The Difference between right and almost right

"Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right." Charles Spurgeon.

As my old PE coach said, "almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades."

What is the difference between right and almost right? It is the difference between the tunnels meeting as the chunnel was drilled under the English Channel. It is often the difference between disciplining a child and abusing a child - many things children do are wrong and deserve correcting but some parents go over the top when trying to make their point.

Other examples:
* The difference between being helpful and kind and being a pushover that never holds children accountable.
* The difference between listening to a parent's side and never backing up your teachers.
* The difference between listening to students and never holding them accountable for their actions.
* The difference between holding teachers accountable and unfairly punishing them for the intellectual capacities and wealth of their children (which are often higher indicators of test scores and student success.)
* The difference between fairness and unfairness is most often in this fine shade between right and almost right.

We should all look at our actions in the classroom and schools to determine if what we are doing is right -- or almost right. Almost right isn't good enough. I believe that good sense has been suspended and some people are just doing something to show they are doing something, when in fact, they are just shooting holes in ships that are already sinking.

We need rational thought,wisdom, and discernment in times like these. The new thing isn't always the best thing and be very wary of those who have all the answers.

I've found that the only teachers and educators with all the answers are those who have never taught before the week before they start teaching and those who have never taught before but make it their life's work to tell others how to teach. Most coaches have played the game they are coaching - it gives them a baseline for understanding and relating to the players.

I just want to encourage you today to consider the difference between right and almost right in your life and classroom and to commit to doing the RIGHT thing.

Have a great day! Remember your noble calling, teacher!

- Written on my iPad using Blog Press by Vicki Davis, author, Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds