Friday, January 2, 2015

The Improbable Dream


Education in America, and educators are in trouble. 

Education is a passion for me.  I am well educated as are all the members of my family. ON December 31st, 2014 I posted (Take Back Education) that, in my opinion, Education in America has been hijacked. Several people, with great civility, commented "so what can we do?" It was a "Ben, put your money where your mouth is" moment.  So, consider this...

By any reasonable measure, what we are asking our educators to do is unreasonable. The result: the implosion of the system.  It's happening right now, this year, this month, TODAY. Entire teaching staffs being reassigned; schools closed or being "taken over" by the State and teachers dismissed.

While government has made this crisis very complex, and though it may seem an improbable dream, it's not beyond rescue.  Effective education is a partnership on at least four levels.


Level 1: Parents and teachers. I don't know why we tolerate it, but I do know we, our culture, have lowered our expectations for parents and shifted many parental roles onto public education. It's a fact, parents are AWOL; parents from every demographic: busy parents, tired parents, distracted parents, ambitious parents, selfish parents, economically disadvantaged parents. Unless and until parents see parenting as a worthy vocation--a selfless vocation--a social responsibility, and we can build accountability into the system for PARENTS, as well as teachers, our system will continue to devolve.

Level 2: Teachers and administrators. The current "political climate" makes this partnership difficult, if not hopelessly ineffective. POTUS Bush gave us "No Child Left Behind."  POTUS Obama gave us "Race To The Top." These unwise mandates have produced devastating unintended consequences.  They have forced administrators  to focus on the wrong outcomes: Administrators chasing the holy grail--passing scores on standardized tests.  Under pressure to achieve a "passing grade" Administrators have dumbed the system down and mandated teaching to the lowest common denominator. The result: a brain drain of gargantuan proportions.  We've given up too much real education in the race to measure "skills." 

Leaders in education must get back to "leading."  They must be good managers; they must also be effective Innovators, Team builders and Coaches.  They must get out of their offices and into the halls and classrooms of the buildings they manage.  Teachers must be challenged to grow as professionals, taught to, and rewarded for, "thinking outside the box."  The system must be able to shed under performing (based on fair-minded, role appropriate, measurable, attainable and negotiated standards of praxis and outcomes) teachers AND administrators.  Otherwise we will, without question, produce underperforming schools.

Teachers must be coachable.  Unions must be student as well as teacher focused.  Department Chairs must be trained as Master Teachers and empowered to Coach teachers under their charge, evaluate them and reward merit or remediate poor performance.

Level 3: Education and the public.  Federal oversight is an impossible burden.   There is a role for the Federal government, but not what we've seen develop over the last decade.  Educational oversight and policy creation must be sent back to the most local units of government possible and/or practical.  In most cases, that would be the locally elected School Boards.  

State oversight is critical to resource multiplication, curriculum development standards, training, and compensation.  But the State must also recognize the limits of effective management.

Communities must create opportunities, then call their citizens to participate as volunteer tutors, mentors, after-school staff, security workers and any of a dozen other functions that can be filled by people willing to give-up time, and get training or invest their expertise to give school age kids a shot at a brighter future.  This would, at the same time, preserve and extend financial resources which in turn would make it possible to provide funds for merit based pay incentives.

I challenge families who've abandoned public education for private, private-parochial or home-shooling to re-engage and re-think their decision.  It is in the long-term best interest of their kids to support and work to reform and strengthen public education.  Their unwavering commitment to quality education and the quality of the kids their raising is integral to lifting education for all our children to the next level.  This has significant implications on so many elements that are critical to the future of our nation and our children.  Look back at the 19th Century to discover what a culture of "education haves" and "have nots" becomes--and it's a most unsavory image.

Level 4: Education and the private sector.  I'm a small business owner.  Much of the property tax bill I pay every six months goes to support education.  But that's not enough.  The partnership with local business, while it's there, needs to be expanded and much more highly developed.  The answer isn't higher taxes, it's bigger hearts, fueled by shared vision and better communication.  Not only should business be there for internships, but for aggressive sponsorship--without expectation for anything in return--beyond all the significant benefits local business enjoys from a sterling school-system.

