Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Happy New Year - 2010 Rubber Fun


2009 was a fun year for me in the classroom and out promoting the book - here's a podcast from December, a newly published article, and a sneak preview to some upcoming Rubbery events:

Thursday, January 21, 2010 - 3:00pm-4:00pm - Dare to Be Remarkable (880AM - Miami, FL)

Saturday, January 30, 2010 - Georgia Association of Educators Annual Conference - Lessons to Transform Your Classroom

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - Noon - GSU Law School - Topic TBA

Friday, February 12, 2010 - 17th Georgia Conference on College & University Teaching

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 - Kiwanis, Peachtree City, GA, Book Discussion: Follow Your Dreams - At Any Age!

Podcast: Perry's Interview on A Closer Look Radio, Coast-to-Coast
http://www.achieveradio.com/archplayer.php?showname=A%20Closer%20Look%20with%20Pam%20Atherton&ShowURL=http://audio.achieveradio.com/closer-look/Dec-17-2009-at-01-00PM---A_Closer_Look.mp3

Just Published by Teacher.net Gazette (Cover Story)
Transform Your Classroom by Unlocking Your Rubber Room
Perry Binder
Rub•ber Room (noun) A confining mindset where thoughts and possibilities bounce around but never turn into action

At whatever level you teach, K-12 or college, the continual cliché to “Have a positive attitude” is intended to keep you inspired and refreshed in the classroom. Drawing from hilarious or serious lessons as a teacher and former student, this article digs down below that cliché with examples of what makes us tick as people, so we can in turn be better teachers. It is an exploration and celebration of our childhood motivations, passion to teach, and the special quality that fires us up to walk into a classroom each day.

Monday, December 28, 2009

New teachers reflect on their first semester


I enjoyed this article about new teachers, the mistakes they've made, and the motivation they have to succeed in the 2010 spring term.

Enthusiasm is contagious (excerpt):
When I was in college, I had several friends studying to be teachers. Every time they would talk about student teaching or creating lesson plans, I would think 'No way. Not me.' " At that time in my life, the idea of holding the education of 20-some students in my hands was enough to strike terror in my heart. Now the idea of putting up with 20-some children who are not mine is enough to do the same. So my hat is off to those who decide to pursue that career. The best teachers are the ones who hold that calling on their life, who have that special gift of inspiring students to do their best and to explain the concepts they need to know in a way that each child can understand.
Read the article:

Friday, December 18, 2009

Did you know The Fonz co-authored 9 children's books about Dyslexia?


To his great surprise, veteran actor Henry Winkler has carved out a new career for himself as a children's author. Having struggled - and suffered - throughout his school years with unidentified dyslexia, it's still hard for him to imagine his name even appearing in the same sentence with the words "author" or "book." But, Winkler and his co-author, Lin Oliver, have completed nine novels in their series, Hank Zipzer: The World's Greatest Underachiever, which recounts the hilarious adventures of a resourceful, wisecracking fourth-grader - who also happens to have dyslexia.

Winkler, who recently turned 60, graduated from the Yale University School of Drama and has achieved a successful 30-year career as an actor, director, and producer. Although he's received many honors for his work, he's probably still best known and loved for his role as the definitively cool Arthur "The Fonz" Fonzarelli in the 1974-84 television comedy series Happy Days, co-starring well-known director Ron Howard.


On Happy Days, The Fonz played an auto mechanic teacher. Here's an actual car mechanic with dyslexia who became a teacher...
“TEACHING has changed so much over the years,” are the opening words from Paul Reid, a 39 year old from Perry Barr, when you ask him what he thinks of his new career. “I really struggled when I was at school. It was differrent (sic) back then and admitting you had a problem understanding something wasn’t easy.’”
Paul was a car mechanic for 15 years before suffering from arthiritis and decided to change career.“I loved mechanics so much that I decided that I wanted to teach others how to do it,” he explained.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Radio Interview, Dec. 17, 4pm-5pm EST



Looking forward to this interview with longtime radio host Pam Atherton. I recently listened to her interview with Bill Kurtis, Journalist/documentary host (and recovering lawyer!) and learned some very interesting things about his life.


But what I really like is the cool promo photo for the show, pictured here.
A Closer Look with Pam Atherton
Dec. 17, 4pm-5pm EST

Friday, December 11, 2009

NYC Teachers Sue for a Pass Out of Rubber Rooms


Pictured left: Cell phone photo from a Queens, NY Rubber Room
While this blog is dedicated to inspiring teacher stories, I'd be remiss if I didn't post this story about K-12 teachers who believe they are being unjustly treated:

BROOKLYN (CN) -Some 2000 schoolteachers say New York City is discriminating against them by confining them on trumped-up charges in infamous "rubber rooms" until they retire. Rubber rooms are study hall-like places where teachers are paid full wages to do nothing -- sometime for years. Continue reading - http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/12/01/Class_of_Teachers_Sues_NYC_For_a_Pass_Out_of_Rubber_Rooms.htm

I stumbled across the rubber room issue when selecting the title of my book.
In my book Intro:
Rub·ber Room (noun)
A confining mind-set where thoughts and possibilities bounce aimlessly


In my book Epilogue:
Rub·ber Room (noun)
An isolated place where schools send unruly teachers awaiting disciplinary proceedings


After the fact, I dug deeper into the NYC Rubber Room problem, and discovered some reasons (justly and possibly unjustly) that teachers get sent there. One of the biggest issues is how long teachers must wait until given a due process hearing to get reinstated (they are suspended with pay until a resolution). Though my book has nothing to do with the NYC Rubber Room issue, a couple of months ago I wrote this letter to provide moments of levity for Rubber Room occupants awaiting a hearing:

September 28, 2009

Michael Mulgrew
President, United Federation of Teachers
52 BroadwayNew York, NY 10004

Re: The Rubber Room New Yorker article – Your Letter to the Editor

Dear Mr. Mulgrew:

I am a Queens, New York native (PS 184, JHS 194, Bayside HS) and a Legal Studies professor at Georgia State University, who read your Letter to the Editor in The New Yorker with great interest. One of the most telling quotes in Mr. Brill’s piece concerned the city official’s statement: “Our standard is tighter than ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’.”

