May 1, 2020

Reflections put you in touch with yourself and the world around you.

Reflections are personal expressions of observations, experiences, thoughts, and feelings that you explore to understand someone or something. They can be ‘Eureka’ moments or simply prompt a smile of recognition. They can affirm or challenge, soothe or disrupt, amuse or upset. Reflections are an opportunity to think deeply, to examine, acknowledge, and value different perspectives; draw your own conclusions; find personal relevance and meaning; and grow. In the end, reflections make you more inquisitive and thoughtful, more open and vulnerable, more accepting and assured, more resilient and enduring, and somehow better.

On this page, I am grateful to be able to share my reflections with you. In turn, I invite you to share your reflections and ideas related to education in the media section In Your Own Words. Thank you.

May 12, 2020

High School Graduation 2020: It’s all about the view.

This June, all across the country, high school seniors will be graduating just as they do every year. But this year will be different.

There will be no field day with the smell of barbecue rising in the air. No proms with girls, pastel lovely and newly sophisticated, and boys, handsome but slightly embarrassed in their tuxes. There will be no senior pranks; no signing yearbooks; no butterflies as you wait to march to your seats; no inspiring speech from the class valedictorian; no announcement of scholarship winners; and no proud, smiling families sitting in bleachers or auditoriums, waiting expectantly to see their child walk the stage and with outstretched hand claim his or her diploma from the high school principal.

COVID-19 has blocked that view. It has given us another, a panoramic perspective.

We feel gratitude and respect for the bravery and courage we see every day in our doctors, nurses, and first responders - police, fire fighters, EMTs. We have new found appreciation for those we might have taken for granted - those who work in supermarkets, in the post office or delivering the mail, truck drivers who bring us food and other essentials, transit and sanitation workers, and dedicated teachers. Heroes all.

We feel joy at all the outpourings of love: rainbows everywhere, chalk messages of hope on sidewalks, clapping for our essential workers and health care providers to show them some small measure of our thanks. We smile and cry at drive-by visits when teachers say hello to students or when a car caravan of relatives call a happy 50th anniversary to a husband and wife, holding hands and waving from their porch.

We are kinder to our neighbors and help them if we can. We stay in touch more, value each other more. We appreciate the beauty of spring from our windows as plants begin to bloom - colorful, joyous, impervious to the virus that has sent us into self-isolation..

We are more aware of our feelings, more sensitive to the feelings of others. We experience how much we need each other, and that is a very good thing. Last weekend, two neighbors hosted a socially distant gathering on their lawn. We sat in a circle six to 10 feet apart. It was more than chilly, but we talked and laughed for two hours. It was good just to be together.

Through this terrible time, graduating seniors and all of us have learned that we are stronger, more resilient and resolved than we ever knew. We are better for knowing this.

High school graduation 2020 will not be what anyone hoped or expected, but its memories will be just as indelible. Girls may put on that beautiful prom dress for a dance with dad; boys may let mom straighten the bow tie on a rented tux – all recorded on cell phones to be shared on social media. You may exchange laughs, dance in sync, and make promises and future plans on Zoom.

Seniors, you may have drive-through or virtual graduation ceremonies, celebrating at home with your families – complete with balloons, cake, presents, selfies, and pictures of each of you smiling broadly into the camera, holding your diploma open so that everyone can see your name. You will cry happy tears and bask in the constancy, love, and pride of family and friends.

The virus cannot change any of this. It just gives you a broader view, a different view of life, of yourselves, of others. You will compare memories at class reunions. You will tell the story of your graduation to your children. You will never forget this time. And you will move on, knowing that everything is possible, and there is nothing you can’t do.

In the words* of Dr. Seuss:

Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away!...…

…Out there things can happen; don’t worry, don’t stew……

…Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you……

…And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)…

…You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So..get on your way!

*Excerpts from Dr. Seuss (1990). Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

Congratulations and Best Wishes to the Class of 2020!

March 7, 2021

We have reason for quiet joy. 

Four days ago, President Biden announced that major pharmaceutical company Merck had generously agreed to partner with its former vaccine rival Johnson & Johnson.  Their 24/7 commitment will double the production of the J&J vaccine, which offers one-shot immunity for COVID-19.   

The President assured us that, as a result, there will be sufficient doses from Johnson &Johnson, Pfizer, and Moderna combined to vaccinate every American adult by the end of May – two months earlier than he originally promised.  It is an amazing accomplishment!

Some states and some people have cast patience aside and abandoned mask mandates and other pandemic guidelines.  With COVID variants on the rise, such actions could be a setback for them and for the rest of us.  But what they do cannot dampen our happiness at the promise of better days that are almost here.

