© Hector Lee, 2010
Happy Birthday, Adam. Lucky to be born on Hallowed Evening. Love you.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
October skies
© Hector Lee, 2010
Sometimes San Francisco October weather greets me with beautifous skies. Pastel colored clouds against an orange sky is what greeted me on my way to work one morning.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
10.10.10
I was able to see “Waiting for Superman.” The film has a definite perspective. David Guggenheim portrays charter schools as the solution to educating students who want to learn. And he portrays teachers unions and tenure as the enemy of educating children. It does not try to get the opinions of individuals that might counter his viewpoint. But perhaps having a balanced film was not his objective.
Having been an IRF for some eight years, I have witnessed poorly performing teachers who remain, especially at high priority schools for years and years. And have seen the failure of the system to moving them on from schools to other professions. Too often the “lemons” are simply moved on to another most likely high priority school. I think the union and the teaching profession should take charge in making sure that all teachers are competent and effective. When there is a poor teacher at a site, it reflects poorly on the teaching profession. We are only as strong as the weakest link. In reality, teachers who do not perform well should not be at any school. Last year I asked my union president what the union would do to keep poorly performing teachers from high-priority schools and the question was ignored.
On the other hand, Guggenheim fails to address important elements in contemporary education;
- The film shows parents who take the initiative to find schools that would benefit their children. Why does he not interview parents who have no initiative? What schools do the children of those parents go to? Charter schools? Private schools? And where is the portrayal of top public schools or children and parents who go to public schools?
- The film fails to address funding in education. California used to be the leader in the country for a fine K-12 school system and one of the top in university systems in the world. Now California now is 48th in per pupil spending in K-12. And our state and UC systems cannot guarantee that that all qualified high school graduates have a place in college. Why does the film fail to address the supplementary private funds that some charter schools must get?
- Charter schools can be selective in the students they admit. What is the percent of special education children, English-language learners they admit compared to public schools. Public schools must accept all students.
- Most of the children portrayed are children of color. But it fails to address how racism has been a determining element in the history of US education to communities of color and we live in a society which is a largely a product of that system. Why is it that “drop out factories” are largely in communities of color? And why does it fail to address the role of culturally-relevant curriculum in the communities it serves?
- And when was it that test scores are the sole determinant of student achievement? What are other elements of a fine education that cannot be demonstrated on a test and how are they evaluated?
- What does the director propose instead of tenure so teachers are not fired or dismissed simply because they did not jump at the whim of their administrator? Tenure was established to provide academic freedom to teachers without fear of retaliation.
- Why has the director chosen to opt out of the public school system rather than getting involved in his local community public school to make it better?
- No one knows how difficult it is to teach, to address the various levels and modalities a teacher has in the classroom. Teachers have children who do not speak English but are expected to attain standards in English, children with disabilities, children with family problems, children with endemic poverty or abuse at home. I invite the director to come teach at my school for a year and attain the standards he is expected to reach.
Maybe there will be a film depicting how we don't care about children, because if we did we would provide them with everything they need so they can succeed: childcare, healthcare, free preschool, mental health, jobs, well-balanced curriculum. Perhaps.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Van Gogh, Gaugin, Cézanne, and Beyond
Van Gogh’s Bedroom at Arles by Vincent Van Gogh © RMN
On Friday, I attended the Post-impressionism exhibit, “Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne and Beyond” at the de Young Museum. I thought there would be less people at for my 6:00 pm entrance but it was quite full. The previous exhibit was wonderful and this one was just as great, not too large to take it in an evening and with sufficient depth to come away moved.
While I find the pointillism of Georges Serrat too intellectual, I was mesmerized by his work, especially his small studies which were aligned at the end of the room. There is one of a nude woman’s back with is delightful. Desiree suggested we get the audio tour, which I usually decline. At Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” the commentary ended with a prolonged segment of piano music, probably Debussy, which heightened the experience of the paintings. Looking at Toulouse-Lautrec’s fine draftsmanship and composition and Van Gogh’s vibrant color alone was worth the price of admission. I learned about the Nabi (Hebrew for Prophet). Their paintings depicted the realm between observed and inner reality. I was drawn to the design and flat color and pattern in the works.The Talisman by Paul Sérusier is a remarkable small work. Next to it isLandscape with Green Trees by Maurice Denis with its simple design and masterful use of color.
This exhibit inspired Yoriko/Xavier and Pang/Yukino to paint en plein air in the city. I was able to join them on at the Fort Mason Community Garden for some dabbling and pleasurable creativity.
The White Cat by Pierre Bonnard © RMN
The Talisman by Paul Sérusier © RMN
The Muses by Maurice Denis © RMN
The Snake Charmer by Henri Rousseau © RMN
The Ball by Félix Valloton © RMN
Portrait of the Artist with the Yellow Christ by Paul Gaugin © RMN
© Hector Lee, 2010
© Hector Lee, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
pink clouds over oceanview
© Hector Lee, 2010
It so happens the autumn is my favorite season. It so happens that I happen to live in lovely San Francisco where the best weather is in September and October. It so happens that I am provided with fleeting vistas of beauty even at 7:00 a.m.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
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