I had never heard the term “Rubber Room” used in the school system context, until I started researching the title of my enclosed book, Unlocking Your Rubber Room (2009). The reason I am writing is because I am interested in supplying each borough’s “Rubber Room” with a copy of my book (at no cost). www.YourRubberRoom.com

Unlocking Your Rubber Room is a humorous look at law and life (Sections I & II), with my bent perspective on the justice system (Section III). I believe that the book would help Rubber Room occupants maintain or regain perspective as they await their hearings. If anything, the book’s title and content would offer some needed levity.

Please let me know if you have any thoughts on how to accomplish the above task. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Perry Binder

Mr. Mulgrew's Letter to the Editor of The New Yorker
Brill captures the Kafkaesque quality of Rubber Rooms, in which teachers linger while the Department of Education ponders accusations against them. Read more:
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/letters/2009/09/28/090928mama_mail2

Postscript: To date, I have not heard back from Mr. Mulgrew, but a couple of people are attempting to assist me and get free copies of my book into the five NYC Rubber Rooms.

Photo from B&N Signing / Upcoming Radio Interviews


In a stark contrast to my NYC rubber room story above...
Thank you to Sharon and Shoppers - a great day at B&N!

On the life of an author: "When the bookstore gave me Reindeer ears, I knew I was in trouble."

In this photo, the Lawyer-turned-Teacher is flanked by two readers - a lawyer and a teacher.

Upcoming: Thursday, December 17, 4:00pm-5:00pm EST - A Closer Look Radio with Pam Atherton (Clovis, NM)http://www.achieveradio.com/closer-look
Thursday, January 21, 2010, 3:00pm-4:00pm EST - Dare to Be Remarkable with Kandee G (Miami, FL) - 880AM http://www.880thebiz.com/
TBA - Tell Me Your Story (Santa Barbara, CA) - 1290AM

Friday, December 4, 2009

After 60 years of teaching, substitute is still at the head of the class


Substitute teacher Martin Carole has seen just about everything a room full of students has to offer.

By Joshua Garner The Gazette
Continue reading:

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

The 10 Best Teachers in Movie History



Clearly missing from the list is Alex Jurel (Nick Nolte) in Teachers (1984), dealing with the ultra cool Eddie Pilikian (Ralph Macchio) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088242/ . Also, how can you leave off Professor Terguson (Sam Kinison) in Back to School (1986) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090685/ The list was compiled in 2006, so we need to add Erin Gruwell (Hillary Swank) in Freedom Writers (2007) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0463998/ Hey, what about Dewey Finn (Jack Black) in The School of Rock (2003) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0332379/

If we can sneak in some principals, I'd vote for Crazy Joe Clark (Morgan Freeman) in Lean on Me (1989) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097722/ and The Principal (1987) with Rick Latimer (Jim Belushi) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093780/

The 10 Best Teachers in Movie History - filmcritic.com
10. Terry Corrigan (Class of 1984)
9. Mr. Chips (Goodbye, Mr. Chips)
8. Miss Shields (A Christmas Story)
7. Dave Jennings (Animal House) - Dean Wormer was more interesting
6. Glenn Holland (Mr. Holland's Opus) - tear jerker movie
5. Mr. Hand (Fast Times at Ridgemont High) - that's my pizza, dude!
4. Mark Thackeray (To Sir, With Love)
3. John Keating (Dead Poets Society) -all star performance
2. Jaime Escalante (Stand and Deliver) -all star performance
1. Georges Lopez (To Be and To Have)

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Book Discussion/Signing for Teachers, Dec. 5


Saturday December 05, 2009
11:00 AM- 1:00 PM


Barnes & Noble@ The Avenue Forsyth


410 Peachtree Pkwy; Cumming, GA 30041, 770-781-0867


This event will feature a discussion with Forsyth County public school teachers at 11:00am, followed by a signing for all thereafter. From Barnes & Noble ...

Holiday Stress getting you down? Come join us as we welcome Author Perry Binder to our store. Perry is the Author of Unlocking your Rubber Room. In his book you will discover off-the-wall lessons to help you lighten and transform your life.

His book makes the perfect holiday gift!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Margaret Pepperdene, 89: Teacher and scholar


In my continuing effort to celebrate the brightest teaching stars, please read about Professor Margaret Pepperdene:

Dr. Margaret Jane Pepperdene had retired from Agnes Scott College after a 31-year career. The Paideia School called. They wanted her to teach junior and senior English. ...

Dr. Pepperdene taught at Agnes Scott from 1954 to 1985. She was Agnes' first Ellen Douglass Leyburn professor of English. For years, the Navy veteran, who served from 1943-1946, directed the college's Writers' Festival.
After retiring from Agnes Scott, she taught 22 years at the Paideia School. She retired in 2008, at the age of 88. ...

An only child, she had no family. Her mother died when she was a toddler; her father died when she was in grad school. A cousin and aunt have also passed away. So her family, Mr. Bianchi said, are the students she taught more than 50 years.

