 8ball app says- absolutely! I don't think there is any question that underage students will have easier access it. Not that it's that difficult now, but the same way underage drinking is a real problem, being stoned by lunch could easily eclipse the drinking problem.

I think we have a good opportunity in Colorado to investigate its effects on schools and students (and probably teachers as well, but that's for a different blog). If Colorado demonstrates that kids are high during class or there are other negative correlation to legal pot, then that MUST be a part of the discussion in other states.

Colorado made almost 100mil in tax revenue in the first month, so I'm not sure that type of income can stop other states from jumping in, but at least know what the effects will be.

Spread the word.

Inside school security.

Linkified

I have been struggling with the concept of security in schools, but not for the reasons one might think. Yes I've thought of the dangers of having armed security or police in all schools, but that's not what gives me pause. The real concern for me is how do you secure a school, when the majority of violence comes from students attending? Even though Sandy Hook is still fresh, the overwhelming majority of deaths are student to student not from outside intruders.

My classmate told me they caught a kid in his school, fourth grade mind you, with a kitchen knife this week. Another student tipped off the teacher who, then reported it security. All the forward thinking designs in the world wouldn't have stopped this kid from attacking and maybe even killing another student in the bathroom. Then you get to places in the burbs where schools are essentially open to the public.

Makes me think that for the foreseeable future we are going to have to trust society because I don't see how schools can truly be safe in today's day and age.

Spread the word.

End result of too much educational pressure

Linky

I was reading the article above and came to think of what would drive teachers and administrators to have such a systematic cheating program. It occurs to me this happens when the corporate mentality and culture is forced into a social service. Because its a round peg in a square hole, the friction drives new ways to achieve. Sometime those new ways are great, and sometimes they suck.

When my kids are taking a state test I have thought about changing an answer here and there, but I don't because I don't feel threatened by a wrong answer. But what if I did? What if my job were on the line? Would I?

Slippery slope here folks. Prepare for more of this as the demand for achievement increases.

Spread the word.

Firsts of first

With the power to say anything I choose to say nothing at all.