Looking for Truth in Onaway

  I once had a student chastise me—gently, but sincerely—for telling my class that Richard the Lionheart might have been homosexual. It isn’t a big deal, except it’s one explanation for why he left no heirs, despite having a lovely bride. It meant we got his half-crazed brother John as king when Richard died. Hence the Magna Carta. The student stayed after class to share her opinion that kids (in this case 10 th graders) should only be told “good things” about famous people. History should be uplifting, she maintained, showing us how to be the best we can be. Knowing that came straight from her father’s mouth, I didn’t argue, but thanked her for her input. Too many are sliding into that mindset these days. According to some, it’s bad to admit that our country has faults. It makes students feel “ashamed” of their race and their heritage. I have issues with that mindset. First, truth is truth , no matter how much we might dislike it. I admired Bill Clinton as a President, but wh

  The uproar in this country and in our community about teachers “grooming” students is downright silly. Here’s what we would groom them to do if we had any power over them. Bring their materials to class. Understand the difference between you’re and your. Hit the wastebasket every time. Stop starting sentences with “So--” Use their inside voices.

  The hot question at recent board meetings is if individual board members should be allowed to drop in on classrooms as part of their role as overseers of the school. The National School Board Association says it’s important for board members to see how the school runs, talk to staff, and view students in their daily environments. That means the answer is a partial yes: as long as board members understand their purpose, which is NOT to cause chaos in the classrooms. The Michigan State SBA says this: The Superintendent is responsible for the day-to-day management, supervision, and leadership (of the school). The board makes policy. The super sees that it's implemented. While board members should be familiar with the way the school operates, it is NOT their job to manage day-to-day events, critique teachers, or oversee student behavior. Imagine being a teacher and having not only the principal and the superintendent telling you what to do, but seven different board members g