the koh-construction of life

We just heard some very sad news this morning that Shadow, one of the four cats in the tribe we cared for this past spring/summer, has been missing since Wednesday. We all want to help look for him and yet he is thousands of miles away. My daughter is still strongly attached to the tribe. Each night before bed, she includes them in her "sweet thoughts." She made a paper cell phone about one month ago and receives regular "cell phone" messages from all four of them - Pookie, Shadow, Sadie, and McKenzie.

About two weeks ago, she declared Election Day as "National Cat Day" - in honor of President Pookie. For Halloween this year, she decided she wants to be Pookie (so I am busy trying to convert an old grey Heffalump costume that her auntie made her into a cat costume). Although she was probably most attached to Sadie and Pookie, interestingly enough, Shadow "called" her most frequently on her "cell phone." In an odd way, I suppose they became part of our "family." We all hope Shadow has a safe return home. I, for one, have a special place in my heart for him. In short, it appears the Tribosphere is still very much a part of us - and we a part of it.

Posted by koh-constructor at 11:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I have been reading some pretty disturbing articles in the NYT’s about the recent McCain rally on Friday in Lakeville, MN. I saw a re-broadcast of Meet the Press today at the gym; they discussed this recent event.

Being new to the area, I looked at a map to see where Lakeville is – it is just south of Minneapolis.

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This is really scary and unsettling.

Posted by koh-constructor at 2:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I read this book, “Teaching to Transgress" by bell hooks (1994) about ten years ago. I remember hooks talked about “engaged pedagogy"; this concept has really stayed with me. hooks (1994) writes the following:

"To educate as the practice of freedom is a way of teaching that anyone can learn. That learning process comes easiest to those of us who teach who also believe that there is an aspect of our vocation that is sacred; who believe that our work is not merely to share information but to share in the intellectual and spiritual growth of our students. To teach in a manner that respects and cares for the souls of our students is essential is we are to provide the necessary conditions where learning can most deeply and intimately begin." (p. 13).

As I re-engage myself in teaching, I am reminded of this idea of “engaged pedagogy." Most universities (especially research one universities) have a focus on research and not on pedagogy or, for that matter, “engaged pedagogy." With teacher training, I think there is a parallel process of engaging future teachers in the pedagogy of pedagogy.

Good teaching is about being present, being active (in all respects), being authentic, being transparent, being patient, being creative, being flexible, and being engaged (on all levels) – all in a safe, nurturing, theatrical, and exploratory environment. With these conditions, education can be about “the practice of freedom." If learning is about taking risks, good teaching should be about creating spaces for risk-taking. If learning is a process, teaching is a process.

Posted by koh-constructor at 7:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rebooting is usually an isolated technological event: a system shuts down and is rebooted by an individual. I have learned over the last few weeks, however, that “rebooting" is not an individual experience but a community one. To really get a system “up and running," we need a network of individuals to build a community of support around the “system" to help provide “technological" advice on rebooting. Think about it: If we simply reboot as individuals without consulting others in the community, the “computer issue" will likely rear its ugly head at another given time since it hasn’t been properly attended to. Thus, by individually “rebooting" as an isolated system, we are only putting a “band-aid" on the technological issue.

Those who have assisted this particular “system" in the rebooting process know who they are. I am grateful for my “tech" support over the past few weeks of questioning the “system."

You laugh, make me laugh.
You listen, make me listen.
You ask, make me ask.
You guide, make me guide.
You give, make me give.

Thank you, all.

Posted by koh-constructor at 5:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)