Continue reading:

Monday, November 23, 2009

Lessons from the Field: Interview with Perry Binder


This interview was in http://certificationmap.com/lessons-from-the-field-interview-with-perry-binder/


Posted on November 23rd, 2009




This post is part of the Teachers Certification Map’s “lessons from the field”, a series of posts featuring passionate, inspiring educators from across the country discussing some of the lessons that they have learned over the years that would help young teachers as they embark on their careers.

Perry Binder teaches business law for undergrads and MBA students at Georgia State University in Atlanta, and is the author of Unlocking Your Rubber Room: 44 Off-the-Wall Lessons to Lighten and Transform Everyday Life. He has been teaching for two decades.

What inspired you to teach?
I was practicing law full-time and was looking for something fun to do part-time. When I taught my first class, I said “I gotta somehow do this full-time!”

What classroom methods are most helpful in pushing students towards their goals?
I. Attempts at humor through “exaggerated example,” detailed in an Op-Ed I wrote, Making a case for Classroom Humor, in the Atlanta Journal Constitution:
“Exaggerate to illustrate. Paint an implausible mental picture to reinforce a topic. When we study “self-defense,” a limping crazy man wields a lumberman’s ax and approaches a student track star limbering up for a run. If the crazy man is 200 feet away, does the student have a duty to retreat, or can she pick up and use a submachine gun conveniently left on a park bench?”

II. I try to get students aware of the world around them them. For example, in my legal studies class, we study the following case:

“In a small town in West Virginia, an elementary school called Marsh Fork exists. It is downriver from a massive coal mining operation, and toxins in the air and water are making the students extremely sick. The West Virginia government has refused to build a new elementary school in a safer location. The community, afraid for its children’s lives, began the organization Pennies of Promise to raise the funds themselves.”
http://www.penniesofpromise.org/


My class project includes:
Visit the web site http://www.penniesofpromise.org/ – this web site gives news on the efforts to move Marsh Fork Elementary School in West Virginia out of harm’s way. Contact any of the following people: someone from Pennies of Promise or any other West Virginia organization with knowledge of the issues involved, a West Virginia journalist, a West Virginia legislator, a staff member in the West Virginia governor’s office, etc. Conduct a telephone or e-mail interview with this person. What did you learn from this interview about Marsh Fork, the legal system, and the coal industry.

The above project is suited for college or high school aged students. It would also be a good project for 4th or 5th graders to somehow reach out to the students at Marsh Fork Elementary.


III. I believe that if you show learners that you have a sincere stake in their futures, you have the ability to inspire them on a daily basis, and spark a “light bulb moment.” For every class, I try to live up to my own expectations through an acronym mentioned in my book:

Perry’s L. I. G. H. T. B. U. L. B. Moment for Teacher
L. isten to all learners
I. nspire them with real world discussions
G. ive hope to everyone
H. eap compliments on students for quality work
T. each to your strengths
B. e available at all times
U. nderstand that students lack your life experience or knowledge
L. earn from your learners
B. e willing to walk in anyone’s shoes


What is the one thing you wish you’d known when you started in the classroom?
How to write fair and objective exams.


What skills could more developed if you were to enroll in a teacher training program?
Writing better learning objectives and outcomes.


What would you like to improve about your teaching?
With 200 students this semester, trying to figure out a way to remember everyone’s name!

Monday, November 16, 2009

Making a Case for Classroom Humor


I never dreamed of being a college professor. Does anybody?

When my third-grade teacher asked us about our dream job, Molly said, “Astronaut.” Evan, “An actor.” Perry: “Obtain a terminal degree and lecture on legal morasses.”

Whether you teach third grade or nuclear physics, every student wants a good laugh. As teacher accountability objectives collide with shorter attention spans, laughter is the secret ingredient to keep everyone on task.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (and Maureen Downey in particular) was kind enough to publish my article as an Op-Ed piece. Click below to continue reading...

Making a case for classroom humor
By Perry Binder
8:52 a.m. Monday, November 16, 2009


Friday, November 13, 2009

Spell Check doesn't work - Old School Proofing needed



Sample student typos (the reason computer Spell Check doesn’t work)

A faulty (faculty) member – maybe s/he got this one right
File a mew (new) motion
Filed on the mourning (morning) of
Going to trail (trial)
Lead (led) to believe
Singing (Signing) an Agreement
The Compliant (Complaint)
Tired (Tried) to flee the scene
Breech (breach) of contract
Break (breach) of contract
Stature (statute) of limitations
Statue (statute) of limitations

And my favorite: The plaintiff assed (assessed) her need

II. Phrases they just got wrong
Tenant (tenet) of law
Woe (whim) of the court
Legal principals (principles)
The principle point (principal)
Recover principle (principal), court costs, and interest

III. I try to get students to economize on words:

Student version: The attorney briefly insinuated the relationship of two of the board members and made it seem like they had previously made a pact with each other.
My version: The attorney insinuated that two of the board members previously made a pact.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Best Movies & Books for my Classes



A lot of my classroom references come from the big screen. Here’s a list of movies which have had the most influence on my teaching style, for various reasons. These are not necessarily my all-time favorites, just those which affected me in some way or another.


