"The Greek word for witness is 'martus,' where the English word 'martyr' comes from. Death doesn't make martyrs, it only reveals them. A true witness dies to themselves that they may live to express Christ."
-- Charles Price
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Amazon.com book review
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you are a Christian and have children or grandchildren you will want to read this!
August 12, 2010
By Teila Tankersley
This review is from: The Stakes are High (Perfect Paperback)
The Stakes are High
God's Wisdom for Our Public Schools
by Dennis R. Ray, M.Ed.
Contemplating pulling your kids out of the public school system? Then this is a book that you'll want to read. Dennis R. Ray is very familiar with public education, he was a teacher for thirty years and loved what he did.
In his book he identifies a series of key components that make up the educational system. Dennis believes that something is missing in our educational system and he explains in the book what that is.
The author makes several important points regarding the responsibilities facing students, parents and teachers today. And, in spite of the flaws in our public school system, Dennis firmly believes that it is our responsibility as Christians to reach out and make a difference.
Incorporating God's wisdom back into the schools is his goal, is it possible? Dennis Ray seems to believe that one person can make a difference one child at a time, one parent, and one teacher at a time.
The stakes are high and a good education is vital. We've got plenty of teachers that are well educated and have the ability to do an incredible job. Should we abandon ship,tossing the baby out with the bath water? Our students deserve to have the best education possible.
You may have the option to pull your child out of the public school system but whom are you leaving behind. Not all children will have the benefit of attending a private school; you may be the only link to biblical principles that those children and teachers see. A strong Christian foundation and Godly wisdom could be the tools needed to pull our educational system around.
This book would be an excellent resource for those parents and grandparents who are concerned about their child's education. It provides a Christian perspective and offers up a challenge to parents and students.
Buy this today!
See reviews at: http://www.amazon.com/Stakes-are-High-Dennis-M-Ed/dp/1606042335
If you are a Christian and have children or grandchildren you will want to read this!
August 12, 2010
By Teila Tankersley
This review is from: The Stakes are High (Perfect Paperback)
The Stakes are High
God's Wisdom for Our Public Schools
by Dennis R. Ray, M.Ed.
Contemplating pulling your kids out of the public school system? Then this is a book that you'll want to read. Dennis R. Ray is very familiar with public education, he was a teacher for thirty years and loved what he did.
In his book he identifies a series of key components that make up the educational system. Dennis believes that something is missing in our educational system and he explains in the book what that is.
The author makes several important points regarding the responsibilities facing students, parents and teachers today. And, in spite of the flaws in our public school system, Dennis firmly believes that it is our responsibility as Christians to reach out and make a difference.
Incorporating God's wisdom back into the schools is his goal, is it possible? Dennis Ray seems to believe that one person can make a difference one child at a time, one parent, and one teacher at a time.
The stakes are high and a good education is vital. We've got plenty of teachers that are well educated and have the ability to do an incredible job. Should we abandon ship,tossing the baby out with the bath water? Our students deserve to have the best education possible.
You may have the option to pull your child out of the public school system but whom are you leaving behind. Not all children will have the benefit of attending a private school; you may be the only link to biblical principles that those children and teachers see. A strong Christian foundation and Godly wisdom could be the tools needed to pull our educational system around.
This book would be an excellent resource for those parents and grandparents who are concerned about their child's education. It provides a Christian perspective and offers up a challenge to parents and students.
Buy this today!
See reviews at: http://www.amazon.com/Stakes-are-High-Dennis-M-Ed/dp/1606042335
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
In response to the piloting of a no zero program in two of our county schools, I submitted the following letterr to the editor of the Chillicothe (OH) Gazette, in October:
Dear Editor,
During my 30-year teaching career I have witnessed more educational trends come and go than I care to count. Each and every one was touted as the cure for low-performing students, or the surest way to build self-esteem, or the miracle that would help all children achieve to their potential.
The latest of these ‘fads’ seems to have hit Ross County. It is the “no zero policy”. Under this policy the lowest score a student can receive is a 50%. This means that when your child who struggles in a certain course, gives his or her all to prepare for a test or other assignment and earns a 60 or 70% (depending on what is considered a D in your school), they only marginally score better that the student who comes to class, signs his name on the test paper and turns it in with no effort, and is GIVEN a 50%. Through teacher internet websites I have communicated to teachers across the country with this policy and that is the frustration they are expressing.
