Chris Wondra . com

Unite and Conquer

Chris Wondra — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:37:29 +0000

A little over a year ago, Saint Croix Falls teachers were harshly criticized for doing (what was for them) a very risky thing. The superintendent’s phone rang a lot. Relationships were strained. Words like: Selfish, Lazy and Fire flew like sparks from a blaze of anger. I know. I was one of those teachers.

Wisely, in an attempt to allow the community to air it out, the school board held a public meeting for public comments. Sunlight is the best disinfectant. 50 of my colleagues stood behind me as I read a letter we hoped would explain how our behavior aligned with our desire for: Truth, Great Schools, Smart Kids, Strong Communities. After me, another teacher spoke. Then a parent spoke in support of the teachers, then another. Next, a community member voiced his support.

That was the night it became clear: SCF supports its teachers. SCF values truth and courage. We (all of us) understand that we are in this together.

Because Wisconsin law now prevents negotiation, many districts are using this as an opportunity to establish outdated 20^th century policies requiring employees to sit down, shut-up, obey orders, and not ask questions. The SCF school board also had this opportunity.

They flatly rejected it.

In doing so, the board sent a clear message: We expect excellence and will support professionals that work together to creatively strive for it. Many think that’s bucking a trend. I would say, we realize the truth: We are all in this together.

Turns out cooperation works. Last week, of all the high schools in Wisconsin–all 2,300 of them—U.S. News and World Report ranked St. Croix Falls 9^th.

Last week also happened to be Teacher Appreciation Week—a great week to be a teacher—but in SCF they really know how to show appreciation. Now, it’s my turn to give thanks.

To the SCF community, the members of the school board and everyone who has stuck with us: Thank you. Thank you for expecting excellence, for listening to your teachers, for supporting public education. Thank you for understanding the challenges before us as well as what it will take to conquer them–together.

What’s your story?

Chris Wondra — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 15:53:22 +0000

“In a wonderful essay called ‘On an Apparent Intention in the Fate of the Individual,’ Schopenhauer points out that, once you have reached an advanced age, as I have, as you look back over your life, it can seem to have had a plot, as though composed by a novelist. Events that seemed entirely accidental and incidental turn out to have been central to the composition…

“Another astonishing way to look back is to pick up some diary entries or notes that you kept a long time ago. You’ll be astonished. Things you were convinced you had realized more recently will all be pinned down there. These are the driving themes of your life.”

Joseph Campbell, Pathways to Bliss

Them Facebookers

Chris Wondra — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 03:55:20 +0000

How about them Facebookers,
Makin’ all that buzz?
Go around postin’
Everything they does.

Postin’ them baby pics,
Postin’ where they be,
Postin that they busy busy,
For all the world to see.

Look at them Facebookers,
They might buy or rent.
And lots of ‘em, they sure are mad,
At they government.

Them hyper-snoopy Facebookers,
Ain’t they berserk?
Loggin’ in an checkin’ stuff,
Even when at work.

How to be a Facebooker?
No need to poke or pat us.
Just gettchyseff online somehow,
And post yourself some status!