Yesterday, Senate Democrats passed President Biden’s $1.9 trillion “American Rescue Plan.”  It is expected that the House of Representatives will do the same and then send the bill to the President who will sign it into law.  This bill will reinvigorate small businesses, help people get back on their feet, find a job, have a place to call home, and put food on the table. It will facilitate vaccine distribution and vaccinations of our loved ones, fund safety measures that will  put kids and teachers back in classroom, and so much more.  It is a bill that will restore dignity, opportunity, and hope to the American people. 

It has been a hard and cruel year.  The kindness and bravery of so many were often sabotaged by chronic gut-wrenching loss. Emotions ricocheted from gratitude and empathy to depression and anger. Yet, in the end, our heightened awareness of each other’s humanity, being in the moment, and taking pleasure in small things has strengthened our resolve. 

It is time to reclaim our health, our future, hope, and with a grateful and humble joy, once again find a quiet space…to listen and renew.    

May 23, 2021

The strange and sad world we live in.

I cannot help but think of the irony of a six-day period in May that brought both the passing of beloved children’s author Eric Carle - and the joy and hope he brought to children all over the world - and the random killing of two six-year-old children that cut down that hope and their futures along with it. 

The world is upside down when mass murder and road rage killings - even of little children - are commonplace in the United States and protection of life against gun violence is not. 

Most of us would rather live in the world of Eric Carle where curiosity, love, and friendship prevail, and children get to grow up and be happy.  

So, why is one party in Congress dishonoring the will of the majority of people in both parties and refusing to pass stronger background checks to prevent guns from getting into the wrong hands?  This is what I want to know.

Answer to Unpacking Education, No. 1, Question of the Day:

Of all the books he wrote, one of Carle’s favorites was b) Do You Want To Be My Friend? because he believed that friendship is vitally important for all people, especially children.

September 8, 2021

Memories of autumn

In some parts of the country, autumn is when you can smell the crisp of winter in the air, but you do not yet have to shovel snow. Throughout the country, trees are exploding with bright orange. yellow, and red leaves, and once the leaves fall, kids love to kick-walk through them on their way home. There is a chill that calls for sweaters. Days are rapidly shortening. And Halloween candy, costumes, and masks pop up on store shelves right after Labor Day waiting to be chosen. Pumpkins are waiting, too, for someone to give them their own special faces that will shine on the night time parade of tired parents and excited children trick-or-treating door to door.

But long before pumpkins and Halloween, there is apple picking.  Pile the kids in the car, and head out for your favorite apple orchard farm, ask for PYO baskets, and follow the path to an orchard filled with the sweet smell of apples of too many varieties to remember. Take your time, feel the warm sun on your cheeks and the light breeze that just kicked up and ruffled your hair.

Pick the perfect fruits of your favorite apple, add a few new varieties to try - some for baking and some for crunching when you get home. By the time your arms are tired from plucking apples from trees, your basket will be full. As you trudge back to pay for your harvest, you will smile, very pleased with yourself. It is a good feeling for a job well done, and your day is not over yet.

There may be a petting zoo that your kids will love, and that you are not too old to enjoy. Let the lambs and goats nibble your fingers. There may even be a pot-bellied pig or two looking for a hand out. Maybe the farm offers the fun and bumps of an old-fashioned hay ride. Whatever the activities, one thing is sure. There will be a tempting array of freshly-made pies, scones, breads, and rolls; apple cider, locally made jams and jellies along with seasonal vegetables, picked that morning. You will buy a few that are just irresistible.

Tired, but content, kids half asleep in the back seat, you make your way home, listening to your favorite playlist and watching the slowly setting sun cast its glow on the already glittering foliage. The kids have gone to bed. The house is quiet. After a hot shower, snuggled in warm pajamas and too tired to eat, you lean back on your couch, close your eyes and inhale the imagined scent of cinnamon and cloves that waft from the oven and the apple pie that you will make tomorrow. (Next month is plenty of time to be thinking about Halloween.)

November 20, 2021

Forging the divide.

We are embarking on a new era in the classroom and in our homes because we have begun an open conversation about racism.  As a mom, educator, and community member, I am privileged to know and hold dear family, friends, and students of diverse backgrounds. So, for me and perhaps for you as well, the discourse is not political.  It is personal.     

