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It was the middle of my first year as a 3rd-4th grade teacher at a private school east of Seattle - the 1973-74 school year.  I learned a life-long lesson from the principal that January.  A boy who had left our school after a colorful career in third grade was coming back for the second semester of 4th grade and would be assigned to my class.  Having heard an undercurrent of chatter about a possible problem boy, I went to the principal to ask him about the returning student.  "I'm not going to tell you anyting about him, because everyone deserves a second chance.  It will be better for him to enter your classroom with a clean slate."  OK, fine.  The boy and I had no problems and he went on to do well in school.  I still have the mug the boy gave me at the end of the school year.  I call it my "second chance cup."  The experience has been repeating itself in my mind ever since the Philadelphia Eagles hired the quarter back from prison, giving him a second chance.  I applaud the Eagles for hiring Michael Vick.  I wish I could meet my former student again.

posted 2 years, 4 months ago
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When I moved to Colorado in June 1977, Right to Read was the US government's program to address the lack of literacy among adults.  Having lived in Africa for three years, I was given a lady from Greece to teach.  After a year Christine had learned enough English, so then I was given the cooks at a Chinese restaurant.  Many interesting experiences came through the adventure of teaching English AND reading to new friends.

A friend who grew up in Tacoma graduated from Pacific Lutheran University -- probably somewhere in the 1950s.  After several years of experience as a classroom teacher, she was invited to Minnesota to create and develop the Department of Education at Bethel College (now Unviersity).  After she retired from Bethel College our friend taught reading to adults, as a volunteer.  "This is the most rewarding work I have ever done, in all my life," she told us more than once.  Wow!  It seems most amazing, considering the productive and significant work she did before she retired.

posted 3 years, 10 months ago
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