We Are The Cole Cubs!

I Am Not Alone At This Counter: Education Reform Well-Intentioned, But Out Of Step With Reality

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 00:08:36 -0400

It happened in a diner in New Jersey. It happened on the subway in Manhattan. It happened just this evening in a little diner in Massachusetts. While on this Diner Tour I have spoken with average people at the booth next to me or on my right elbow at a counter. When the conversation about the fact that my wife and I are educators arose, three different times an unsolicited comment about the sanity of the cuts to education funding, the amount of testing, or the one-size fits all mandates that don’t account for the diversity and transiency of student populations have sprung up. Let me reiterate that these were unsolicited comments. I am not alone at this counter when I say that education reform is well-intentioned, but out of step with reality.

This evening a man in his seventies joined me on a nearby diner stool in Massachusetts and spoke about how out-of-step many of the mandates and the people who are making them are. He spoke about the long hours that teachers have to work and the fact that children in his city are at one school one day, and at another the next. He wasn’t saying that these students don’t deserve the best education that can be affored to them. He also wasn’t saying that teachers shouldn’t teach and be accountable. What he was referring to was the amount of emphasis and stress placed on assessments that judge a student’s worth, a teacher’s worth, a school’s worth, and a neighborhood’s worth. He used these words, “Out of touch with reality.” Because he said, “The rules don’t account for what goes on in a school every day.”

I was waiting to board a subway in New York City when a group of five or six youth ages 10-14 came prancing down the subway steps. They held boxes of candy taped together that they were selling at the stop as commuters came and went. Homework wasn’t a priority. Making a few dollars was. I then boarded a subway and had a chance to speak with a principal on the subway in Manhattan who did speak about many frustrations with the current education system. These frustrations include teachers who are unmotivated and cannot be fired because of strong contracts and iron-clad clauses. But she also spoke about losing five great teachers because of budget cuts and how wide in range the special education needs of the children in her building were. I spoke with a set of teachers who sat next to me in a diner booth in New Jersey who lamented about the number of tests and the significance that are placed on these. And I spoke with a waitress in New Jerey who spoke about the children she has at home and how she worries that they will be able to make it through school with all of the tests. She expressed how life is different now than it used to be but she worries about her children making it. Finally, I spoke with a medical assistant in Indianapolis who offered that she works with her son to make sure he can read, but how all of this testing and sitting in one place all the time is a real challenge for him with a short attention span in school. Her comment, “Where did childhood go? My third grader was sick with worry that he wouldn’t pass the test and be able to go on with his friends. The kids hardly get a chance to breathe during the day and get hardly any chance to get up or to run around.”

I am not alone at this counter. Education reform is well-intentioned and has merit. But what I am hearing as I travel the country is unsolicited feedback from many that all of this has become ‘crazy’. Sometimes you feel you are alone in your thinking or limited in your scope because it affects you or your profession. But what I am hearing as I make my journeys is that I am not alone in my thinking. I just hope that a breath can be taken and priorities set in a way that honors the concept of providing the best education for every child. These priorities cannot come at the expense of experiential, hands-on opportunities nor at the expense of a student’s childhood and self-concept.

Diner Diaries: There Will Be A Seat For You

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:49:22 -0400

At a diner in Worcester, Massachusetts, you can sit at one of the stools that line this classic 1930s diner and order a meal; 24 hours a day/7 days a week. The owner opens the diner on holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving because as the waitress said, “A lot of the regulars are widowers who wouldn’t have a place to go otherwise. They come here every day.” The diner is the Boulevard Diner in Worcester, Massachusetts. It is a treasure.

We arrived at the diner around 8:00 p.m. There was one other couple in the quaint place when we came and when this couple left, another took their spot. It was a down time in the day, and I was grateful because the conversations we had with our waitresses Kathy and Gabriella were only outdone by the sauce on the homemade lasagna. This diner was one of a kind.

While we were finishing up, Ed walked in the door. Ed helps out around the diner and was very forthcoming with information about where the original diner stood when it first came from the factory in Worcester. He also spoke with pride about how the diner has been kept up over the years and is original. He was one of the gang at the Boulevard. They even asked him for change because the cash register didn’t have 5’s and 10’s to break a $20. He showed me the original plans for the diner that hang on the wall and shared with me information about his family. He had a seat at the diner for sure.

This journey up the coast visiting diners has its roots in one word: Relationships. I have found along the way at most stops that not only are people genuinely kind, but they are modest about the service they provide each day. I really loved the quaint, comfortable Boulevard Diner. I could picture myself sitting here of a summer’s evening. I could also picture myself sitting here for breakfast on a cold winter’s day. I guess I like three things about the Boulevard Diner:

First: They stuck with the basics. The menu is big, but not enormous and is rooted in two things that work - breakfast and Italian food. The owners are Italian and they continue to share their food creations with customers. While I sat at the counter contemplating what to order, Kathy said to me, “The Lasagna”. A teenage young lady sitting at a booth behind me said, “I agree. It’s the best. Anything Italian here is great, but especially the lasagna.” When you have a recipe that works, stick with it.

Second: Pride. The waitresses spoke with pride about how this diner was the original and they hadn’t added on and chromed it up like so many other diners of its day. We spoke of other diners that have become bars and have the orignal fronts but aren’t ‘real diners anymore’. This one was a real diner. The pride goes back to the family who owns it. Many generations had worked there with Gabriella set to carry the torch into the future. Being proud of what you do is important.

Third: There will be a seat for you. We hear all the time about how selfish and self-serving people are. I have not found that in the diners we have visited - quite the opposite. When I heard the story about opening up on Christmas and Thanksgiving, I was hooked. What a truly selfless act this is which serves others. I have found in life there are many more untold stories of selflessness in the world than those that are told. I would love to pop in on Thanksgivng or Christmas and just chat with some of the folks that came by. I bet their stories are amazing and I bet they feel like they are home with their family. Because in some ways, they are. Family always has a seat for you, and today I learned, so does the Boulevard Diner.

Diner Diaries: Black and White and Fuschia All Over

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:47:54 -0400

After a day filled with many highlights on the Diner Tour, I would categorize this one as Black and White and Fuschia All Over. This day was filled with many moments of reflection including a few hours in Washington Square Park with the famed arch; fun visits to the apartment exterior represented on the television show Friends, dinner at Tom’s Restaurant: Another exterior used on a television show: Seinfeld; a visit to the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village; and a few hours in a coffee shop in Greenwich Village reading while my wife journaled. These moments allowed me time to reflect on the beauty of the world, the pieces that make me laugh and stay entertained, the pieces I believe in, and the pieces that make me relaxed and at ease.

This would be a good day on its own. So, why was the day black and white and fuschia all over? Well, the black and white represents the cookies that I purchased at the end of the day from Crown Deli in Times Square. These little beauties are a childhood memory that cannot be purchased at home. I have been looking throughout my travels in New York City, and finally was led to them late in the evening of our final day in the city. These cookies represent a good memory and a treat for later. I share this story with you because too often in life the people we don’t treat is ourselves. These black and whites are my little treat. When was the last time you treated yourself?

