Category Archives: Education

Focus on Focusing

Posted on November 28, 2023 by admin

Like most poets, Robert Hass advises us to be wary of the “steady thoughtlessness / of human use.” For Hass, this admonition turns into praise for those who cook beloved, time-consuming recipies, or leave thoughtful notes of thanks to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Ethics | Leave a comment

Science vs. Pseudoscience vs. Religion

Posted on October 11, 2023 by admin

Last April, a parent group sued the state over vaccination requirements for school-aged children on the grounds that it violated their First Amendment rights. Last week, data showed that that chicken (pox) had come home to roost: the Mississippi Department … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Ethics, Politics | 5 Comments

At What Price Victory?

Posted on September 18, 2023 by admin

As a teenager, DeSanto Rollins dreamed of playing SEC football and parlaying his experience into a career in the NFL. Then injuries piled up, his in-game speed slowed down, and he found himself on the scout team at Ole Miss. … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Sports | 9 Comments

Time and Money

Posted on September 7, 2023 by admin

Last week, the New York Times ran an opinion piece on the increasing number of students your age who do not see college as a necessary investment. This seems particularly true for students and families whose political orientation lies to … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | 17 Comments

Absurdum est reductionem

Posted on August 20, 2023 by admin

West Virginia University’s announcement last week that it planned to eliminate its world languages department, as well as its fiction writing program and other humanities disciplines, sent shock waves through liberal arts departments across the country. The university’s president, Dr. … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics | 11 Comments

Bon Voyage, Class of 2023

Posted on May 17, 2023 by admin

Thank you, seniors, for keeping discussions on the blog lively. Juniors and seniors, do humanity a favor and get your noses out of your phones this summer. A full life cannot be lived within the confines of a digital device. … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Environment, Ethics | Leave a comment

A Post-GPA Generation

Posted on April 27, 2023 by admin

As you probably know, our Executive Director, Dr. Cook, has talked about developing a new curriculum–he has dubbed it “MSMS 2.0”– over the next couple of years. We’ve begun thinking about how requirements for Carnegie units might change. What would … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, MSMS Stuff | 27 Comments

Painful Questions

Posted on April 21, 2023 by admin

My youngest child graduates from high school on May 12–fifteen days before the MSMS graduation. He hasn’t had to be on campus for an afternoon class all semester. When finals roll around, he won’t have to take a final for … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, MSMS Stuff | 34 Comments

All Work and No Play Isn’t Necessarily Stupid, But Might Be Inhuman

Posted on March 27, 2023 by admin

I was a child entrepreneur. I loaded up paints and stencils in my wagon and painted street numbers on curbs. I mowed grass and raked leaves. I babysat. When I was old enough–15, which was also old enough to drive–I … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, National Politics, Pop Culture | 22 Comments

Sleep on It

Posted on March 3, 2023 by admin

As we approach midterms, it’s increasingly likely that I’ll hear statements like these in halls and classrooms: I can’t believe how late I stayed up studying last night. The whole suite was up studying. I’ve got more than 600 milligrams … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, MSMS Stuff | 22 Comments