     It is important to be aware and sensitive to words and actions that are disparaging and hurtful to someone and to refrain from saying or doing them.  We all have a right to expect these considerations in a civil society. That is why, in my opinion, our conversation should not be limited to slavery and Black racism.  So many have suffered and suffer still.  We need to see, hear, acknowledge, and understand all of them. We should be able to have honest discourse about all races, ethnicities, religions, cultures, as well as gender identity, and anything else that foments bias and hate.  

     This is where we begin, and it is uncomfortable.  How can we be honest if we do not admit what we think and feel?  How can we explain it to others and to ourselves?  Can we dare to voice our fears and shortcomings? Will we listen and give each other the space to learn and trust and grow?

     It is both serendipitous and fitting that we should be reaching to understand and value each other as we approach the holiday season.  The great astronomer Carl Sagan once spoke of “…the rarity and preciousness of life on this planet," noting that "The flip side of not finding life on another planet is appreciating life on Earth." 

     Even on our tiny planet - which Sagan called a pale blue dot - there is room for each of us and all of us.  This is our time to show the courage and will to talk together, to work toward a better place of kindness, to appreciate not only the Earth but each other.  To do so will enrich our lives and the lives of our children with relationships, meaning, purpose, and shared hopes for the future.   

The world is not always a fair place. It can be cruel. But as Sagan pointed out, it is the only place we know so far where life exists. We should help each other make the most of that gift.  

Answer to Unpacking Education, No. 3, Question of the Day:

Statistics from the Department for Education reveal that of teachers who qualified in 2014, just 67.4 % were still in service after five years in 2019.  (Report issued in Jun 25, 2020.)  https://www.rewire.org/new-teachers-burning-out-early/  So, the correct answer is d), 33%.

December 22, 2021

Happy Holidays and a Wonderful 2022.

Hello, Everyone,

We are living in tough times.  Probably each of us has experienced feelings of loss, isolation, loneliness, and even anger.  I know I have.  Yet, there have also been acts of kindness that we have given and received. They remind us that we care and are there for each other.  No one is alone.   

With this in mind, I wrote The Heart Before Christmas and offer it to you with my best wishes for a happy holiday and a healthy, productive, and fun-filled New Year.

The heart before Christmas

Was sad and alone

Because (s)he had no place

That felt like home.

(S)he lived in a house,

So that’s not what I mean.

The heart just felt empty.

Unloved and unseen.

(S)he was great at her/his job

Not so much with the mingling;

But (s)he watched, and (s)he learned

And soon felt a tingling:

An idea was forming

Inside her/his head.

If people didn’t invite her/him,

(S)he’d invite them instead.

 What a thought! What a concept!

(S)he was very excited.

A holiday party.  

They’d all be delighted!

Her/his e-vite was popping

With color and cheer.

“Getting to know you” the theme

For a happy new year!

 A long week dragged by.

No response.  Not a word.

(S)he checked and saw

Something completely absurd.

  With so much on her/his mind,

From beginning to end,

In planning the party,

(S)he forgot to hit ‘SEND,’

Which (s)he did right away,

And in no time at all,

The yeses poured in

The heart leapt up enthralled.

A chance to make friends,

To be one of the crowd,

To be seen, to be heard.

Was (s)he dreaming out loud?

 Was it too much to ask

To be liked for her/himself?

Or would they simply have fun,

Then put her/him back on the shelf?

They came bringing cookies,

Smiles, and good-natured cheer.

Saying, “Happy to see you.”

“So glad to be here.”

 “I thought you didn’t like me,”

Heart mentioned to one.

“We thought you didn’t like us.”

One replied.  “No harm done.” 

Long into the night

They did what friends do:

Sang, danced, and laughed, 

Shared a story or two.

 “Great fun.”  “See you soon.” 

They waved as they were leaving.

“Good to know you.”  “Thanks.”  “Call me.”

Heart was grateful, believing…                   

I have friends; they like me.

I like them, too.

I’ve a world to explore,   

All of life to pursue.

So, put yourself out there.

Be friendly and kind.

Good will come back to you

Time after time.

Speak up!!!

Let people know that you care.

They can’t read your mind,

But are happy you’re there.

And you won’t be sad

Or alone any more.

One friend or another

Will be at your door.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah

and Kwanzaa; Ramandan next spring.

Whatever you honor,

One true thing

Is the holiday spirit each of you brings.

 Just open your heart,

And it will be home

For you, family, and friends

Wherever you roam.

The Heart Before Christmas© by Dr. Merle R. Schell, November 29, 2021

January 12, 2022

Like Ripples on a Pond.

     Most towns have toy drives right before the holidays, and most people contribute with a check or a gift. It is a good feeling to know you have done something to make a child happy.  In our little town, people mail a check, or drop off a toy at a local bank or at the fire department. As the packages pile up, good feeling spreads and, even during COVID, smiles come out.  