Black and White and Fuschia All Over. Why fuschia? Quite simply because the weather turned from a bright, sunny day - almost too warm by noon to one where the rain set in around 2:00 and hasn’t let up all day. It isn’t a torrential downpour type rain. Instead, it’s just a slow and steady rain that you know will be with you for a time. My wife and I found shelter in a coffee shop for a period of time during the rain, then ventured out to find our subway and seek refuge for a time in our hotel room. Earlier in the afternoon my wife had purchased a cheap umbrella from a drug store (Note the word choice: Cheap; not Inexpensive). We had battled that umbrella most of the day but when we ventured toward the subway and home, that is when the day became fuschia.

You see my wife grabbled my arm and we walked in tandem down the sidewalk through the streets of Greenwich Village toward our destination. We parted ways occasionally to avoid the onslaught of other marauding passerbys who were also sporting their umbrellas. We also stood like cattle in the subway car as it sped up the tracks toward our destination and we swam like salmon with the masses pouring out of the subway station. As we emerged from the steaming hot subway station, we again walked in tandem at times together under the fuschia umbrella.

While there were many great sites seen, laughs had, and memories made - walking under the fuschia umbrella in the rain fighting the crowds in New York City arm-in-arm with my wife is the one that will stick with me. You know when experiences that last are happening when they are happening. I said to myself as I dodged umbrellas and people who wouldn’t slow down or yield their path, “This moment under the fuschia umbrella is a special one.” When was the last time you were in the moment with something special and knew it was occurring? And did you drink it in?

Black and White and Fuschia all over: Treat yourself every once in a while and remain present so special moments don’t pass you by.

Diner Diaries: A Reflection on Diversity

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 01:29:00 -0400

Walking down Sixth Avenue this morning on the way to breakfast at the Moonstruck Diner, an interesting thing happened. I began to notice that each and every restaurant I passed was represented by a different nationality. We passed a Thai, an Italian, a Mexican, an Indian, a Chinese, an Afghanistan, a Greek, and a Japanese Restaurant as well as a Kosher Deli. Appropriately, Sixth Avenue is also called “Avenue of the Americas”.

After eating, we headed toward the Empire State Building. This building is an icon in New York City. Interestingly, the limestone for this building originates from quarries from my home state of Indiana. This building is absolutely stunning. What a work of art of art it is.

While we slogged through the maze of walkways and waited in line for our trip to the observatory, we were surrounded by many people from different nationalities speaking a variety of languages. The pictures on the walls told the story of this great American building. It was built by mostly immigrants who risked life and limb toiling high in the air above New York City to make this building a reality. They created a treasure. I couldn’t help but think as I saw the pictures of workers building and eating, that many of them most likely frequented diners during the construction process. Diners provided good food at a fair price.

We left the Empire State Building and visited some more areas nearby. It was then time to stop for a bite. Original diners were simply wheeled into a locale on a street corner and set up for business. The closest thing to these original portable diners today are the various carts that line the streets throughout the city. We stopped first at a cart selling falafel. There we were waited on by a young man who originally called himself “Bobby”. When we told him we were from out of town and what we were doing, his face brightened and he said, “Call me by my real first name, Najeeb.” Najeeb crafted a falafel sandwich for my wife and spoke briefly about his homeland: Afghanistan. He was a true delight and a nice man.

We then walked down the street and visited another street cart where we purchased two ‘delicacies of New York City’: Hot Dogs and Pretzels.

As we enjoyed our meal walking down the street toward the subway, we reflected that in some ways, these street carts are truly the modern day diner. You can get a slice of pizza or a hot dog for a dollar. You can also get a variety of foods and beverages that are portable and cheap, including a falafel sandwich. Modern day, convenient comfort food right at your finger tips on the streets of New York City for a reasonable price would be the calling card of these portable food carts.

Next, our journey took us to lower Manhattan to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. Here we boarded a ferry and made the trip across the New York Harbor into Staten Island. The trip was a relaxing one. Again, we were surrounded by a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. Interestingly, many, like us, were looking for one thing: A good view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Both of these locations are well-known landmarks and both of these locations have some significance for most Americans who can trace their lineage back to a relative whose first glimpse of America was the Statue of Liberty and who touched American soil for the first time at Ellis Island.

That Statue of Liberty is beautiful on many fronts. I had visited it as a child, but I will honestly say that the view from the ferry gave me a different perspective than I remember. I could see it on the horizon when we left, and we passed close enough to it that I could get a sense of what an immigrant might see as he/she approached this country. This was a very cool experience, indeed for me.

We then boarded the subway again and made our way to Central Park. This little oasis of green in the middle of the bustling city was a welcome sight. As we explored the southwestern portion of the park, we came across the “Imagine Circle” in the Strawberry Fields Memorial section of the park. This memorial was dedicated to the memory of John Lennon from the Beatles who lived in the Dakota Apartments across the street from it and was murdered outside its front doors.

It seemed appropriate that I would end my day at a place like this. A place that celebrates not only the idea of diversity, but also the idea of a world without war and violence. So much of the violence in this world can be traced back to a lack of acceptance of differences. The diner tour today took me on many paths that made me reflect on diversity. As an educator, it is important to me that children and parents from all nationalities, religions, social, sexual, gender, and ethnic backgrounds are welcome. It is important to me that the students in my building are encouraged to be accepting and welcoming of differences. It also is important to me that as it seems people continue to struggle to find a common ground, we continue to try. It is for us now and for our future that we spend time with the children of today reflecting on diversity. Because the world is a large and diverse place. Today’s many experiences encouraged me to reflect upon these differences and to be affirmed once again that although we all don’t look the same, speak the same, or eat the same foods for dinner, we are all so very much alike.

Diner Diaries: Reaching One's Potential

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 01:44:12 -0400

A great thing happened today on our Diner Tour, we made it to New York City. When we arrived, we met up with one of Alex’s friends, Cody. Cody graduated from the sister high school from Alex and has been friends with Alex and my wife and me for almost a decade.

We have known Cody through high school, college, and the highs and lows that go with these times. Cody and Alex have been friends throughout these times and have the type of relationship that picks up exactly where it left off when they connect.

I appreciate Cody on many fronts. I appreciate that he is friends with Alex. I appreciate Cody’s sarcasm, his wit, and his kindness. Cody is also very talented. He has an eye for detail and can work wonders with graphics. He is currently working in New York City at an advertising firm in the art department.

We began this Diner Trip with several objectives. Part of the trip is all about relationships and renewal. But part of the trip is to bring back to students the idea that through hard work and grit, dreams can come true and one’s potential can be reached. Cody began in New York City as an intern. He has paid his dues, worked hourly, and has lived with meager means while he gained experience. He was recently rewarded for his talents, time, and energy by being made full-time in his position. Cody has bigger plans in his future. And I am certain he will reach these goals that he has set. Because he is talented, works hard, and is creative.

Cody was a fantastic tour guide today. He showed us all over the city: High Line, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Time Square. But he showed me something as well today that will stick with me even longer than the memories of these great locations. He showed me an example of a person I knew at a much younger age with hopes and dreams who has worked hard and is now seeing these dreams come true. As an educator, this is exactly what I hope for each of my students. Seeing Cody thriving in New York City, doing what he has wanted to do, and quite honestly being happy - that made my day. Great job, Cody. I am very proud of you.

