Shepherds, Wise Men, or ???

As you celebrate Christ's birth, take a moment and reflect on these words ...

"There were only two classes of people who heard the cry Christmas night: shepherds and wise men. Shepherds: those who know they know nothing. Wise men: those who know they do not know everything." - Archbishop Fulton Sheen

Are we shepherds, are we wise men, or are we something else all together? How well do we truly understand and appreciate the gift that was given to each of us some 2000 years ago?

This shepherd wishes each of you a Blessed Christmas season.

4th Sunday of Advent

The Holy Family ??

While surfing the Wild Wild Web the other day, this image (and clever caption) struck a chord. I think it manages to illustrate how our sometimes hectic family life can collide with the quiet beginning of a new liturgical year. Stuff happens - deep breath - remember what's really important - and quietly move on.

 

"A rough trip down from the attic leaves us with a statue 

of Jesus, Mary, and St John the Baptist"

Image and caption pilfered from  Conversion Diary

Secrets of Effective Teaching

As I write this post, we are in the midst of a teacher evaluation cycle. We each meet with our administrative team and discuss our classroom skills and how we can improve (or in my case - how I can avoid being shown the door :)

I'd like to share one of my personal favorite classroom feedback techniques...

Blessed with an extensive collection of college math credits (and the head tilts it took to get there), I can easily mix a touch of vector calculus with a pinch of differential equations to determine how badly I've confused my students. What can I say - it's a gift.

I am thankful we don't live in earthquake country. With regular seismic activity, I'd never know if my class was riding out a magnitude 7 event or simply confused.

Stay nerdy