Women's History Month: Two Irish Mums Won the Nobel Peace Prize

The Peace People Rally, Ireland, Betty Williams and  Maireed Corrigan 

'The Troubles' in Ireland are well know, conflict between two demographics (Catholic and Protestant) that share the same religous root: Christianity. Its been going on since Cromwell. But a lesser known fact is that two Irish mums won the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize for beginning a Peace Movement in Northern Ireland to combat the carnage.

To quote the Nobel Committee in 1976: We admire Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan for tackling so fearlessly the perilous task of leading the way into no-man's land, in the cause of peace and reconciliation.

Mairead (Corrigan) Maguire

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mairead_Maguire

'Gandhi taught that nonviolence does not mean passivity. No. It is the most daring, creative, and courageous way of living, and it is the only hope for our world. Nonviolence is an active way of life which always rejects violence and killing, and instead applies the force of love and truth as a means to transform conflict and the root causes of conflict. Nonviolence demands creativity. It pursues dialogue, seeks reconciliation, listens to the truth in our opponents, rejects militarism, and allows God's spirit to transform us socially and politically. '

 Maireed Corrigan Maquire 

Betty Williams 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_Williams_%28Nobel_laureate%29 

"That first week will always be remembered of course for something else besides the birth of the Peace People. For those most closely involved, the most powerful memory of that week was the death of a young republican and the deaths of three children struck by the dead man's car. A deep sense of frustration at the mindless stupidity of the continuing violence was already evident before the tragic events of that sunny afternoon of August 10, 1976. But the deaths of those four young people in one terrible moment of violence caused that frustration to explode, and create the possibility of a real peace movement...As far as we are concerned, every single death in the last eight years, and every death in every war that was ever fought represents life needlessly wasted, a mother's labour spurned."

Betty Williams

Festival of Irish Arts and Music Day 2

Tara Brooch

A History of Ireland in 100 Objects

http://www.100objects.ie/ 

Tara Brooch

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tara_Brooch

Celtic knot

From the book of Kells

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_knot

Here is a site not only with color (colour) pages, but with the source of the knot design. 

Outline Celtic knots examples to colour in 

http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/knots/bw.htm 

Some researchers believe the Irish harp was the first to be developed.

Egan harp.

O' Carolan was a blind, itinerant harpist from the 16th century who would play for his keep--playing original music every sunrise and bedtime.

Turlough O'Carolan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turlough_O%27Carolan 

Carolan's Dream - played on celtic harp 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFlKx3YPL5I

Oh, the places you'll go!

Thank you, Dr. Seuss. 

We love and miss you.

Educational Links 3/2/17

More Than Just Eyes and Ears

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/more-than-just-eyes-ears-elena-aguilar

Trump Calls Education 'Civil Rights Issue of Our Time,' Pushes Choice

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2017/02/trump_education_choice_child_c.html?cmp=SOC-EDIT-FB

Modeling: The Digital Demo

http://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/classroom-modeling

Helping Students Track Their Own Progress

https://www.middleweb.com/34219/helping-students-track-their-own-progress/

Moment of Insight: How to Get a Diagnosis of Dysgraphia

https://www.understood.org/en/community-events/blogs/expert-corner/2014/10/20/how-to-get-a-diagnosis-of-dysgraphia?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=understoodorg

Nearly half of teachers struggling with mental health, suggests survey

https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-news/nearly-half-teachers-struggling-mental-health-survey-suggests

PREPARING K-12 STUDENTS FOR FUTURE STEM CAREERS

http://www.thetechedvocate.org/preparing-k-12-students-for-future-stem-careers/

It’s become a well-known fact that most students are woefully unprepared for careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (otherwise known as STEM). Students in the United States regularly score low on math and science tests, lagging behind other developed nations.

This is despite the fact that STEM careers pay exceptionally well—college students who graduate with STEM degrees earn quite a bit more than their counterparts with degrees in other fields. Not to mention, the demand for workers with STEM degrees is huge and continues to grow.

