The Dallas Diaries... come to an end...

What I learned this week that really matters...



All students deserve access to high quality education.
For too long, high quality instruction and high expectations have been reserved for the brightest and best students. Every student, whether in an AP class, an Honors Class, or a College Preparatory class deserves the best that a teacher has to offer. A student should write no less in a College Prep class than in an AP class. A student should work no less or be exposed to no less in a College Prep class than in an AP class. They key to improving education is to improve the quality of instruction for all students, regardless to their chosen level of learning. A student should be just as skilled in a given curriculum after leaving a college preparatory class as they are when they leave an AP class. The difference should not be the quality of instruction or the expectations of learners, but should instead be the curriculum covered.

All students belong in an AP class, but...not all students should take an AP class.
With the aforementioned said, not every student should take an AP class. Every student should have the educational opportunity, but not every student should take advantage of that opportunity. If a student lacks work ethic, regardless of the kid’s ability or intelligence, he or she will not succeed in an AP class. While the greatest determinate of student intelligence or ability is not academics performance, the greatest predictor or student work ethic is academic performance. Kids who make A’s work hard and will strive to reach the mark, regardless of how high it is set.

Many educational programs really only exist to make money.
College Board, Everyday Math, Success for all… numerous educational programs intended to improve education for all students only exist to make money. Education is not improved, tax payer’s dollars are wasted, and children are short changed.

The only good solution to improving education is solid teaching.
While devalued by administrators across the country, teachers make the difference in each classroom. It is not the quiet class, the well-structured class that indicates quality instruction. In some cases, it is not even test scores. Good teaching is indicated by student learning, period. Student learning is indicated by student progress or improvement. Data driven results illustrate this and should come from a variety of sources.

Good teachers stay focused on the bottom line: kids.
Despite administrator actions, district policies, or parent opinions, the bottom line is always what is in the best interest of the learners.

Things in a random teacher's classroom... (Wednesday)

It is now day three and I am getting restless and distracted. Today, during a bathroom break, I decided to go on a scavenger hunt.

As a teacher, it is always enlightening to check out how other teachers decide to decorate their classrooms. On my search, I found some interesting things.

Please share your thoughts.

The Dallas Diaries: Early to Rise... (Monday)

(Pardon me, but this was written in real-time)

Registration for the week-long workshop started at 8:15 and my team wanted to be their on time. I received at call at 7 am telling me the team was having breakfast at 7:30. I got the message at 8, when I woke up. I was peeved at leaving so early. If registration was between 8:15 and 9, why not arrive at 8:55? I just knew that, by leaving at 8 a.m. for a workshop that started at 9, we would be the first one’s to arrive and would find ourselves sitting in a vacant parking lot.

Um… no. I was wrong.

We were not the first to arrive. From the looks of the registration lines, we were among the last.

I will not name my child Patrick. Every Patrick I know looks like the Patrick from spongebob. Our presenter, Patrick, is no exception.

Our trainer has actually worked for the organization for a whole career span of one week. F--ing awesome! He’s also a civil war re-enactor. Double f--ing awesome. And he graduated from the University of Alabama. Even better, huh…

Most teachers make poor students. I hate having my time wasted. Luckily, as the day went on, I realized the time was being put to good use.

I learned a lot and I am already fired up about putting my new knowledge to good use…

An overview:
Kids have to learn how to write. It is essential. Creative projects are fun and easy to design, but kids are not going to be asked to make a panorama for a college admissions essay alternative assessment or do an interpretative dance to explain symbolism in the Illiad.

Um, why were some people in Texas still wearing Jheri curls?

The Dallas Diaries: The Take Off (Sunday)

In April, I applied for the opportunity to represent my school district at a workshop hosted by a group calling themselves Laying the Foundation. While I have an idea of what this nebulous organization is all about, I am a little uncertain about what will be gained from this conference. Check out http://www.layingthefoundation.org and see if you can decipher what I will be learning.

I actually received an email a couple of weeks ago telling me to arrive for my 11:15 flight between 8 and 9 and I decided then and there that I would be late. The Sunday after the Independence Day Weekend was destined to be an empty boot day at the airport. Why in the world would we have to leave so early? No one was flying on the Sunday after Independence day!

After checking in, we had a two hour wait. Hmph... Guess I was right. We cruised through security.

As the 11th hour approached, a storm brew around us. Lightening flashed and rain poured. I realized early that our flight would be delayed. I found my corner, curled up, and went back to sleep… only to be stirred and told that we were boarding. To my pleasant surprise, we boarded right on schedule.

What was not to my pleasant surprise was that we were grounded from taking off.

Despite the looming storm around us, Delta allowed us to board the plane. We boarded and waited. And waited. And waited… on the plane… three hours… while the storm passed. I read Newsweek and Time, cover to cover, and listening to every new song upload to Earl (the iphone) in the intermission.

We finally left Atlanta at 2, and after a rocky, stomach flipping flight, arrived in Dallas at 5.

We ate a fine Italian meal and checking into the Spring Hill Suites Marriot in Irving.