MOVIES
(in no particular order)


The Verdict with Paul Newman – slow movie, but a killer closing argument. I play about 20 minutes of this movie in my Intro to Law class
Reservoir Dogs – directed by Quentin Taurentino. Great movie. To me, a good classroom prof needs to master the art of storytelling. This movie has several good scenes with the undercover cop learning how to tell a story, details and all.
Goodfellas – One of my all-time favorites from the early 1990’s. Martin Scorsese is a master storyteller, and knows how to mix music with theme better than any director.
My Cousin Vinny – I can’t resist playing the “Yutes” scene, largely because of my heavy New York accent.
The Insider – based on a true story, a tobacco executive (Russell Crowe) blows the whistle on unethical company practices to a 60 Minutes producer (Al Pacino). I e-mailed the real life executive, Jeffrey Wigand, who had some interesting things to say about legal ethics.
Napoleon Dynamite – Huh? This movie reminds me that a lot of my students are not too many years removed from the awkward high school years. I need to constantly remind myself that they are dealing with issues which are far different from those in my life. Oh yeah, and Vote for Pedro.
Rocky I – Rocky is a survivor. He is a reminder that hard work, determination, and a will to win, are attributes which serve as a good example for my students. Say what you will about Sly Stallone, but consider this: He was a struggling working actor with a baby on the way when he wrote the script. Hollywood loved it and offered him a ton of cash, with Ryan O’Neil in mind to play Rocky. Sly had the vision to know that this character was his dream role, so he wouldn’t sell the script unless he got the part. He accepted much less money and a piece of the movie’s profits to make his dream a reality. Good decision?
Capturing the Friedmans – This documentary is about my high school chemistry teacher, who is mentioned prominently in my book.
Forest Gump – Wow. It takes writing, directing, and acting talent to pull off a movie like this. Forest reminds me that each of us is special in some way, and that we need to appreciate and respect everyone.
The Rainmaker – A movie which exaggerates the lack of ethics in law firms, starring Matt Damon and Danny DeVito. After watching this movie, my mom called me and said she understood why I like teaching and don't practice law. I got a good laugh from that.
Dead Poet’s Society – An incredible portrayal of how passionate someone can be in the classroom. Also highlights that teachers sometimes have so much influence over the direction of young adults. A huge responsibility.
Mr. Holland’s Opus – A must-rent for every aspiring or stale teacher, starring Richard Dreyfuss
Lean on Me – An inspirational high school movie starring Morgan Freeman
Teachers – A wacky and inspirational high school movie starring Nick Nolte

* * *
Here is a collection of books which have had an influence over my teaching and writing styles:

BOOKS
(in no particular order)

The Pre-Historic History of the Far Side by Gary Larsen – funniest book I’ve ever read
Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe- best written book I’ve ever read
People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn – historical perspective written about those who never get to write the history books
Buffalo Creek Disaster by Gerald Stern – best book on corporate negligence and a lawyer’s effort to hold a mining company accountable for the deaths of several miners and family members. I use this book in the Intro to Law class. Before A Civil Action, there was Buffalo Creek Disaster.
Ted Williams by Leigh Monteville & Rod Serling by Joel Engel – I love reading biographies of people who are no longer alive, so you get a perspective of their vibrancy in youth and the fragility of life toward the end.
Bright Lights Big City by Jay McInerney- a wild and dizzying book written from the hip
Fire in the Streets: America in the 1960’s – by Milton Viorst – This book discusses a lot of the volatile issues facing America in a turbulent decade.
The Fifties – by David Halberstam – This massive book offers political parallels to today, much like the movie, Good Night and Good Luck
The Birthmark by Nathaniel Hawthorne – A short story which reminds me to appreciate what you’ve got, and not obsess over trying to make a good thing perfect.
Heaven is a Playground by Rick Telander – The best sports book ever written. I had the opportunity to interview this writer about the book.
On Writing by Stephen King – The word master offers up an honest memoir and a lot of insight into his writing madness.
How to Write a Screenplay in 21 Days by Vicky King & Four Screenplays by Syd Field – Any writer can learn a lot about structure from these studies on the screenwriting process.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Motorized La-Z-Boy? DUI, e-Bay, Lawyers




ACT I - Need for Speed

Maybe you saw the story last week about the guy taking his Reclining Chair out for a spin? Motorized by a lawn mower engine, equipped with a stereo and cup holder, the guy allegedly went from zero to twenty with beer in tow.


The Star Tribune described the chair:
The chair runs on a converted gasoline-powered lawnmower engine and has a steering wheel, headlights, rear roll bars, a power antenna, stereo and cup holders. It can top out at 15 to 20 miles per hour. Stickers on the back include a National Hot Rod Association logo and one that reads, "Hell yeah it's fast."


ACT II - Need for Greed

La-Z-Boy Puts Brakes on DUI Chair Auction
Posted Nov 2nd 2009 7:00PM by TMZ Staff
Mere hours before bidding was scheduled to end on the infamous DUI La-Z-Boy-Mobile, the motorized recliner suddenly vanished from the auction -- and TMZ has learned it's all because of a battle over its name.
Read more:
http://www.tmz.com/2009/11/02/la-z-boy-ebay-dui-chair-auction-canceled/#ixzz0W4Yoeh8B


With the price at $43,100 and rising, eBay received a demand letter from the most unlikely of parties -- the La-Z-Boy corporation itself. We're told La-Z-Boy played the trademark card due to the title of the auction "La-Z-Boy DWI Chair" and eBay was forced to pull the auction.Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2009/11/02/la-z-boy-ebay-dui-chair-auction-canceled/#ixzz0W4Z4B9LN


ACT III - "Braking" News: It's not a La-Z-Boy!

Correction: Lounge Chair-Drunk Driving story
(AP)
DULUTH, Minn. — In stories Oct. 22 and Oct. 29 about a motorized recliner in which a man was arrested in Proctor, Minn., for driving drunk, The Associated Press erroneously described the recliner as a La-Z-Boy. Police in Proctor, where the recliner will be auctioned, say the brand is not La-Z-Boy.


ACT IV - Ebay Auction of DUI Chair Reposted!