Diner Diaries: Another Bill and a Jersey Sandwich

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 01:10:42 -0400

A Strange thing happened today when we visited the Forked River Diner in Forked River, New Jersey. We met another Bill and we had another great time. We arrived at this diner around 10:30 on Sunday (Father’s Day) and were part of the crowd waiting right outside for a seat in what was a crowded little diner. The diner was definitely an old one. And as we stood there waiting, I met a man who told me that he remembered watching diners like this wheel down the road near his boyhood home - the diner factory was in the neighborhood.

As we talked, I asked my typical question, “What’s good to eat here?” That is when I met Bill and his wife, Kim. Bill said, “You have to order Taylor Ham.”

“Taylor Ham?” I inqured.

“Yes, it’s made here in Jersey and it’s great. Do this. Order a Jersey Sandwich: Egg and cheese with Taylor Ham on a hard roll.”

The information flew so quickly that I said, “I may have to find you when it’s time to order.” At that point, Bill sprung to service. He found the waitress and told her what I needed to have when I was seated.

Sure enough, as soon as we sat down, the Jersey Sandwich was delivered to my table. Bill was right. It was delicious.

We were blessed to be seated next to Bill and Kim during breakfast and had a lovely visit. We discussed teaching: Both Bill and Kim are French Teachers. We discussed our travels. We discussed the devastation from Hurricane Sandy. And we discussed the delcious Jersey Sandwich. Then Bill and Kim extended the highest act of friendship: They exchanged phone numbers with us and invited us to dinner at their home if we drive through Jersey on our way home. What an awesome breakfast.

I would be remiss if I didn’t add what happened during the meal. When it was time for my ceremonial slice of pie, I asked the waitress what I should have. She responded, “You’re not full yet?” Then, when she pulled apple pie out and asked across the diner, “Do you want ice cream with that?” When I declined, she tilted her head as if to say, “Really?” and I accepted. We also were entertained by the gentleman on the other side of our table. His name was Vito. He commented about the ice cream on the pie, “It’s the first meal of the day. It’s not like it’s 7:00 at night.” Definitely a diner experience worth remembering.

But I want to return to Bill. One of the reasons my wife wrote this Diner grant was that she remembered many friendships at the diners she visited with her grandmother. She themed her classroom this way as well because she wanted that same feeling of friendship for her students. Today, Bill and I connected.

He and his wife were perfect strangers but he was willing and able to lend a hand to a stranger in search of a good meal. He also was genuine in his conversation. I appreciated that. I also was very touched by his invitation to his home. Bill and Kim are regulars. He knew the names of all the waitresses. He is the type of guy you could eat with every day and leave feeling like a million bucks. He also strikes me as the type of guy who would drop everything and help you. This grant was built on the concept of relationships. I have met many nice people and had many laughs and great conversations. Bill and Kim are right up there in terms of the kindest people we have met. If our travels allow us, you can be sure we will find our way to their house for dinner. And to think it all began waiting for a booth in a diner.

Diner Diaries: Inspired by Bill

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 02:03:00 -0400

When you begin a day with one thing in mind, inevitably something else will cause you to rethink your intent and travel a different direction. That is what happened today on Day 4 of our Diner Tour. The day began with a visit to the STAR Diner in Pomona, New Jersey. This diner was one we spotted last evening after traveling toward our hotel after a long day out adventuring.

My mission today at the STAR Diner was breakfast. I wound up eating two eggs, a slice of ham and dry rye toast. My wife has become quite masterful at approaching the owners or managers of these diners to see if they will agree to sit down and speak with us. We sit down, order our food, and then she brings her claim ticket with the grant and blog information to the front counter and gives her speech. Today, she encountered a Greek gentleman who looked very gruff at first appearance. I was convinced as she approached him that she would be rebuked, but to my surprise, he was very agreeable and came and spoke with us at our table. His name was Bill and he had a fascinating story of coming to America alone, struggling to get a start; first in Chicago, then in Philadelphia, and then finally opening his own diner (STAR Diner)in North Wildwood, New Jersey. He had been there for ten years and had recently purchased the diner in Pomona we were eating in, totally renovating it, and renaming it STAR Diner as well. I learned a lot from Bill including how he had gotten his start in Philadelphia because the boat he was on from Philadelphia wound up there. How he had begun working at a Luncheonette as a dishwasher, and had worked his way up to cook and eventually to owner. It turns out a Luncheonette is open from 6:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. He told us that he should have stuck with the Luncheonette – he was making a living and he has a life. Now he works seven days a week in two diners he owns. Bill was gracious in his words and his stories. He told how diner living is not as easy as it once was. He said people used to eat four or five times a week in diners, but the economy and Hurricane Sandy have wreaked havoc. Bill said that some families still are without homes from the hurricane. He said, “You used to see people four times a week. Now you might see them on Sunday morning for breakfast.” B

Bill reminded me of another Greek man I know who owns a local restaurant where I live. His name is George. George comes across like one of the Billy Goats in the three Billy Goats Gruff story. But the more you talk with him, the more you see a man who works very hard, loves his family, and has a story to tell. He is also the kind of man who once he realizes you are ‘okay’, he treats you with a certain amount of respect.

Part of the expectation that I have been given for this trip is to partake in the pie selections from these diners. I am trying very hard to stick with pies that are homemade. If there is not a homemade pie selection, then I choose another homemade dessert. Pies were homemade, but I defer always to the wait staff or in this case to Bill. He chose for me Boston cream pie. I must say that the pie was outstanding. It may have been the best I have had thus far. And, Bill threw it in for free.

We ran some errand and while on the errand, I surfed the net for local beaches. I looked up the Wildwood Beach and was impressed by the images that appeared. It looked good, and it was close to Bill’s other diner. We agreed that that is where we would put our feet in the sand for the day.

We drove to Wildwood and this is where our adventure with quarters began. The street-side parking was metered. 50 cents was the charge for fifteen minutes of parking. We emptied our stash and bought waters at a local boardwalk pizza place to get more. After feeding 34 quarters and 2 dimes into the machine, we had almost five hours to enjoy the boardwalk and the beach.

The beach was beautiful. There was an amusement park nearby and the water, while cold, was still inviting.

My wife spent a lot of time journaling and I walked up and down the beach and found a really nice shell. It was a great afternoon of calm.

By the time we left, I was actually hungry. Maybe it was the walking in the surf, maybe it was the eight hours since the last feed, but we wound up at the original STAR Diner and ran into Bill when we arrived.

We all ordered seafood. I ordered broiled flounder, green beans, and mashed potatoes. The corn bread and rolls were all homemade. For dessert, the waitress liked the cheesecake, but it isn’t necessarily my favorite. She recommended a Napoleon. We don’t have Napoleons where I live, so I ordered it.

The diner was comfortable and inviting. We even got to meet Bill’s son, Demetrius, who bought us our dessert. Bill didn’t fail us. He gave us two good meals today and also unintentionally led us to a beach we would never have looked for had we not stopped in his diner this morning and chatted with him.

Some Reflections:

Left turns: There are many causeways and pikes that we have traveled in the three days we have been near Atlantic City. An interesting traffic plan is in place that limits left turns. There are many crossroads through these main arteries that do not allow left turns. Instead, there are right lanes built off to the side of the main road where the car does a half circle and then winds up perpendicular to the causeway at a red light. When the light turns, the traffic on the causeway stops and a left turn is possible for the driver. It works. But it took some getting used to by me.

Full Service Gas: When I was leaving Wildwood today, I stopped to put gas in the rental car (we have logged over 1200 miles so far on this trip). I pulled up, hopped out, and grabbed the spigot. A man was right there and asked, “Are you going to handle this yourself?”