Educational Links 3/1/17

Five Predictions for Education in 2017

Here is what’s ahead for school choice, ed tech, and more

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/03/01/five-predictions-for-education-in-2017.html?cmp=soc-edit-fb

3 Ways Teachers Engage Families in Classroom Life (and How You Can, Too)

https://www.donorschoose.org/blog/3-ways-teachers-engage-families-classroom-life-can/

17 Things They Didn't Tell You About Becoming a Teacher

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN-COW5EML8

Leveraging ed tech to better serve ELLs and students with disabilities

http://www.educationdive.com/news/leveraging-ed-tech-to-better-serve-ells-and-students-with-disabilities/435475/

My Teacher Look: Teaching Tip For Getting students Back On Track

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/getting-students-back-on-track

Understanding Dyslexia

https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/dyslexia/understanding-dyslexia?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=understoodorg

The Tragedy of an Inappropriate Education

http://www.specialneedsdigest.com/2017/02/from-parents-have-power-to-make-special.html

Most parents are focused on their child’s future (“Will my child be able to go to college?” or “Can my adult child live independently from me?”), while schools are focused on budget costs and the current year’s IEP goals.

Are You Your School's Grumpy Cat?

I confess, at times I have been the grumpy cat at school. As I realized it, I would go through this handy checklist I once heard in a sermon to see why I wasn't at my best and being grumpy:
H Am I grumpy because I am HUNGRY? Did I eat breakfast? Lunch?
A Am I ANGRY about something unresolved from my life and find it hard to maintain   professionalism? Need advice, counseling, etc? Meditation? This could also be ANXIOUS. What steps can I take to feel more optimistic?
L Am I feeling LONELY and isolated? Is there a friendly face at school? Maybe the maintenance crew?
T Am I TIRED? Silly question. Teaching is a full on, multi-level challenge. We're always some kind of tired. But what am I doing about it? Delegating? Early bedtime? Deliberately choosing R and R?

Maybe a person is just a Type A and generally judgmental and bossy. Give it some thought, Ms/Mr Type A--how productive is that, really? There is more control and power in kindness. You can manipulate others through achieving mutual success, and be looking so good yourself.

Here is what the web is saying, Grumpy Cat. 

How to Get Along With ANY Teaching Colleague

http://www.weareteachers.com/blogs/post/2012/06/15/how-to-get-along-with-any-colleague 

Teacher Collaboration in Culturally Responsive Schools 

http://www.niusileadscape.org/bl/teacher-collaboration-in-culturally-responsive-schools-by-anne-hynds/

Congenial or Collegial?

http://howtobeagreatteacher.com/uncategorized/congenial-or-collegial/ 

Moving from congeniality to collegiality 

http://edleaderlounge.blogspot.com/2011/02/moving-from-congeniality-to.html 

What I've Learned About Being a Good Collaborator

http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/teaching-while-leading/2014/12/what_ive_learned_about_being_a.html 

Collaborating with Colleagues: Being a Team Player 

http://inspiringteachers.blogspot.com/2009/10/collaborating-with-colleagues-being.html 

Not getting along with other teachers
http://www.proteacher.net/discussions/showthread.php?t=142850 

Educational Links 2/28/17

ESSA and education technology: 5 reasons for optimism

http://edscoop.com/essa-and-edtech-5-reasons-for-optimism

Where to Begin: Teaching in Times of Tumult

http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/intersection-culture-and-race-in-education/2017/02/where-to-begin-teaching-in-times-of-tumult.html?cmp=SOC-EDIT-FB

3 Quick Activities for Teaching Students Mindfulness at Any Age

https://www.weareteachers.com/teaching-students-mindfulness/

How Various Learning and Attention Issues Can Cause Trouble With Writing

https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/writing-issues/how-various-learning-and-attention-issues-can-cause-trouble-with-writing?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=understoodorg

12 structures to keep kids focused when using the internet in class

http://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/2017/02/internet-in-class.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheCornerstone+%28The+Cornerstone+Blog%29

Three ways technology can supercharge teacher training

http://hechingerreport.org/three-ways-technology-can-supercharge-teacher-training/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HechingerReport+%28Hechinger+Report%29

The Struggle for a Quality Education Defines Black History Month

http://blog.k12.com/thought-leadership/the-struggle-for-a-quality-education-defines-black-history-month/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thinktank12+%28thinktanK12%29#.WLTuBojys1I

During Black History month, we should all recognize that the endless quest for a quality and widely available education represents the essence of the struggles and achievements of Black people in America.  The achievement of laws surrounding equal education becomes our contribution to all Americans since those laws benefit all citizens.