View the YouTube video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc67TWWBDf0



ACT V - Everyone's getting in on the act









Posted on ebay:




ARMCHAIR CRUISERS MOTORIZED RECLINER LAZYBOY NOT DUI

Time left:
4 days 17 hours (Nov 10, 200920:15:49 PST)
Bid history:
23 bids[Refresh]
Current bid:
US $700.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ARMCHAIR-CRUISERS-MOTORIZED-RECLINER-LAZYBOY-NOT-DUI_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2c51817176QQitemZ190345998710QQptZLHQ5fDefaultDomainQ5f100

Also on ebay: Autographed Photo Famous DWI Chair, Motorized Chair

http://tinyurl.com/yer7r53



Also on ebay: DWICHAIR.COM domain name DWI CHAIR LIVES ON FOREVER

http://tinyurl.com/yb2dyqu

How is this not front page news?




NOV. 12 UPDATE: http://www.proctormn.com/placed/story/11-12-2009honor.html

Chair buyer will not honor bid
Proctor Journal
Payment on the $10,000 bid for a motorized chair made famous by being involved in a DWI accident did not materialize.
The winning bidder for the motorized lounge chair e-mailed the Proctor Police to say he was not going to buy it. Clayton Adler wrote: “I apologize, but there seems to be a mistake. I did not mean to bid this amount, as well as I cannot afford this. I am truly sorry for the mix up and the wasted time.”
His bid was $10,099.99.

.... the chair to the next highest bidder. That bid was for $9,999.99. http://www.proctormn.com/placed/story/11-12-2009honor.html

The Final Act - Would it be DUI in Georgia?

Riding mower a motor vehicle? Ga. Supreme Court says no
By Larry Hartstein
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
12:19 p.m. Monday, November 23, 2009
Toro might be the "next level of lawn care," as its Web site claims, but a riding mower does not rise to the level of a motor vehicle, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled Monday.
At least when it comes to the motor vehicle theft law.
In a 4-3 opinion, the court reversed the conviction of a man sentenced to 10 years for stealing a lawnmower.
"To be sure, a riding lawnmower is capable of transporting people or property and of driving the street for short stretches, but that is not what the machine is designed for or how it is normally used -- there being little grass to mow on streets, and there being faster and less noisy ways of moving people and property around," Justice David Nahmias wrote for the majority.
In 2006, Franklin Lloyd Harris and two others stole a Toro riding mower worth more than $500 from a Home Depot in Dalton, drove it to Athens, Tenn., and sold it, court documents state.
As a repeat offender, Harris received 10 years in prison under the motor vehicle theft law and the Georgia Court of Appeals upheld the sentence.
While that conviction was thrown out Monday, Harris also had been convicted of theft by taking. He will be resentenced in Whitfield County on that charge alone.
Dissenting Justice Harold Melton pointed out that in the state's "chop shop" law, the term motor vehicle includes any devices "which are self-propelled but which are not designed for use upon a highway, including, but not limited to, farm machinery and construction equipment."
"This definition of ‘motor vehicle' is obviously broad enough to encompass a riding lawnmower," he continued. "Thus, if a riding lawnmower were stolen and taken to a ‘chop shop,' it would be a ‘motor vehicle' for purposes of its theft and storage and dismantling at a chop shop."

Find this article at:
http://www.ajc.com/news/riding-mower-a-motor-210291.html

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Your Teaching Weaknesses versus Strengths


No matter how long you've been teaching and no matter the level (K-12 or college), we ALL have professional weaknesses to deal with. Here's one of my many flaws...

LESSON: Figure out how to compensate for your weaknesses

One of my glaring weaknesses as a professor is an inability to remember student names or recognize their faces outside of class. One time in class, a student walked up to me and said: “I saw you on campus yesterday, and you didn’t even say ‘hi’. That was rude!” I desperately tried to explain that names and faces are hard for me to recall on a huge campus.

So now, when I walk around a campus of 30,000 students, I’m compelled to wave hello to everyone I make contact with. “Hi, how goes it?!” or “Hope you’re doing well.” Four out of five of them are looking at me, like: “Do I know you?” or “Who the heck are you!?” But that fifth person, the one I should know, appreciates the hello. So I’m walking, smiling, waving, and babbling. All over campus. It’s either that, or stare at my feet as I plow towards the lecture hall.

Take Away: You know you’re imperfect - learn how to compensate.


LESSON: In stressful moments, lean on your strengths

I learned this lesson in the first class I ever taught, Introduction to American Government. I thought that we should begin at the very beginning of the text, with a discussion of the Founding Fathers and the Federalist Papers. As I started talking, I repeatedly said to myself: “You don’t know anything about this topic beyond what you read last night.” After forty five minutes of panic, sweat, and utter confusion, we took a 10 minute break. In that time, I decided to go straight to the Bill of Rights, a topic of strength. The rest of the session went very smoothly.

Take Away: Students crave value – give them your unique perspective on what you know best, not a mere recap of yesterday’s homework reading.


Excerpts from: Unlocking Your Rubber Room: 44 Off-the-Wall Lessons to Lighten and Transform Everyday Life
© 2009 Perry Binder, LLC
http://www.YourRubberRoom.com

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Are You a "Touch Wet Paint" Person?


What kind of child were you growing up? The kind that respected a wet paint sign, or one that found it so irresistible that you had to touch it? The decision to touch or not touch
highlights whether you are a curious person or someone who believes everything you read. Or someone who just acts on impulse.

I was showing a video in class and the students wanted me to turn out the lights in the front. Not knowing how to work the lights, I hit all of the switch buttons. Nothing worked. I
had no clue. Finally, I saw a switch which was covered over in white adhesive tape, with the obvious implied message that cried out: “Don’t touch this, you idiot!” I did. The overhead
projector and everything else electric in the room suddenly went dead.

Take Away: Curiosity will liven up the class and shut it down at the same time!

Lesson Excerpt from my book:
Unlocking Your Rubber Room: 44 Off-the-Wall Lessons to Lighten and Transform Everyday Life
http://www.YourRubberRoom.com


Monday, October 19, 2009

The Writer Within You


I was on http://www.teacherlingo.com/ and read so many incredible postings today. It then dawned on me how many teachers must be in the process of publishing books or thinking of publishing books with real classroom stories or fiction.

The October 2009 issue of Writer's Digest http://www.writersdigest.com/ has a good feature (in its print edition only for now, posted online down the road) entitled "First Impressions," where writers discuss their breakthrough novel or non-fiction book. I particularly like Stephen Jay Schwartz's response to SECRET TO SUCCESS:

There's no secret to success. Success cannot be defined by one single event. The secret is in loving the process. Writers have no choice but to write, so when they are writing they are a success.
Write on, Mr. Schwartz.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Who Is The Best Teacher You Ever Had?


This post is a reminder of how many lives you touch every day, every year!

I found this link (under the topic "HEROES") with several posts on Daryn Kagan's blog - she is the former CNN anchor who set out to provide inspiring news stories.



Sample posting:

I have had many fine teachers. I don't think I could pick just one. One thing I did findout in school was that when I liked the teacher I usually did very well. And when I didn't,I usually underperformed. I had one teacher at the University of Dayton that said I scoredthe highest out of anyone on his final. Then the next semester, in a related class, Istruggled just to pass. Good teachers have a way of inspiring us to want to learn.And I think they are one of the most underpaid professions.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Everyday Heroes


Make sure to check out New York Teacher, which features Everyday Teacher Heroes

This week - Master of the universe
He’s the Captain Kirk of public education, running a tight ship from the control console so kids in the school system can take a virtual trip through the solar system.


Astronomy teacher creates Murrow planetarium to beam light on science education

Friday, October 16, 2009

Teachers - Exaggerate to Illustrate!






Learning and retaining dense information isn’t all about laughter, though it helps. For class, I comb the internet each day for wacky law cases. After a while, I can sense which stuff gets the best laughs. Like a comic working in a club testing out new material, I constantly work on delivery, timing, and audience engagement. However, the use of exaggeration in a classroom or boardroom is not about telling jokes. In fact, I can recall telling only one joke in class:

“What’s the only thing worse than biting into an apple and finding a worm?”
“Finding half a worm!”
And that’s why I stay away from joke telling.

Exaggeration is the secret to effective learning. It requires me to plant a picture so implausible and outlandish in the learners’ minds, that they can’t help but remembering the concept. For example, I use this hypothetical to discuss the legal concept of self defense:

You: Well hello there, Mr. Limping Crazy Man wielding a lumberman’s
axe. Your blade looks mighty sharp and shiny, even from 100 yards away.
Him: Why yes, better to slice you to ribbons.
You: Hang on a second as I record this scenario on my video cell phone.
Him: Did they give you a rebate on that phone? Hey, by the way, my name
is Johnny. Heeeeeeeere’s Johnny!
You: Great. Come a step closer. And by the way, say hello to my little semiautomatic
friend!


Take Away: I believe that storytelling is a learnable skill, as demonstrated in the movie, Reservoir Dogs. In a few scenes, an undercover detective tirelessly trains a colleague on the fine art of spinning a tale. The key, he explains, is in remembering and exploiting the story’s rich details.

© 2009 Perry Binder, J.D. This passage contains excerpts from the book:
Unlocking Your Rubber Room: 44 Off-the-Wall Lessons to Lighten and Transform Everyday Life http://www.yourrubberroom.com/

Monday, October 12, 2009

Q&A on Teacher Participation in Social Media and Blogging


To Blog or not to Blog - Isn't that the question?


I sat down with Andy Payment, Director of New Media at William Mills Agency (and a superstar former student) and we discussed the following topic as it relates to companies - but there are clear analogies which may be drawn for Teacher/Employees:

Q&A on Employee Participation in Social Media and Blogging

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Characteristics of a Great Teacher



Best Answer, as Chosen by Yahoo Voters:
Respect, High Expectations and Humor


I like this one:

A good teacher likes and respects students, and loves teaching.A good teacher understands learning styles, different learning and student needs, curriculum scope and sequence, and their subject matter very well.A good teacher can inspire students to want to learn.Maybe I worked in more than three, but they are connected.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Computers Replacing Teachers?


The “typical 2030 faculty will likely be a collection of adjuncts alone in their apartments, using recycled syllabuses and administering multiple-choice tests from afar.”


"Colleges, like newspapers, will be torn apart by new ways of sharing information enabled by the Internet"


"Students starting school this year may be part of the last generation for which “going to college” means packing up, getting a dorm room and listening to tenured professors. Undergraduate education is on the verge of a radical reordering. Colleges, like newspapers, will be torn apart by new ways of sharing information enabled by the Internet."


The Washington Post ran this story by Zephyr Teachout that examined a shift already underway. http://education.zdnet.com/?p=3078

Relax profs. It's not going to happen. While I see a blended use of the internet on the rise in traditional universities, we're still a brick and mortar industry. Lecture halls, dorm rooms, and libraries are not going anywhere. At least not in this century?


Saturday, September 12, 2009

Teachers on Facebook - creepy or valuable tool?


