Guest Poster!!

As some of you may have noticed my posting has been slow to non existent the past few weeks due to the many obligations I have signed on to perform. In order to keep Great Staffs going I am opening it up to others who may want to post!
I am very pleased to announce that a distinguished colleague and friend has offered to post here too! I really could use the help.
If you would also like to have a forum in which to post any type of article you wish on this site please e-mail me and I'd be happy to send you an invite!

State Journal Endorses Jorgensen

The conservative Wisconsin State Journal has endorsed Democrat Andy Jorgensen for the 37th Assembly District. Jorgensen is running against Republican Greg Gasper who was a staffer for Representatives Rob Kreibich (Eau Claire) and Eugene Hahn (Cambria). Gasper has been heavily supported by the Michigan right wing nut group All Students Matter as well as others. Ivan Davis is also running as an Independent.
Jorgensen is a long time resident of Fort Atkinson who at one time was a local radio personality. Andy left his radio show in order to support his family and went to work at the GM plant in Janesville. Besides being articulate and intelligent, he is truly "every man" and does in fact carry a lunch bucket to work. Well I could go on but I'll stop and let you read the endorsement!
From the WSJ:
Andy Jorgensen is the best choice to represent the many farms and small towns in eastern Dane and western Jefferson counties at the Capitol.Jorgensen displays a good dose of independence, deep roots in the community and a broad perspective.
Like the retiring and popular Rep. David Ward, Jorgensen comes from a farming background and strongly supports the new ethanol plant in Jefferson. Like most farmers, Jorgensen says, he's a conservationist but also a realist. The Farm Bureau endorsed him.
Jorgensen also spent five years as a radio broadcaster in Fort Atkinson, where he lives, before landing a job at the Janesville auto plant. He's not just a good talker. He knows a lot about what he's talking about. And he wants to listen and learn. A centrist Democrat, Jorgensen promises to balance his strong support of education with the need to control taxes.
His opponent, Republican Greg Gasper, is sharp and knows the issues. But Gasper is a Capitol insider, having worked for three lawmakers. Ivan Davis, an independent candidate, has failed to excite voters.
Jorgensen will bring a fresh and sensible approach to the job that the 37th Assembly District deserves.

Why are you here?

I'm out working on the campaign for Governor and the 37th AD! What are you doing reading blogs? Put bloggers out of business, get out there and help a candidate win!

Art Teacher Loses Job After Kids See Nude Sculpture

From the article:

FRISCO, Texas -- An award-winning Texas art teacher who was reprimanded after one of her fifth-grade students saw a nude sculpture during a trip to a museum has lost her job.

The school board in Frisco has voted not to renew Sydney McGee's contract after 28 years. She has been on administrative leave.


Read the article here.

37th Republican Canididate Had A Secret

Progressive Majority Wisconsin has posted an article concerning the conviction of Republican Candidate Greg Gasper 10 years ago for drug possession.
While I would not want everyone examining everything I've ever done wrong over the years, I am not running for public office. Today everything is fair in politics and it is a very nasty business. Voters have the right to know all the information they can about the candidates before they vote.
At any rate, this new information does not affect my vote. I've been for Andy Jorgensen since before the primaries.

What The Public Really Wants From Education

The Center for American Progress has a summary and links to a full report about what the public wants.
Most striking is the continued degree of support for public schools and the less than enthusiastic support for school voucher schemes. Check it out!

Missions of the 21st Century

The events of the last 24 hours truly sadden all those connected with public education. Weston HS Principal John Klang was truly a hero. He, along with ESP Dave Thompson, prevented the injury and possible deaths of who know how many people when they disarmed the 15 year old gunman. Words cannot express the sadness that I feel even typing these words. One story is here.

I believe that most public schools are safe places for students and staff but I don't think these events are isolated. To say so is dismissive and overly optimistic that such an event will not occur in another district. The truth is that staff in schools across the country prevent hundreds if not thousands of potential violent episodes each and every day. Students are, after all is said and done, reflective of society. Society is not pretty right now!

Private schools can pick and choose their clientele. Public schools cannot. The goal of the public schools is to teach everyone regardless of handicap. Although public schools do not explicitly teach religion, the golden rule is reinforced countless times throughout each school day. In addition to teaching "basics" we have over the last 40 years taken over the jobs of parents who in many cases are struggling just to pay the bills. Not an easy task but one educators have accepted as reality.

When comparing the goals of the public schools to that of private schools, which sounds more like the missionary work? I rest my case.

Our schools are full of people like John Klang and Dave Thompson. This takes nothing away from what these men did this week. It merely acknowledges what we all know would be the case in all public schools. Heroism doesn't only happen when someone brings a weapon. It occurs all around us each and every day!

Thank all of you for the work you do! You truly are the missionaries of the 21st Century! Stay safe.

Teaching Evolution?

Being a science teacher, I am always concerned when science literacy and teachers are being attacked. I suppose this has been going on since the Scopes Trial in the 1920's but the purveyors of anti science, if nothing else, are not quitters. I've also read recently that many of those who home school their children subscribe to the idea creationism and consider the teaching of Darwinism as close to devil worship. Needless to say, teachers of science are considered the anti Christ.
With this in mind I have run across a website that is the perfect resource to help is the need should arise called the National Center for Science Education.

The Center provides:

Reviews of current anti-evolution activity in the United States and around the world
Background to the fundamentally creationist and anti-evolution movement known as "Intelligent Design"
Detailed information on the Creation/Evolution controversy from 1859 to the present
Resources for parents, teachers, school boards, and the general public

Check it out and put this site in your favorites "just in case ".