This is a tribute to a well known and much loved physical educator. He composed many poems on physical education, fitness and teaching. He was the State Supervisor of Physical Education in Ohio and composed a number of records and cd's.
In his honor here's one of his poems.
A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste
By Ambrose E. Brazelton,
As printed in the Phi Delta Kappan of Feb. 73
Are some glossed over facts of modern history.
It speaks of several persons of fortune and fame.
Who were initially indicted as hopelessly plain.
The first name of prominence bombarding my mind,
Is the relativity genius, Albert Einstein.
Was four years old before he spoke,
Didn’t read til seven (and that’s no joke).
The Lord was the first to say, “Let there be light.”
But Thomas A. Edison was outta sight.
Tis odd that his products continue to burn,
Though his teacher lamented “He’s too stupid to learn.”
Winston Churchill, God rest his soul;
A statesman of honor; courageous and bold.
We know of his virtue, the history he made,
But didya know that this leader failed the 6th grade?
A newpaper editor was quick to fire
A young man whose talents he could not admire,
“Not one good idea is his primary fault,
Void of potential is this Disney named Walt.”
“Dear teacher, wake up! What is your gripe?
Who empowered you to stereotype?
I’m labeled disabled, unstable, unfit,
I’m graded, berated, persuaded to quit!”
“Your system discourages, renders me numb!
What right have you to consider me dumb?
When concepts confuse me and I can’t dig it,
Your attitude tags you a Social Bigot!”
Wake up! Perceive! Too long have we dozed!
TEACHER BEHAVIOR humanely imposed
Must be flaunted with zeal and deliberate haste,
Cause the mind is a terrible thing to waste!
One more as I've used this poem in my presentations over the years on Physical Education.
What Phys. Ed. Ain’t
Recess is when two times each day, the staff goes to plan, the kids go to play.
They slide, they swing, they muddy their socks; they climb and jump and even throw rocks.
Boys tussle and wrestle, chase girls til they faint,
Recess is important, but Phys. Ed it Ain’t.
Recreation and leisure, essential I’m told, recreate the body, upgrade the soul.
Learn interesting pasting for use when it rains, pursuits for all children, the Bobbys and Janes;
but no matter how structured, no matter how quaint, no matter how joyous,
Phys. Ed. It Ain’t.
Physical fitness proclaimed far and wide, vitality, vigor, pep in your stride.
Lift that barge and tote that bale, exercise daily, be hearty and hale.
Push up and sit up without complaint, in spite of its value,
Phys. Ed. It Ain’t.
Athletics and sports? Oh perish the thought. Wonder did you think of the havoc they wrought?
Shoot baskets, play baseball, hold that bat steady,
we make’em play football before they are ready.
Let’em be kids without rancor or taint. Athletics can’t hurt them, cause
Phys. Ed. It Ain’t.
Then what is Phys. Ed. If it ain’t the above? And what are the goals for the children we love?
An integral part of the total process, focused on personalized growth and success.
Striving to enhance through instructional giving, productive, efficient, harmonious living.
By: Ambrose E. Brazelton
He was one-of-a-kind and will be dearly missed.