Some students are recruiting professors for Facebook, prodding them to join and even creating fake profiles for them....


I use Facebook in class as a valuable learning tool about what NOT to have on a student page, as future employers may see it before hiring you!

Good article on the topic from a few years ago...
Professors find friends on facebook too

Some students are recruiting professors for Facebook, prodding them to join and even creating fake profiles for them.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Teacher has crazy idea


"I have a crazy idea": Those five words changed a simple meeting of school officials into the realization of Kim Ursetta's dream. ... "I want to start a new kind of school," she said, a union-sponsored public school led by teachers, not a principal.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Tweeting Teachers


From the Chronicle of Higher Education:

Professors Are Not Sold on Twitter's Usefulness
By Marc Beja
We’ve been told that college students aren't Twitter's primary audience – people under the age of 25 make up only a quarter of the service’s users. But are college professors driving up membership? Not really, a new survey from Faculty Focus shows.
According to
results of a survey released this week of more than 1,900 higher-education professionals, more than half say they have never used Twitter, 30 percent use it, and nearly 13 percent tried it but decided to abandon it.

I haven't used Twitter for class; however, I have seen effective use of Twitter by a professor teaching the value of social networking to Public Relations students in a School of Journalism. I'm honored to speak at their upcoming conference: http://www.grady.uga.edu/connect/

Monday, August 24, 2009

Best teachers are eager to inspire students


Some more inspiring quotes, this time from teacher-turned-journalist Bev Davis of the Register-Herald in West Virginia:

- “A master can tell you what he expects of you. A teacher, though, awakens your own expectations.” — Patricia Neal

- “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” — William Arthur Ward

- “I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.” — Socrates


Saturday, August 15, 2009

Ron Clark's Message is Universal


Atlanta is lucky to have the Ron Clark Academy based here.

Clark's message needs to be internalized by K-12 teachers and college professors, as the new school year approaches:

"If we can't be innovative in our classrooms, how can we expect our students to be innovative in life?"

Friday, August 14, 2009

Amazonian Prices


I just looked on Amazon and discovered the following prices for my book listed by independent sellers:
$28.89
+ $3.99shipping
New
$30.73
+ $3.99shipping
New
$38.44
+ $3.99shipping
New
$30.73
+ $3.99shipping
Used - Very Good
Any takers?
The book retails for $12.95 - Amazon charges a modest $11.01 ($3.99 shipping) for the book http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1934938246/sr=8-1/qid=1250276742/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1250276742&sr=8-1&seller=
Or purchase directly from the publisher for $10.36 ($3.23 shipping) - enter Promo Code "RUBBER: to receive this 20% off discount.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Educator Starts 59th Year Of Teaching


This guy REALLY must like Math. 59 years!
"As long as I feel good, I have nothing else that I aspire to do except to be with young people and teach," said Sylvester Franklin.
Mr. Franklin has only missed two days of classes in that entire time.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Inspiring Quotes for Teachers


To start off the new semester, here are some great quotes to pump up teachers:

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement, nothing can be done without hope and confidence." -- Helen Keller

"Once children learn how to learn, nothing is going to narrow their mind. The essence of teaching is to make learning contagious, to have one idea spark another." -- Marva Collins

"They may forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel." - Carol Buchner

"Much education today is monumentally ineffective. All too often we are giving young people cut flowers when we should be teaching them to grow their own plants." -- John Gardner

Bluto (Animal House): "Seven years of college down the drain."

Thornton Melon (Rodney Dangerfield in Back to School): "Good teacher. He really seems to care. About what I have no idea."

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

An Unfailing Belief in the Power of Teaching


An inspiring article from 2006, about a Harvard Law School graduate who left a Wall Street law firm to become an educator.

...Dr. Alonso’s realm is the mystical art of teaching young minds. Reflecting on this, in an interview at the Education Department headquarters in Lower Manhattan, Dr. Alonso quoted the Spanish poet and philosopher Miguel de Unamuno. “At some point, it is inevitable that you find yourself and it is up to you to determine whether that moment, that encounter will be about gladness or about sorrow.”

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Rod Serling's Inspiring Graduation Speech - 1968


Have you ever watched Twilight Zone re-runs on TV? Serling, who wrote 92 of the 156 scripts, had a flair for the written word. Part of his childhood was spent in Binghamton, N.Y., where I attended college. The influence of upstate New York is evident in a handful of his scripts.

Twenty five years after his own high school graduation, he returned to his alma mater to deliver one of the most inspiring and timeless speeches you'll ever read.

Excerpt from Binghamton High School Commencement Speech, 1968:

... always do the things that you believe. Don't become monuments—sway with the wind. Change opinions, if the change is natural and believed. But believe in something and fight for those beliefs. Honor them by your commitment. Further them by your effort.

And what a wondrous and what an incredibly grand world you might build for your children. Now this millennium may not be in sight, let alone in reach. The route to it may be pretty damned close to impassible. It may be as distant and as complicated to reach as the moon or another solar system. BUT IT IS THERE! It's there for the taking, the asking and the fighting. And the rhetorical question—are you tough enough—I think is already answered by simply the look of you and the feeling that's in the room. Indeed, you're tough enough. And you're also human enough and sensitive enough and caring enough.

Full text: http://www.rodserling.com/01281968.htm

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Keeping a Clean Rubber Room


How do you keep track of a book's readers? By the products they buy on Amazon.

I'm proud to say that UYRR readers pay great attention to personal hygiene and cleanliness.