    This year, the positive impact of the ripple effect took on new dimensions. Just count the ways. 

First, thirteen young women, all still in high school, decided to raise money for toys, but with a twist.  As members of a local non-profit organization, the girls have participated in humanitarian projects for people in other countries. This time, they developed their own project for children at home.

     They reached out to everyone they knew and promised that, in exchange for a donation, contributors would receive goody bags of home-baked cookies plus some candy.  All of us would, no doubt, have donated without the cookie bonus, but it made us feel, somehow, like partners in the project, and with something of our own to anticipate as well.  Very nice.

     One of the girls contacted the pastor of a local church and asked if they could use the church kitchen to assemble and bake the cookies.  The pastor loved what they were doing and welcomed them immediately. After adding up the donors and the total dollars collected, the girls returned the pastor’s kindness by making a donation to his church with a bit of the money. It’s a feel good moment.

     A small amount of the money raised was used for supplies. This was a full-on group effort. Some of the girls bought the cookie ingredients; some ordered the goody bags; others bought the candy. It gets better.

     With the rest of the money, two of the girls shopped for 40 wonderful, guaranteed-to-delight toys and delivered them to the fire department. Imagine how happily surprised some girls and boys were.  It is a memory they might one day share with their own children. 

     Then came the big bake. The girls baked dozens of huge chocolate chip cookies and packed them (and candy) in holiday-cheery goody bags. They had fun; they bonded and created their own memory.  Coming full circle, the girls and their parents drove around town, delivering the yummy-filled bags to people who had looked forward to having them.  And that’s not all.

     The cookies were absolutely delicious! My son loved the fact that no two cookies had exactly the same shape, further proof of their homemade goodness and the individuality of the bakers.

     So many enjoyed this multi-dimensional gift-giving event and hope it will be repeated year after year, but some of the girls will be at college, out of town.  We hope that others will take their place, or think of a new way for our town to celebrate the holidays, our kids, our neighbors, and ourselves.

We are all ripples in a pond and may never know how far our reach extends, but thanks to 13 wonderful people - who accomplished a lot more than raising money for toys - we had a special moment to understand, take part, and feel the true meaning of community. It is both an ideal and a place where all of us - even if we do not know each other - are connected by our humanity, bound by our desire to make a difference, to make someone else happy, and ourselves, too, in the process. It is that simple.

P.S. Did you count the ways? How many ripples did you find?

Credits:

Lia Gorbach – a senior in high school who conceived the idea.    

Every girl who participated in this far-reaching and memorable effort.

The pastor who donated the use of his church kitchen.

Parents who helped with the deliveries.

Neighbors who wanted to contribute to the joy.

March 8, 2022

The Losers of Beijing, 2022.

  Who are they?  China, Russia, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). 

We are not fooled by the pageantry of ceremony, giant snowflakes, rainbow fireworks, or the cynicism of a motto declaring: “Together for a Shared Future.”  We are sad for the innocence of young children singing and moving in chillingly precise synchronicity designed to charm. We are not taken in by these distractions or the ploy of a smiling toy panda mascot.

Make no mistake. There is nothing warm and cuddly about a country whose government has one of the most shameful human rights records in the world.  Or a second country - guilty of doping during the games and making war on a peaceful nation the day after they end - callously murdering civilians - including women and children - in a despotic and dangerous desire to overturn democracy.  We can and do condemn their actions and the International Olympic Committee that traffics in and rewards those who defile Olympic values. 

The IOC Charter states that their goal of educating youth through sport will serve to advance the “harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity… practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding…friendship, solidarity, and fair play.”    

The Olympian athletes live these values throughout their lives and inspire the rest of us to do the same.

Then there are those who do not.

Enough said.  We have given the losers too much space already. 

Answer to Unpacking Education, No. 5, Question of the Day:

The correct answer is c) Jackie Joyner-Kersee.  The track and field superstar won a total of six medals (three gold) over four Olympic Games (Los Angeles, Seoul, Barcelona, and Atlanta) between 1984 and 1996.  Considered to be one of the greatest female athletes of all time, Joyner-Kersee was inducted into the Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2004.

An Olympic medal does not define who you are or what you have or will achieve in your life.  Like Joyner-Kersee, the other women athletes cited in this question won many awards in their respective sports.  For the curious, here is their Olympic medal tally: Gabby Douglas, gymnastics (3); Erin Jackson, speed skating (1); Surya Bonaly, figure skating (0); and Elena Meyers Taylor, bobsled (5).

