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| The Author with her daughter |
This past spring/summer, my computer crashed and I lost 95% of my files and images. That amounts to more than 7 years worth of work-children's programs, book drafts, instructional videos, etc. Gone, gone, GONE!
This event subsequently led me to decide it would be best to dissolve & downsize some of the projects I was working on. They simply were not viable enough for me to invest many, many more hours in rewriting & replacing all the material and content that was lost.
While my computer was getting an overhaul-and my insides were a wreck-I found out that my former mother in law has advanced bone cancer. My daughter is devastated & I simply 'melted down' as the expression goes. I did not write any more and I did not set foot in my office for an entire month and a half. I simply could not.
I started to spend more time doing the things I enjoy and the things that were needed: being with & supporting my daughter, cooking, walking in the woods near my home, cleaning out my office, and as I did these things, my head began to clear. Balance returned. I was able to objectively evaluate the past 7 years, and what-if anything-I could have done differently to be more successful in my personal and professional endeavors. (Other than the obvious-having a more reliable system for backing up my files...)
As I re-lived & reviewed, I noticed that each and every obstacle that I faced related back in some way to one thing: a school or camp administrator, manager or other individual making the call on whether or not my programs and services held value.
While many schools indicated that they liked what I was offering, some passively undermined me, my programs, and then expected me to offer my services for "free"- (an idea that I am not opposed to on some occasions-but I am opposed to offering free services all the time.) Some did not pay me until 6-8 weeks (no exaggeration) after I delivered services.
On the occasions I did work within (public) schools, while the students were outstanding and receptive, there was a general attitude of dismissive-ness among the staff, to the point where they openly & often interrupted me to correct students I was working with, came in late, texted and played on phones while I was attempting to show them some useful techniques, and then, to add insult to injury, left early.
Then it hit me: This program is not seen as 'valuable' because I don't "align" with the all powerful Common Core curriculum standards. My program was viewed as just one more thing to squeeze into an already busy day & just a random program to stick in place for the benefit of keeping the State happy-for the schools to show that they were "doing something" about bullying, stress, or whatever. My epiphany was validated by some "off the record" insight from an educator friend of mine and some incidents that happened to my child at her school. The "Common Core Meltdown" had begun. This blog's name intentionally reflects the spirit of the old-fashioned Nuclear Core Meltdown.
At first, I thought, as many still do, that "Common Core" was a set of high standards to keep our students engaged and challenged and moving towards excellence. After all, isn't that what we want & what it has been billed as? What is so bad about that?
But then-I began to research its history, its roots and where it came from to begin with. I began paying attention to its effects on my daughter and her friends. I began asking lots of questions-many left unanswered, such as: Why has there not been any discussion-nor input from parents, educators & students as CC was being created? why are some states so secretive as to whether or not they are implementing it-and why are others banning it altogether? why is my child being told that she is "not allowed" to bring home textbooks any more? Why was she placed in a "remedial" math "support" class when she carries a 79 (High 'C') in math and all A's and 2 High B's in other subjects? Why am I being led to believe that I am "not allowed" to refuse math support services for my own child? And such questions only seem to lead to other questions.
Over the last 6 months I've researched. I've talked with parents & professionals from all over the country and from all walks of life. I've paid closer attention to my daughter's school assignments. For many reasons, I don't like what I'm hearing, reading & seeing with my own eyes.
This blog is the result of my "meltdown"- designed to not just be an outlet for me, or for others -disgruntled parents & educators, but as an educational resource for parents, educators & students. As a parent, and Independent Educator, I want to pass on what I've learned-and offer you the best of how to TRULY educate, motivate & support your kids in every way-and how to take action to get us back to Common Sense and away from Common Core. This includes public school-ers, home school-ers and private school-ers together. None of us want our children to be "Common". We want them to thrive and reach their own unique potential. In order for this to happen, we need to get back to common sense. We have our work cut out for us, but in large numbers, we can do it. Not only CAN we do it-we HAVE to do it.
I will address topics relating to education, child development, health & learning. Some topics and posts will be researched and pulled from noted sources and others will involve interactive commentary and discussion. Either way, this blog is intended to be an interactive network of students, parents & professionals who want to support our kids in the best way possible. I will do my best to present information from as many reliable resources as possible and I welcome your input, insights and life experiences. If you have a relevant link to post-please feel free to share it.
While we welcome comments and insights from all perspectives, I just ask to keep it respectful. I do not mince words, and I am not a 'politically correct' person by nature: I say things directly & bluntly. You certainly don't have to agree with me and I don't expect you will always agree. This is not a "Feel Good" blog and nothing that I write here is meant to harm anyone. My sincere intent is to open discussion, share information, to educate, to raise awareness and to spark effective action.
I do NOT condone overtly hateful speech and ask that everyone also refrain from excessive cursing & name-calling or you will be banned. This blog's purpose is to start the discussion, make connections and to motivate us all to take the action that we see fit. (By the way, Spammers will also be banned.) All comments will be moderated for this reason.
If you would like to submit a relevant resource, article or commentary, please do so by e-mailing me personally at: bg.bgini@gmail.com
Spread the word and Thank you for joining us!
Barbara Gini
Independent Educator
Author
Founder S.M.Art Kids® & "Common Core Meltdown"
www.barbaragini.com
www.recprograms.com
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