Doc Meek

Posts Tagged ‘learning differences’

Tuesday, July 31, 2012. Today I am grateful for Pat Wyman and her continuing leadership in helping children learn faster and better! Today we are featuring her new book, Amazing Grades, and her email to me introducing this book. – Doc Meek

Image from: http://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Grades-Best-Improve-Faster/dp/1890047007/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343720592&sr=8-1&keywords=amazing+grades+101+best+ways+to+improve+your+grades+faster

Dear Doc,

Very exciting news. Amazing Grades; 101 Ways To Improve Your Grades Faster releases on Amazon.com on August 1st! 

Amazing Grades is a worldwide goodwill book with 101 best selling authors and experts, from 13 countries around the world, sharing their strategies for getting better grades faster.

Amazing Grades is the result of a year’s collaboration by 101 authors and is the first book ever to include 3 learning style strategies so that students can master the information in their own style and improve their grades faster. There are video strategies, (scan tags which include related videos); auditory strategies (all authors read their chapters aloud) and kinesthetic strategies so that students can interact with the material in the book.

Inside the book there are life skills strategies in all areas that affect student achievement as well as learning strategies that specifics on:

for students ages 12 through college and there are special sections as well for parents and teachers.

Should you want to link to more on Amazing Grades, here is our web page:

www.HowToLearn.com/amazing-grades

We think this book will rock every student’s, parents’ and teacher’s world!

Warmly,
Pat

Pat Wyman, M.A.
CEO and Founder, www.HowToLearn.com (707) 837 8180
Best selling author, Amazing Grades
Best selling co-author, Book of the Year in Medicine, The Official Autism 101 Manual
University Instructor, California State University, East Bay

“Be ashamed to die before you have won some victory for humanity.” Horace Mann

“There are two ways to live your life; one as if nothing is a miracle, and the other as if everything is a miracle.”  Albert Einstein

……………………………………………….

Doc Meek, Tues, July 31, 2012, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

P.S. I was privileged to be invited by Pat Wyman to write a chapter on Dylexia for her book Amazing Grades:

Here is a link to my earlier blog post on Dyslexia:

“Dyslexia is creativity packaged as a problem.” – Doc Meek

Saturday, October 8, 2011. Today I am grateful for the many people who are helping children and adults with with learning differences (often called learning disabilities, which is not exactly how I see these learning challenges that can contain gifts). ~ Doc Meek

Image from: http://www.goodblogger.net/2011/09/11/learning-disabilities/

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From “LD Online”: The world’s leading website on Learning Disabilities and ADHD: http://www.ldonline.org/calendar/ld

Learning Disabilities Awareness [Learning Differences Awareness] Month (October)

Explore below for:

• Information on LD
• Fun Activities
• Inspirational Stories
• More About LD
• History and Future of LD Awareness Month

Learning Disabilities Awareness Month [October in CANADA and the USA] is a time where people pay particular attention to children and adults with learning disabilities [learning differences]. During this month, LD OnLine asks each of you to teach one person something new about learning disabilities [learning differences]. You could, for example, introduce them to our newsletter or share an interesting article using the “Email” icon (located in the top right corner of every page).

Information on Learning Disabilities [Learning Differences]

Read A Primer on Learning Disabilities to find out what a learning disability [learning difference] is, what the different types of learning disabilities [learning differences] are, and what causes them.

Read these short articles to learn more about the specific types of learning disabilities [learning differences]:

• Dyslexia (reading problems)
• Dysgraphia (writing problems)
• Dyscalculia (math problems)
• Executive Function Difficulties (problems with organization)
• ADHD (trouble regulating attention)

Our glossary defines the vocabulary of special education.

Our timeline tells the history of learning disabilities.

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Fun Activities

Send an e-card to a teacher. The school year has just begun and an e-card about how a teacher has helped your child should get the year off to a great start.

Read a children’s book aloud to a child you know.

Visit our kids’ art gallery. Encourage your child to draw or paint a picture and submit it here.

Visit Sparktop, a website where kids with learning disabilities (or who learn differently) can create things, play games, connect with other kids, and discover new ways to succeed in school …and life.