June 30, 2022

Remember the Ladies…

Today I am thinking of Abigail Adams – by any measure the forerunner of the women’s rights movement.  Between 1774 and 1776, her husband and future President, John Adams, was in Philadelphia, a Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress.  The delegates were working to finalize “The Declaration of Independence“ - which argued and proclaimed the colonies’ self-appointed right to freedom from King George III and British rule.

Abigail Adams was in Braintree, MA, running their farm, making financial investments for their family, and raising their four children.  She handled all these responsibilities with acute intelligence and fortitude. Yet, she always found time to correspond lovingly with her husband and to remind him gently, albeit persistently, that women should have the right both to vote and to have formal education. 

On March 31, 1776, she wrote: “I long to hear that you have declared an independency. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands.  Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could.  If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.” And on August 14, 1776, she penned this: “If we mean to have Heroes, Statesmen and Philosophers, we should have learned women.”   

Almost 250 years later, her words resonate with truths that have been compromised.  Women today are learned, but our voices and our representation have been summarily ripped from us by a Court that is beyond extreme. 

Last Friday morning, June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court ignored the majority of women and men in this country and brazenly overturned 50 years of Constitutional precedent.  In one document, they wiped out women’s privacy rights.  Whichever side of Roe v. Wade you are on, we should all be concerned.  By stripping women of their rights, the Court has signaled its willingness to attack the privacy rights of  us all (https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/justice-clarence-thomas-supreme-court-rethink-decisions-contraceptives-same-sex-marriage/ )

The Court is serving notice that they wield absolute power and will use it as they see fit – no matter whom they offend or harm, no matter the long term impact on people’s lives, no matter what the majority of people believe, and no matter that to achieve their objectives, this Court is eager to abandon the Bill of Rights and Constitutional bedrock.       

This is tyranny, not justice.  This is not the America our daughters and sons deserve.  This is not the America their mothers and fathers envision for them, nor the exemplar that immigrants embrace in their quest for a better life.  The future of America is at serious risk of being a dream not only deferred, but a dream crushed under the heel of a Court determined to set itself above both the Executive and Legislative branches of government.  This is dangerous.

In “The Declaration of Independence,” the Founding Fathers affirmed the right of a people to self-determination and the freedom to set their own course for governance.  Today, we again look to Abigail Adams and the advice she gave to her son, John Quincy: “Great necessities call out great virtues.”  We owe it to our children, ourselves, and the future of our democracy to prove her right.  

Answer to Unpacking Education, No. 8, Question of the Day:

President Biden assembled the most diverse Cabinet in U.S. history, including one with the largest group of multi-cultural, multi-racial women. The correct answer is a) 11 women who were confirmed to lead several departments or key government offices.  In addition, two other women are special advisors to the President.  To learn more about these experienced and talented women and their equally qualified male colleagues, please see Joe Biden’s Cabinet and Advisers: The Full List - The New York Times (nytimes.com) 

July 29, 2022

My Head Hurts.

I am tired of butting my head against the wall, scraping my knees from trying to climb over it, getting filthy dirty if I try to dig under it, or being pushed back hard if I try to go around it.

The solution has been staring me in the face all along. FORGET Culture Wars! I refuse to be part of the crazy, deliberate polarization any more.

I do not dismiss those who fear Critical Race Theory. I do not ignore those who want the complete story of slavery, racism, and their place in American history revealed.  But it is not acceptable for political extremists to distort, exaggerate, skew, or deny the truth to further an agenda.

The extreme right calls out any uncomfortable remark from the left as anti-white, un-American, labels it Critical Race Theory, and uses these claims as an excuse to reject traditional public school curriculum and pursue their preferred education criteria. The extreme left sabotages its cause when they accuse current and potential supporters of racism if they raise a question, voice a disagreement, use the “wrong” words, or in some way fail the litmus test for being an anti-racist activist.            

We do not have to submit to proselytizing!  So what is the answer?  Where do we go from here?  

We have to let go of the extremists from both sides and refuse to be pulled into their politically charged rhetoric. We will not change them.  We must not succumb to their will.  We cannot be distracted from our priority: Our children.    

We can do better. Between the extremes, we are a majority of people who stand on the vast middle ground.  Whether we lean right or left is not as important as the fact that we are reasonable.  We stand for truth, equal opportunity, democracy, unity, and the American dream for all of our children.  We are willing to listen to each other, to build trust and consensus, to find solutions to our problems together.  

