“Propel, propel, propel your craft softly down liquid solution.

Ecstatically, ecstatically, ecstatically, ecstatically, existence is

simply illusion.”        Mr. Rogers

Indeed it is.   But, it’s an illusion worth keeping.  Today I’m thinking that life is full, life is complicated, life is complicated, life leaves me powerless at times, and that I’m glad I’m in the stream of it.

Today was Advising Day at the community college where I work – a day to sit with your Advisor (for those students who choose to, of course), and talk about your goals, where your studies are going, how they are going, what you want to be when you “grow-up.”   I asked each student as they entered my office to pull up a chair and talk to me about how things were going.  A student who took a semester off stopped by with her two-week old infant to introduce him to me and proudly let me know that she’s registered for next semester – as is her husband.  (Bravo to them!)  I wish I could get each student to pull up a chair – these little half hour talks are so enlightening for me in terms of how to best support that student on their journey – whether as their Advisor or their teacher as well.

While sitting in a classroom with a few students during an Hour Open Session, the President of the College stopped in as he toured an important guest of his around — and he nicely informed the guest that if he wanted to know how Mr. Rogers related to life and learning, he should seek me out!

And so, today I’m thinking of an article written by Mr. Rogers support staff about pulling up a chair and the value and importance of that moment to forming a relationship that creates an environment for deep learning.

“When we sit, we’re also saying “I’m settling in here to be with you because I care about you, your thoughts, feelings and ideas.”  That’s what “Mister Rogers” did at the beginning of each program, when he put on his sweater and sneakers.  He let children see that he was putting aside other concerns and settling in for a “visit” with them (sort of like “pulling up a chair”).  ”

Today I’m thinking about the importance of relationship to learning.

When teaching is challenging, ask yourself what Mr. Rogers would do. (Those of my readers who know me, know that Mr. Rogers is my all time favorite person in the world – not counting family, of course.)

I’ve had a great week teaching, yet there are a couple of students who challenge me.  One is very shy, painfully shy, and perhaps has other issues or names for it.  So hesitant that when she approaches me after or before class, if I get too close — and too close appears to be within 2 feet – she backs up.  Add to this her incredibly soft voice, and it’s challenging.  I lean forward carefully whenever she speaks – she does sometimes speak in class – I try to role model body language knowing that other students are watching me interact with her.  But it’s difficult.  The most difficult is that her writing skills are quite minimal.  And, she asked me after class yesterday whether her low grades so far on her writing would affect her overall grade; and I had to be honest.  Like Mr. Rogers, he was always honest – sometimes honesty is comfortable and sometimes honesty is really uncomfortable.  It was clearly uncomfortable for her to hear my answer.  I encouraged her to use the Peer Tutoring service. I have great faith in this service at our college – I’ve seen other students really soar in their writing with one on one tutoring weekly.  But it clearly was not something she wanted to hear.

These moments pain me with students; but unlike a colleague or two I’ve known in my teaching career, I believe it does the student a disservice not to be honest with them.

To ask oneself what Mr Rogers would do, and then to do it. This is also, incidentally, a rather good way to live one’s life.

Today I am thinking about honesty.

(and for those, including me sometimes, who don’t have much good to say about No Child Left Behind — it may not be the bill that didn’t work – it may be that it was never funded under Bush the way it should have been).

Good-bye Mr. Kennedy from the littlest citizens of America.  I hope you have a great time with Mr. Rogers!

How Did Senator Edward Kennedy’s Work Affect Young People?

Late senator helped lower voting age to 18 and sponsored many college grant and loan programs.