Perspective

One of my favorite pieces of art is “The Old Guitarist” by Pablo Picasso. It was done during his Blue Period and I’ve visited it many times in the Art Institute of Chicago. The painting depicts an elderly man hunched over his guitar with this head hanging down. He is wearing ragged clothes and is barefoot as he sadly strums the guitar in a sitting position that looks like he could be begging on the street. The piece has always spoken to me and brings up feelings of loneliness and despair. The last time I was there, I decided to purchase a magnet of the painting that I placed on our refrigerator.

One morning, when I came into the kitchen, I noticed that the magnet had been turned horizontally and gave a completely different impression. After years of looking at this tired and sad man hunched over his guitar, he now appeared to be lounging comfortably as he strummed his guitar. I stared at it for a while, because I had never even considered seeing it in that manner. When I asked my daughters about it, they said it just looked more natural that way and had adjusted it accordingly. Wow! What a difference was made by a new perspective.

As educators, our job can be pretty grueling. At first glance, it can look like an impossible task. We often struggle with behavior issues in the classroom. We are challenged with parents who can be demanding and impatient. We have too many duties and not enough time to do them. But when we look closer, we can see from a different perspective. The behavior issues are often from trauma or work avoidance and are a message to us that they need the patience and guidance that may only come from a dedicated teacher that they trust. The demanding parents are telling us that we have been entrusted with their most precious possession and they need reassuring. The mountain of duties that we have and the little time to do it in is the continuous battle that we will continue to fight as long as we have the passion and energy to do it, because it’s what our students need! Depending on your perspective, education can be the most grueling or the most rewarding career one could have. The reality is, it’s both.

“You must look within for value, but must look beyond for perspective.” – Denis Waitley

“Not enough people in this world carry a cosmic perspective with them. It could be life-changing.” – Neil deGrasse Tyson

“It’s useful to go out of this world and see it from the perspective of another one.” – Terry Pratchett

• Monday, February 3: IEP (Jones) 8:30 AM, Celebrate Monday Assembly 9:05 AM
• Tuesday, February 4: Achievement Team (Hurula) 8:15 AM
• Wednesday, February 5: Math Assemblies in the afternoon 1:30 (2-4) & 2:30 (K/1)
• Thursday, February 6: PLC Session (Data) 7:50-8:50 AM
• Friday, February 7: REED (Medellin) 8:15 AM, VIP Dance in the Gym 6:00-8:00 PM
  • Math Theme of the Week: ESTIMATION (Estimation Jars & East Commons Activities)

• Monday, February 10: Celebrate Monday Assembly 9:05 AM
• Tuesday, February 11: Achievement Team (Allmayer) 8:15 AM, Follow Up Meeting (Ringler) 9:05 AM
• Wednesday, February 12: Elementary Principals Meeting 1:00-4:30 PM, Founders Day Banquet at Vista Tech (Doors open at 5:30 PM)
• Thursday, February 13: Staff Meeting 8:05 AM, PTA Meeting 7:00 PM
  • Math Theme of the Week: MEASUREMENT 

• Monday, February 17 & Tuesday, February 18: Mid Winter Break!!
  • Math Theme of the Week: GEOMETRY