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Inspirational Stories

Here are some success stories about overcoming disabilities to give hope and inspire solutions for similar problems you may be experiencing:

• My Son’s Disability, and My Own Inability to See It

How the special education system helped her child

• A Physician’s Story

How a doctor overcame a non-verbal learning disability to pass her medical boards

• Why I Love Audio Books

A person with dyslexia explains why he loves “reading” audio books

• The Handicap that Had No Name

How learning about the label of “learning disabilities” helped a college student understand herself

• The Journey Begins

How planning skills helped a man succeed in college, and on the job, despite his learning disabilities

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More About Learning Disabilities

Our LD Topics section tells you how to help children learn math,writing and spelling, reading, and how to study. You also can find out about:

• Homeschooling
• Transitioning from School to Work
• Non-Verbal LD

Here are some other helpful articles:

• Parents: Help your child succeed with tips from Life Success for Students with Learning Disabilities: A Parent’s Guide.
• Teachers: Learn how to teach social skills to your difficult students in Teaching Social Skills to Kids Who Don’t Yet Have Them.

Subscribe to our free LD Online Monthly Newsletter and Daily NewsLine to receive up-to-date resources and headlines on learning disabilities.

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History and Future of LD Awareness Month

October was originally designated in the United States as LD Month in 1985 through a proclamation by President Ronald Reagan. Learning Disabilities Association of Canada has celebrated an LD Month since 1987 and provides a toolkit to help you celebrate. For many years, learning disabilities organizations in the United States used the month to inform the public about learning disabilities through events and proclamations. LD Month is still commemorated in a few states. LD OnLine is considering a plan for public education in LD Month next year. Please contact us if you formally celebrated LD month this year, using “Positive side of LD” as your subject. We may feature your ideas next year.

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Thanks to all those who help children and adults with learning challenges!

Doc Meek, Sat, Oct 8, 2011, South Jordan, Utah, USA

Wednesday, May 4, 2011. Today I am grateful for leaders like Pat Wyman and Stephen Guffanti, MD, who can show us ways to help kids learn, even when others say it is hopeless! ~ Doc Meek

Message from Pat Wyman, Founder, HowToLearn.com

Dear Doc,

Our Official HowToLearn.com ADHD expert, Stephen Guffanti,
M.D., has written a very practical book called, Does Your
Child Really Have ADHD?

He was kind enough to give us a nice long excerpt called
“A Tale of Two Viewpoints” about learning style
mis-matches which includes a deeply personal look into his
own life as a child with ADHD.

I am certain that you will find the information
exceptionally helpful and there is a video as well on
one of Dr. Guffanti’s patient’s, Charley.

Read Dr. Guffanti’s book excerpt here:

http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=52GBd&m=1fRRiujVDuPI2b&b=4vEWSrcozy7fHhUbrtVloA

Warmly,
Pat Wyman
Founder, HowToLearn.com

The Center for New Discoveries in Learning, Inc., 4535 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 200, Las Vegas, NV 89102

…………………………………..

Thank you, Pat Wyman and Stephen Guffanti, for your remarkable contribution to learning and children!

Doc Meek, Wed, May 4, 2011, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

Monday, September 27, 2010. I am grateful for people who remind us that learning new skills needs to be done in order, generally speaking.

Image from:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1-Fo7uQlrY&feature=related

“He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying.”

Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900); scholar, writer, philosopher; quote from: http://www.Values.com

Thank you, Friedrich!

Doc Meek,  Monday, September 27, 2010, at Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA

J. Collins Meek, Ph.D. (Doc Meek)
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist https://docmeek.com

For brain health, ensure heart health (short video):
http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
More on heart health http://www.themeekteam.info
Ph (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: Mele Taumoepeau, P.O. Box 60, Nuku’alofa
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095

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Michael’s website: http://www.michaelbradford.co.uk/page4.1.html

Thursday, September 23, 2010. I am grateful for Michael Bradford and for the therapist who loaned me his book about learning, teaching and healing. His book can be found at this link: http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Energy-Your-Hands/dp/0895947811/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1285273036&sr=1-1#_

The thing I learned from Michael is that you have to become more of what it is you are trying to teach. Michael is a gentle, kind, respectful human being teaching gentle and kind and respectful things, with humility.

A peaceful person can teach about peace effectively, with humility.

A teacher who is always learning can teach about learning effectively, with humility. 

A parent who is always learning can teach about learning effectively, with humility.

“All learning is a process, not an end point.” – Michael Bradford

Thank you, Michael!

