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CAT Tracks for January 2, 2011
TEACHERS ARE PEOPLE TOO |
Unfortunately, I found no humor in Valerie Strauss's latest foray into education videos...a rerun of the venerable cartoon character Goofy as teacher.
Made me fear that my fond memories of "the good old days" of teaching have been twisted by the trials and tribulations of modern times.
Could it be that "the good old days" weren't so good after all?
Of course...
This possibility should come as no surprise.
At least once a year during my last decade of teaching, I would sit in the "Teacher's Lounge" at CHS/CJSHS and listen patiently to the laments of teachers, young and, uh, experienced. They would moan and groan (gritch and bowl) about the daily disrespect and outright assualt upon teachers...stories of outrageous student behavior that was becoming commonplace and "acceptable".
At the appropriate lull in the conversation, I would clear my throat to gain the attention of my colleagues for another of my always astute observations as the grizzled veteran.
And what did I say?
Well, I'm glad you asked...
(Broadband alert: It's a YouTube video...not suitable for dial-up access.)
From the Washington Post...
The Answer Sheet
Goofy: Teachers are people too
Because so much in school reform seems goofy to me, here's Goofy in a short 1952 film about being a teacher.
Happy New Year.
CAT Tracks Editor's Note:
My propensity for truth requires that I make the following disclosure...
What I said in my intro was true.
But...
I fear that my true aversion to the cartoon is that during the past couple of years I have become a lapsed Goofy fan. I watched and enjoyed Goofy...back in "the good old days".
Today...not so much.
Mostly, that is due to the fact that I don't watch cartoons anymore. Saturday morning cartoon fare used to be special to me...much anticipated after a grueling week as a student.
As a retiree...where everyday is Saturday, well...
However, the clincher for my inability to watch cartoons featuring Goofy is his uncanny facial resemblance to United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan!
"And just remember, folks...THESE are the 'good old days'."
By Valerie Strauss
