For the first time since 2019, on July 28, 2025, I had THE honor of teaching a leadership lesson to my former student teacher’s high school students! Teaching leadership is something that I had done from 1997-2019. I had hit a wall where I wasn’t connecting with students. The only thing I had in common with the students was: food, shelter, water. My passion for being better through expecting more from me than the previous day wasn’t connecting the students. For their sake and my well-being, I stopped.
Time to Get on The Horse
For some reason (GOD), I decided to say something to my former student teacher who is now a wonderful high school band director and has his own leadership business, “Maybe it’s time for me to make a return. How about coming out to work with your students?”
“Heck yeah! Let’s do it!
July 28, 2025, I got back on the horse and it was a FANTASTIC “RIDE.” His students were so receptive to now the overweight, bald-headed, grandpa! I was and still am proud of them. There they were taking notes on my presentation, “NINE WORDS. YOUR CHOICE.” Answering questions.
In fact, during the first fifteen minutes of the 90 minutes, we were having so much fun some adult (don’t know who she was; didn’t take the time to introduce herself to me) told us to keep it quiet because they were having a meeting. As she left the room, my response to the students? “Well, she just peed in my cheerios!” And the laughter was awesome.
I AM BACK.
Classical Education
Now, the hard tangent.
For my presentations, I have an introduction and that introduction includes, “I teach at a charter school based on ‘classical education.'”
Well, now NOT to my surprise because of how cool his students are, one of the students wanted to know what ‘classical education’ is. My answer is, “we are in the pursuit of truth. You know. 1 + 1 = 2. I want to know how come that is truth. While many public schools want to teach 1 + 1 = 2 is not seen by all parts of the world.”
That example is my “simpleton” way of thinking. I need to memorize this: classical education provides a framework for seeking, understanding, and embracing truth as a foundational principle, empowering students to live a life aligned with wisdom and virtue.
I want to encourage my brothers and sisters in education to return to classical education. And so you don’t have to, here is the link for what is ‘classical education.’
Be brave. Be courageous. See how different the modern public school is compared to what it was 100+ years ago.
Be Gone Classical Education!
Due to low test scores in math and reading and even the uptick in poor behavior on many public school campuses, we are seeing the results of progressives taking the leadership of public education. This link will get you to the names of the progressives who have made a lasting impact on our country. You are going to recognize the names of several of these “progressives.”
When are we going to admit that public education needs a kick in the tail? Since 1978 (Department of Education), our schools are struggling and yet, we keep doing what we are doing.
In fact, five years after the Department of Education was established a very important study was released. Now think about it. 42 years after that study was released, children back then are now adults (parents / grandparents / teachers / professors) who were a part of that study. Those children 42 years ago? They are raising future generations! How can a “Nation at Risk” improve when they don’t know they were at risk?
There was a response to that study, and now? We are seeing possible regression from the initial response to “Nation at Risk.”
Our Students need THE TRUTH – Even if it HURTS
I do hope what is old is new again. It is time for CLASSICAL EDUCATION to return to the public (government) schools! For three years, I have been a teacher in a ‘classical education’ culture. I almost feel it is the equivalent to a detox program for an addict. Going back to the “beginning.”
What is interesting and concerning is seeing the younger teachers (teaching less than four years; maybe in their twenties) having to come to grips with one of my new favorite sayings, “it takes guts to teach the truth.” They have been taught “my truth” or “your truth.” NOPE. There is THE TRUTH. A man is a man and a woman is a woman. That is truth. 1 +1 =2. That is truth.
If our nation is going to have another 250+ years of existence, it’s time to face THE TRUTH. Our children’s children are depending on THE TRUTH. Let’s return to telling the truth in a kind / compassionate tone and let the person receiving the truth be responsible for their response. Hey. When telling they truth, you don’t have to remember everything you said. Why? Because, you told the truth. It’s the liars and their lying who have the stress of remembering everything they said or did!