Welcome!

Call me Mario. That isn’t my real name, but some of my students think I look like the computer character that goes by that name. I have been a high school teacher for more than 30 years. At the present time I am assigned to teach Chemistry, but in the past I have taught Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Physical Science, Algebra, Trigonometry, and Calculus. Outside of my teaching duties I am, at present, the Chairman of the Science Department at my high school; and have been Chairman of our Faculty Council, a member of our School Discipline Committee, a member of the school’s Curriculum Committee, and our Student Government Advisor.
Outside of the high school where I teach, I have taught GED Review at our local Junior College, and have, four times, been a member of an outside team evaluating high schools for accreditation through North Central, as well as an advisor/consultant to the Office of Catholic Education in a major American city. I have won an award as an outstanding science teacher by a nationally known research laboratory as well as an international gifted student organization. I have also been a presenter for our state science teachers’ organization on two occasions.
None of this is any reason to think that I am an expert on education or have any solutions to the significant problems facing schools or the “education establishment” in this country. I have former students who think I am the most wonderful teacher they ever had, as well as those who don’t understand how I still have a job—neither of them are right.
The purpose of this blog is not to solve any problems, but to create a forum where they can be discussed. I have many ideas on how we can solve some of the problems facing students; changes we could implement that might improve schools. When I mention one of these ideas to an administrator it is usually followed by an annoyed look and a brief explanation of why “we can’t do that.” Most of our administrators are top notch people who care deeply about students and teachers; working tirelessly to run an efficient and productive school. I attribute their lack of enthusiasm for my ideas to the possibility that they were required to take a class in “administrators’ school” where they were told to reject any idea that wasn’t taught there.
The school where I have taught for all these years is, in my opinion, one of the finest educational institutions anywhere. My own child graduated from the school where I teach and I would have never allowed her to attend if I did not believe it was her best option. In fact, I graduated from this school myself many years ago, and our alumni have been successful and productive members of their communities. Given all of this, we still have problems that need addressing; some of which I will get into here from time to time.