Dumbfounded, I replied, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know this was full serve.”

“No problem,” was his response. “It is just less work for me.

Full Service Gas: I haven’t seen this in probably 30 years.

You’s: I love visiting different parts of this country and catching different euphemisms and speech patterns. I have some dear friends from the South who say, “Y’all” when referring to the entire group. Here, the term is “You’s”. “You’s ready to order?” Love it.

Quarters: When you are near Atlantic City, the sound of quarters flowing out of a machine should be associated with money pouring from a slot machine. But when you are on the Diner Tour, that sound is one made after driving forty miles at 10:00 at night to find a 24-Hour Laundromat. You see, doing laundry is not glamorous, but it is part of the trip when you are gone for as long as we are. It is also something that you have to drive 40 miles for when you arrive at the Laundromat right down the road from the hotel at 9:45 and the place closes at 10:00 with the last load allowed at 8:30. I will say this much about our Laundromat experience – you can plug a lot of laundry into four machines and get a lot done in under an hour. The three of us were laundry machines. We also had a chance to pass several other diners along the way to and from the Laundromat. We didn’t stop for these, but it affirmed to us just how culturally significant these diners are to the area.

Final Reflection:

I enjoyed my day today and enjoyed Bill. He affirmed something that I already knew, but it was good to hear him say. When he told his life story, he talked about working at the luncheonette. If you remember, he said, “I should have stayed at the luncheonette. I was making a living and I still had a life. Now I work every day.” It reminded me immediately of where I am professionally. I am a principal at a small school. I hear from people many days, “Do you ever want to go to a bigger school?” I also hear, “Do you want to get your Ph.D. and move to central office administration?” The answer to both questions is “No”. I could do both jobs if needed, but I am like Bill in the luncheonette. I am making it and I like what I do. While there are many days where I work long hours, I like the people I work with, I like the children, I like the parents, and I like the size, pace, and feel of my school. Moving up isn’t necessarily better. I stayed in the luncheonette and I feel good about that decision.

Diner Diaries: Comfort

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 23:54:07 -0400

If I was to sum up Day 3 of the Diner Trip, it would be with one word: Comfort. Our day began with a breakfast visit to the Harbor Diner in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey. This diner was beautiful both inside and outside. Eating breakfast out is a comfort that many give themselves at least once a week. It seemed appropriate that we would begin our day with some breakfast comfort food from this diner.

I chose to have a breakfast of two fried eggs, over-easy; an order of rye toast (outstanding), and a bit of a stretch: Scrapple. I figured I had to try it once on this trip. And once is all I will. Not my favorite.

I remember sitting and talking after the meal and thinking, as I watched the rain pelt the cars outside, “This place is really comfortable.” Our waitress was named Erica. She is married to the owner and took time to speak with us and offer us some stories. What I remember about this spot was that there are regulars, like there are anywhere. However, I saw an interesting group of individuals from young families to two older ladies who were having their breakfast together and were counting the tip with bills and coins plucked from an old coin purse. They were adorable together and I even loved watching them put on their plastic head bonnets to protect their hair from the rain outside. This place was welcoming to many and I felt I could easily sip the iced tea all morning and just chat.

From this diner, we ventured down the road. Here my wife spotted an old billboard for an amusement park that she remembered her grandmother visited when my wife was a child. We of course had to turn the car and follow the signs. I was convinced the old billboard was just that: An old billboard and the park would not be there. But to my surprise, it was. How ironic that a trip inspired by my wife’s grandmother and the time she spent as a child with her in diners would include this unexpected walk down memory lane. My wife and Alex chose to go inside this park. There is comfort in memories, isn’t there? I chose a different kind of comfort. A walk. I found nearby an old railway spur that had been converted into a paved walkway/bikeway. I parked the car and walked 1.5 miles down and 1.5 miles back. As I said in my Facebook post, “Sometimes on a diner tour in order to feed the belly, you have to feed the heart and lungs.” A brisk walk brought comfort and I found comfort that this rail spur, that was once an important main artery into this area, was in some way being preserved.

From there we proceeded to Atlantic City. I have never been there, but we were this close, we thought we needed to check out the boardwalk. Well, directly off the boardwalk is another comfort: The Ocean. We were able to take off our shoes and walk in the ocean up and down the boardwalk.

As I walked the beach with water splashing my feet I thought to myself for the second time today, “I could walk up and down this beach all day.” Comfort.

From there, our journey led us to the casinos for some slot machine action. I can honestly say this is the one time today I did not find comfort. Casinos scare me a bit. Maybe it’s because I fear my own limitations. Maybe because it just isn’t my cup of tea. But we all began with $10 which I promptly lost on the slots. Alex was the big winner, but unlike at the diners when sweets like milkshakes are available, he exercised self control and walked away a winner.

Our trip then took us to another cool diner. This one was called the Point Diner in Ocean City, New Jersey. I had a salad, crabcake sandwich, and a piece of cheesecake.

Maybe it was because our waitress, Teri, was so gracious. Maybe it was because I was tired from a long day and full as a tick. Or maybe it was because the staff was just so friendly. But I could have stayed there all evening in my comfortable booth and talked. Comfort. It was that kind of day.

As the day winds down, I am reminded of how our day actually started. We were headed to a diner that was one of those old railcar variety. It was obviously a landmark because there were even road signs that pointed toward it. When we reached our destination, we encountered this:

The diner was no more. Sad. But it again speaks to comforts. There are many comforts in this world. Many are tangible like a good piece of pie or a fluffy pillow you carry with you across the country on a trip. Others you think are tangible like the At The Hop Diner shown above. They are there one day and gone the next. Life is like that sometimes. The comforts we rely upon and find great pleasure sometimes disappear and we are left with a sense of emptiness. Which makes today and today’s overall feel of Comfort so special. Don’t take the comforts you appreciate for granted. Enjoy them like I did today.

Some Reflections:

Diner Lingo: While I don’t have the diner lingo down to a science, we are beginning to get a few pieces under our belt. Teri taught us one today. I had heard it before but had forgotten and now I will sound smarter at breakfast the next time: Butter with no toast: Dry. So if you are ordering rye toast (which I would recommend because we haven’t had a bad piece since we entered New Jersey), you would say, “Dry Rye”.

Regulars: No matter where you are across this country, there are certain people who are regulars at different restaurants. They don’t have to sit in the same booth, but they often order the same meal and come in very regularly. That just affirms that people are people are people.

Breakfast Meats: Give me bacon or a sausage patty any day. Scrapple - Not my favorite.

Social Media: I find it fun that I have been able to share my travels through this blog, through my Twitter Feed, and through Facebook with many. And many have been able to comment and travel these roads with us. There are a lot of distractions that come from social media and it often gets blamed for people being less attentive or ‘present’. But in this case I have found that it actually is pulling many people together and I again, find a certain comfort in that. I also find it interesting to see how different pictures evoke different feelings from different people.

Power Strip: As I sit on the couch in the hotel typing this post, I see my wife typing on a computer in her bed and Alex downloading pictures on another bed on another computer. I also think about the iPads, cellphones, and camera battery packs we have to charge each day. We should have packed a power strip.