To my colleagues, the teachers: Even if you fall victim to the culture wars and quit or are fired, other schools will respect your voice and encourage fact-based, multiple perspectives on issues.  In the coming months, some of these schools will be featured on this website in my Blog Schools That Work. Also, the August issue of my newsletter, Unpacking Education, will highlight educators from across the country who, unfettered, make positive and memorable differences for their students. (Go to Other Media, Unpacking Education, to subscribe.)

These schools and educators – and others like them - are successful because they do not participate in culture wars.  They are too busy helping kids find the joy of living and learning. They embrace a culture on higher ground, one built on the core values of Acceptance, Belonging, and Community that are practiced and lived every day, in every way.  These are the ABCs that nurture happy, healthy, confident, and successful young citizens who can handle the truth.

When we unclench our fists long enough to see and appreciate our common humanity, we can share truths, understanding, and laughter. Laughter is good. If we connect and laugh together, we will be on our way to putting the headaches behind us. 

Answer to Unpacking Education, No. 9, Question of the Day:

The correct answer is d) Sir Ken Robinson who made this comment during his April, 2013, Ted Talk, How to Escape Education’s Death Valley. His remarks are rooted in common sense, experience, and the optimism for which he was well-known. Sir Ken is definitely worth hearing. You will come away uplifted and energized.

September 22, 2022

Freedom to Teach.

     Freedom to teach is the right and obligation of educators to present factual truths (in all subjects) and to discuss with our students the underlying reasons or causes for them.  It is giving young minds a safe space to question, explore, listen, exchange ideas, learn, form and revise opinions until they understand the complexities of an issue or a problem.  Then, they can humbly accept their own truth and why they believe it. 

     Freedom to teach is neither political nor judgmental because its purpose is to give others freedom to learn.

     Since A Nation at Risk was published in 1983, followed by No Child Left Behind (2001) and Race to the Top (2009), standardized test results have become de facto proof of student subject mastery and teacher worthiness.      

      And freedom to teach has been on an ever-tightening leash.  Today, the ideal of freedom to teach is at serious risk.  In the current environment, in too many school districts – North, South, East, and West – it has been completely revoked.  Educators are ordered to teach dogma or risk being fired.  Children’s freedom to learn has been weaponized or locked away.

     Teachers caught in such situations have nowhere to turn.  They do not want to be dragged into the political fray.  They do not want to be mouthpieces for one side or the other.  They are tired that promises of respect, autonomy, and better pay are nothing but lip service.  They are angry that their profession has been so denigrated.  Most of all, they do not want to betray their students who are a sacred trust. 

     For hundreds of thousands of teachers, their best option, their only option is to leave.  Our loss is immense.   As an educator, on behalf of my colleagues, below is my attempt to express the frustration and hurt that many of us feel, a proposed way forward, and the constancy of hope that is our prayer:

Patronizing platitudes.

Insincere solicitude.

Empty words:

Blah! Blah! Blah!

Teachers have had it:

Ha! Ha! Ha!

               But it’s no laughing matter.

Our children’s lives can shatter – instantly.            

               Without teachers, parents, community, too,

To guide them through – consistently.

So they can learn to achieve

What they want to do – independently.

We need our teachers                                                        

(Not guest speakers).                                                  

Pay them; respect them;

Work with, not against them.

Wonder of wonders,

No one will put asunder 

The rights of our kids

To know and be known,

To see and be seen,

To hear and be heard,

To think on their own,

And when they have flown

We can trust that despite our faults and our fuss,

Our children will be better than us,

With civility.

And put the world back together again.

For which we should all say a hearty AMEN!

With sincerity.

A Teacher’s Lament by Dr. Merle R. Schell © September 1, 2022

Let me know what you think on this website’s Comments page or at Merle Schell | Facebook.

Answer to Unpacking Education, No. 11, Question of the Day:

The correct answer is e) Burt Bacharach (composer) and Hal David (lyricist), the award-winning partnership who introduced “What the World Needs Now Is Love” in 1965. The song was a unifying balm for a United States bitterly divided over the Vietnam War. Fifty-five years later, in 2020, the song’s message was presented in a virtual concert - this time to ease the pain of social isolation brought on by the pandemic. It has been viewed more than 1.2 million times to date. See why for yourself and enjoy:

November 15, 2022.

The Dogwood Tree

It stands tall, proud, invincible.

  The dogwood tree is admired throughout the neighborhood and seems to sense that people appreciate its beauty.  When its white flowers have faded, masses of green foliage elegantly drape its graceful branches.

Only after its leaves have drifted away in the Fall do we see how vulnerable the tree is – naked without its glorious coat.    

