Oxley's World

Dear Friends,

I have joked for many years that I am going to write a book someday titled "The World According to Oxley." My brother laughs at the thought and my wife just shakes her head. I must agree that the thought of an ADD learning disabled knucklehead like me writing a book would make most of my former teachers fall over in amazement.

This blog is dedicated to teachers in my life who saw beyond my ADD and learning disability to nurture me, inspire me, and challenge me, and also to the children who always teach me more than I will ever teach them.

I share this blog with you and encourage you to be a contributor. Share this opportunity with your colleagues. Teaching is a challenging calling. It is important that we share the moments when we know we touched the heart and mind of a child. More importantly, it is essential that we share the moments that children make us smile, make us cry, and inspire us.

The "World According to Oxley" is based on the simple fact that I became a teacher because many years ago Mrs. Wiley was there for me and set me on a path to learn what she already knew. Francis Wiley knew we are called to teach children because they teach us more than we will ever teach them.

Remember, you make a difference.

Respectfully,
Rick
A learner

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mother's Day

Mother’s Day Hallmark doesn’t sell a card suitable for my Mom. Simple poetic verses by American Greetings are inadequate. You simply can’t buy a card that eloquently says what my Dad knew best. My Dad knew that Mom was the reason that we had a good life. You can’t describe my Mom without mentioning my Dad. eHarmony.com would never had put my parents together, but later on this year if the creek doesn’t rise they will celebrate their 50 th wedding anniversary. What they have is a partnership that capitalizes on the uniqueness each of them brought to their marriage. I never spent one day in doubt that my parents loved each other. My Dad always put my mom first and expected my brother and I to follow suit. My Mom sacrificed. She went with out. In my 48 years, only two sofas and one recliner were in her living room. New things were just not important. She wore the same winter coat for years, but her kids always had a new jacket. My Mom wen...
Read more

A Craftsman

On Monday,  J. Michael Hayfield set his tools down.  He swept up the dust and chips that the collection system missed.   He smiled knowing he had completed his work with the art and science of a master craftsman.  J. Michael reached up and turned off the shop light for the last time.   Long before formal mentoring programs were established a mentor was earned.  A young person worked and earned the trust and loyalty of someone who was willing to teach them the ways of a master craftsman.  J. Michael Hayfield, assistant superintendent, decided I was worthy of being mentored. J. Michael and I share a lot in common.  We are working class kids who had to fight and prove ourselves along life’s path.  We both married woman who hated us when we first met and told us to date them we would need to change.  He saw in me the fire for wanting to get ahead and make a difference. J. Michael provided me with opportunities to lear...
Read more