The hotel is awesome. I have a full suite to myself that makes being away from home endurable.

So far I am hoping for the, but, like always, best expecting the worst.

Until Delta gives me more than one pack of free cookies,

-Zack Kirk

The mind of a college instructor..

I am really enjoying my summer job. Really, I am. But as with all teaching gigs, some questions, regardless of the learner’s educational level keep popping up. And yes, my answers are always the same.

“Um, did I miss anything last week?”
Of course not, buddy. We just sat around and played rocks/paper/scissors.

“Um, do you have my make-up work?”
Of course I do. I just keep a file folder on every single one of my students for each of my five courses this term and when you are absent I put your notes, make-up work, and a five dollar bill inside it to let you know that coming to class is pointless.

“I’m sorry, but I just don’t understand. So, what are we supposed to doing, exactly?”
Oh, don’t worry. I don’t mind explaining again the assignment we have been working on for the past three course meetings. It’s no problem at all. Again, you are the priority here and making your life easier is why I breathe. My repetition of the same information for the fourth time is a pleasure if it results in your academic success.

And yes, laughter usually follows. But when it doesn’t…

“I was only asking, Mr. Kirk. You know, your sarcasm and attitude don’t make learning this bullspit any easier. It’s hard up in here. This class is hard, pointless, and don’t nobody want be up in here.”
Yeah, I know, right.

“Uh… why you looking at me like that, Mr. Kirk? Like I’m stupid or something?”
Pardon me, but I am simply looking at you. If you don’t like the way I am looking, I am sorry. God made my face. If you have problems with my face, please consult the NIV version of the bible for an understandable explanation of why I am looking at you like I am.

And by then, yes, laughter usually follows. But when it doesn’t

I’m sorry. I was just playing.

Until I become English chair at my college,
-Zack Kirk

The Paper Pusher (club e thanks me!)

As many know, I am an adjunct at a local college. During the course of this summer, I was asked to take on additional classes and happily accepted.

Today, when I walked into the copy room, I found four stacks of copied PowerPoint notes. Each stack was copied on one side and had about 14 sheets of paper. Each packet of information consisted of notes that were being presented during class and that was also found within the student textbooks.

What in the world is this instructor thinking? Why in the world is this instructor wasting so much paper?

According to the web site, Paper University, Americans used more than 90 million tons of paper each year. Our nation is also the leading paper producer in the world. The waste of paper perturbs me because it represents a lack of consideration for the environment, the educational institution, and most importantly, the students.

I am not a peace, love, and the environment kind of guy. I am not riding around with go-green bumper stickers, watching Meerkat Manor each week, but I am concerned about foolish waste. Using inordinate amounts of paper represents a financial waste to the college. In terms of our students, which student wants to collect over 120 pages of notes per week? Who has that kind of space in a binder, when the same information is presented in a text book?

Until the next paper waster gets metaphorically crushed into pulp and recycled,

-Zack Kirk

I am glad I did not illegally migrate to Canada...

On November 2, 2004 (one day before my birthday) President George Bush was re-elected President. And it was on that day, I seriously thought about packing my bags and moving to Canada. And I was not the only one planning a move. Numerous Americans were angered and outraged that a fraudulent leader, who had lied and deceived the American people, could win re-election. So, I thought about illegally migrating to Canada.

As a whole, Canada is viewed as cleaner country, more wholesome and spacious. With free medical care to all citizens (and free bicycles to all citizens in some provinces, believe it or not), Canada stands as a liberal and progressive beacon of light.

At the height of early 21st century, anti-Bush, American expatriate thought, American editorialists Andrew and Judith Kleinfeld wrote a brilliant article in the July 19, 2004 issue of the Wall Street Journal. Comparing Canadian culture to American culture, the Kleinfeld’s quoted Canadian sociologist Kaspar Naegele: "In Canada there seems to be greater acceptance of limitation, of hierarchical patterns. There seems to be less optimism, less faith in the future, less willingness to risk capital or reputation."
Canadians frown on rule-breakers, boat-rockers, and radical free-thinkers. Hmmm…. I’m glad I did not illegally migrate to Canada.
I am glad I did not illegally migrate to Canada because in America, I had the opportunity to cast a primary vote for Barack Obama. Like Michelle, I too am proud to be an American because it is a country where a black man, or any member of a marginalized minority group, can realistically aspire to be president. I mean, really, it is a country where a 72 year old, two time loser, can realistically aspire to be president. I am sure this would never happen in Canada.

I am glad I did not illegally migrate to Canada because in America we eat French fries covered in ketchup, while in Canada they eat French fries covered in brown gravy with cottage cheese sprinkled on top. It’s called poutine. Sounds appetizing? Um, thanks, but I’ll pass on the poutine.

I am glad I did not migrate to Canada, because that is the native land of Dave Coulier and Alanis Morriesette and they have always freaked me out a little. Uncle Joey was always a little too Pee-Wee Hermanish in my eyes (no offense intended, Mr. Reubens).

And what good is red and white without a little blue thrown in, anyway? Oh, and sometimes, its really cold there too. And when all else fails, I can still blame Canada.