Mobility Awareness Month!

It is national mobility month! 

There are over 18 million people in the United States alone with mobility issues! The NMEDA is having a local heros contest. You can go on and view different people in the United States that have entered to try to win a custom wheelchair accessible van. To some of these individuals it can mean the world with out these vans some people are confined to their homes and not able to enjoy life like they should!

The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding mobility options for people with disabilities. The organization promotes and supports members engaged in the modification of quality transportation and wheelchair accessible vehicles. Over 600 international members work to provide safe and reliable adapted transportation solutions to help build the road to independence. Transportation is the key to freedom and NMEDA is the key to quality transportation.

I personally know one of these hero. A sweet 4 year old little boy whose family would benefit greatly if they could win one of these vans. 

Please go on and vote! You can vote 1 time every day! (link below)


http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/entrant/cayden-mcclain-east-mckeesport-pa/




“A chance that something desirable will happen.” This is the definition of the word HOPE. That’s what I have for my son, Hope. It’s been a difficult life for Cayden, but you couldn't tell that from the incredible smile that shines so brightly from this little man’s face. He’s had a rough go from birth. Brain damage, failure to thrive, visual impairment, open heart surgery, stomach surgery, seizures, the list goes on. He’s had every test done to him you can imagine. from spinal taps to MRI’s every six months. he will be seeing specialists for the rest of his life. he is fed through a tube in his stomach, has a kid kart (wheelchair) to get around, and doesn't form words, doesn't crawl or walk. He takes more medication than most people have taken in their lives. And he’s only four years old. I don’t say this for sympathy, this is just some of his background. Cayden will be getting a new wheelchair this summer. Unfortunately, our current van can not access a larger wheelchair. I don’t know what we are going to do. So, my Hope is that you will find Cayden worthy of your vote. I Hope that the diagnosis is wrong, and someday he will walk. I Hope he knows the joy he brings to everyone’s life who has met him. And I Hope that one day I will be able to give him half the happiness he has given me. Thank you for reading, and God Bless.

Bill Nye/ Ken Ham debate

For my Teaching Science K-4 class we were asked to watch the Bill Nye and Ken Ham debate of evolution vs. creation.

 Both Bill Nye and Ken Ham made very valid arguments for their opposing sides. I feel that this is a topic that will never be agreed upon. When discussing something this controversial it becomes hard for some people to talk in a professional matter. I feel that these two men kept their emotions out of the debate enough so they both remained professional. 

Ken stated 'if you teach creation in a public school that's teaching religion. If you teach evolution that's science"

This is a very important topic in schools. Many districts in our country have opted to discuss the theory of evolution as part of their curriculum. This can make some teachers uncomfortable. They think 'what should I do?' 

Science should be all about DISCOVERY! Children love doing hands on learning and actually becoming 'scientists' discovering new ideas. Let science be messy and fun not lectures that half of the children will ignore. If we constantly lecture the students will not learn and they will not enjoy science as they should! 

In my opinion, since the school districts call for evolution to be taught, I believe the teachers should teach a little bit of  evolution and a little bit of creation. By teaching this we are educating children on the diverse thinking about how the world came to be about how it is now. It should be kept simple and contain the 'facts' from each side. We should not teach these two sides to try and cause tension in the school. They should be used as a tool to help show diversity in society. 

Where do you stand as teachers, educators, parents, grandparents, citizens? 

The Power of Education

While doing homework for my teaching social studies class I read an interesting part of my book. It said :

"Please understand this: Education is power. In general, the more education people have, the more likely they are to have a well-paying job, to tolerate diverse beliefs, to vote regularly, and in other ways to participate in government and, thereby, to write the rules we live by. "(Parker, 2012)

This really got me thinking. Education is very important. Education can shape individuals as well as countries. 

Education is something that starts when you are born. From the time that we come into the world until we leave we are constantly learning. Whether it is a formal education setting or just everyday life. 

Without education people in this country are not able to grow and prosper into their dreams. Every type of job needs some type of education even if it is not formal education. 

Education really is the key component for out society to grow and prosper. 

In order to have a society that can function properly during difficult times such as war, extreme weather, and economy hardships we have to have people in charge who value education. When these leaders value education they are constantly learning and adapting what they know in order to best help the citizens they look over. 

Works Cited

Parker, W. C. (2012). Social Studies In Elementary Education, Fourteenth Edition . Boston : Pearson Education, Inc .