Comments for Pressing Pause

Comment on Divorce as Default by lbwoodgate

lbwoodgate — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:27:28 +0000

I agree with your premise Ron. My wife and I have made it through rough periods and after 36 years of marriage we think we’re better for it. We’ve have two kids to show for it all but I think if it hadn’t been for this we might have gone our separate ways earlier.

The fact that this couple didn’t have children let’s them off the hook a bit but yes, marriage is a commitment that should mean something. Dealing with the negatives of a relationship is the mature thing to do. Running away from it isn’t.

Comment on The Achievement Gap—Turns Out Family Income Trumps Race by lbwoodgate

lbwoodgate — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:02:21 +0000

” If you’re a teacher expect the “close the achievement gap” mantra to be updated.”

Yes, and you will be expected to do this with fewer resources, fewer teachers, making lower wages. The 1% cannot be job creators without your contributions to their bank accounts.

Comment on The Most Constructive Ways to Praise Children by Ron Byrnes

Ron Byrnes — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 02:12:37 +0000

Thanks for your comment. Tee-ball is a higher form of baseball—no balls, few fouls, glorious.

Comment on The Most Constructive Ways to Praise Children by pinkpigrulz

pinkpigrulz — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:21:26 +0000

Being in education, I try my best to remember this since I paid good money to learn it. Sometimes I slip, but both my sons tend to “get it” pretty quickly (don’t most parents say that?) and so we found if we don’t focus on process, they are done homework and projects very quickly. Sports is an area they don’t “get it” very quickly so this approach comes in quite handy to remind them of the process. And that it’s okay if they have to use the tee at T-ball.

Comment on The Christian College Conundrum by Ron Byrnes

Ron Byrnes — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:45:19 +0000

They never should have let you go. Know St. Olaf well. You’re right, very good school, and beautiful campus. First Born is across town and Second Born’s best friend visits St. Olaf next month.

Comment on The Christian College Conundrum by Scott Erb

Scott Erb — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:16:03 +0000

It also has an excellent academic reputation and is world class in its music programs. I was ABD and taught covering for a professor on sabbatical, and then later a professor doing “global semester” (taking students around the world for a semester’s credit). They don’t usually have grad students teach and I had to prove I could do it before they hired me, so don’t let that dissuade you from considering St. Olaf!

Comment on The Christian College Conundrum by Scott Erb

Scott Erb — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:14:15 +0000

Check out St. Olaf college in Northfield, Minnesota (one of the ECLA Lutheran colleges you mention). I taught there two years while in grad school at the U. of Minnnesota, and while there is a clear Christian focus, it seemed at least then to be very open in terms of inquiry. I was originally disappointed no full time jobs opened up there when I finished my Ph.D., though now I’m glad to be in Maine!

Comment on What I’m Reading by Titfortat

Titfortat — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:52:23 +0000

You want an interesting book on monetary issues then check out, “The Creature from Jeckyll Island”. Very interesting stuff for sure.

Comment on What I’m Reading by Ron Byrnes

Ron Byrnes — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 02:27:44 +0000

Sounds perfect for someone who just turned 5-0.

Comment on What I’m Reading by lbwoodgate

lbwoodgate — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:10:39 +0000

Sounds like some great reads Ron. I think Lessing book will be a good follow up to an historical rendering on the “founding fathers” I’m reading now by R.B. Bernstein called “The Founding Fathers Reconsidered.”

Prior to Bernstein’s book I read a futuristic drama by William Thomas called “Tribes of Eden”. Thomas takes his skills as a gerontologist and creates a wonderful fiction about life in the not so distant future where the skills of the elderly literally save the planet from self-destruction that has relied too long on centralized corporate authority. Kind of mix between Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451″ and Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings”