qualityg says ...: 2024

Tuesday, October 01, 2024

Be Humble, Be Confident!

I created this Quote back in the early 1980s. One cannot be a Leader without both expressions working together not apart.

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Too much Grade School Testing and not enough Learning!

I have been concerned about Elementary and Grade school testing for many years. The Pandemic only compounded my fears, and we have lost so many students that cannot read, write or do math at grade level.

In order to compensate these facts schools are now doing one one-on-one testing by a teacher to each student to see where they are slotted in the learning curve.

While this sounds right it is causing a much deeper problem upstream in the process. I have three friends in three different local school districts where this is taking place. It has been going on for weeks.

In order for the teacher to do one-on-one testing a large number of subs are required to be in the classroom while the teacher is out testing. The Subs have been working every day since school started in September. So, who is teaching the fundamentals to the children while the teacher is out of the room? Most Subs are classroom monitors at best and don't have the backgrounds for teaching. The State of Michigan requires any substitute teacher candidate to complete 60 credit hours in any subject area from a four-year college or university.

This reminds me of when corporations do Quality Testing and Control after the product is made or well downstream in the process to do any good. Teachers MUST be in the classroom. Find an outside tutor(s) or retired teacher(s) to do the testing. School children need continual learning to grasp concepts from a qualified teacher and to bond as a unit with their teachers.

Some might say this is too expensive to hire tutors or retired teachers. Do you have any idea how much a Sub makes per day (In Michigan - $170 - $250 depending on District.)? Pay the tutors and retired teachers the same as a sub and get the teacher back in classroom full time.

While the current method seems plausible it is really putting children farther behind. Two SUBS have been asked to be a full-time sub for the school year. While both have degrees, they are not certified to be a teacher. One teacher told me she has to do the testing because subs are not certified to do the testing. Well, they are not certified to teach either!

I would be willing to bet many parents are not aware this is even happening.

Sunday, August 11, 2024

Welcome the children back to school with a smile!

School begins this week in some school districts with the majority starting after Labor Day. I wanted to repost a few articles from the past that are so relevant now since the Covid Pandemic continues to affect our school aged children, especially the younger ones. Our education system is broken and under attack by many who do not have the children's best interest at heart, especially the younger ones.

In 2015 I started working as an educational team leader for grades K-2. I chose those grade levels because it provides me the opportunity to help mold and create young students as they begin their educational journeys. I have found how important and “simple” it is to start their day out with a smile/greeting.

K-2 Educational Team Leader Credo

I believe it is very important to greet students with a smile and kind word first thing in the morning in the grade school cafeteria (This is where they get dropped off for school before the bell rings) as they start their school day. In many situations it might be the only greeting/smile they receive all day. Students appreciate and respond to settings where they feel welcome. Students who feel more welcome are more likely to seek out my help or others when needed (In today’s dysfunctional families this happens frequently).

By greeting students (Added plus – learn their names) at the door as they enter school or classroom, you can see and prevent potential problems. Correcting potential problems in the cafeteria (school provided meals) before school starts may help a student enter their first class free of stress or take out frustrated energy in the gym or even carry it all day to their home. Recognizing a potential problem and preventing it is critical to the overall success of the student, their teachers, fellow classmates and the school.

I was very fortunate to have worked with some truly remarkable teachers. Their dedication and passion for what they did was outstanding.

Note: To a “Systems Thinker” this is building/designing quality upfront in the process. It is where the potential for failure and defects are their most dangerous (If unchecked continue to grow) but they are almost always the easiest (Cheapest) way to prevent/fix problems.

Also...

Over the years I always try and observe and learn what makes a good teacher. One of the measures by which I make my conclusion is how well the class learns and just as important how well it behaves and respects all (Teacher, Students) within the room.

If I find that 95% of the students follow this conclusion, I know there is a good teacher at the helm. I know when I have found a “Great” teacher when there is a substitute teacher and 90% of the students follow my conclusion because their regular teacher has instilled the pride and learning so that whoever is in the room, they give their attention out of respect for their regular teacher.

Saturday, August 10, 2024

"The Wisdom to be Remembered" - Updated 8/12/25 - 1st Day of School

April 2013

"The Wisdom to be Remembered"

Born - Honolulu, Hawaii 2013

"Knowledge is for sharing.

It is not about the amount of knowledge you obtain or have.

It is about the amount of knowledge you freely share and give."
by: qualityg

If I was to pick one song that would represent this post it is "Forever Young" by Rod Stewart. When I think of my Family, Friends and those that mean the most to me I always remember them when They/We were young. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwG6g5boyF4

2/1/16 - Hawaii Visit

Updated 7/21/13

What a bundle of joy. Three months old now and such a good baby for her first visit to Michigan. Logged many miles from Hawaii to Washington DC to Arkansas to Michigan and back to Hawaii with a stop in Seattle to see her uncle.

MICHIGAN - Great Grandma (GG) and Nana

Seattle - Uncle Greg

HAWAII

Updated 9/11/15

9/11 is truly a special day because it is my daughter's birthday. Yes, it will always be interwoven with the attacks on the twin towers but it's also a day about rebirth.

MICHIGAN - July 2015 - Elizabeth Park

Visiting "GG"

MARYLAND - August 2015

The Ballerina and Gymnast

She Brightens up my day!

October 2015

So Thankful

November 2015

My Favorites

January 2016

October 2016
Good Job Papa for winning me a trophy (Age Group Winner - LOL) and medal at the Monster Mash Run!

October 2016

Born - Annapolis, Maryland

Welcome to "Julian Grant Hutchison" born on 11/30/2016

March 2017

Cherry Blossoms

August 2017 - Groton, Connecticut

Oh Yes! Ice Cream Lovers - Just Like Papa!!

October 2017 - Michigan - Pumpkin Patch!

December - 2017 - MICHIGAN - Great Grandma (GG)

April 2018 - Washington State - New Home

July 2018 - Michigan - Climbing to New Heights

January 2019 Washington State - You Got Mail!

July 2019 Michigan - We love our Ice Cream - 6 weeks with Nana and Papa

Where are our Chocolate Shakes Big Boy!!

September 2019 - Washington State - Picking Blueberries! and Exploring Mountains!

October 2019 Washington State - A Special Post and Tribute

Every year from Lorelai’s age until the Christmas after Andrew and I got married, I baked cookies and made fudge with one of my most favorite women on the planet, my grandma. I loved how much she allowed me to help by measuring and adding the ingredients. As her body weakened, mine strengthened, us now switching places with me stirring the fudge. It was seamless. Well, since then, every batch of fudge I’ve made was a flop. Fortunately, when she moved out of her apt, I inherited the famous “fudge pan.” With an unexpected move came an electric coil range, just like my grandma’s. This year, I am so proud to say the fudge curse is over and this batch was so incredibly yummy!! Here’s to the tastiest of family traditions being passed on.

February 2020 - Disneyland - Where Dreams and Hopes Really Do Come True!!

April 16, 2020 - RIP - Mom 2021 and Dad 1974

Mike and The Mechanics - "In the Living Years" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hr64MxYpgk

June/July 2021 - Summer Vacation - Michigan

July 4th 2021

Slip N Slide!

Detroit Zoo - 2021

Polar Bear Plaque honoring WWI Soldiers from Michigan who were sent to Northern Russia. My Grandfather was one who went are were known as Detroit's own Polar Bears.