StoatAubergine

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Welcome to my blog about teaching, parenting, philosophy and stuff between

My Latest Posts

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  • Teaching, Profit, and the Stories We Tell to Stay Comfortable.
    There is an old saying that people do not like seeing laws or sausages being made. For teachers, the same could be said of wealth generation. Teaching is imbued with a public sector ideology. It is labour that transcends renumeration; work that’s a calling, not a demand. The children, after all, are our future. But can teachers in the private sector be squeamish about supporting, even actively increasing their school’s wealth creation? Is there a friction between whether teaching is caught between public sector virtue and private sector profit propagation? When I… Read more: Teaching, Profit, and the Stories We Tell to Stay Comfortable.
  • When the Past Starts Calling Back
    Every so often, the past gives us a little nudge (or a clout). Sometimes it’s gentle…a transportive song (for me it was The Killers ‘All These Things That I Have Done), the smell of a new shower gel that was just like the one Body Shop used to make in the nineties or a Facebook memory that says, “On this day, fifteen years ago…” and shows you in a shirt you no longer own; a defined cheekbone… Other times it’s more insistent: news from old friends, a job you almost took reappearing,… Read more: When the Past Starts Calling Back
  • Everton, Football and the Doctrine of Divine Simplicity
    There was an international break in March. For those unaware, the ‘international break’ is normally a couple of weeks where football (soccer, but I’ll be calling it football today) that is played in England’s top tier (the Premier League) pauses so that players can play for their own countries in international friendlies or cup qualifiers. It’s also a break for fans like me whose team, like a toothache which leaves them in perpetual discomfort and concern with brief moments of relief, are not at their best. I support Everton FC. Don’t worry.… Read more: Everton, Football and the Doctrine of Divine Simplicity
  • I dined with Arthur but danced with Albert.
    I’ve been putting this off for some time now, primarily because it’s ‘high calorie’ self-indulgent. However, it occurs to me that if I don’t openly ruminate on this topic, it will consume me whole (or at the very least leave me perennially grumpy). So, if you’re happy to join me on this groan fest, then let’s sketch some chalk symbols on the floor and “EXORCISE THE DEMON”.
  • Fathers? Absent. Teachers? Present.
    The problem with holidays is one has time to scheme. The day-to-day pressures of working and upholding a work persona mean that when one’s time is one’s own and the inbox is ignored and the work persona shelved: new, interesting, ambitious and creative projects come to the fore. Currently, the ambitious and creative project hamster which spins the wheel in the back of my head and occasionally and loudly nibbles on toilet roll is what I would do for a PhD. More often than not, the rustlings and nibbling’s of project hamster… Read more: Fathers? Absent. Teachers? Present.
  • Pinky Cat: And her adventures through Food Avoidance.
    It happened at some point on the London Underground, Piccadilly Line, possibly as the train moved through Hounslow. It was the very final journey of our two-week visit to family and friends. The five of us had been burdened with 4 suitcases and numerous shoulder-slung, hand-held luggage as we moved between locations in both Essex and Yorkshire. We also carried another burden during our stay. The youngest member of our cohort had stopped eating solid food. In fact, she’d eaten her last morsel on June 17th. An elderly gentleman of possible South… Read more: Pinky Cat: And her adventures through Food Avoidance.
  • Is there a place for ‘unconditional positive regard’ in a whole school policy?
    Unconditional positive regard (UPR) does exactly what it says on the tin. It demands of the listener (therapist, teacher, social worker etc) that whatever behaviour (within reason) is being exhibited or whatever disclosures are coming forth (again, within reason) – one must act with a positive and empathetic mindset irrespective of the content. In other words – park your own opinion and judgement at the door and simply accept all that is being offered. It originates from the work of therapist and psychologist Carl Rogers, in which it formed the fulcrum of… Read more: Is there a place for ‘unconditional positive regard’ in a whole school policy?
  • Busy today, isn’t it!
    In the city we currently call home, the main language appears to be Russian. The ‘second’ language is Uzbek – but only with the confines of its capital, Tashkent. I am reliably informed that the more we explore Uzbekistan, the more we will hear its own language. This is the fourth foreign country I have lived in and my first since France (over 25 years ago) where English is not the main international language. We were given fair warning that this would be the case and decided as a family to embrace… Read more: Busy today, isn’t it!
  • Back to Basics: A call to the head and heart – or simply ice cream for everyone?
