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subscribe buttonAugust 4, 2010

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. William Ward

Dear Friends,

I’m a recovering teacher, but I seriously doubt that I’ll ever entirely kick the habit.

One mindset that lingers from fifty-plus years in school is the sense that end-of-summer is really a beginning. Summer’s always too short, but there’s that excitement as a new group of young faces appears. There’s a lot about which to be cynical in education, but kids and their innate optimism overcomes hot August classrooms and politics and lack of resources. There’s an inescapable anticipation at the beginning of a new school year—that’s one of the things I miss.

We all owe a debt to teachers. I’ll bet that most of us can look back to some classroom experience that altered our course—an experience created by a teacher who endured our pranks and occasional lack of attention and forced us to find something within that we didn’t recognize at the time.

I recall a small-town math teacher whose horrible jokes and demand for clear reasoning fueled a desire to understand mathematics and inspired a career. I hear the encouragement of coaches who prodded and encouraged and cared more about young men than wins and losses. I can’t find too many corners of my life that aren’t at least partially shaped by the touch of a teacher at some critical moment.

As my friends and former colleagues, along with teachers everywhere, prepare for their all-too-soon return to their classrooms, I hope we’ll all take a moment to thank them and seek ways to support their efforts. They perform a vital task in difficult circumstances, meeting increasing expectations with decreasing resources. They shape future generations, one assignment, one lesson, and one encouraging word at a time.

Many teachers read this newsletter. Thanks for all you do. I hope you enjoy this short sketch from Taylor Mali titled Like Lilly Like Wilson. And I hope you begin this year by taking the last line to heart. You do change the world—one kid at a time.

Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best. Bob Talbert

In the category of Be careful what you wish for, this recovering teacher is excited and a bit anxious about the last weekend in September. At the beginning of 2010 I established a goal of developing and presenting a workshop based on the lessons from Relentless Grace. The men’s group at Evangelical Covenant Church of Fort Collins has invited me to lead their Fall retreat.

I’m grateful for the opportunity. It’ll be a great weekend in the mountains with some great guys. Now I just hope I actually have something worthwhile to offer.

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Bouncing Back


We’ve had some wonderful interactions this month at Bouncing Back.

If you’ve missed articles over the past few weeks, you can catch up with anything that grabs your interest.

It’s Just What You Do For Family
Past
Choices
When Is Worship Time?
Shine
Nine Miles An Hour
Today
I Can
Labels And Super Glue
How To Apply Labels Effectively
Labels And Averages
Question
Just Do It
Stewards Of The Flame
How To Combat Burnout
Tend The Flame
WOW!
Conviction
Inclusion And Excuses
Excuses, Reasons, And Lies
I’d Really Like To (Excuses Part 1)
Jazz
What Motivates?

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Thanks to those who responded to the invitation to purchase reduced-price copies of Relentless Grace for donation to places where people are searching for hope. If you’d like to read the story behind this idea, here’s a link.

Please consider visiting this special order page where you can purchase copies of the book at a substantial discount. Then think of places in your community where people are feeling hopeless, where your donation of a book or two might be life-changing.

  • Hospitals
  • Rehab centers
  • Senior centers
  • Nursing homes
  • Church libraries
  • Homeless shelters
  • Centers for battered or abused women
  • Hospices
  • Jails and prisons
  • Red Cross shelters and relief centers
  • Inner city community or youth centers

These are just some examples in a very long list. I hope you’ll think of one or more places in your community and consider making this small donation to assist their efforts. Please consider giving this small gift of hope and inspiration. Check out the details.

If you know of others who might be willing to join this effort, please share the information. Consider inviting members of your small group, church, or service organization. And of course you’re encouraged to share the info via Twitter and Facebook. 

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Calendar and News

September 11: Loveland Lions’ Club 90th Anniversary Celebration

September 19 Online workshop with Christians In Recovery: “Excuses”

September 24-26: Evangelical Covenant Church Men’s Retreat, Sky Corral Ranch: “Bouncing Back”

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If you know someone who is looking for a motivational speaker, please contact me or forward this information to an appropriate contact.

If you are engaged in raising funds for a group or individual, send me an email and let’s discuss a speaking engagement/book signing to support your efforts.

I continue to seek speaking opportunities. I’d appreciate the opportunity to visit your community and speak to your group.  Please visit this page for more information about my speaking experiences and possible topics.

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The secret of teaching is to appear to have known all your life what you learned this afternoon.

Blessings,

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