Day Three can be summed up with one word: Comfort

Public Schools: Whole Hog, Not Scrapple

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 22:59:10 -0400

If you have ever visited eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, or Maryland, you might have come across a breakfast item called Scrapple on a diner menu. Scrapple is comprised of essentially the scraps of the hog left over after it is butchered. It is boiled, formed into a cake, and then cut and fried before serving, usually with a breakfast like eggs. I have found that even after overcoming the knowledge of the production process, people who eat it either love it or hate it. It’s not my favorite.

I tried scrapple today because it had been so long since I had tasted it. This experience made me think about the origin of scrapple and how it was once important to use every part of the pig when butchering it. I then thought about the other parts of the pig: Ham, loin, chops and I thought how for many, the only parts they could afford were the parts left for scrapple. While others dined on the finest portions like the ham and loin.

This made me then think about what I do each day: Educate children. I thought about how children deserve a whole hog education from their public schools. It is important that no parts get thrown away. So, the best and brightest like the ham and loin deserve a chance in schools. Likewise, no parts should be discarded just because they may not come from the best parts of the animal. It is our responsibility as educators to teach every child: Regardless of disability, race, socio-economic background, or where he/she lays her head each night.

My mind then turned to the voucher programs that are being funded across the country with public dollars. These programs have risen in some part because every child was not being met where he or she was. And there was a feeling, like with your family doctor, that if the service wasn’t worthwhile, then you should be able to take your voucher and attend a different school. There is merit in this approach but there are also flaws. One of the biggest flaws I have seen is that I have heard several stories from private and parochial schools who receive public funds from vouchers who have turned children away because they have a disability or don’t meet a certain standard. This is wrong. If you are in the education business, you have to teach the whole child. Nothing frustrates me more than to hear these stories where a child’s situation didn’t fit the bill and a different standard is being allowed for a private or parochial school, but not afforded a public school.

I have also witnessed public school funding be slashed to the point where services and offerings are not what they once were. I fear that if this continues, public schools will not have a chance to teach all the parts of society. Instead, they will be left with the scraps left behind once the choicest pieces are selected by others. Parents deserve a chance to have their children educated by the best they have at their disposal. And sticking with this mindset, public schools deserve to be funded in a fashion that allows them to not have to sift through the remnants to make scrapple.

Diner Diaries: GRIT, Not GRITS

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 02:23:48 -0400

I am a firm believer in the concept of GRIT. That intangible quality of persevering through a task, weathering setbacks and failures, and eventually reaching one’s goal. As I continue on this diner journey across the eastern coast of the United States, it seems appropriate that I would be focusing on GRITS. Instead, today, I am focusing on GRIT. Because today was a good day, but it required a lot of GRIT.

The journey began after a long evening in a not so pleasant hotel in Pittsburgh. We ventured into the heart of the city and visited the Andy Warhol Museum. I had a chance to sit outside PNC Park. Any time I am this close to a Major League Baseball stadium, I am happy. The weather was overcast and by the time we got started on our journey, it was almost 1:00 in the afternoon.

Our destination was a diner in Harrisburg called The American Dream Diner. It is a classic diner, nestled along a street in a busy part of Pennyslvania’s capital. The trek across the Keystone State is a long one. About an hour from our destination, I thought, “I wonder if this place is still open?” So we began to call. No answer. We decided to persevere. I had also hoped to meet a friend for lunch at this diner, but departure time, coupled with traveling through the mountains had us arriving at the beautiful American Dream Diner at 5:00 p.m.

Notice the clock over the entrance? If you had a magnifying glass, you would see the hours of operation were 6:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Frustration. Hunger. Bad Mood. What do we do now? Well, we got out our handy smart phone and were blessed to find another diner nearby that was open 24 hours a day.

The Capitol Diner stood proudly along the Interstate. First impressions are usually right. Our first impressions were: “Wow. Lots of shiny metal and it’s really quite big.” It didn’t seem like an old-fashioned diner. It seemed something more modern that was trying to look and feel retro and from the past. We stepped inside and decided to try it. The menu was a “Who’s who in breakfast, lunch, and dinner selections.” It had everything which was good, but not necessarily what we were looking for. A red flag in my head popped up when none of the cakes or pies were homemade. I was committed to having a piece of pie, but when it came, its crust was thick and it was obvious it wasn’t what I had in mind from a diner.

GRIT. That intangible quality of persevering through a task, weathering setbacks and failures, and eventually reaching one’s goal. A long trip to a classic diner that had been closed for three hours. Another trip across a large city to something not quite what we had hoped for. And many roads to travel with the hopes of one more diner on the other side to save the day. So back on the Pennsylvania Turnpike we went. And away we traveled.

New Jersey is the diner capital of the world. We passed several restaurants with the Diner name attached and a few others that had the look and feel that we were seeking. But our destination lay ahead: The Silver Coin Diner.

The drive to the Silver Coin Diner was interesting. Again, GRIT was needed as I took many wrong turns and had to take several unplanned and inopportune bathroom breaks. Patience and Perseverance are life skills needed when you are crossing half of the United States in a car lookng for diners.

The Silver Coin Diner looked immaculate. The waiting staff was amazing. Our waitress was so incredibly nice, but asked not to be interviewed for the documentary and so I am not listing her name on this entry. But she had a look of a 1920’s actress. We mentioned that to her and she blushed and said, “People say that, but I wish I could be an actress.” She had the look. She had been working at the diner for over 20 years. She said the owners treated her really well. She also spoke about how the diner used to be open 24 hours a day, but there were many fights and damage late at night so they close now at 1:00 a.m. (before the bars close in the area). We did speak with a few customers who proudly told us about the blueberries in the area and how there are loyal customers who come to the diner each day. Comfort food. As one customer said, “I lived in Arizona and there were no diners like this where I lived. It was hard to find a place to get a good meal late at night.”

For my meal, I deferred to my waitress who encouraged me to try the Thanksgiving Dinner Sandwich: Turkey, cranberries, dressing all on rye bread served with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy and cranberry sauce.

The sandwich was delicious. Comfort food at its finest. It was now time for dessert. I discovered that everything in the diner was made from scratch except for the bread so I couldn’t go wrong with the pie. I deferred again to the waitress who surprised me with a French Apple Pie with caramel sauce and raisins covered with whipped cream.

Good pie. Again, comfort food. We left the diner and headed at last toward our hotel destination. This day wouldn’t be complete if it didn’t end like it started: With a few setbacks to overcome. We arrived at our hotel destination to find they didn’t have a reservation for us. The hotel looked nice on the outside, but it was on a strip of land surrounded by some questionable neighboring locales. It turns out that we were in another hotel by the same name five miles away. After riding around Atlantic City and driving in circles for about 10 minutes, tensions were strained. We finally called the hotel and received directions on how to get to the hotel. It was on a causeway and our hotel was on the other side of a concrete barrier. No left turns were possible for about three miles and after making what I am sure were three illegal turns, we arrived at our destination. The hotel is nice. I am sitting in a comfortable room on a comfortable sofa with my legs propped on a comfortable bed as I type this entry. GRIT. That intangible quality of persevering through a task, weathering setbacks and failures, and eventually reaching one’s goal.

Some Reflections From The Day:

*Pennsylvania Turnpike: Amazing piece of civil engineering with breathtaking views. A smooth ride at 70 miles per hour (and 80 miles per hour).