    Those of us in teaching have all experienced that exhausting final term at school. Behavioral problems from the usual suspects, every teacher running on empty but pushing ourselves and our charges over the line with as little drama as possible. We try to maintain discipline with increasingly wearied and fatigued cohorts of children (whose parents also hanker for the last day of school) as we continue to operate in the long shadow of Covid. But for certain there must be a discussion on how to address the behaviour problems encountered throughout the… Read more: Back to Basics: A call to the head and heart – or simply ice cream for everyone?
  • You know, they’re starving in Africa – The trouble with the ‘could be worsers’
    They’re starving in places all over the world – but the plight of thousands in Ethiopia was brought into stark relief across the globe during the 1983-85 famine by the worthy and incredible efforts of Bob Geldof and anyone whom he grabbed by the collar and ‘voluntold’ their services for the relief of suffering. Meanwhile, across Britain, schools did their part in raising awareness and funds to alleviate the suffering of over seven and a half million Ethiopians as for once, the West took notice.  I was ten years old when Live… Read more: You know, they’re starving in Africa – The trouble with the ‘could be worsers’
  • Why I tolerate religion – but respect faith.
    Religions come and go – their plurality and diversity representative of the complexity and mystery of the human mind. However, ‘faith’: that ability to believe beyond our knowing is a constant, intrinsic and universal trait we all share.  In this month’s blog I want to establish that ‘faith’ is an inherent quality and essential to our humanity. Whether you believe in God or not, our capacity for faith and its transcendental essence is an indispensable part of our personhood and as such should be respected. It is a quality that, arguably, sets… Read more: Why I tolerate religion – but respect faith.
  • Regret: And why wishing it was different is a wasted wish.
    In this months blog I have been reflecting on ‘regret’. Regret is  an emotion that, unlike its more fleeting extended family members, can stay with us for the entirety of our lives. It comes to us at the lowest point and whilst its attachment to our souls can be light enough to bear; it can often be so burdensome that learning to live with it can take a lifetime. However, when we accept its encumbrance, it can facilitate healing and, in some ways, let us experience what it means to be a truly… Read more: Regret: And why wishing it was different is a wasted wish.
  • Should we reward a ‘work ethic’?
    Before school finished (finally) for summer, my Primary (Elementary) aged son came home pleased to have received a certificate from school praising his hard work and effort. We were delighted to hear about his journey and reflected with him on the ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ of a year like no other (fingers crossed). However, it felt discombobulating that he should be rewarded for something that is good ‘in of itself’. We wouldn’t ply him with rewards for being ‘honest’ or for showing ‘respect’ because those are qualities he should possess – because they… Read more: Should we reward a ‘work ethic’?
  • Facebook ‘In-Memoriam’ – Finally, a gift from the social media giant.
    This month’s post takes on a deeply personal note. Earlier this month a friend of mine, and to many in the hospitality community of Leeds, died far too soon. As with previous recent personal losses, I have found the Facebook Remembrance pages a real comfort and something of a ‘living’ memoriam. In this post I will share my views and insights on this service provided by FB and why I believe, against the myriad of things they do that make me question my ‘membership’, it is something of true value.  To the… Read more: Facebook ‘In-Memoriam’ – Finally, a gift from the social media giant.
  • TikTok, Neo-Pronouns and The Construct of Reality.
    Warning! This blog will contain a middle-aged man talking about TikTok. Yes! This blog is going to involve TikTok, okay! I can talk about TikTok and not have to reverse a baseball cap, cross my arms and summon an ice-cold phrase like “your cappin, bruh”. Stay. Don’t go. That first paragraph may only have been funny in my head. This month’s blog is a blend of philosophy, sociology and how both those disciplines informed a parenting opportunity to explain a few more ‘whys’ about the world.  If you have teenagers, live with… Read more: TikTok, Neo-Pronouns and The Construct of Reality.
  • Our Identities and Our Responsibilites.
    In this month’s blog I propose that we our identity is comprised of the many communities to which we belong. But if one of those communities acts in bad ways – do we have an obligation to address it, even if the fault was not individually ours? If you have enjoyed reading this or any of my posts – please feel free to share.
  • Pupil or Student – Is there a more suitable noun for today’s child learners?
