Grabisch

I decided to be a teacher in second grade, thanks to my teacher, Mrs. Pisano. She was pretty, and nice, and we had a great time in class, but I think what really hooked me was when she gave me stacks of disheveled papers to straighten up for her. The freakish organizer was in me way back then, too. She also invited my parents, my brother and I over to her house for dinner. How cool is that? Even cooler to consider that I'm sure she did this for all the students, to make each and every one of us feel so important, special and worthy of her spending that time with us, to cook for us and have us to her home.

I will forever consider Mrs. Pisano one of my favorites, but must reserve the top honor to a teacher I had my senior year in high school, Mr. Grabisch. His classroom furniture was an assorted collection of old couches, chairs and throw pillows. The middle was open and carpeted.

Grabisch taught a class called "Human Dynamics." Different than any class I'd ever taken -- and ever taken since -- it focused on our selves. We had mini-units on things such as listening, trust, respect, decency, problem solving and empathy. I can't remember what specific activities were slated with each mini-unit, so I'll just go over a few that stick out in my mind.

We spent a lot of time in this class blindfolded. Often he would pass the blindfolds to us as we entered the classroom, making us take our classnotes that day with them on (of course he'd move around a lot and shuffle things to make us paranoid that he was rearranging the furniture or messing with our things). Otherwise he would just say to meet him at the other end of the school. We took a field trip to Union Station (a bus/train station in DC) blindfolded. Groups of three had a parent chaperone, but only to assist. We were responsible for buying our own Metro tickets, lunch and such. I couldn't begin to say how much I learned from these activities (beyond boys having to protect their privates when walking blindfolded in hallways with railings that appear in the middle of the hallway).

For one of our bigger assignments, we had a choice between going blindfolded to a baseball game in Baltimore, greeting everyone, using excessive eye contact, or staying inside someone's personal space for a day. Part of the assignment was to randomly ask others how your behavior affected them. I chose the greeting assignment. You'd think this would be easy, and it was; or does that surprise you coming from me that I didn't care how stupid I was? I just wasn't expecting my reaction to the activity. On my way to first period that day, I said "Good morning" or "Hello" to every person I passed. Everyone I knew greeted me back, but only one person I didn't know responded in kind and without a weird look: a janitor. I expected so much more from my schoolmates.

Most importantly, Grabisch taught me to think. We ended many class days working together on 20-question-like logic problems, requiring that we think outside the box. Our monthly reading assignment (self-chosen books from his list including books like Dibs, In Search of Self, Flowers for Algernon, and Go Ask Alice) involved writing our reactions to them; while he never told us how long these had to be (at least I don't remember that), the books were so thought-provoking that there was no way you could write less than several pages to get it all out.

I've talked about the Grabisch method before. This was our final exam. Three questions, although fully loaded, which we were given at least a week in advance to begin writing.

1. What? - What did I learn from this class.
2. So what? - Why does learning this matter?
3. Now what? - What am I going to do with this information?

In all honesty, I still don't think I'm finished with this exam. Writing this post, several things occurred to me. How awesome is that?!

::tangent::
If I may digress for just a moment. Ah, what the fuck! It's my blog and I'll do whatever the fuck I want! I have seriously curbed my use of this word, especially verbally. Rather than replacing it I've taken the route of just saying "FUH," which also gives me enough time to make sure I don't finish it. What I really need to work on is saying "Blast!" and "What the deuce?" -- like Stewie on "Family Guy" because we really want Bug to be saying them. And to take a little tangent off this tangent, Bug now says  "Oooper assing!" a.lot.
::end tangent::

Another method that could be useful for you to know is the Grabisch Coin-Flip Method for Making Decisions:

Note: The Grabisch Coin-Flip Method for Making Decisions can only be used with the decision involving two choices.

1. Remove coin from my pocket (note "my" -- not someone else's less you get smacked)
2. Assign sides (one side gets one decision, and the other side gets the other decision)
3. Flip the coin into the air.
4. Let the coin land on the floor (if you catch it, you have to make the decision of looking at it or flipping it over, and that just complicates matters).
5. Do what the coin says.

unless

You look down and say "Oh, Shit!" in which case, do what the other side says, because you obviously already knew your decision and didn't need the coin.

unless

You look down and say "Oh, shit!... But then again..." in which case, do what the coin tells you to do, because you are obviously conflicted and needed the coin to decide for you.

When I was in college studying to become a teacher (and thinking it wouldn't be too shabby to be a little Grabisch about it), I contacted him to see if I could go in and observe him teaching one day. Talk about stepping into the past. The activity was one I did as his student, so the observation was INcredible. I was also so lucky to get a chance to thank Grabisch for all that I learned from him, to let him know how much he meant to me so many years later.

And now I'm getting all teary emotional. Time to refocus.

~ Public Service Announcement ~
If you have kids, please know that the most valuable gift you can give a teacher is your appreciation, especially if it's in writing. Take a moment (you and the kids) to get it out on paper, and send copies to the principal. Believe me, you will make the teacher's month!

Oh, and Rich Grabisch, if you've Googled yourself here, consider yourself thanked. In another year I'd've carried your lessons with me for over half of my life.

next week's topic: smell

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Note: Links will be added to participating blogs. If you're not included here, please comment with a link to your post!