*Journaling: My wife is an amazing journaler. She wrote in her journal almost continuously from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg. What I am amazed at is that she can write neatly in cursive. She can do this in a car. She prefers handwritten journal entries to typed reflections. And she had enough to say to fill this space in the drive. One day her many journals are going to be a source of great inspiration for her and for whomever inherits them when she is gone.

*Tunnels: Literally we drove through 5 mountains today. Who does that? Again, can you imagine the amount of sweat, brains, and fortitude it took to build a tunnel through a mountain? And people just drive through them like they are nothing. I am always amazed and wonder what the first person thought who heard another person say, “Let’s not go up and over it, let’s go through it.”

*EZ Pass: This little white marvel has allowed us to zoom on the Indiana Toll Road and the Chicago Skyway for three years now almost unimpeded. We drove across the State of Pennsyvlania today without a hitch thanks to this little guy. We only had one moment where it didn’t seem to read the EZ Pass. We expected spikes to come up and our tires to be cut when we left the turnpike after going through the red light at the previous stop. But it didn’t happen. There may be a ticket in my mailbox when I get home, but I am banking on the fact that if the electronic reader didn’t catch it, then my license plate was matched to the EZ Pass and a toll charge was deducted. The EZ Pass is amazing.

GRIT. That intangible quality of persevering through a task, weathering setbacks and failures, and eventually reaching one’s goal. Today on our culinary quest we used a lot of GRIT, not GRITS. But like most things that require GRIT, in the end, the hard work and wait is worth it. Today was no different.

Being Like "The Great One"

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 01:10:26 -0400

Outside the centerfield entrance to PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania stands a life-size statue of “The Great One”, Roberto Clemente. It stands as a tribute to a man who was not only a great baseball player but also was a caring humanitarian and favorite-son of a city whose citizens appreciate a hard day’s work and an even stronger moral character.

While I was standing next to the statue, admiring it, the ballpark, and the surroundings, I met a man who was working on the concrete around the statue. He was polishing the concrete at the edges of the statue’s base after he had filled in gaps where water had found entrance and caused erosion and cracking. The work was minute in its detail, but the difference made was immediate to the eye. I commented, “That work you are doing sure makes a difference.”

“Yes,” he replied. “Next year we are ripping out all this concrete around Clemente and replacing it. This is just a temporary fix. You know I helped pour the concrete around this statue along with the one for Maz (Bill Mazeroski) on the other side of the stadium. This place sure takes a lot of upkeep.”

“It sure is nice,” I replied. “You are doing a great job.”

The Great Ones like Roberto Clemente were born with a certain level of talent, but through hard work and attention to detail, they became great. It takes the attention to the smallest detail - like filling in cracked concrete and polishing it down to a fine finish to make the difference. It seems fitting that the smallest details were being afforded around the statue of a man known for his greatness both on and off the field.

Do you pay attention to the smallest of details and work to maintain your skills, your relationships, and your surroundings? Greatness doesn’t just happen. It requires a ton of work and precision to the smallest detail. I was reminded of that today as I stood next to the statue of Roberto Clemente. I asked myself this question which I encourage you to ask yourself as well, “Do I have what it takes to be like the Great One?”

Diner Diaries: Being Nice We had a chance to stop in Pittsburgh...

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:20:38 -0400

Diner Diaries: Being Nice
We had a chance to stop in Pittsburgh today. The Andy Warhol Museum was a stop along with a seat along the river outside PNC Park. It is amazing how friendly people can be. While my wife journaled, I sought out a salad. The wait staff at a restaurant attached to PNC Park was attentive and helpful. They took a special order and even gave us refuge in the outside dining area when rain began to sprinkle from the sky. Being nice matters and it is amazing how much one remembers those that are not nice and how you also remember those that are. Theme of the trip so far: Being Nice Matters

Diner Diaries: Ginny Is A Superstar

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:10:37 -0400

The first stop on the Diner Tour took me today to Grindstone, Pennsylvania: Home of the Route 40 Classic Diner. The diner was all I would expect: sleek-looking on the outside and warm/friendly inside. It was the perfect start to a tour that will take me with my wife and stepson to many such establishments.

We were greeted by a superstar: Ginny.

The scoop of personality served by Ginny was as large as the scoop of ice cream on the slice of pie I ordered at the end of the meal. More about that later. Ginny just smiled and had a presence that drew you to her because she was so outgoing but also because she met you where you were. She made you feel like you were her best friends. I bet you can think of several people in your world like that. I will be honest with you, when I think of this diner, I will think of Ginny. She stole the show.

When it was time to order, I have been encouraged by my wife that I need to try to always order the special. The special today was an Italian flavor. But I asked Ginny what the diner is famous for and she said, “Meatloaf and Turkey”. You see, the meatloaf and turkey are homemade daily. I had to order the meatloaf because meatloaf is just one of those things you think about when you think diner food. Ginny didn’t disappoint. She also brought a tuna melt to my wife and a giant strawberry shake to Alex. She said as she brought the shake “I made a little extra for you.” (Try double the typical size)

When it was time for dessert, pie is a must. Homemade pies at the Route 40 Classic Diner are all the fruit variety. The cream pies are brought in from another location. Again, when at a diner, defer to the waitress. “What would you order?”

She didn’t blink. ”The best selling pie is ‘Fruit of the Forest’”.

“Fruit of the Forest?” I inquired.

“All of the fruits of the forest: strawberry, raspberry, cherry, rhubarb, are all combined into the pie,” Ginny offered. “I can heat yours up with a big scoop of ice cream.”

Of course I ordered the Fruit of the Forest Pie with ice cream.

The pie was terrific. It was even more terrific when the bill came. “The pie is on the house,” Ginny offered. See what I mean: A Superstar. The first diner stop was definitely a success.

Some reflections from my travels today:

1. Breaking Bread is important. I wrote about this in an earlier post today.

2. Smart Phones are amazing. As I drove through the hills and mountains of western Ohio, West Virginia, and western Pennsylvania, Navigation App literally led me to my destination. I had notes about the trip saved on my phone, and took the pictures I included in this blog post with the phone. Simply amazing.

3. Roads are a marvel. Do you ever simply think about all the rock, dirt, concrete, and asphalt that go into a road? We traveled for a time on the National Road. To think that this road was cut by hand so many years ago and now I am traveling over 70 miles an hour on wider, flatter roads is mind-boggling. Engineers are smart. Human beings are also hard working and resilient to be able to build roads like these. It takes a lot of Grit to build a road.

4. Weigh Stations: Do you ever see any open on the interstate? I’m just saying.

5. Meatloaf is comfort food and a homemade source of pride anywhere. Meatloaf is meatloaf. But everywhere you go there is a certain sense of pride that comes from saying, “It’s homemade from the chef’s own personal recipe”.

6. Customer Service Counts: We stopped early in the trip for a quick bite at a roadside sandwich chain. The lady serving us lacked customer service. She lacked tact. She made memories from her gruff demeanor. And then there is my hero, Ginny. She stole the show. Not just because she was good at what she did, but because she was nice. She treated people with respect and was kind. As I walked out the door after paying the bill, I reached my arm around her and said, “You are our first stop, and you, young lady, are going to be tough to top.”

She smiled and said, “I just love people.”

It was obvious. Nice matters. It has been a great first day on the diner tour.