    In this month’s blog, I will argue against naming school-aged child learners as ‘pupils’. I will suggest that calling them ‘pupils’ is at best simply naming a child who goes to school and at worst it is idealistic and out of touch with modern pedagogy – promoting the outmoded product of a dependent taught child. I will then offer the argument that to promote the image of a school child who doesn’t simply attend school for instruction but as an active learner who is studious by nature – then only the term ‘student’… Read more: Pupil or Student – Is there a more suitable noun for today’s child learners?
  • How our ‘Parenting Values’ could be a barrier to good advice.
    This month, instead of a piece heavy on analytical philosophy, I want to present a discussion. I’ve been meaning to put some thoughts down about parenting and with the half term holidays now upon us – it felt like the perfect time to write such a piece. Spoiler alert: whilst I am deliberately toning down the philosophy – there may be a smattering of psychology.  This was one of the best pieces of advice we were given as freshly minted parents: The bad times will always pass, but so will the good.… Read more: How our ‘Parenting Values’ could be a barrier to good advice.
  • Why a right to free speech is not identical to an active Twitter account (and why having one and not the other – is not a problem).
    This month I am responding to my good friend, Nick Morgan. Nick is an effortlessly talented teacher and someone who’s been at it for nearly twenty years. He’s one of those teachers that would’ve made you love maths as a kid especially, if like me, you hated every graph papered day of it! He was kind enough to suggest this topic and I thought this was a different way to approach a blog post. Here’s what’s been turning over in Nick’s mind this week:  …I started thinking about it again after reading some twitter… Read more: Why a right to free speech is not identical to an active Twitter account (and why having one and not the other – is not a problem).
  • Good Intentions versus Bad Outcomes – Is ‘Meaning Well’ good enough to forgive bad outcomes?
    Has someone ever cheerfully informed you that they ‘did that thing for you’ as a favour; no need to thank them…it was their pleasure? You smile somewhat cautiously as they skip out of view, seemingly happy with a good deed done – you open the task ‘completed’ and realise that the next four hours of your life will be undoing and then redoing something that should have only taken half the time. I’ve recently experienced something similar – I was somewhat miffed.  Upon reflection on the incident with a line manager I was… Read more: Good Intentions versus Bad Outcomes – Is ‘Meaning Well’ good enough to forgive bad outcomes?
  • Do as I say, not as I do: A reminder that being our best selves should be a goal, not an expectation.
    The phrase could be the motto for the any person who tacitly or experientially understands why a decision or way of acting might have bad consequences for someone else in a similar situation. Still, when I reflect a little deeper, it’s a phrase that promotes that most frustrating nature of our humanity – the person I am in my mind is still better than the person I am in the moment. “Do as I say” (for the person I was back then was right) “Not as I do” (for the person I am now is still flawed)
  • Belonging: A sense of affiliation or a concrete commitment?
    When we say we ‘belong’ somewhere – we may be thinking in ‘concrete’ terms. This means that, wherever we may be in the world, we actually and properly belong somewhere. For example, I was born in England therefore it’s where I belong. This can be problematic – especially for persons who live a global life. ‘Belonging’ is a powerful and deeply felt sensation – but what does it mean to ‘belong’ somewhere?
  • The Theist and gender neutrality – Why God should be a role model.
    If God is a person and is gender neutral – is not permissible for all persons to be gender neutral – including humans?
  • Anti-Vaxxers: What are they saying when they claim to be ‘anti’?
    In this post I will argue that being ‘anti’ something is a powerful stance. It can commit you to be in opposition to more than the actual thing you are against – and by doing so ties you to be opposed to things that could be a power for good. I will suggest that this is most true in areas of moral ambiguity such as those persons who are in opposition to vaccinations or ‘Anti-Vaxxers.’
  • An Incidental Experience – Something resembling a resolution
    In my final post on the transcendental thread – I make my conclusion as to the nature of my experience – but not before worrying about freewill
  • The ‘Transcendental’ Experience
    In my previous blog I talked about a single experience some fifteen years ago which would go on to promote tremendous personal, cultural and intellectual growth. It was from hearing Jocelyn Pook’s ‘How Sweet the Moonlight’ sung by the countertenor Andreas Scholl. I often reflect on that experience as being ‘transcendental’ but is this description problematic for the non-believer? My heart wishes to retain this moment in my life as ‘out of the ordinary’ but to do so, must I commit to what a theist might call ‘the hand of God’? Transcendent:… Read more: The ‘Transcendental’ Experience

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