Crazy Times...

There is some crazy, crazy energy goin' on in the world - all the changes - all the possibilities. Exciting and overwhelming and all at the same time.
Crazy, crazy, crazy - and I know it's not just me (this time) ;)

Seeing Blue

First, rest in peace, Michael Crichton. He passed away today from cancer. I still remember reading Jurassic Park to Scott as a bedtime story...

Second, go Colorado!!! We did it!!! We went BLUE!!!

And not just "sort of blue" - it was a regular blue wave last night. Our senator, five of our seven state representatives (one of whom is not only democratic, but also Gay), and our nation's president. Oh, and thank you all for voting NO on 48.



And then there was President Obama's speech. And as Neil and I sat there on his futon watching and listening and reflecting on his words (and completely forgetting about dinner - oops), I almost cried. Yes, it is an historic election for so many reasons, including the election of an African American in to office. No wonder Jesse Jackson was moved to tears - having stood by Martin Luther King, Jr. and now partaking in this election - this moment in history - can you even imagine? But even beyond that, Obama's victory speech moved me. And perhaps I was just getting all caught up in the hoopla, and perhaps my blood sugar was just really low, but his words really struck a chord in me - BEFORE he got to the Yes We Can, he spoke:


"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America -- I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you -- we as a people will get there.


There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.


What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek -- it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers -- in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people."


Ahhhh. He's right, it will be hard and takes sacrifice, and perhaps I won't agree with every decision he makes, but no one can make everyone happy 100% of the time. And when it comes down to it, there is no reason we cannot work as a unified society. Individualism is great and important, but we also have to remember we are all living this life together. We all breath the same air. We are all responsible for all. And it is that sentiment I heard echoed in Obama's words. And while it may seem rather idealistic, I'm okay with that - from dreams we can make plans, and from plans we can take action.

McCain gave a very good speech, too - I don't know how many of his supporters actually heard what he was saying, but it really was very good, and I respect him very much.


Anywhose, speaking of action, I've gotta' get back to work now. But what an awesome moment in time. And thank you for sharing it with me, Neil. How intense, and how wonderful to be able to talk and get different perspective but share the same base ideals. Amazing and wonderful. :)

Overwhelmed

And sometimes several thoughts attack me at once. I find myself at that point with my theoretical framework and beginnings of a lit review where I begin to feel overwhelmed by the questions and possibilities and holes. There are so many holes! How can I build upon a foundation that is comparable to swiss cheese? Don't get me wrong - swiss cheese is my favorite. But I get very distracted. For example, I was feeling good about my progress yesterday - felt like I had really identified my niche and was ready to get very specific with my research questions and lit review outline. The I went and read more while I worked out. Then I had some quality thinking time while I drove home. And by the time I got home, I felt lost, again. For example, one of my arguements as to why my research questions are even important is that increased understanding of how preservice teachers enter, develop through, and leave the teacher ed. program can help us to design the program curriculum, leading to better prepared and more effective teachers.
But what the hell is an "effective" teacher?!?!?
Oh, there is research. But, as with most research, there are mixed results, mixed ideas, mixed thoughts on how to apply the information...
So I feel as though I am building an argument on the unstable base of ideas.

Granted, it all starts with ideas, and I can't let it overwhelm me. Otherwise, I will never get anywhere. Another professor I am working with continues to remind me that sometimes all you can do is acknowledge the complex nature and uncertain definitions, and then assert your own stance and move on to your own questions/thoughts. There will always be question and uncertainty, and the only constant in life is change. So it is OKAY.

Whew. Maybe I'm ready to go to the library now... After I give my pony a quick hug-and-kiss...nothing like a big, deep breath of horse!

wow

Have You...

Voted yet???

Alright - I suppose it's not November 4th, yet. But if you have mail-in voting or early voting access, Please take advantage! It's quick, it's easy, it's IMPORTANT!!

And as a sidenote, God bless Obama. Seriously - in the "May the Lord Bless You and Keep You" way. In the "May God Protect You and Your Family" way. A story was released to the news yesterday that, last week, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms uncovered another plot to assassinate Obama. This is the second time they have "foiled" such plans. And you know there have to be more out there. Very real. Very scary. Bless Obama, bless his family. Hell, bless us all.

Ahhh...

"Your thinking is clear today, dear Aquarius, and you will find that generally things are running smoothly. Your perspective on everything is very much in line with where you need to be at this time. In other words, you are doing everything exactly right. Be yourself and let other people adapt to your way of thinking. There is no need to keep hiding the truth of who you really are."

