Archive for January 2011
I have long gnashed my teeth at the state of our educational system. As a teacher and a life-long student it has always struck me that trying to fit people into the cubby holes of a system that tells you not only what to learn but HOW you have to learn it seems backward and, as we have seen by the recent dismal statistics, ineffective.
Now we are seeing the damage being done to whole generations of children, and by extension to our society, by the very system that is supposed to be preparing them for creative, purposeful lives.
Sir Ken Robinson, an internationally renowned educational expert, speaker, author and advisor to governments, non-profits and arts organizations has created an astonishing new view of public education; why it is failing and how we must change our concept of how to teach our children.
I am passionate about information, communication and how the two interact. This “Animate” – a truly brilliant form of presentation – is created by a company called RSA. The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. (www.thersa.org)
I sit here as I write this totally blown away by what I have just seen. For those interested in the visual arts this animate is a hugely successful form of communication. I am awed and impressed by the genius behind the creation of this technique and its application in clarifying and reinforcing the words you are listening to.
For those interested in education, Sir Robinson gives an explanation that so clearly and completely explains how we got here, what is wrong with where we are and what we need to get to a better place that it is worth every second of the 11 minutes and 40 seconds it takes to watch this video.
RSA Changing Education Paradigms
I would love to hear your thought about the information in this video and of this form of communication. Please leave your comments or contact me at tara@tarasitser.com
This information was just published through the Actor’s Equity Assoc. Newsletter. Since I know a lot of starving singer/songwriters I wanted to help get the word out:
The Performing Artists’ Medical Clinic offers free medical services to low-income musicians, dancers, actors and other performing artists. It is staffed by doctors of the Venice Family Clinic. Prescription medicines and referrals to psychiatric services are also available at no cost. This service is offered twice monthly. Contact Dan Kitowski at The Actors Fund (323-933-9244 ext 32) for eligibility criteria and appointment information. Income requirements apply.
A New Year: 2011 Reasons for Hope
Posted on: January 1, 2011
2010 was a challenging year. Everywhere I looked. Everthing I read. All the comments from people, fellow-bloggers, writers of commentaries. It was a tough year all around. In the words of one of my favorite songwriters, Dave Morrison, 2010 was a “Mo-Fo”. Well said. But inspite of all the drama, all the injustice, all the greed and corruption we have been witness to, as the year’s end approached I started to see reasons to hope that 2011 will be a better year for us.
The rain caused a lot of headaches for some but out of that will come a beautiful spring and a relief from the threatened drought of the past years. Our political scene was more contentious than ever but President Obama has accomplished tremendous things for the American people in two years, and also more than any other president in decades during just the beginning of his “Lame-Duck” session. And there are signs that the insanity of magical thinking among our elected representatives is finally being shown for what it is. Now that they have the power they so rabidly sought they will have to actually GOVERN! They have no one left to blame if their agendas lead to dead ends.
And the movement toward greener living and green technology has passed the tipping point. There may still be resistance from the established big-business entities that like the status quo but they can’t put the genie back in the bottle anymore. Commercials for the new electric car, the Chevy Volt, are appearing on national TV. The kids are being taught how to think and live green. And they WILL influence their parents.
Make no mistake, there will still be challenges and obstacles and injustices. But these are the times when more and more of us start to understand where reality really lies and begin to look for ways to live our lives with just a little more heart.
I just finished reading “Eat, Pray, Love” (Yes, I know I’m behind the times on the best-sellers list) which I really, really enjoyed. I was struck by one passage in the book where the leading lady, after having spent months in India meditating in all sorts of formal, serious ways, was told by an Balinese medicine man to lighten up. His form of meditation: Sit there and smile.
Whatever 2011 brings I plan to remember that advice. I’m going to work hard, learn as much as I can, be there for the people I love and continue moving forward toward my goals. But, as often as possible, I’m also going to just sit there and smile.
Optimistically Yours,
~Tara
Tara Sitser
Tara's Thoughts 
Official State Gun??
Posted by: Tara Sitser on: January 29, 2011
Image via Wikipedia
This is a reprint of an article from yesterday’s Salt Lake Tribune: I want to personally thank Tribune columnist Robert Kirby for a welcome reality check. In an era of absurd news items this is one of the more absurd of late.
The State Bird of Utah is…. the California seagull(!?!) And now they want a state gun!
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