Diner Diaries: Breaking Bread With Friends

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:27:10 -0400

A Fun thing happened this morning. Many of our friends crawled out of bed in the wee-hours of the morning to send us off on our Diner Tour. My wife was afforded an Eli Lilly Teacher Creativity Grant to visit diners up the eastern coast of the United States. The Eli Lilly Teacher Creativity Grant is a unique opportunity afforded to 100 educators each year. I am honored to get to tag along with my creative wife. We are joined my stepson, Alex, who is filming a portion of this journey. The Teacher Creativity Grant funded a rental car, money for daily gas for travel, hotel costs, food allowance, funds for some literature for my wife to research diners herself and with her second and third graders, and funds for her to self-publish her reflections into a book when the journey is complete. She is blogging about her daily ventures at www.pintodiner.com. I will be sharing daily insights from the trip as well on this blog. The mission of this grant is simple: Allow educators a chance to do something they have always wanted to do that will afford them a bit of rejuvenation and translate into some creativity in their craft. I can tell you that we are twelve hours into this journey and Mission Accomplished.

My wife’s classroom is themed after a diner. Her classroom website www.pintodiner.homestead.com has many pictures of it. The inspiration for this diner came from her grandmother, Violet. When Kim was young, she would join her grandmother to split a hot dog and a Coke at a diner in our hometown of Lafayette, Indiana. Read about this in her blog. That diner has a new name today: The Sunrise Diner. That is where almost 40 of our friends arrived at 6:00 a.m. to have breakfast and to send us off on our journey. Relationships matter and today, I was once again affirmed in my belief that there is extreme power in the kindness and support of friends. I was also affirmed that there is profound power in the social aspect of breaking bread with friends. My wife and I were truly overwhelmed by the turnout this morning. It was a simple definition of kindness that came from many who understood that there is power in Breaking Bread With Friends.

Embrace The Stories Told By Legends

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 09:47:29 -0400

There are few things more frightening to one of my mentors, Jim Hanna, than a giant bear hug embrace from a guy like me. It’s one of those pieces you learn about a mentor and friend when you work so closely with him for a period of time. I will embrace my mentor and friend any chance I get and also embrace any stories he can throw my way. In any profession one pursues, I believe in the power of our own Legends and the stories they tell. In my profession as a principal, I can name many legends. Some I know intimately, and some I have just heard stories about. But legends are important and the stories they tell are equally important. They speak to lessons learned in the past that should be repeated, and some that should not. They also speak to experiences and change.

I wrote in an earlier blog post about the Redwoods of your world: http://coleprincipal.tumblr.com/post/31442130581/redwoods-of-your-world

In that blog post I reflected on the Redwoods (Legends) of my career and life path. I also reflected on the possibility of becoming a Redwood down the road of life for someone else.

Today I am again thinking of Legends. My mind wanders that way for two reasons. First, I had an opportunity earlier this week to spend time with two of the Legends from my past: The Lady I followed in my current principal position and a principal of a neighboring school while I was a teacher. I have learned a lot from these individuals from the job they did to the policies and procedures they put in place. But I learn more from their stories. They are classic and worthwhile.

I also think about Legends today because a current Legend of mine will be holding funeral services for her father this weekend. Dr. DeLong has been a legend of mine since she roamed the hallways of schools in Lafayette, IN - making a difference for children who needed someone to make a difference for them. Her father, Cecil Helmerick, was also an educator. He was a teacher and a longstanding principal and it turns out he was a mentor to Dr. DeLong and to two of my mentors who helped shape me as a principal. He is a Legend. So some of the stories I have heard from my mentors may have gotten their roots in Cecil’s world.

The day I spent with my two legends ended with me around the table with an interesting mix of administrators. There were longstanding principals, newer principals like me, and a few brand new administrators. Stories were told around that table and many laughs were exchanged. I remember being those brand new administrators - just thrilled to be invited to sit at the table with the other principals. I found myself watching the brand new administrators’ eyes widen when stories flew from the mouths of the other principals. I also realized, I had a few of my own to share. And I guess that’s the point. In anything you do, gravitate toward the Legends of your world and embrace their stories. They help you to learn a few things about the job you are doing and they also make you realize that you are not alone in your journey. And one more thing - be sure to share with your legends that you consider them a Redwood. Because life moves too quickly and before you know it, you will be glad you embraced all of their stories.

A Fun Walk: Graduation Is A Prideful Moment

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 21:18:48 -0400

I have been the principal at my current elementary school for eight years. Today my first group of fifth graders from my first year graduated from high school. It was a Prideful Moment for me. Our school corporation does it right for graduation. They rent out Elliott Hall of Music at Purdue University and open up their two high school graduations to anyone who wants to attend. The graduates are honored for their accomplishment at a world-class venue and the parents, families, and friends who attend are respected with a comfortable, climate-controlled setting. It’s a big day for many and it was especially cool for me today because my first class had made it.

I am a strong believer in EFFORT and also a strong believer that GRIT is needed for many of my students to make this walk across the stage as high school graduates. The high school principal at the school we feed gets it. He always talks about how the graduates aren’t just McCutcheon High School graduates, but they are southside graduates (all schools in the southside of Tippecanoe County feed McCutcheon High School). A few years ago he invited teachers and administrators from the feeder schools to come before graduation and walk through the tunnels of Elliott Hall of Music to congratulate the graduates. I got to do that today. I must say that it was cool. I must also say that it was awesome seeing the students actually receive the diploma. I am hopeful that more of my staff will join me in the future because these kids are our kids and sometimes elementary and middle school folk don’t see the fruits of their labor. I am excited to report out to my staff that our hard work all those years ago paid off in an important part of these students’ path: High School Graduation.

I also had another special moment. The principal at the high school also implemented a new plan this year. He communicated a list to all middle and elementary principals of seniors who may be on the fringe and without a little push, not graduate. When the list came out, our staff looked over it and several of the teachers took action. I personally worked with another staff member with one young man and through a visit to the school, several emails (kids in high school have their own email addresses now - how cool is that), and many texts and phone calls with the student’s mom - he graduated today. Ironically, his family sat right behind me during the ceremony. Mom, dad, and both grandmas had tears streaming down their faces when he walked across the stage with his diploma. My students are Cole Cubs and I always say, “Once a Cole Cub; Always a Cole Cub”. I felt that saying was very fitting today as well.

There is a lot about public education that is right. Attend a high school graduation and see the many educators and school staff members who absolutely love and care for the graduates; not just during their high school years but from the very first day they entered kindergarten. Today was a very prideful moment. I can’t wait to do it again next year.

Summer Is For Ice Cream Trucks

Tue, 28 May 2013 08:09:42 -0400

When I was younger, my family would make an annual pilgrimage to Long Island, New York to visit grandparents and cousins. Growing up in Indiana on a dirt road surrounded by trees, corn fields, and miles between towns, New York was a different world. Memories include outrageous gas prices (89.9 cents per gallon – we were used to 59.9 cents per gallon), an amazing concept – a box store whose sole purpose was toys (Toys R Us), and a phenomenon that I never saw outside of New York: The Ice Cream Truck.

