Designated Doodler

I haven't written in this blog in a long time. So long, in fact, that I'm not quite sure where to start. This post, for whatever reason, feels pivotal. Maybe that's because my life has drastically changed, maybe this is the start of a new beginning or the end of a very long chapter. Whatever it is, I find myself here, in this familiar space, staring at the same screen I stared at in 2008 when I was just starting college. The same screen I came to in order to escape, in order to muse about life, wax on about hardships, and try my hand at poetry & art. Here is some of my recent artwork...

I teach high school English and I also tutor elementary and middle school students. No matter what the age group, I see a common and alarming trend among children. They can't focus! These kids, our kids, are being affected by two pervasive things: instant gratification and constant stimulation. They get what they want, when they want. So when they come to school, they expect to run the show, which just isn't how it works - at school or in life. They talk back to teachers, question why they have to do assignments, argue about their grades, turn in assignments late and detest having to focus. It's no wonder that teachers are jumping ship right and left. Believe it or not, there once was a day when kids were respectful, did not question their assignments or grades, did not badger their teachers to grade faster, did not bring weapons to school or start fights, did not wage an electronics war or refuse to work. As teachers we receive absurd amounts of training on be...

These days technology is everywhere. There is scarcely a moment where you yourself aren't looking at a computer screen or a phone screen or a TV screen. Unfortunately we've become a society that has come to expect constant entertainment. So naturally we as a society are passing down this over stimulation to our kids. Whenever I'm at the mall, or Starbucks, or a public place I will most likely see tiny tots with technology. Mommy and Daddy have started pacifying their kids with their technological devices- iPods, iPads, iPhones, smartphones or laptops.  There are thousands upon thousands of apps in the app store for children, and everyday technological giants are formulating ways to not only create a technological addiction for you, but for your kids as well.  Being in advertising I can easily see through the ploys that convince you that you need a specific device  but not for you, for the "enrichment" of your child. You would do anything for your child...