Prologue

I have been trying to gather my thoughts on my days of youth for self remedy. My heart’s vault is locked and cemented. I know my friend Duncan Headstealer has the jackhammer and I will ask of him to help as he did so long ago. I have composed some, but will acquire the love and obedience of all of you in order to continue. I am afraid of drowning in this self-righteously tedious matter.

Regards,
Wolman

Link

Nature and Strategies

I have been recieving many personal emails regarding the key to understanding life's mysteries and ways to search for eternal life. One person inparticular aproached me in person and ask about the way of nature. I had him follow me to the place I keep my hammer and hit him on the head with it in a valiant overhead swing. "My friend," I said, "it would take more than one lifetime to learn all of the devious ways of nature, but if you must search here is your first lesson, a hammer to the head is an unpleasant experience!" The boy walked away with one hand on his head rubbing. I hope this helps the rest of you lost souls.

A Letter to a Friend

Dear Duncan Headstealer,

I haven't seen you smile in a little while.

Yours Truely,

Wolfman

Recent Thoughts on My Philosophy of Education in Today's Society

Let me begin by dissecting the concept of educational philosophy in hope to clearly focus on what is meant. Education can be defined in an assortment of ways depending on its use and its connection between an individual with her community or society. One of the more universally accepted definitions can be taken from Britannica online which states education as being, “the transmission of the values and accumulated knowledge of a society.” In order to construct a philosophy to address the manner in which this transmission of values and knowledge should take place, let us quickly examine that which is meant by having a “philosophy”. The word, philosophy, was created from two Greek words: the first word being philos meaning love and the second word sofia which means wisdom. As educators, this love of wisdom is embedded in our hearts and drives us to share our knowledge with the youth of our society. To help form a philosophy of education, I shall once again turn to a modern and acceptable definition taken from Britannica online which defines philosophy as a, “Critical examination of the rational grounds of our most fundamental beliefs and logical analysis of the basic concepts employed in the expression of such beliefs.”
Now we can compose a greater understanding of what is meant behind having a philosophy of education. As a young professional in the field of education, I would find folly in restricting myself to a one or two phrase rationalization of an educational philosophy. There are too many short phrased summarizations that are different in concept, yet true in nature. An example can be taken from the educational philosopher, Robert M. Hutchins, who simplifies the purpose of education very powerfully by stating that, “the purpose of education is to improve men.” He is therefore stating that any organization creating an environment where teaching and learning take place will only be education if that which is learned leads to the bettering of mankind. This is an outstanding summarization of a philosophy, but it does not touch upon the many dimensions of student-teacher relationship and is a weak guide for a beginning teacher. Another educational philosopher, John Dewey, is more cautious in his discussions on education. Dewey, who was originally for the idea of a progressive movement in the field of education, suggested that the foundation of education be focused on the knowledge taken from life experience. Where Hutchins gives a clear definition and supporting arguments, Dewey lists the positive and negative aspects of his ideas in progressive education. He denotes the negative of traditional education by stating, “The traditional scheme is, in essence, one of imposition from above and from outside.” He goes on to explain that, “It imposes adult standards, subject-matter, and methods upon those who are only growing slowly toward maturity.” Progressive education as an alternative is proposed cautiously for Dewey warns, “There is always the danger in a new movement that rejecting the aims and methods of that which it would supplant, it may develop its principles negatively rather than positively and constructively.” Although Dewey fails to give specific examples of an effective way to carry out progressive education, I feel his biggest contributions from this reading are aimed at not getting lost in theory. Innovative ideas in education are especially appealing to a beginning teacher like me, however, when putting them into practice it may be that a sound theoretical theory is not an effective means for learning in the classroom after all. The practical realm of schooling is, however, a traditional realm in which progressive ideas are not easily infused.
This leads me into the question, what is my personal philosophy of education? I shall start with what I believe is the purpose of education. I believe that education ought to be a non–biased sharing of knowledge, a combination of both the passing down of information from the older members of society as well as a self accumulation of knowledge from personal experience. My philosophy or rationalized means of effectively employing this type of sharing of knowledge and self learning as a secondary teacher is to establish in the minds and hearts of each student a love of the world and its many curiosities. Learning facts can be boring, but they are essential to the understanding of the world around us. For deeper and more complicated issues that can not be truly understood unless experienced for oneself, I believe the teacher should provide real world examples so the students can relate the issue with their personal lives. The teacher should also encourage and motivate the students to take it upon themselves to learn outside of the classroom and be life-long learners.

Quotes From Hard Times

Sometimes I wish I was transported to another world as a wind goddess then I remember how much of an ass kicker I am in this world.

I get really offended and pissed off when I am driving and the passenger puts on his seatbelt.

I tell people not to lock their doors if I am staying in their house. It is unnecessary and offensive to take such precautions when I am in the house, there will be no problems.

It’s the blade, that’s everything.

Without nightmares you can’t practice at night;
have nightmares, embrace them learn from them beat them.

It may be that you belong 6 feet under.

People who say that they don’t want to think should not be alive.

I am on the verge of death.