Not to dwell on a point, but as you know, 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 the hard decision 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 on this blog 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. (For those of you who are just joining us, or who don't know, I founded the S.M.Art Kids® programming, which is movement based programming for children with special needs.These programs were designed to support sensory, academic & social, development, but have been relegated (under protest) to being just a summer and after school recreational program at this time.)
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 6-10 weeks (no exaggeration) after I delivered services. So not only did I suffer emotional distress, but also financial.
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, they left early, and before I they had a chance to truly assimilate the lessons & activities & before I had a chance to get valuable verbal (and non-verbal) feedback from the students.
Then the obvious hit me: This program is not seen as 'valuable' because it doesn't belong. It does not "fit" nor "align" with the (all powerful) Common Core curriculum standards, no matter how I attempted to do that. (and now I am glad it did not fit in with it.) 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 great "off the record" insight from an educator friend of mine and so the "Common Core Meltdown" had begun. The new blog's name intentionally reflects the spirit of the process of an actual 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 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? 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. 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 be still be addressing 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. I hope you will join us and I welcome your participation, feedback, input, insights and life experiences.
While I always welcome comments and insights from all perspectives, I just ask to keep it respectful. In my actual life, 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.
Regardless of personal views, I do NOT condone overtly intimidating or hateful speech and ask that everyone also refrain from hate, excessive cursing & name-calling or you will be banned. The new blog's purpose is to make connections, start the discussions, and motivate us all to take action together. (By the way, Spammers will also be banned.) All comments will be moderated for this reason.
Please understand that I am not bitter and I did not entirely abandon what I was doing before: I am still an educator. Its just that I have identified critical areas of need and I am endeavoring to address them through education in a blog format. "Common Core Meltdown" is not a "Feel Good" blog and nothing that I write there is meant to harm nor offend anyone. My sincere intent is to share information, to open discussion, to educate, to raise awareness and provide tools and resources to spark effective action towards more common sense education practices. (And I'm not against sharing some humor there as well!)
If you would like to submit a relevant resource, article or commentary, please do so by e-mailing me at: bg.bgini@gmail.com
Please help spread the word and Thank you in advance for joining us!
Barbara Gini
Independent Educator
Author
Founder S.M.Art Kids® &
"Common Core Meltdown"