Parents need to show-up.   
Educators need to prep-up. 
Communities need to step-up.
Private enterprise needs to ante-up. 

All of this to say, Politicians need to butt-out!  It's easy to blame someone else; the problem is us.

Meanwhile, another generation gets left behind and only the most fortunate make it to the top.

bN tGit

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

When Paper Trails Matter

Someone asked me recently "why do you blog?  Nobody reads it, what's the point?" 

It's not the "reading" that's the magic. 


For now...it's the writing; great therapy, keeps me engaged, demands rigorous thought and teaches me a great deal as I work through the process.

For later...I'm leaving a cyber "paper trail" that my friends, family...especially my kids and grandkids...can log onto and "hear" me, remember me; who I was, what my passions in life were, how I thought (right or wrong) and what I valued. I pray it just might make a difference in their lives someday...can you spell l-e-g-a-c-y?

Grateful to live in an era that has empowered me "go on the record" and leave something of what makes me unique behind.  I can't live forever, but the words I leave behind, they can.

bN tGit "...thank God it's today."

Take Back Education!

We are 10 hours and 47 minutes from 2015.

Will this be the year we finally take back the education of our kids from the mindless sycophants seeking to advance their careers as politicians, Administrators and Labor activists or their fortunes, in the case of the Testing Companies, now driving the process? 

While I don't believe the answer to our education challenge in America is to turn the keys back over to the unions, this is a clarion call to citizens; it's time we take the education of our Kids back from private enterprise and public politicians--regardless of who they might be, who they work for, or their party affiliation.  Educators, working in partnership with their communities must be restored to their mission as educators.

Education has been hijacked and demagogued by Politicians, Private Enterprise, Management AND Labor; they have all forgotten who matters--KIDS, and what's at stake--THE FUTURE OF THE NATION.

Follow this link to a blog, "How Democracy Ends" that passionately, eloquently calls us back from the edge.  

http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2013/01/this-is-how-democracy-ends-apology-from.html


bN tGit

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Physics & Truth = Glue

Truth is to living what physics is to life.

Physics is like a rail that gives structure to life.  We can't "see, smell or hear" the laws of physics, but without them, nothing works; what we do see, smell and hear is the result of these laws being applied with purpose or spontaneously.  Physics holds bridges together.

In the same way truth is the rail living rides on. Ethics, the rule of law, cultural norms, relationships, parenting, good government, freedom--to name but a few aspects of living--all work based on a set of core values, derived from the common grace of God, who wired humankind with an intrinsic sense of what truth is and an understanding of what's right.  Truth holds life together.

Truth, like physics, does not function in a deterministic way. I can ingore Newton's Law of Gravity and embrace a belief that I can float, then step off the top of a tall building. Newton's Law does not override my right to choose. But my choice to embrace and believe I can float will not prevent a very bad outcome.

I can believe that truth is relative, subject to change, given to multiple definitions or simply an outdated cultural moray. People, and cultures, can choose to ignore the truth, or worse, be deceived and believe a lie--at great peril. The reality of these choices is sobering; culture spirals out of control, chaos trumps the rule of law, justice is driven by pop-culture and becomes a "moving target," bondage becomes the norm and brokeness the face of a nation.

Life does not work without physics.  Living does not work without truth. 

"Jesus said to the people who believed in him, 'You are truly 
my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 
32 And you will know the truth, and 
the truth will set you free.'” 
 John 8.31,32
Faithful persistence in following Christ leads us to His truth.

"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."
John 8.36
His Truth sets us free.
bN  tGit

Monday, December 29, 2014

Happy new year...INDEED


Several years ago a friend asked me about a passing comment I'd made about the Tower of Babel, wanting me to expand on what was said.

I've been a teacher for as long as I can remember.  In that role, I've always attempted to find "dynamic equivalents" in the culture around me to help people understand a deeper principle from the Scriptures. The Tower of course was the ultimate expression of hubris on the part of humankind; our effort to shake a collective fist at God and say "See, you aren't so transcendent after all." Foolish pride led to an inflated opinion of who we were; God breathed, language changed and chaos ensued. We discovered we were no match for the transcendent God.

