Social Distancing At The Beach

 

To the person who grew up in Rockaway-apologies, I accidentally deleted Your comment

Pissedoffteacher@gmail.com

I am so fortunate to live not too far from one  of the best beaches in the world-Rockaway.  It is not overly crowded and very easy to walk, take photos and stay far away from others.  There is no better way to spend a warm summer day while social isolcating.

South Street Seaport

Back to life!

Snow Day

Thankful for all the hard working men and women working to get our streets clean.

My Sentiments Exactly

So Much Better Than Marking Papers and Writing Lessons

Sunday night from Anable Basin Sailing Bar and Grille in Long Island City

Looking West

The clouds and rain stopped me from seeing Manhattan Hedge but this view was pretty cool-
looking west on 43rd St from 5th Ave.

Catching Up With Friends

Inside the Tea House in the Chinese Scholar Garden at Snug Harbor.

Life in retirement is good.

Puma

Flushing Meadow Queens Zoo, today.

Springtime?

Park Ave and 64th St

63rd and Lexington Ave

The flowers and blooming trees say spring but the raw weather says something else.

NYC-you got to love it no matter what the weather does.

A Real Teacher

One of the benefits of retirement is the ability to take advantage of all the city has to offer and this week I did just that at the Lincoln Center Library for Performing Arts.

Wednesday afternoons, three wonderful opera singers perform in front of an audience and art song master Paul Sperry in the program Joy In Singing. The audience is not only treated to a fantastic afternoon of music but have first hand experience watching a coach bring out the best of voices that are already outstanding.

I am not an opera fan and wasn't even sure I would enjoy this performance but in my quest to experience it all, I gave it a shot and was not disappointed.  I loved the music but I also loved watching the teacher at work.  He did, what all great teachers do.  He praised all the performers, emphasizing their strengths.  And, when he found areas that needed correction, he explained what he wanted without putting down what they had done and demonstrated exactly what he wanted.  He never lost patience with one singer who didn't understand his corrections and worked with her until she got it.

As I watched the evaluation process I thought about teacher evaluations done by assistant principals and principals today.  Mr. Sperry is a master of his craft.  Those evaluating teachers are not masters and many can barely teach, having failed licensing exams and only being in the classroom a very short time. Mr. Sperry knew what he wanted and knew how to demonstrate this.  He was able to bring out the best.  Today's administrators only offer criticism, never ways to correct.  He knew how to do all this without shame and humiliation and every performer who left the stage left feeling good about themselves.  I don't think most teachers would say this after a post evaluation conference.

Every young performer at Joy in Singing learned something and will be better because of this experience.  This is what school administrators have to be able to do for teachers if they truly want the best for their students.

(Picture is sunset in Austin, Texas)

Comment From A Reader

This is a comment on Teacher Shortage post.  Sad treatment of teachers which trickles down to our students is happening everywhere.

Great post. It is pathetic to watch a middle school AP with 5 years of phys ed teaching experience rip apart a 15+ year veteran math teacher who is an amazing teacher. The reason the AP rips her apart? Because he can!! Power hungry trolls most of them are. Teach for 3-5 years, get your admin degree from Touro "University" and presto!!! You are an instant expert administrator. Pathetic. 

(Picture from Subway Art Tour-Walkaboutnewyork.com.  Tour is run by Phil Desiere one of the most amazing tour guides I have ever met.  He is informative and entertaining and his tours are not bank breakers.  Anyone who wants to learn about the city and likes to walk should consider one of his tours.) 

New York From The Sky

Approach from the south

Free Fun

I never miss the model train exhibit at the Transit Museum Annex in Grand Central Terminal this time of year.  The exhibit is fantastic.  It runs until the end of February and it is FREE!!!!

Rainy Night In NYC

Keeping retirement fun with two Broadway shows in one day and a walk around this beautiful city on a rainy evening.