Doc Meek, Thursday, September 23, 2010, at Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

J. Collins Meek, Ph.D. (Doc Meek)
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist https://docmeek.com

For brain health, ensure heart health (short video):
http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
More on heart health http://www.themeekteam.info
Ph (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: Mele Taumoepeau, P.O. Box 60, Nuku’alofa
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095

=======================================

Thursday, September 16, 2010. I am not only grateful to Mike Berry [DynamicMike] for these images and text, I am deeply indebted.

Look at the kids’ smiles!!!

The next time you’re in a bad mood …. maybe you need to remember this  one. Your  attitude toward life defines not only who you  are, but the quality of life you will have.

~ Mike Berry [DynamicMike]

Images from Mike Berry [DynamicMike]: gratitude-rocks.com

Could Your Attitude Be Affecting Your Outlook?

Thank you, Mike Berry!

Doc Meek, Thurs, Sept 16, 2010, at Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

J. Collins Meek, Ph.D. (Doc Meek)
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist https://docmeek.com

For brain health, ensure heart health (short video):
http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
More on heart health http://www.themeekteam.info
Ph (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.
CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
TONGA: Mele Taumoepeau, P.O. Box 60, Nuku’alofa
USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095

=======================================

Bud’s Grade 5 class, in disguise; photo from: http://momnos.blogspot.com/ …………………………………………………………………………………………….

I am grateful for this guest article I am borrowing again today, Friday, July 23, 2010. This is Part III of a 3-Part series about Bud, a 10-year-old with learning differences.

.

If you missed Part I or Part II of Bud’s Mom’s poignant story, you can click on the titles below to read them now:

Autism: “A hair-dryer kid in a toaster-brained world” (Part I of III)

Autism: “A hair-dryer kid in a toaster-brained world” (Part II of III)

.

Bud, who has been labeled autistic, has been placed in a regular Grade 5 classroom. His Mom’s brilliant interactive discussion with the kids in his class (with Bud absent of course) is detailed here.

This is the best description of autism I have read anywhere

.

Thanks Mom! We are grateful for your creativity, your courage, and your willingness to share!

Excerpt from: http://momnos.blogspot.com/2010/03/on-being-hair-dryer-kid-in-toaster.html

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What is autism? (Part III of III)

{If you missed Part I or Part II of this Mom’s poignant story, you can click on the titles below to read them now}

Autism: “A hair-dryer kid in a toaster-brained world” (Part I of III)

Autism: “A hair-dryer kid in a toaster-brained world” (Part II of III)

Bud’s Mom is interacting with Bud’s classmates at school:

.

“But, remember how there were some things that the hair-dryer brains could do better than the toaster brains? There are ALSO things that Bud’s brain is really GOOD at doing. There are things that HIS brain can do better than a lot of our brains can do.

“I bet you can guess what some of those things are. Can you?”

Hands flew up all over the room, and without my prompting, they recreated the list I had written in the notes in front of me.

“He’s really great on the computer. He’s better at it than LOTS of people.”

“He has great hearing.”

“He can remember lots of lots of things.”

“He can remember all the words to TV shows.”

“And he can remember the words to songs.”

“He is very musical.”

“He’s a great speller, too,” I added. “Once he learns a word, he usually remembers how to spell it.”

“If I had a brain like that,” said Nathan. “I’d read the whole dictionary and learn all the words.”

“That would be a great thing to do,” I said. “And it reminds me that Bud is also a really good reader.”

Molly raised her hand. “And he has a great sense of humor, too.”

“He does have a great sense of humor,” I said. “And that’s one of the ways that his brain is a lot like other people’s. What are some of the other ways that Bud is just like everyone else?”

Again, the hands flew up.

“He can see just like everyone else.”

“He looks just like everyone else.”

“He’s human.”

“Yes! He’s human – which means that he has all the same feelings that everyone else does. And he loves the people in his life. And he likes to play and have fun. He likes to laugh, he likes to swim, he likes to eat pizza. In lots of ways, Bud is just a regular kid.”

I looked around the room at the smiling faces of Bud’s classmates – his friends, with their toaster-brains firing.