   Yet there it stands, in the cooling sun and shadows of the season, still tall and self-assured.  It seems to say: ‘This is me, unguarded and willing for you to see me as I am without adornment.  Do you accept me?  Do you still think I am beautiful?’

It takes courage to be vulnerable, to bare your heart, and hope that people will love you for being you.  It takes confidence, too, not yet having the answers, but comfortable in the knowledge that your roots run deep, your being is strong, and you will survive, grow, and inspire awe and gratitude whatever the season.

Answer to Unpacking Education, No. 13, Question of the Day:

The correct answer is d) Saudi Arabia.  An SEC filing showed that Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal had become Twitter’s second-largest shareholder, prompting Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy (D) to request a U.S. investigation into “the national security implications of Saudi Arabia’s” stake in Twitter.   

January 19, 2023.

Love Matters

I am not naïve, but I am an optimist.  I sincerely believe that proactive good will, honesty, and, yes, love can accomplish wonders and change this world for the better.  Here is just a bit of what love is:

L = listening, learning, leaning in, and latitude

O = openness, optimism, observation, and overcoming obstacles

V = vulnerability, veracity, vitality, and vigilance

E = engaging, exchanging, empathizing, and embracing

With purpose, passion, and love, we can turn problems into opportunities:   

In June, 1967, at the first live global TV special, the Beatles introduced “All You Need Is Love” and popularized the idea that love makes everything possible. The last line of every verse states “It’s easy.”  Of course, we know that neither life nor love is easy.

But practice makes perfect. 

Answer to Unpacking Education, No. 15, Question of the Day:

For the first time, there’s no right answer. Each of the five topics is urgent. How we respond will reveal who we are as citizens of our national and global communities. It will also determine what our earth will be like to inhabit and how we will be able to live and thrive in generations to come. We are all busy people. None of us can do everything, but we can participate in some things. So, please, choose one or two topics that are especially meaningful to you and your family. If we each do whatever we can, whenever we can: That will make all the difference. Thank you.  Merle Schell                                                                                    

March 29, 2023.

Saving the World         

When Covid was at its height and everyone in lockdown, texting was my friend.  In a few seconds I could reach out to people I love and let them know that I was thinking of them even if we could not see each other.  Zoom was not an option because many of us were Zooming our way through the school day with our students.  One more Zoom would have been one too many.

Via text, one of my closest friends and I were commiserating about the isolation, lack of personal contact, and the dirth of good conversation.   She suggested that we make time “to save the world.” That was the beginning.  We made a chat appointment for two weeks later: Sunday morning, 9:OO am.

I was excited.  On the day, when my phone rang, I was ready.  With a steaming cup of my favorite coffee in one hand and my cell phone in the other, I settled into my couch ready to save the world.  We talked for four hours.  It was exhilarating and cathartic all at once.  We felt strong and purposeful again.

Since then, many of our friends also make dates to save the world – whether by phone or in person. We catch up, brag about our kids, discuss the successes and challenges our students face.  There is a bit of grousing and gossiping as well.  What matters is being heard, laughing out loud at life’s inanities.  The connection of friendship tells us we are valued and loved.  It is refreshingly down-to-earth.                                                                                  

As for saving the world, we debate and come up with common sense options to solve some of our local and national problems.  We represent all points on the political spectrum, so we do not always agree.  But we listen, ask questions, and learn understanding.  Sometimes we change our minds or amend our ideas.  We find a patch of common ground from which to collaborate and grow.  

We wonder why some politicians - puffed up with hot air - choose not to do the same.   We have concluded what we have always known.  Saving the world is not up to politicians.  It is up to us. 

My friends and I have not yet saved the world, but we are working on it.  Inspired by our conversations, united by common values and the desire to contribute to the common good, we continue not only to talk the talk, but to walk the walk in fresh, clean air.

June 28, 2023.

Weeding the Garden.

Nobody likes weeding.  Weeds poke and push (even through weed barriers), determined to find their way, overcome any obstacle.  (We can learn a little about persistence from them.)

Some weeds are dug in so deep it feels like you need a crane to pry them loose.  Others have roots much closer to the surface and come out with a slight tug.  These weeds are the most pervasive, madly shedding seeds to assure their return the following year.  Often, they have flowers so lovely you may experience a twinge of guilt for clearing them out of your garden.  

Do not feel guilty!  Whether it is a consolation or a curse, the weeds will be back.

Be vigilant! For the trouble with weeds – whether pretty or plain – is that, unchecked, they will spread, dominate, and crowd out all the other flowers in your garden.  The same flowers whose colors, shapes, and unique beauty make you happy and proud to share them with admiring passersby every day. Your flowers are more than a bunch of pretty faces. They will fight to claim and own their space. They just need a little weed control help from you.

Answer to Unpacking Education No. 20, Question of the Day:

In 2020, researchers from Yale University’s Center for Emotional Intelligence and its Child Study Center, conducted a national, 50 state survey among 21,678 high school students to learn how they felt about school. Participants were from urban, suburban, and rural districts, and from public and private schools. The findings are predominantly negative: 79.83% reported feeling stressed, making d) between 75 and 80% the correct answer.

October 20, 2023.

Love Is a Bag of Potato Chips.

My son works hard in a demanding career  - one that requires expertise, patience, and the ability to juggle ten things at once.  He is also adept at balancing his work life with an equally full agenda socially. I am glad to say, this usually includes Friday night dinners with me.  Last week when he walked in, he announced, “I have a surprise for you.” 

I love surprises and was thrilled that he wanted to give me one. I did not care what it was. He asked me  to close my eyes.  I heard the rustle of a paper bag, and when he said, “Okay,” I looked and started to laugh.  My surprise was a bag of unsalted potato chips. Potato chips of the salted variety had been my favorite snack a long time ago.

The thing is that, due to a chemical imbalance in my body, I am on a low sodium diet and have been for many years.  It is all good.  It led to my writing a few diet cookbooks and creating a healthy and very tasty diet for myself and others. So even though I could buy potato chips in unsalted form, I decided to forgo the pleasure.  Until now.

The best surprise was realizing that as I think of my son often from one Friday to the next, I now know that he sometimes thinks of me.  That makes me oh, so happy.

Love comes in many shapes and forms.  Sometimes when you least expect it.  However it comes, it is always welcome.  I love and am grateful for my son.  The unsalted potato chips, which I dole out to myself every day, are absolutely, scrumptiously delicious.  When they are gone, it will be hard to throw away the bag.

Answer to Unpacking Education No. 23, Question of the Day:

The correct answer is a) $144 million. If this money were distributed to all of the country’s school districts, the allocation to support students’ mental health would be approximately $32,114.18 for each of the nation’s 13,452 school districts. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services has earmarked $35 million and Congress $100 million for this effort. These monies will only go so far to deliver professional mental health providers and services. Clearly, we must find other ways to lift students’ spirits and restore their sense of well-being.

February 21, 2023.

Unequal.

On one hand, the percentage of women school superintendents in the U.S. has more than doubled in  the last 24 years.  On the other hand, the comparative percentage was painfully low.  In a profession where 76% of K-12 teachers are women, why is that dominance not evidenced in administrative positions, especially superintendent of schools?

      Over the last 50 years, this question and others have been asked In study after study.  Were women not as well-educated as men?  Not as experienced?  Not as ambitious?  Were people simply not comfortable with women in executive positions? 

      The facts are that women candidates are usually better educated and more experienced than their male counterparts. Men are often appointed because of their “potential,” while women have to prove their readiness for central office based on years climbing the ladder from classroom to administrator.

      What is more, women are ambitious, which some find inappropriate. Women are also praised for being empathetic and understanding, which some translate as not being tough enough for leadership. Not feminine enough or too feminine?  It is a lose/lose for women who aspire to senior leadership.

      The heads I win, tails you lose mentality is especially surprising because since 1975, polls show that a majority of both women and men support having a woman in the position of school principal and district superintendent, or they have no preference based on gender. Women as Admin.pdf

      So, what was and is holding women back?  Answer: The male-dominated hierarchy in education systems.  Education (which should be a bastion of civic-minded, forward-thinking change agents) and education leaders (who profess belief in equity, tolerance, and acceptance) have been exposed for long-standing gender bias.  (Unfortunately the bond of the ‘old boys club’ exists in many other professions as well.)

     For now, we can applaud the May 2023 appointment of Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt as Superintendent of the Alexandria City, VA, public school district (ACPS) for her professional and personal qualities.  The press release states that Dr. Kay-Wyatt “brings to this role a focus on academic excellence and social-emotional well-being for our students.”  She is also the first Black woman in this role.

      Progress is a long, slow process.  At least it is progress.    

Answer to Unpacking Education, No. 26, Question of the Day:

More than 75% of U.S. K-12 teachers are women, yet in the superintendent position, the correct answer is c) only 31.4% are women.  Further, on average, their salaries are $20,000 to $30,000 less than their male counterparts. In almost every profession, women still do not receive equal pay for equal work. This issue will be addressed another time.