Home » 2024
Yearly Archives: 2024
After School Learning
As an 8th grader at Rogers Junior High in El Dorado, Arkansas, I was a member of the marching band. We had Slingerland parade drums with green and white sparkle finish as pictured here. We had four parade drums with snares and two that were called tenor drums (tom toms). I played one of those tenor drums that usually doubled the bass drum part. Playing tenor drum gave all of the pain of a parade drum slapping against your thigh without any of the musical satisfaction.
I asked our band director, John Keane, who would later become my principal, if we could attach snare strainers to those two parade drums so that all would become marching snare drums. I don’t remember him giving me an answer but a couple of weeks later he handed me two new snare strainers and wire snares. He asked me to install them on those two marching tenor drums.
Strangely, I didn’t involve my father in this project. I did use his tools though. I measured and carefully cut openings in the bottom rims and used a buffer to smooth sharp edges just like I’d done on the iron railings my father built.
One afternoon after school, my mother came home to find drum parts spread across the floor of our living room and me bending over a drum shell, drilling holes to secure the snare strainer. She was startled and I remember panic in her voice when she asked what I was doing. I explained that Mr. Keane had given me permission to change two tenor drums into snare drums. She looked confused. She could see that I was well into my destructive task and reluctantly left me to my work.
I wasn’t a gifted craftsman, but those two parade drums turned out great. To this day, I’m still puzzled that they worked out. I think it was probably motivation with a bit of luck mixed in. I really despised playing the tenor drum and wanted to play a snare.
I’m thankful for the level of freedom I had out there on Calion Highway. I was free to explore the woods, ride my bike, use the tools in my father’s shop, and beat on paint cans with drum sticks until my father bought me a garage sale snare drum. And, I was free to drill holes in my school’s parade drums. I had a good childhood!
If you ever see a parade drum with green and white sparkle finish like the one pictured here, give me a call. I would love to see it.
May, 2025 Update: I found a Slingerland Parade Drum matching the ones we used in junior high. My offer of $50 was accepted but I think it was the story that swayed the seller. He wanted this drum to have an appreciative home. After some cleanup, the drum looks great. The only improvement needed is to repair the snare strainer. Wish I had one of those brand new strainers that Mr. Keene bought for me to install in those old tenor drums.
Pray for the Schools?
As we enter the month of May, we see posts and hear comments about the need to pray for our teachers. I agree with this but only if prayer leads to action. What actions?
1 For starters, we might avoid belittling educators on social media. Sometimes saying nothing at all is a prayerful act. Sometimes waiting until we can share a concern with the person needing to know rather than the public is a prayerful act.
2 We might consider making a little donation to our child’s classroom if we’re able. As an adult, I learned that my mother had made donations to my teachers over the years. I imagine my teachers found it encouraging to get a small donation from a lady who was known as an excellent teacher.
3 We might write a note (or an email) of encouragement to our child’s teacher to express thanks for the work and preparation involved in teaching. Emails are nice but a physical note could find its way to a teacher’s desk where they draw encouragement from it repeatedly.
I used to have a file called “special.” In it, I placed notes from parents, students, and peers. When I needed a lift, I’d open that drawer and get a little encouragement by reading a note or looking at a drawing from a student.
4 Students taught me the importance of this next action and I use it often. When we meet a teacher, custodian, secretary, bus driver….try saying, “I’m glad you’re here.” Knowing that your presence is recognized and appreciated is a strong motivator. It took me years to learn this but when a kid came in late and frazzled, I learned to say, “I’m glad you’re here. Have you had breakfast?” I could see them relax and I hoped I helped them have a better day. As a plus, a better day for the kid meant a better day for that classroom and teacher.
And so, say a prayer for the schools, staff, and the kids. Then take some type of positive action. Imagine the impact on our schools if hundreds of us did a few small acts of kindness and encouragement this month.
Letter to Educators in April of 2024
This is a portion of a letter I wrote to the staff where I used to be principal before I retired in 2020.
When I retired, I resolved to give some space between the school and me, not from lack of interest, but to give staff and administrators space to work, especially with the challenges COVID brought. From a distance I watched improvements and good work being done despite challenges.
It was gratifying to know that Alma Intermediate School was in good hands, led by a principal and assistant principal committed to the school, the staff, the students, and to learning. They also demonstrated good character qualities, work-ethic, and solid core beliefs about education.
When I received a message inviting me to mentor a student, I jumped at the chance. It’s been a privilege to come on campus each Monday morning and spend a little time with two students. Recently, we were reading a book together. When I asked if they’d like to check on progress in the garden, one of them said, “Can we keep reading while we walk?” And so, the three of us read our way down the hall and as we went, I listened to the boys and the sounds of learning through the doors of classrooms as we passed by. I’ve visited many schools with AdvancEd, many good and a few not-so-good, but the environment and tone you set with students at AIS is among the best I’ve witnessed.
What teachers do is difficult! The mental work and preparation are understood by very few. Sometimes, people who make decisions that impact the school don’t comprehend the complexities of what you do. The longer I was in education, the more vocal l became about telling political influencers what schools need.
You’re a smart staff and I’d encourage you to use your individual and collective voices to express what is needed. This even extends to state legislators. When they hear from actual teachers, many of them will listen.
Leadership sometimes involves conflict and being the recipient of unwarranted criticism or anger. Leadership can also be rewarding when you see students and teachers learning and growing. Based on what I’ve seen, AIS students and teachers are learning and growing! Are there challenges? You bet. Especially after COVID, and when you’re implementing new curriculum and probably dealing with yet another round of new assessments.
A great educator recently reminded me of “implementation dip.” That’s something we all experience when learning something new. I even experience it when learning something on drums or guitar. It’s uncomfortable, but it’s where learning happens.
Educators now face greater challenges from legislation and community expectations than I’ve ever known. To complicate things, social media provides a platform for everyone to pontificate and spread half-truths or lies within seconds.
On social media posts and in some public meetings, we get rumors and half-truths. Accurate information rarely comes in the form of a rumor or a keyboard click. It requires gathering pieces of accurate information so that decisions affecting students and staff are made carefully.
I’m thankful for those who are willing to work in our schools. They should have our support, adequate funding, and professional respect.
Principal Notes 