Photos by Bud, from:  http://momnos.blogspot.com/2010/03/on-being-hair-dryer-kid-in-toaster.html

I posted a comment on this Mom’s blogsite:

Doc Meek said…

Does anybody know the tune for “A hairdryer kid in a toaster-brained world?” I predict that, like “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer,” this Mom’s “Hair-dryer kid in a toaster-brained world,” will go down in history. I’ve been helping kids mitigate learning and attentional problems for over thirty years now, and it is an axiom with me that “Mother knows best.” This Mom makes that point sharper than a surgical needle, right? – Doc Meek, Learning Consultant, May 7, 2010, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

May 07, 2010 11:38 AM

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Doc Meek, Friday, July 23, 2010, at South Jordan, Utah, USA ————————————————

J. Collins Meek, Ph.D. (Doc Meek)
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist https://docmeek.com

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For brain health, ensure heart health (short video):
http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
More on heart health http://www.themeekteam.info
Ph (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026

.

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.
1. P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1, CANADA
2. Mele Taumoepeau, P.O. Box 60, Nuku’alofa, TONGA
3. 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095, USA

Bud’s Grade 5 class, in disguise; photo from: http://momnos.blogspot.com/ …………………………………………………………………………………………….

I am grateful for this guest article I borrowed today, Wed, July 21, 2010. This is Part I of a 3-Part series about Bud, a 10-year-old with learning differences.

Bud, who has been labeled autistic, has been placed in a regular Grade 5 classroom. His Mom’s brilliant interactive discussion with the kids in his class (with Bud absent of course) is detailed here.

This is the best description of autism I have read anywhere

Thanks Mom! We are grateful for your creativity, your courage, and your willingness to share!

What is autism? (Part I of III)

Bud’s Mom is interacting with Bud’s classmates at school (with Bud absent):

“Now, we all know that your brain is a machine that’s made of tissue and neurons and nerve cells. But let’s pretend it was a more simple machine. Let’s pretend your brain wasn’t made of tissue and neurons and nerve cells, but instead, it was made of metal and plastic and electrical wires. And let’s pretend that when you put that metal and plastic and electrical wire together, it turned into a toaster.”

Here, the class laughed – the good kind of laughter. I carried on. They were with me.

“And let’s pretend that MOST of us had toaster brains. Some of us might make white toast and some wheat toast or rye toast, and some of us might make light toast and some of us dark toast. Some of us might only toast bagels, and sometimes we might even burn the toast, but for the most part, all of our brains would be able to do the same thing: make toast.

“Now, think about the pretend world that we have just created. In our world, MOST people have toaster brains. So, when we make the rules for our world and decide how we want to spend our time, what do you think we’ll decide is the MOST important thing a person can do?”

Nora raised her hand. “Always try hard and do our very best?”

“Yes!” I said. “And WHEN we do our very best, we will be doing a great job making…”

“Toast!” they responded in unison.

“Yes! Because we have brains that are really GOOD at making toast – so we will want to have a world where it’s REALLY important and REALLY valuable to make toast. Right?”

Heads nodded around the room.

“Now let’s pretend that Bud’s brain is ALSO made of metal and plastic and electrical wires, just like our brains, except that when HIS metal and plastic and electrical wires get put together, they turn into a totally different kind of machine. Instead of being a TOASTER, Bud’s metal and plastic and electrical wires turn into a HAIR DRYER.”

I swear, I heard gasps.

“Now, there’s nothing WRONG with a hair dryer, right? Hair dryers are great! There are some things that hair dryers are really good for. There are some things that a hair dryer can do even BETTER than a toaster. But it is REALLY, REALLY hard to make toast with a hair dryer.”

They laughed again, and nodded, and totally, completely got it.  …………………………………………………………………………………………

So did I!

I will publish the continuation of this welcome guest article in the next post (July 22, 2010);  this article is an excerpt from Bud’s Mom’s blogsite: http://momnos.blogspot.com/2010/03/on-being-hair-dryer-kid-in-toaster.html

I posted a comment on this Mom’s blogsite:

Doc Meek said…

Does anybody know the tune for “A hairdryer kid in a toaster-brained world?” I predict that, like “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer,” this Mom’s “Hair-dryer kid in a toaster-brained world,” will go down in history. I’ve been helping kids mitigate learning and attentional problems for over thirty years now, and it is an axiom with me that “Mother knows best.” This Mom makes that point sharper than a surgical needle, right? – Doc Meek, Learning Consultant, May 7, 2010, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