Fast forward to modern culture: God, in his grace, has empowered humankind to apply intellect and ingenuity, these also graciously granted by God, to "discover" thousands of things that insulate us from the ill-effects of the fall: drugs, asphalt, steel, plastic, roads, air conditioning, engines, automation--the list is endless. We in turn, tainted by sin and swelled with pride, believeing ourselves to be wise "shake our fists" at God and say, "See, the Scriptures are myth; there was a big-bang and then there was 'life' and look at how we have evolved...we have the power to give and take life--reshape it. We don't need myths to prop us up anymore. We ARE God."

In reality, everything we touch we corrupt. Consider...our "system of Justice." How about air?  We condition it while at the same time we poison it with hydro-carbons. We pollute the planet, poison our bodies, can't beat cancer or aids and when/if we do, something else always emerges. Regardless of how effective we are at blunting the effect of sin on life and the planet, sin always trumps our best efforts...and God allows it, to point us to our need for a Savior and His gracious provision for our redemption.


The farther evolved civilization becomes the further it devolves into moral and spiritual chaos--abortion, failed economies, addiction, violence, corrupt governments, greed, broken relationships, idolotry, shaminism, social injustice. Think about it, in 1965 LBJ gave us the Great Society. These mandates have done little, or nothing, to enlighten culture and end poverty--but they have driven us to edge of bankruptcy and destroyed families while perpetrating genocide on the poorest of the poor. The smarter we get, the dumber we are. We can run from God, but we can't hide.

So then, civilization as we have fashioned it, has become humankind's' most recent "Tower of Babel;" the work of "our hands" which demonstrates our independence, our ability to get it done without God.  We set out to be like God, and in a final irony, we create the very modality that could be the end of life as we know it. We can destroy it, but we can't fix it..."and all the king's horses, and all the king's men, couldn't put humpty-dumpty back together again."  


The lie that deceived Eve, continues to vex us; but we aren't beaten: this Truth sets us free...

"When we were utterly helpless...God showed his great love for 
us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."   Romans 5.6a,8

Hallelujah, what a Savior!  Happy new year indeed.



bN tGit

Beautiful Minds

We recently said our farewells to Laura's dad as he passed into the presence of God, whom he loved and served since embracing Christ as a boy in Washington, Illinois. Gene was such a giant of a man.  Perhaps the most difficult sojourn Laura and I have made over our 42 year marriage was watching Gene "lose himself" to dementia these past 4 years.    

This "passage" moved me to learn more about the brain, how it functions, and why; more about the relationship of the material, the organ we call our brain, and the immaterial--our minds.  I offer this comment with great conviction: the cause/effect relationship between the way we think and the outcomes we achieve is immutable, can be scientifically documented and is the result of loving-intelliegent design. 

A "mind," even a poorly developed one, is a powerful force.  God blessed us all with beautiful minds; having been fashioned in His image gives us access to resources beyond the natural, built right into our DNA.  

Our minds are, of course, the most unique aspect of our beings.  So, what are you doing with yours?  It's the first day of the rest of our lives,  December 29, 2014,  a wonderful portal from which to look back at what was, then gaze into the new year at what might be. 

Here's a perpetual list I believe can keep our "life-compass" oriented, True North. Quite frankly, this is a three steps forward, two steps back process much of the time; but even ONE step at a time is progress!

For a better 2015 (and long
-term, a more productive life)...
  • Go to and get out of bed earlier.  Be active, body and mind, with the extra morning time.
  • Give up painful thinking. Don't throw others "under the bus."  Refuse to think like a victim. Seek balance in your life.
  • Look for the best in people. Find ways to add value to other peoples lives.
  • Give generously to a cause you feel great passion for. Volunteer and serve in some fashion, some place.
  • Don't be a cynic. Refuse to associate with negative people.
  • Spend time in dialogue with people who don't think like you. Make the effort to grow your intellect and expand your perspective.
  • Transform obstacles into opportunities. Begin something that makes you feel challenged.
  • Mentor someone younger and/or less experienced. Find someone to mentor you, then be accountable to that person.
  • Read, or listen to, good books that make you feel enriched. Journal: keep it simple and short; then watch that discipline begin to expand. 
Finally, and most significantly...

