Why do you put on a character which is not your own, and walk about like thieves and robbers in these stolen phrases and properties that do not belong to you? —The Discourses of Epictetus 22 . But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. —James 1.22.

I just finished The Imperfect and Unfinished Math Teacher on my flight home. Chase spoke to me because I’m frustrated with what is, while yearning and striving for what math class could be. #imperfectunfinished.

Realizing more & more God’s love for me, & letting that work it’s way out, is my goal. Not being a better husband, father, teacher, friend, etc., but to let the truth and totality of God’s unconditional & incomprehensible love wash over me, which changes me from the inside out.

It isn’t immediate, mistakes will be made, and setbacks are sure to occur. See the good. Focus on their goodness and love them as they are now, no strings attached, with no expectation of reciprocity.

Helping someone discover that they are loved NOW is what brings about life change. They realize who they already are, at their core, and as they uncover this truth, change will follow.

Love doesn’t see potential. Seeing potential is putting someone in deficit. The problem with this is the underlying belief that something is wrong and needs to be fixed, when really, that person is loved and whole already.

There are not expectations or conditions; just an invitation to be loved, and in that love, to welcome the already-present, eagerly-anticipating, love of God, which is what every human heart secretly seeks.

To truly see someone is to accept them; to notice their humanity, what God loves and calls good. It is to accept others as they are, to love them as they are, and not for what they do, or their “potential.”.

To see someone is to notice them. To notice and not look away. To not hold your breath, but to breathe them in.

We looked at one another, side-by-side, talked about life, and embraced in a hug for longer than I was comfortable. I’ve never felt closer to God than in moments like this. Sawubona moment.

Years ago I took a trip to L.A.’s Skid Row, & met a man convinced that he was James Brown. I sat in the warmth of the sun on the piss-soaked sidewalk, a stone’s throw from honey buckets used as makeshift brothels, ground strewn with used needles and human excrement, & we talked.

When I was younger, I would look away and hold my breath until their “air” brushed past me. There was something “other” about them that I was worried might change me somehow, as if I were superior in some way. You can’t love the “other” because you’ve isolated them from yourself.

This is for me. If it speaks to you, 👍. Sawubona. I see you. This Zulu greeting I learned in Swaziland is more than “hello.”.

7th grade (US/CCSS) teachers!. What does your scope and sequence look like? Can you share a quick photo?. I’m looking forward to next school year, and I’m wondering if there might be a better/more logical scope and sequence than what I’ve had before. Thanks! #MTBoS #mathChat.

I had just put the baby down in time for my son to tell me he clogged the toilet, and that his older sister flushed it too many times, causing its contents to spill onto the floor. This is what doesn’t make it to Instagram. 🚽💦💩🪠😑 #DadLife.

The more I know, the less I’m sure of. “We live on an island surrounded by a sea of ignorance. As our island of knowledge grows, so does the shore of our ignorance.” —John Wheeler, physicist. The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing. —Socrates (paraphrased).

Because we’re all predisposed to be egocentric (myself included), let me preface this by stating it’s not directed at anyone or any situation in my life right now. If you can’t genuinely rejoice in a friend’s good news/success/promotion/celebration/etc., check your heart.

Lies, whether whispered soft and soothing or amplified and irritating, are still lies. There is truth and there are falsehoods. The world isn’t black and white; however, how is one to wisely discern unless there is a canon by which to measure?.

Guess who didn’t have to take the edTPA because he did his teacher program online? Guess who still passed the other required assessments to obtain his certificate? Guess who is still an effective teacher? I’ll help you out since you seem confused on how this works: it’s me.

Mark Mullet (@electmullet), the edTPA is a waste of money and time. Teacher candidates are observed and assessed during their programs. That you are comforted by this assessment is a slap in the face to educators in Washington.