May 07, 2010 11:38 AM ………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Blessings, Doc Meek, Wed, July 21, 2010, at South Jordan, Utah, USA ——————————-

J. Collins Meek, Ph.D. (Doc Meek)
“What if you are smarter than you think?”
Learning Specialist https://docmeek.com

For brain health, ensure heart health (short video):
http://www.amiraclemolecule.com/themeekteam
More on heart health http://www.themeekteam.info
Ph (801) 971-1812 (Jeannette); Fax [801] 282-6026

THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE, INC.
1. CANADA: P.O. Box 3105, Sherwood Park, AB T8H 2T1
2. TONGA: Mele Taumoepeau, P.O. Box 60, Nuku’alofa
3. USA: 3688 W 9800 S, #138, South Jordan, UT 84095

CANADA DAY! Happy Cheerful Great Outdoors Birthday, our CANADA! (Today, you’ve arrived at the grand old age of 143 years!)

The Canadian Red Ensign was replaced by the maple leaf flag on Feb 15, 1965. Image from: http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/ceem-cced/symbl/df5-eng.cfm …………………………………………………………………………………………….

Today, Thursday, July 1, 2010, THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE is happy to celebrate CANADA DAY, to note that its founder Doc Meek is a Canadian citizen, and to provide a brief family context for Doc.

Doc Meek, humble beginnings in CANADA 😮

I was born in Rossland (in the middle of the majestic Rocky Mountains!), in British Columbia, the western-most province in CANADA, to Louise and Jim Meek, so I am at home in the mountains everywhere and at home in my CANADA. [More on Doc Meek and his wife Jeannette, and extended family, at the end of this article, in ADDENDUM I* and ADDENDUM II.**]

Rossland, BC, CANADA, my hometown; Photo from:  http://www.tourismrossland.com …………………………………………………………………….

Even though many teachers and students in CANADA are out of school for the year, they can all still  learn and grow outdoors in the summer sunshine, while gathering wholesome oxygen, friendship, and Vitamin D, eh? 😮 All parents are welcome of course! And all grandparents too! Plus all the in-laws, out-laws, and everybody!

King George VI presents the King’s Colours to the Royal Canadian Navy at a ceremony in Beacon Hill Park, Victoria, B.C., in 1939

Image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Canadian_Crown_and_the_Canadian_Forces………………………………………………

Doc Meek has British origins too

My Dad was born in Belfast, Ireland–the green isle, eh? Land of shamrocks and leprechauns. Maybe that’s why I am so full of blarney sometimes? 😮

The Irish are great raconteurs. 😮 ………………………………………………………………………………….

**ADDENDUM II: Doc Meek, humble beginnings in CANADA 😮

I, J. Collins Meek III (Doc Meek), was born in Rossland (in the middle of the majestic Rocky Mountains), in British Columbia, CANADA. I am at home in the mountains everywhere and at home in my CANADA.

Doc Meek and his family of origin

I have 5 siblings. We were all born in the BC Rockies (except my oldest sister, born in Raymond, Alberta, on the prairies) and we all love the mountains. We were born “of goodly parents,” namely James Collins Meek II and Claire Louise Collet. My Dad passed on September 6, 2001, and my Mom misses him greatly and patiently–at age 91–still living in her own home in Alberta, CANADA.

The youn clients in my private practice at THE LEARNING CLINIC WORLDWIDE began to informally call me “Doc Meek” years ago, because “Dr. Meek” [PhD in Education] seemed too formal for them. Now everybody calls me “Doc Meek,” so I don’t know my “real name” anymore! 😮

Doc Meek and his present extended family

I am married with Jeannette Meek and we spend a lot of time in South Jordan, Utah, near some of her grandkids there. We have a total of 9 children between us, from our former marriages,  and I think we have a total of about 18.5 great grandchildren along about now. 😮 (We’re glad my youngest daughter is expecting.) 😮

We have family “scattered all over the place”

My eldest daughter is married and lives in Idaho, with her two children. My oldest son lives in Alberta, and is not married, so he is not doing his duty raising any grandchildren yet. 😮 My middle daughter lives in  California with her daughter–who is the spitting image of her mother, eh? My youngest daughter is married and lives in Alberta with her five young children and is expecting another little one soon. 😮 My youngest son lives in Florida near his two young daughters .