There have been ups and there have been downs. Such is the way of life. And sometimes there are more frequent ups-and-downs, or the ups and downs are more drastic - the highs may seem higher, the lows lower. The last couple of weeks have fallen into the "more frequent" category. But on Wednesday I finally found some peace and tranquility. I sat there in the chair in my counselor's office, holding the pillow close in my lap like I always do, and when we started I may have been tense and fidgety. But by the end, my entire being had relaxed. I've gotten there - that place where Peter gets in Office Space - but it has always involved meditating. This is the closest I have gotten while still awake & conversing. Crazy, but cool. And of course there are still little hiccups - like statistics tests and tons of reading and so much work to do for school I don't know how/when it's gonna' get done - but I feel anchored. Ahhhhh. And I'm gonna' love it while I've got it.

My Masterpiece

At last, here the the fruits of my labor -
Well...here is one fruit of some of my labor - but I'm kinda proud of it. I have managed a one-page summary comparing Obama and McCain's positions on education issues.

Granted, it's really, really a summary, but that almost takes more work than just regurgitating everything I can get my hands on. No, instead I have to go through everything I can get my hands on, and then decide what the main points are and how to compare them on one page.
And try to stay unbiased (and un-sarcastic) while I write it out.

So, anyway, as much as I would like to say I'm so cool and politically active that I did all this for fun/personal education, but such is not the case. A fellow grad student and I are co-editors of the Ed Psych Society Newsletter, and we decided it's important to help keep grad students (and other members of the campus community who might stumble across our newsletter) informed of issues outside of the school bubble we so often get trapped in. And because education issues haven't exactly captured the spotlight in the current presidential race, and because we are, afterall, in the field of EDUCATIONAL psychology, we thought it might be nice to provide a little cheat-sheet looking at Obama and McCain's respective positions.

And although it's for the newsletter, why not share it here, as well?
(besides, that way, y'all can tell me if I've got some blatant misconceptions goin' or fail miserably at remaining unbiased or whatever...). And remember, it's a summary. And the formatting isn't as pretty, but that's okay

So have fun, enjoy, or do what you will. I feel like I deserve a beer...but it'll have to wait 'til Friday...

Special Report: 2008 Election
The Presidential Candidates Weigh in on Education*

Barack Obama & Joe Biden
“Lifetime Success through Education"

• Current Weaknesses of the Educational System
  o Shortcomings/unfulfilled promises of NCLB
  o Teacher retention
  o Soaring college costs
• Teachers & Teacher Recruitment
  o Incentives for graduates with degrees in math & science to become teachers
  o Boost funding & support for teacher preparation programs (scholarships, accreditation requirements)
  o Expand mentoring programs to help w/ retention
  o Work with teachers to develop “new & innovative ways” to increase pay; allow districts to reward teachers in underserved areas, teachers consistently excelling in classroom, & mentor teachers
• No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
  o Reform, starting by increasing funding. Improve assessments, shift focus to individualized instruction
• Early Childhood Education
  o “Zero to Five” plan – support parents and children from infancy through pre-K
  o Expand Early-Head Start/Head Start
  o Provide affordable, high-quality child care
• K-12 Education
  o Address dropout crisis
  o Expand & Support (i.e., double the funding) for afterschool programs & college outreach programs
  o Math and Science = national priority
• Higher Education
  o Simplify the financial aid process
  o Make college affordable: American Opportunity Tax Credit
• Accountability
  o Improve the current standardize assessments; long-term tracking of student readiness for college and/or the workplace
  o Support schools needing improvement, rather than punishing them

For more information, visit www.barackobama.com/

John McCain & Sarah Palin
“Excellence, Choice, & Competition in Education”

• Current Weaknesses of the Educational System
  o Cultural problems
  o Avoidance of genuine accountability
  o Parents lack power/control/choice
• Administrators, Teachers & Teacher Recruitment
  o 5% of funding set aside for states to recruit teachers graduating in top 25% of class or participating in alternative teacher recruitment program
  o Incentive bonuses for: high performing teachers to locate in “the most challenging educational settings;” teachers in subjects like math & science; teachers who demonstrate student improvement
  o Funding for professional development
  o Localized control of funding (i.e., school principals)
• No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
  o Build on NCLB; shift focus to inspiring individual students vs. assessing group averages
• Early Childhood Education
  o Comprehensive approach, focus on literacy & language development, math, motor & social skills.
  o Direct funding toward early hearing/vision screening, immunizations.
  o Educate parents on preparing children for a productive educational experience
• K-12 Education
  o Keep parents informed of child’s performance; Offer parents more choice/control
  o Single criterion: raise student achievement
  o Funding specifically for technological advancement
• Higher Education
  o Simplify the financial aid process
  o Remove/simplify regulatory barriers
• Accountability
  o Every federally supported program MUST include child-centered, outcome-based standards for quality
  o Parents must have more choice/control: Allow parents to pull children from “failing” schools

For more information, visit www.johnmccain.com/