Customers Who Bought UYRR Today Also Bought:
The Original California Mini Duster
and a few weeks ago...
Waterpik Ultra Dental Water Jet
I'm now inspired to clean up my own act.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Recent Book Review


Jim Pawlak of The Dallas Morning News was kind enough to review "Unlocking Your Rubber Room":

Dallas Morning News
Binder's 44 Lessons "make so much sense."
Free registration: http://tinyurl.com/kwkpsy

Reprinted in:
The Sillicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal
http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2009/07/06/smallb2.html

The Denton Record Chronicle
http://tinyurl.com/lzf65t

WFAA.com
http://tinyurl.com/lnyz3s

Monday, June 29, 2009

Top Ten Inspirational Graduation Speeches


TOP TEN SPEECHES

1. Steve Jobs at Stanford, 2006
2. Jerry Zucker at University of Wisconsin, 2003
3. Mark Lewis at University of Texas Austin, 2000
4. David Foster Wallace at Kenyon College, 2005
5. John Walsh at Wheaton College, 2000
6. Michael Uslan at Indiana University, 2006
7. David L. Calhoun at Virgina Tech, 2005
8. Earl Bakken at University of Hawaii, 2004
9. Bradley Whitford at University of Wisconsin - Madison, 2006.
10. Woody Hayes at Ohio State University, 1986.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Student hopes to go from homeless to Harvard


Please keep sending these inspirational stories...
Honor student lives at shelter in L.A.'s Skid Row, one of the city's roughest areas
Kenneth Chancey, 17, hopes to go to Harvard and become a doctor
"I have to dream because obviously my reality is horrible," he says
Chancey is student body president and star football player at Hollywood school


LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Kenneth Chancey, 17, walks down the littered streets of Skid Row, one of the roughest areas of Los Angeles. Drug deals are made around him. A man screams at his girlfriend. The stench of the place is overwhelming.



Wednesday, June 17, 2009

My Graduation Speech to Students



When I participate in graduation ceremonies, I often imagine delivering my own speech to the graduates, as if I were the commencement speaker:

Good morning Chancellor, President, Deans, Faculty Members, Staff, Students, Friends, and Family Members. Welcome.

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day, and before we can shower accolades on the superstars before me, I’d love to recognize the superheroes that got them here. So if you’re a mom of a graduate, please stand up for some applause. Keep standing! If you are a grandmother of a graduate, please stand up as well for applause. Keeeeeeeep standing grandma! If you are a graduate, and YOU are a mom as well, please rise for applause. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in recognizing these miracle workers, for without their encouragement and sacrifice, we would not be here today honoring the bright future of our graduates.

To the graduates:
Every one of you is special.
Every one of you is a productive member of society.
Every one of you is what inspires ME - because…
Every one of you has a story to tell.

I just wish I had the time to hear every one of them, and to be there as your career paths unfold.
You have already accomplished a huge milestone on that journey. The biggest step though was just showing up. That’s it. The secret most people don’t get until it’s too late. Just showing up as young freshmen was a threshold event. Trying something which may be hard for the first time. Experiencing new things, even if it’s unknown whether the objective is attainable.

To me, the greatest barriers to success, however you define that, are a fear of the unknown, a fear of change, and a fear of failure. But you need a game plan, and hopefully you can lean a little on what you learned in school to figure out that route. No matter what you do in life, you always will have your education.

I hope you made some lifelong friends here. Frankly, I learned more about life from my peers than from my professors. And I hope you got more than knowledge from your profs because you can get that from a book. I’m hoping you gained insight on whatever subject, and then stamped your own original perspective on how to resolve issues and solve problems.

Many times the things you do won’t work. And you will fail at some things you try. That’s just a fact of life.

Abraham Lincoln once said: “My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.”

And you will make mistakes. A lot of them! Both in your careers and your lives. That’s just another fact of life.

But that’s okay. The trick is figuring out how to deal with setbacks. Your family and friends will always be there for you. And your education will continually serve as a foundation to get you back on track.

[omitted text]

To quote Franklin D. Roosevelt, “We are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of our own minds.” Graduates, each of you must unlock your mind – your rubber room – and blaze a path built on reason and purpose. Life is too short to spend it bouncing around like a random and aimless ball in a game of Pong.® And whether you are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80 years young, it is never too late to test the boundaries of your dreams.

Finally, I want all of you gathered in front of me to please lose the title of “former” student, because you will be my students for many years to come. And I expect in return that I can become your student, as I learn about your professional successes, trials, and tribulations.

Every one of you is special.
Every one of you is a productive member of society.
Every one of you is what inspires me – because...
Every one of you has a story to tell.

What will your next journey be?


© 2009 Perry Binder LLC

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

L. I. G. H. T. B. U. L. B. Moments

As an entering college freshman, I was directionless. During my second semester, I had a memorable English class and for reasons unclear to me, my learning cloud just seemed to lift. Things “clicked” because the professor’s keen interest in the subject was infectious and motivated me. Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking on how best to connect with people to get them excited and engaged, whether in a classroom, boardroom, or bored room.

I believe that if you show learners that you have a sincere stake in their futures, you have the ability to inspire them on a daily basis, and spark a “light bulb moment.” For every presentation, I try to live up to my own expectations through an acronym:

Perry’s L. I. G. H. T. B. U. L. B. Moment for Teachers, Trainers, and Mentors
L. isten to all learners

I. nspire them with real world discussions

G. ive hope to everyone

H. eap compliments on people for quality work

T. each to your strengths

B. e available at all times

U. nderstand that people may lack your life experience or knowledge

L. earn from your learners

B. e willing to walk in anyone’s shoes

Have you found your light bulb moment?

From LESSON 44 - UYRR
Excerpt: Unlocking Your Rubber Room
© 2009 Perry Binder LLC