My wife Jeannette’s oldest daughter lives in South Utah with her five children, the youngest of which is a mighty baseball player (all of 5 years old now I think). 😮 Jeannette’s oldest son  is married with his beloved wife from China and lives in the centre of this glorious land of CANADA, in Manitoba, with his three young sons. Jeannette’s youngest daughter is unmarried and is “working like a slave” 😮 –I hear she is loving it!–on a luxury cruise ship out of Hawaii. Jeannette’s youngest son is unmarried and living in Manitoba and is also not doing his duty raising any grandchildren yet. 😮

Jeannette also has 5 siblings. Her Dad and Mom, Louis Preete and Wilma Kinns, have both passed on.

I think that’s it for now.

Thank heavens, eh? 😮

Doc Meek, Thursday, July 1, 2010, at Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA

The trades are honorable and worthy

For years I have been speaking and teaching about the value of professional trades people in our society. The least easy ones to convince are people with an academic orientation. They seem to feel that everyone should pursue an academic career. Even though I myself am a highly-credentialed academic, this narrow approach is not a good concept in my view.

The trades are honorable and worthy and should be encouraged by adults, and sought after by students who want to travel that road. It is a good road and the pay is good, frequently better than the majority of academic jobs.

I have attended meetings of professionals designing curricula for public schools, and the main focus is almost always on academic courses. Where are the electricians, the welders, the computer technicians, the native North American craftsmen, the plumbers, the graphic artists, the carpenters, the farmers, the entrepreneurs, the housewives, at these meetings?

The bias in decision-making is obvious, isn’t it?

Trades people would be excellent curriculum designers

My Dad was a Journeyman Electrician and he would have made a great curriculum designer.

Why would my Dad have made a great curriculum designer? He was a good committee man, gentle and patient. He was intelligent, innovative and wise. He had a good grip on the practical world and common sense. He was very aware of the real needs of the business and industrial world we live in, and the kinds of education and training needed to get good  jobs in both the academic and non-academic domains. In short, he had all of the extensive qualifications needed to sit on such a committee in the real world, and be very effective.

“Even Jesus was a carpenter.” – Missionary Friend

Sometimes in meetings, as my fellow academics and I would ponder academics, I felt compelled to draw our attention upwards for a moment. I would point up to the ceiling and say, “Without the professional electrician who installed those lights, one by one, we could not do our work here today.” Then I would go on to point downward to the floor, over to the walls, through the windows, etc. The group was usually dumbfounded. Such groups tend to take it all for granted.

Sometimes I would add: “Without the maintenance staff in this building, this place would look like a landfill site, and the toilets wouldn’t flush.” 😮

I am not against academics

I want to be clearly understood. I am not against academics–I am one! 😮 I am delighted to be an academic, glad to associate with fellow scholars and live in an exquisitely-conceptualized mental world with them. And we do practical work. We are professors at universities, academic teachers at thousands of schools the world over, and planners and researchers, etc.

I have worked hard all my life in the academic schoolwork domain to help children and adults overcome learning difficulties.Surely this was/is a very worthwhile academic career? Of course. Still, that doesn’t stop it from being a relatively narrow, circumscribed space, right?

I have also helped my Dad wire houses, helped friends build their homes, and so on. My Dad taught me that manual labor and skilled trades are honorable and “worthy of all acceptation.”

Evening and night staff are some of the greatest people I have known

Wherever I have worked, I have made it a point to get to know the maintenance and custodial staff. As a “night owl” I always enjoyed the support of the people who make the building work for me, and all the day denizens as well. Yes! 😮

I have great gratitude for, and high respect for, all those who labor that I might be able to do my work. This includes my Mom’s labor as well of course. No pun intended. 😮

It is a mistake in my view to attempt to diminish the value of manual labor or technical skills (or stay-at-home motherhood for that matter). Without these honorable and worthy enterprises, our society could not function properly, or at all.

To a sense of equality for all careers!

Doc Meek, Tuesday, June 22, 2010 (1st posting, very early in the morning) [About 1:00 am, as I recall] 😮

P.S. Some resources (copy and paste the URLs below into your computer’s web browser):

Canadian Schools Directory: http://www.trade-schools.ca/

American Trade Schools: http://www.itrade-schools.com/