Treasure Chest of Thoughts

This morning I posted a comment on Twitter…and got “slammed,” as noted later in a Direct Message by another follower.  Just have to say…these comments bothered me.  Why?  Not because everyone should agree with everything I say.  Free country.  We all have a a right to our own opinions.  Very much believe in that First Amendment!

I am bothered/disturbed, though,  for two reasons:

1. In that box that will only contain 140 characters, one can only say so much!
2. By the time I noted the replies to my comment, it was buried under several screens of comments.  Gone.  Like my voice was lost.  Like I could not even defend myself.  Therefore, here I will thank those who responded, for dialogue is a strong tool, and respond to the last two comments and maybe continue that dialogue here, where one does not have to be immediately present to still respond in a timely fashion. (Yes, it’s true I could reply to them…but I still feel that this somewhat random response twelve hours later is “lost” within all the other comments.)

Original Twitter comment:

Attended a workshop this week based on Dr. Ruby Payne’s work on poverty…very interesting and so applicable for many of my students.

Replies to this comment:

• jennann516@tgillmoreThat workshop is so eye-opening. The part abt material goods vs paper (ie deed to house, insurance, etc) rang so true.
• JenAnsbach@jmiscavish @tgillmore After working in a high-poverty special needs district for 6 years, I found Payne’s work offensive when I read it.
• jmiscavish@tgillmoredon’t drink the koolaid yet-her thoughts really simply a complicated situation: http://is.gd/1DgTd (This is a link to a paper critiquing Dr. Payne’s work.)

To Continue the Dialogue:

On Thursday and Friday of this past week, I did attend a workshop during which Dr. Sue Dehart (a humorist also!) presented the work of Dr. Ruby Payne.  All attendees (125 teachers both from my district and several surrounding schools) received copies of A Framework of Poverty and a workbook of modules (prepared materials for immediate use!  So exciting for any teacher!)

Honestly?  I have not read enough of Dr. Payne’s works to consider myself a valid reference, but after listening to Dr. Dehart for twelve hours, I am confident enough to promote her presentation of Dr. Payne’s work. 

• Day 1 was full of statistics and good reminders (vivid enough to immediately call to my mind students I have had, those I still have, persons who live in my community, those who my church have helped in the past…yes, people in poverty, those people, who, unfortunately, I forget and do now acknowledge enough as I sit here in my middle-class arrogance.  By the way, that descriptor is mine…not one I heard during the workshop).
• Day 2, one in which I left with much applicable material, was simply the use of graphic organizers, which I totally support.  Very much. 

As I peruse the last two comments, I would have to ponder along with the Twitterer who left me this Direct Message:  it’s worth noting that political agendas are connected to acceptance and rejection of her work. Fact becomes irrelevant as agenda takes over.  With this I would and do truly empathize.  Politics within a school district is frustrating.  Very.

One additional note:  I went to that workshop totally unenthused about the topic, preferring to be almost anywhere (with the exception of jail, the grave, and the hospital…just a few that come to mind!).  What is important to note here, though, is that I left a more sympathetic, caring teacher, who hopes to make a more positive impact on her students…and her neighbors and fellow church-goers… this fall.  Yes, that is what is really important to note here.