I wanted to share with readers an event that happened a couple of years ago but the life lesson continues to
influence me today. Here is how the story goes.
Bright and early before school Dave, the assistant principal, and I had an interesting start as we were about to enter the building. This had a profound impact on the day. As I approached the front door I noticed Dave
staring deeply to the east in a mesmerized Zen like state. I couldn't figure out if he was watching a police pull-over or some other gruesome human tragedy. Neither fit the brutal reality I would soon encounter. Dave was intently
watching a mother duck barking at her ducklings as they failed to climb the curb in the drive. At least a dozen ducklings cried to their momma to no avail. They jumped and clambered over each other with repeated failure. Momma Duck continued to screech over and over again either to encourage or scold them. After we
observed the Darwinist epoch unfold, it was decided to provide "divine intervention". Dave moved in behind the ducklings while I maneuvered to the front. After a moment or two we successfully guided the waddlings and Momma Duck to the handicap access ramp where they were gleefully reunited. The ducklings loved and admired me with their big round eyes, sweet squeaks, and soft puff ball bodies. Momma duck, however, hissed and snapped vehemently at Dave; in my opinion rightfully so. The happy family shuffled off in unison without offering us so much as a "Kiss-Off Quack". They pragmatically took their leave to the trees of the south lawn.
A thoughtful reflection ensued in the form of profound commentary into the state of education. Imagine the ducklings as our charges and We the Momma Duck. The curb symbolizes obstacles to learning. How often as educational
experts do we lose sight that the answer to eliminating barriers is often only a few steps away? Instead we yell louder and more tenaciously at the ducklings to overcome adversity. Our creativity can often provide answers to eliminating
obstacles all together. Conscientious educators can remove them quicker and more effectively instead of pushing ducklings into a perpetual state of futile struggle for hours or even days on end. This approach may be antiquated and
verge on insanity as our students face the potential peril of becoming a memory on the tread of a Firestone tire if they cannot escape the peril of the curb? Next time you have a chance to determine what lessons are "A Hill Worth Dying
On" and those less worthy, remember the story of the ducklings and realize the answer to any enigma may be obvious and potentially a few feet away.
Posted by John Schilawski 5/30/14
influence me today. Here is how the story goes.
Bright and early before school Dave, the assistant principal, and I had an interesting start as we were about to enter the building. This had a profound impact on the day. As I approached the front door I noticed Dave
staring deeply to the east in a mesmerized Zen like state. I couldn't figure out if he was watching a police pull-over or some other gruesome human tragedy. Neither fit the brutal reality I would soon encounter. Dave was intently
watching a mother duck barking at her ducklings as they failed to climb the curb in the drive. At least a dozen ducklings cried to their momma to no avail. They jumped and clambered over each other with repeated failure. Momma Duck continued to screech over and over again either to encourage or scold them. After we
observed the Darwinist epoch unfold, it was decided to provide "divine intervention". Dave moved in behind the ducklings while I maneuvered to the front. After a moment or two we successfully guided the waddlings and Momma Duck to the handicap access ramp where they were gleefully reunited. The ducklings loved and admired me with their big round eyes, sweet squeaks, and soft puff ball bodies. Momma duck, however, hissed and snapped vehemently at Dave; in my opinion rightfully so. The happy family shuffled off in unison without offering us so much as a "Kiss-Off Quack". They pragmatically took their leave to the trees of the south lawn.
A thoughtful reflection ensued in the form of profound commentary into the state of education. Imagine the ducklings as our charges and We the Momma Duck. The curb symbolizes obstacles to learning. How often as educational
experts do we lose sight that the answer to eliminating barriers is often only a few steps away? Instead we yell louder and more tenaciously at the ducklings to overcome adversity. Our creativity can often provide answers to eliminating
obstacles all together. Conscientious educators can remove them quicker and more effectively instead of pushing ducklings into a perpetual state of futile struggle for hours or even days on end. This approach may be antiquated and
verge on insanity as our students face the potential peril of becoming a memory on the tread of a Firestone tire if they cannot escape the peril of the curb? Next time you have a chance to determine what lessons are "A Hill Worth Dying
On" and those less worthy, remember the story of the ducklings and realize the answer to any enigma may be obvious and potentially a few feet away.
Posted by John Schilawski 5/30/14