What has happened to our desire to build strong character in our children? Are we so conscious of state required graduation rates and other dry statistics that we will sacrifice these students’ concept of “doing the right thing” for some institutional rating?
The Gazette article correctly illustrated that three 80% grades and one zero averages to a 60%. For one thing I do not know any teachers who base a quarter’s grade on only four assessments, although there are probably some.
The point is that yes, a zero hurts your grade. But why did the zero occur? School suspension? Truancy? Vacation? The lesson needs to be that there is a price for disobedience and that schools are not here for everyone’s convenience. If we would “do the right thing” as parents and instill strong character traits of hard work and respect for getting a good education into our children, and if the schools will “do the right thing” and build on that demand for excellence and not give in to mediocre efforts, maybe, just maybe we will produce a next generation who know that “doing the right thing” pays off.
Sincerely,
Dennis Ray, retired CHS teacher
During my 30-year teaching career I have witnessed more educational trends come and go than I care to count. Each and every one was touted as the cure for low-performing students, or the surest way to build self-esteem, or the miracle that would help all children achieve to their potential.
The latest of these ‘fads’ seems to have hit Ross County. It is the “no zero policy”. Under this policy the lowest score a student can receive is a 50%. This means that when your child who struggles in a certain course, gives his or her all to prepare for a test or other assignment and earns a 60 or 70% (depending on what is considered a D in your school), they only marginally score better that the student who comes to class, signs his name on the test paper and turns it in with no effort, and is GIVEN a 50%. Through teacher internet websites I have communicated to teachers across the country with this policy and that is the frustration they are expressing.
What has happened to our desire to build strong character in our children? Are we so conscious of state required graduation rates and other dry statistics that we will sacrifice these students’ concept of “doing the right thing” for some institutional rating?
The Gazette article correctly illustrated that three 80% grades and one zero averages to a 60%. For one thing I do not know any teachers who base a quarter’s grade on only four assessments, although there are probably some.
The point is that yes, a zero hurts your grade. But why did the zero occur? School suspension? Truancy? Vacation? The lesson needs to be that there is a price for disobedience and that schools are not here for everyone’s convenience. If we would “do the right thing” as parents and instill strong character traits of hard work and respect for getting a good education into our children, and if the schools will “do the right thing” and build on that demand for excellence and not give in to mediocre efforts, maybe, just maybe we will produce a next generation who know that “doing the right thing” pays off.
Sincerely,
Dennis Ray, retired CHS teacher
Friday, October 9, 2009
Let God in
Psalm 127:1
"Unless the Lord builds a house, they labor in vain who build it."
Shouldn't we be allowing God into the 'building' of America?
(ie. the molding of our future leaders)
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Tate Publishing and Enterprises
The Lord gave the Word; great was the company of those that published it.”
-Psalm 68:11
Dennis Ray Book Signing Event
You are invited to attend a book signing for author Dennis Ray:
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
AAUW Book Sale,
Trinity United Methodist Church
Corner of Main & Mulberry StreetsChillicothe, OH 45601
5:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Please join Dennis for this special event
and invite a friend!
If you already have a copy of The Stakes Are High,
buy one for a friend – this book makes a great gift!
We hope to see you there!
For more information, please email author Dennis at den1955@roadrunner.com
Can’t make the event? Click here to visit our online bookstore to get a copy!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Cookie cutter education is not the answer
No Child Left Behind, while good-intentioned, created a system in which every student is forced to comply with the same set of expectations. Individual needs and abilities are not considered. As C.S. Lewis put it in his classic Mere Christianity:
"When you find yourself wanting to turn your children, or your pupils, or even your neighbors into people exactly like yourself, remember that God probably never intended for them to be that. You and they are different organs, intended to do different things."
We are all part of the 'body' of Christ, yet we are not all toes, or kneecaps, or little fingers. That would certainly make for a weird looking body. No one part is more important or valuable than another. We all have different talents and gifts and have different roles in God's will for our lives and in contributing to the kingdom of God.
"When you find yourself wanting to turn your children, or your pupils, or even your neighbors into people exactly like yourself, remember that God probably never intended for them to be that. You and they are different organs, intended to do different things."
We are all part of the 'body' of Christ, yet we are not all toes, or kneecaps, or little fingers. That would certainly make for a weird looking body. No one part is more important or valuable than another. We all have different talents and gifts and have different roles in God's will for our lives and in contributing to the kingdom of God.
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