Amy, Bente, Kalki, La Pix, Sharkey, Susie, Weetzie

Comments

[La Pix]

I am feeling loosey deucy today.

I was wondering when you were going to get your Grabisch in gear and post about the favorite teacher... and before you tell me to shaddup: I did the assignment.

http://waveofmodulation.typepad.com/

When you write FUH, it reminds me of the Talking Heads. I was arrested at 15 with no clothes on for skinny dipping. Someone stole our clothes. My friend and I sat in the back of the cop car and sang PsychoKiller. Qu'est Que C'est.
FUH-FUH-FUH-FUH,FUH-FUH-FUH-FUH-FAR
BETTER RUN, RUN, RUN, RUN, RUN AWAY

Ok, now you can tell me to shaddup.
All work and no play, as they say.

[kalki]

I love ooooper asssing! That Bug is a hoot!

http://www.lineweaver.org/klog/2005-06-20/motif_monday_favorite_teacher_moments

[Ern]

What a great tribute to a funny-named person. I hope he googles himself here. Next week I will be participating too. I just haven't been organized enough lately to post things on pre-assigned days. But I like your motifs so far!

[Susie]

I did it! I came back to life and posted something. Both you and I used some variation of "ooper" today. It was my guinea pig's surname.

Smell?

[Sharkey]

Hey, I've used that coin flip decision-maker many times. It really does work.

I posted today too: http://sharkeymalarkey.blogspot.com/2005/06/motif-monday-miss-c.html

[Amy]

Everyone shoulda had a Grabisch! You should do a Cafe Press T-shirt with "Grabisch Method" and some pointers underneath.

I never had a Grabisch. But i can't stop writing his name. Grabisch Grabisch Grabisch.

I had a Mr. Dibrizzi though. He was an asshole. He kicked me out of the school fashion show for jumping down two stairs.

[Spurious Plum]

If you can get bug to say "Blast" like Stewie (I love Family Guy) please audio blog it...I'll give you a quarter. It'll be shiny too.

[eclectic]

Hello mrtl, just popped over from Susie's to say congrats and welcome to your new little bug-egg, but in the process got all caught up in your posts. Grabisch sounds a little like Mr. Romer. Amazing what an impact a truly caring teacher/mentor can have!!

[jomama]

Good morning. I was referred here by Susie because she said that you were in a family way. That is really cool, cause I am too! So I thought I would just hop on over and send you congrats and warm wishes. I wish you were farther along than me because this is my first (I'm assuming it's not yours) and I need all the help I can get.

Also, I will be thinking of today's motif throughout the day and I will try to post something tomorrow.

Well, have a great day :)

[Colleen]

frtl mrtl, congrats!!! hope you're feeling good... i need to go to the pediatrician so i have to catch up on reading your blog this evening...

i love what i've read about grabisch so far!

[Weetzie]

I'm late late late again but I did a fav teacher post. I am excited about next weeks assignment - I have a sensitive "smeller" so ought to be able to think of something creative along those lines! congrats on the wee bug! oh, and throw in a "blast" and "what the deuce" for me.

[mrtl]

La Pix - You've put that bug in my craw, and now whenever I say "fuh" it's going to turn into a song. Surely that will draw my daughter's attention, and she'll be doing that, too. Thanks! (I'm so not joking - it's going to be a hoot.)

Kalki - She is a keeper. Thanks for the link!

Ern - Not posting isn't such a bad thing. I've had NO TIME to read lately, or respond to comments. I'm forcing the time today because I've been neglectful and love you guys too much to leave you hanging.

Susie - Yes, smell. I considered putting something more specific, but it's fun to see where people go with smells. It can be a good thing, a bad thing (both and something else if you're an overachiever).

Sharkey - The GC-FMFMD never fails.

Amy - From what I've read, a lot of people were lucky enough to have a Grabisch. Sorry about Mr. D. You missed the fashion show? Bastard!

Plum - I am so holding you to that. How do I audioblog?

eclectic - Thanks for stopping by. "Bug-egg" reminds me of La Pix and her "pupa" talk a couple months ago. Which I why I searched and found Frid.

Jomama - Thanks for stopping by, too, and CONGRATULATIONS! I'll be sure to drop in.

Colleen in da house! Are you hiding Merry Widow and Mamaramma? They seem to have disappeared again.

Weetzie - Thanks! I gotcho link, but think I gave you an h. I'll go check and fix it.

[ieatcrayonz]

Why is it when I read his name, it always comes out, "Grabass?"

Mrtl, I so want to play, but then I forget or get scared and pee myself.

I did the Google, missed the love, and planned on doing an "I love Lauren's feet" to combine. And now I've missed teachers and already I'm freaking about smell.

Mrtl, There's no way I can do a post on why "I love my teacher's smelly feet." I'm going to go fetal position in the floor now. Forgive me.

[Redhead Mommy]

I don't remember if I knew you were a teacher or not, but so am I. I'm on leave, until the last child is in kindergarten, but once a teacher, always a teacher. :)

[mrtl]

ieatcrayonz - You're being silly. Didn't I say that earlier this week?

Redhead Mommy - I can't see going back to teaching. I loved it, but had no time for a life. There's too much to live for right now (and then some), and I plan to enjoy it!