Back in 1996Listening became a prominent theme.Herb Lovett promoted this approachFor people bordering on the extremeOf how their behaviorWas a message we should heed,If we really wanted to offerWhat each person needs.

Learning to Listen, he wrote among his pagesIs all about respect and love for all the ages.

As I looked backSeveral years ago,These are the peopleWho informed what I did knowAbout life in generalAnd my role as a teaherAnd instructor, friend and life long seeker.

But to this listI would need to add now again,Tomlinson, Wormeli, Robinson & Friend.

On my bulletin board in my office,Right near where I can take a peek,Is a poster “THERE IS NO ANSWER”If from me an answer is what you seek.

I have ideas, suggestions and maybe a thought –Choices and questions, if that is what you sought –But, I have no answers for you today,As you leave my office and go on about your day.

Each theme begins with the letter “C,”As I prepare for each of my courses.I abide by each as I construct and deliverEach of my many resources.

Creativity appearsIn many a shape and formAnd I expect the same from studentsAs it soon becomes the norm.

As a TEDx TalkNot too long ago,“CREATIVITY AND ME”Was a theme where I could showWho had shaped my thinkingAnd what lessons I did learnThat influenced my teachingAt each and every turn.

Once, when I was a presenter,At a conference in Illinois, I think –A person from the back of the roomMade a statement so bold with a wink.

“You don’t got a name tag –But you still got a name!”Was what I heardFrom his small, slight frame.

There was wisdom thereIn the words that he shared.

ENGAGEMENT equals interestWith a side trip to Pinterest.Enhancing choiceGives students a voice.

Flexibility Is the key.Mistakes are expected.Caring is affected.Strengths are accessed.Learning styles are stressed.

Universal designHelps students to shine.It’s time for students to engage;Dropping out just creates rage.

The Red Sox are a team I follow quite closely –And in 2015 – was a time that I mostlyCaptured all their 162 games –An acrostic organizer captured the namesOf the Teams / Players / Events.It takes time and patience to representEach game with its highs and lowsAs only a Red Sox fan surely knows.What if a student had a similar ambition?How to I engage this baseball affection?

Wins and loses did appearFrom who the Red Sox played that year.Grater/less than and equal toBecome the lesson for a student to do.

The characteristicOf each statisticCan be connected to the lessonSo the student can find success inSharing his love of baseballTo help him learn and recallProperties to follow –That’s a lot of Math to swallow.

At times, when I thinkAbout where I’ve been –Books fly from off my shelf.They help me defineWho I amRight down to my inner self.

These authors bring wisdomIn my evolving history –Dylan, Thoreau, Dickens and KohlUnlock much of life’s mystery.

We each pick our tiles from the same purpose boxAnd place them out on the boardAnd the connections we make with what’s already thereBecome our just reward.

In life, we also acquire our skillsFrom experiences we have each day.For when we conclude this path we’ve taken,We’ll have a lot to say!

We open many doorsTo see what’s on the other side.We hold the key to unlock each one.Who will you pick to be your guide?

Be careful what you findFor claims may not all be true.The glitter of the packagingHides what is essential from you.

Leave your own door openFor those we seek what you know.Share your wealth of wisdomAnd by your example they will grow.

Parker Palmer uses the cyclesOf the seasons of each yearTo emphasize the path we takeTo get from there to here.

Integrity and courage are valuesAbout which he speaks.Wisdom and understandingAre what each one of us seeks.

Ideas to the leftQuestions to the right –It’s time to brainstorm in our teams.But the ecology that existsWithin our schools,Influences our chosen schemes.

No two students are ever alike;Their labels sometimes don’t even matter.We do the best with what we knowAmid all the talk and the chatter.

“Winter is coming,” a call from the wildFrom the Wall down to the Kingdom.How do we prepare for such a timeWhen all we have left is our wisdom?

We age – we form a legacyTo share with our students and peers.We share the best of what we knowThat we’ve learned from throughout the years.

The Futures of Children was written in 1974.I wonder what Nicolas Hobbs had in storeFor us to think about 40 years later.I bet he had plans for something greater.

Now, Sir Ken Robinson has answered the call.He says creativity can help stop the fall.We must change how we decide what to teach.We must change the ways that we reachThe children in our schools today.Thank you for viewing what I have to say!