"Love justice, do mercy and walk humbly with your God."  Micah 6.8

For me, it starts by asking God (again) to empower me to resolve and retool the way I think and as result, the way I experience life. 


"Father in heaven give me clarity to know myself... give me desire to reflect Christ... give me discipline to lean into You... give me focus to remain on task... give me wisdom to make 'best decisions' and think like You.  All this through Jesus name I ask, amen."   


bN tGit
Happy New Year!

Sunday, December 28, 2014

What's in a day?

Each year, on December 28, I pause to reflect on my story.

Life moves past us at such a brisk pace that it's easy to forget what life was like 46 years ago; what life could have been like, had God not intervened that night in 1968.  It was the last Saturday night of the year; I had a plan for my evening, and it certainly did not include an up close conversation with God.  But, He had a different plan...and, as it turns out, it changed my life forever.

But the path to that evening in 1968 started many years before...when my Grandmother, who lived with us at the time, would gather me up and carry me off to Church and Sunday School--I still have my first Bible, the one mom gave me to take to church with Grandma.  I didn't know, until I was a young adult, that my grandmother faithfully prayed for me each day--that "BJ would experience the power of Christ in his life and embrace Jesus as his Lord and Savior."  She eventually moved back to her roots in Fort Scott Kansas.  But I continued to get myself to church until 8th grade.

I don't recall why I decided to "drop out" but I'm sure it just didn't feel very "cool" to attend church and sunday shcool any longer--and since I went by myself, it was my decision to make.  Fast forward to the fall of my Jr. year in High School.  One evening I landed at a "Campus Life" meeting at the home of a classmate (Jim Rehnberg)...it was the kickoff for the school year and as advertised, it was a "Burger Bash"--all you could eat--and a huge crowd of students.  But I got more that evening than a big meal.  The Campus Life leader, Mark Zier, gave a short talk at the end and he asked the crowd..."If you died tonight, do you know where you're going?"  I didn't; it bothered me, then I moved on.

On the evening of December 28, 1968 I was set to attend an "Afterxms" party with some buddies (Jerry McClain was driving).  Our "wires got crossed" (coincidence?) and they never showed up; stuck, I recalled something was happening at the Rec-center with Campus Life that night--they called it a "Campus Life Rally."  There was a girl I had some interest in (Colleen Rehnberg) and I knew she would probably be there (I was right);  I managed to catch Mark (Zier) before he'd left his house.  He was delighted when I called, and he swung by and picked me up.  An evening of activities, music and then a guy, Roger Cross, got up and challenged me again about my life and death.  This time I was ready and wanted to get this question resolved; Mark talked with me and then invited me to pray a short, simple prayer, and the rest...is history.

"The way we were" 1969
Three weeks later I went to the Ventura "Rally" because Mark asked me to share about my recent conversion experience with that half of the county we lived in. Mark mentioned a girl he thought I'd really like, a cute sophomore at Buena HS named Laura--he wanted to introduce us; he was right.  In that span of three weeks I'd had two introductions that literally changed the direction and the outcome of my life: I'd trusted Christ and met my future wife--we married 3 years, 48 weeks and 6 days later.

My home was a rather complicated place.  Lot's of love and pain.  I was carrying some emotional baggage by that time and was making some bad choices.  Christ changed all that in an instant.  The baggage was there--if fact it didn't get fully "unpacked" for years.  But His presence in my life set me in a "best direction" that just never wavered.  Laura's family embraced me as a "son" as our relationship grew; they, especially her dad (my dad died suddenly in 1970), filled a great need in my life.

In the 80's there was a popular gospel song written by Bill Gaither that describes my story, I get choked up every time I sing it; the chorus declares..."Something beautiful, something good; all my confusion He understood, all I had to offer him was brokenness and strife, but He made something, beautiful, out of my life."

December, 28, 1968.  What a difference a day makes.



bN tGit
Happy New Year