Small note adds value to a book
I used this little book by Francis McBeth when I directed bands and found it helpful, especially for balancing and tuning the band.
Going through books yesterday, I started to put this in the give-away stack but paused to leaf through and noticed a note in the margin. I used brackets to mark spots but rarely underlined. The same pen that wrote the note underlined the text in ink. Dr. Kramer was rather large at the time, so this was a friendly jab at his good friend, Dr. McBeth, who was lacking in hair.
Dr. Kramer’s response to Dr. McBeth
I thought it was perfect that Dr. Don Kramer, who added so much humor to our time at HSU was still making me laugh over 40 years later. I’ll never forget how he and actor/comedian Red Buttons sparred during shows in Hot Springs. We all roared with laughter every night of that show.
Don Kramer was a remarkable trumpet player and musician. When I graduated, he said, “Warnock, when you become a teacher, you don’t become someone else. Be yourself. The kids will respond to that.”
I’ll be keeping this book with Dr. Kramer’s handwritten note.
A few years ago, while driving through Hot Springs, I remembered another funny time with Dr. Kramer. It’s shared in the post. Memorable Burger at Bailey’s
Schools are important? Who’d a thought it!
We’re hearing a lot about the importance of schools from politicians and the media lately. Evidently, schools have an impact on the economics of a community, state, and country. Who’d a thought it!
I’m proud of the district I worked in and its focus on student safety. The district spent some big bucks on sanitizing equipment and involved our staff in making schools as safe as possible when the Corona Virus became an issue. Every school in Arkansas should have this type of equipment, and the supplies needed to combat viruses and bacteria now and in the future. Our schools need national and state coordinated testing with quick results to ensure students and staff are safe, with adjustments happening quickly when needed.
All students should have access to the internet and devices to access live face-to-face learning remotely when needed. I’m talking about hotspots in our most remote areas and high-speed signals that allow clear communication. In March, when we didn’t return from spring break, teachers did their best with the available technology for distance learning. They were amazing and parents were supportive, but every district in the state should have state-of-the-art distance learning technology fully funded so that we’re ready for any interruption in education, whether related to pandemics, weather, or student health.
Schools need a small army of social workers to visit homes quickly when students become disengaged or at-risk. Social workers could help set up positive learning environments for students and deliver food or resources where needed when students are unable to attend school.
I don’t have the space here to discuss the professional development and training teachers are trying to squeeze in this summer due to the current pandemic. Much more training than usual is necessary to prepare for new ways of instruction for an unknown future. Additional training means added expenses for districts and a sacrifice of time for teachers.
Right now, I personally know teachers who are sewing or hiring someone to sew masks so their students will have fashionable masks and no one will be uncomfortable with an ugly mask. As a principal, I witnessed teachers spending their own money for the extras they wanted for their students. Before 2018, teachers could deduct these teaching expenses, but they’re now limited to $250 which is a joke. Most spend much more.
As a country, we’ve scraped by on the cheap for years in the area of public education. If airlines, banks, auto plants, or other essential businesses need funds to stay open, we spend lavishly. I use the word “lavishly” because it’s so alien to our thinking about education. It’s now time to spend lavishly and without apologies on public schools. Schools impact on our economy and quality of life. As an added benefit, investing in schools will give us healthier citizens with good judgment and hopeful futures. These are the types of people I want in my community.
Principal Notes 