When we visited grandparents or cousins, the evenings were always filled with long stints in the above-ground pool or games of baseball or Frisbee in the streets. Each evening, a magical sound filled the air – one that didn’t occur in Indiana: The Ice Cream Truck. The ice cream truck would jingle down the road and if our grandparents, parents, or aunt/uncle were game, we got to run out to the street, flag it down, and order from within. It is a terrific memory. Just two years ago my wife and I were sitting on our back deck and I heard the sound. I bolted out of my seat and yelled, “Ice Cream Truck!” – ran through the house and flagged it down. You can ask her. It happened. I know, it’s juvenile but the driver said he was coming back from a festival and thought he would take a chance in our neighborhood. I am glad he did.

Summer is for Ice Cream Trucks. Summer is a time when memories are made that will last the rest of your lifetime. It’s a time for long days where sunlight stretches past 9:00 in the evening and opportunities abound to laugh, visit with friends, and make lasting memories. As you approach your summer, here are ten things I hope you can get accomplished:

1. Listen to some music with the windows down and the music blaring loudly (sing at the top of your lungs if you are so inclined.

2. Dip your feet in a swimming pool – or if you are lucky – in the ocean.

3. Buy the order for someone behind you in the drive thru lane – a random act of kindness.

4. Watch a sunset with friends or your significant other.

5. Ice Cream, ice cream truck, some other sweet treat. Pamper yourself. Just once.

6. Wave to the people you pass in your car. It’s just friendly.

7. Tomato – fresh from the vine. There is not much better and definitely a summer only event.

8. Watch a baseball game.

9. Get done one thing for yourself you have been putting off. Life is short. Treat yourself.

10. Wear sandals as many times as you can. Sandals are delicious.

The Best Haircut Ever: Don't Sweat The Small Stuff

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:01:04 -0400

I sat on the chair at my hair stylist last night. My haircut is simple. Short. With the receding hairline the whole thing takes no time at all.

As the clipper ran over the top of my head, the guard slipped off. A big hunk of hair to the skin fell to the floor. Noticeable and stressful for the hair stylist. Amazingly funny for me

You see, I gave up worrying about having a sporty car a long time ago. I also gave up worrying about small stuff like a haircut when two summers ago I went to one of those chain haircut places because my schedule wouldn’t allow me to go to my regular hair stylist. I proudly (and inaccurately) said “0 Guard”. What occurred was part POW, part Marine. A mess. But guess what, it grew back.

I have gone to my hair stylist since my sophomore year in college and have known her since seventh grade. That is a long relationship. I was laughing and yelling “Best Haircut Ever”. She was mortified and whittling down the area to a point that wasn’t noticeable. She’s good.

In the end I knew I could always just say “Zero Guard” and go ultra short. Mistakes happen and often to good people. They are fixable. But I knew this when it happened and I know it now. There are bigger things to worry about in life than a missing hunk of hair. There are also greater things to be thankful for besides the vanity of a haircut. You are welcome to pick through my head like a baboon to see if you can find the spot. It’s detectable with your hand but not apparent by sight. My hair stylist is amazing. But what is more amazing is that sometimes in life what really matters is shoved aside for what is perceived as earth shattering. A second grade spelling test grade, a part in the school play, an umpire’s call in a little league game don’t matter much in the big picture of one’s health, well-being, and relationships. A mistake like a big hunk of hair out of your head for a guy with short hair like mine was a good reason to laugh, not stress. Here’s hoping today or tomorrow when life gives you a bad haircut you will smile and remember, “It will grow back.”

Open Note To Teachers

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 21:59:25 -0400

What’s on my mind after working today with others at school to clean out a room that housed supplies both old and new?

Teachers

While the games, books, and programs were sifted through and years of ‘answers’ to what makes a child learn were unpacked and re-shelved - I was reminded again that the one constant is the teacher. The teacher that bends with the times and expands and contracts with the needs of his or her students. Programs come and go. These same programs may make things a bit easier, but it’s the teachers in the trenches that make the difference. Be creative. Be ever-learning. Be diligent. Be proud.

Tyler's Toolbox: Finding Our Way In A Challenging World

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 14:11:22 -0400

The television series Cheers had a theme song that started out, “Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got. Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.” It’s tough to find your way in this challenging world. It’s tough for adults who have more freedoms and more opportunities and resources. It’s even more difficult to be a student who has to find his/her way.

All of us have talents. I like to write. I like to read. I like to interact with others. I am not the best at fixing things. No. Let’s take that a step further. I am very poor at fixing things. I am not mechanical. I don’t see things spacially. I just can’t thrive with a screwdriver in my hand. Thank goodness there are people who can. I have the utmost respect and admiration for the men and ladies at the auto dealership who can keep my car going forward. I have the utmost respect and admiration for the individual who can take an idea, some boards of wood, some power tools, and create an amazing piece of furniture. Heck, I have the utmost respect and admiration for someone who can put together a bookcase without having to take it apart three times because the back is screwed into the front. Or the top is on the bottom. That’s my life.

I want you all to meet Tyler. Tyler is a fifth grader and Tyler has a special gift. He can build things. He likes to stay in at recess with the permission of his teachers and tinker with his remote-controlled cars. He likes to build rollercoasters from a pile of Kinex and then take it apart and build a different design. He likes to help the custodian put the bleachers up after an assembly or set up the amplification system for a program. Reading, writing, and arithmetic are challenging for Tyler. He can do them and he can do them well. But his comfort zone is not there. His comfort zone is with his tools, with moving parts, and with pieces that need to be put together in a systematic way. Tyler, in many ways, is wired completely opposite from me.

Tyler has to find his way in the challenging world of school. He still has to do reading. He still has to do math. He still has to do writing. But he also can bring to the table other talents. I am grateful to his teachers last year who gave him rope and allowed him to spend time with his remote controlled cars. I am grateful to his teacher this year who has offered him a chance to be a helping hand when needed. I am grateful to his counselor for including Tyler and his talents when needed. Let me tell you, if I had to pick teams for Survivor, Tyler and another couple of students are first and foremost on my team. They could build anything with a motor, some baling wire, and a screwdriver.

Tyler has been helping recently with a project before school and at recess. We are moving some bookshelves and books from one location in our school to several others in anticipation for some classroom reassignments next year. Tyler is like the turtle in the story “The Turtle and the Hare” - slow and steady. He works methodically but well. He gets the contents of the shelves moved and then he and I form the “Tyler Moving and Storage Company” - moving bookshelves down the hallway to their new destination. Then Tyler goes to work - adjusting shelves, arranging the contents for the teacher, and making things whole again.

Tyler recently was given a toolbox for his efforts. It contains Phillips and Standard screwdrivers, pliers, a hammer, a level, and a pencil. It contains a tape measure and even a hole punch. You see, a handy man needs his toolbox to do the job and Tyler does it so well. He carries this box with amazing pride. He should. He is talented with his hands and has a lot to offer in his future.

I am proud of Tyler. But I am also proud of my staff. Because they continue to see the possibilities in students and promote these. Tyler is most happy working on his own or in a small group - with his hands. He is the type of person who will never like large crowds and will shy away from the spotlight. But he also lets his work stand for itself when he gets out his tools. Tyler will find his way in school. He will do the reading and the math and the writing. It is not always a welcome task, but persistent teachers find their way. But Tyler has a lot more to offer in this world as well. He can create magic with his hands. So if you see a young man with a big smile and a toolbox come walking down the hallway during noon recess, ask him what project he is working on now. Because it is one that carries worth and it is one that will be done right. And without the caring capacity of his teachers, it is a talent that would not have been cultivated at all and that smile would not be something so readily available on his face.