Staff Blogs

 Several weeks ago I told you that I would be celebrating American Education Week by participating as a guest reader in a third grade classroom at Bancroft Elementary School in the Kennett Consolidated School District.  Here’s an update:

 Prior to the date of the event, I asked my colleague and friend, Dr. Dan Darigan, if he would select some titles for me to choose from to share with the children.  Dan is a member of the faculty in the Department of Literacy in the College of Education here at West Chester University.  He is an expert on children’s literature and a member of the Newbery Award Selection Committee.  (The Newbery Medal is the top literary award in children’s literature and is given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association.)

 Dan brought along several titles; I chose to read Raisel’s Riddle with story by Erica Silverman and illustrations by Susan Gaber.  From inside the book jacket: “Erica Silverman’s lively retelling of the Cinderella story portrays a heroine for whom knowledge is as essential as love.  In striking paintings, Susan Gaber captures all her beauty, both external and internal.”

 I arrived at school early enough to gather with the other readers – school board colleagues, district and school administrators, local business owners, local elected officials, and members of law enforcement.  We networked very briefly before we made our way to the auditorium to meet escorts who would take us to our classrooms.  My escort, a very friendly third-grader, walked me down the long hallway to Ms. Miller’s classroom.

 I was prepared not only with a copy of Raisel’s Riddle, but another book, a Newbery Medal winner from the Bancroft library, a text with a reproduction of the medal right on the cover.

 I held up the Newbery winner and asked the children if anyone knew what the medal on the cover signified.  To my delight, four or five hands went up.  They knew it was for the “best children’s book of the year.”  I told them that they were in for a treat because “the book I brought to read to you today was chosen just for you by my friend Dan, who also gets to help choose the Newbery Medal winner.”  They thought that was just about the coolest thing.

 Before I read Raisel’s Riddle, I told them to listen carefully because they would probably realize that they had heard the story before and that they should raise their hands when they knew what story it resembled.  Just as the clock in the story was striking twelve, a student raised her hand and told us all that the story was the same as Cinderella.  The look of realization that appeared on her face before she raised her hand was priceless.

 I got to spend 45 minutes or so with Ms. Miller’s third grade class.  I enjoyed myself thoroughly and so did her students, it seemed to me.   The morning reaffirmed for me the important responsibility educators assume each day as they work to prepare a new generation of citizens for active participation in the world that will be waiting for them when they become adults. 

 I hope you had the opportunity to read to (or otherwise interact and engage with) school children for American Education Week.  If you didn’t, why not do it today?  Heck, do it today anyway, and tomorrow.  Their future depends on it.

 Until next time…

I usually remind my patients at this time of year not to forget your dynamics
of life…in other words: Self, Family, Spirit, Work and Community. We tend to
run around with our heads chopped off this time of year, doing too much and
really for what! If we lead with our divine will and pay attention to what
really is important, self, family and spirit, we feel better!

Taking care of ourselves does not come easy to most. But if we do not, then we
become vulnerable to illness, which dominoes into all other areas of life. I
tell my patients that if you are not having fun, or you are getting stressed, do
not participate! Say NO. This time of year is amazing and full of traditions for
all to enjoy. Slow down and enjoy them. The holidays can also be sad for those
who have experienced loss. All the more reason to take care of yourself.

One of the easiest and simple ways to improve your health a well-being is to
give thanks. This IS what Thanksgiving is all about!
GRATITUDE is one of the most passionate, transformative forces in the universe.
When we offer thanks to a higher being, or to another human being…gratitude
rewards us with renewal, reflection and reconnection. Gratitude bestows
reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday miracles...those transcendent
moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.

Gratitude holds us together if we are falling apart. Ironically, gratitude’s
most powerful mysteries are often revealed when we are in the midst of personal
struggle. It is easy to be thankful when life “hums” along. But take a
moment everyday…and either say or write down what you are thankful for…you
will be amazed at how this makes you feel and eventually transforms your life.

"Tune in every Tuesday to WCHE 1520 AM to join Dr. Lauren in her discussions of today's hot healthcare topics. You can call in beginning at 4:30, 610-701-9243"

We are smack in the middle of American Education Week, an annual observance created 90 years ago in part by the National Education Association (NEA).  According to NEA (nea.org),

the observance, honors students' hard work to learn, recognizes the professionalism and dedication of teachers, support staff and other educators, thanks parents and members of the community who help students succeed, and rededicates the community at large to quality public education for every student.

Back in 1919, NEA and the American Legion joined forces to enhance support of American education in light of disturbing data suggesting that 25% of those who were drafted into World War I were illiterate.  Today we use this week as an opportunity to renew our commitment to the sound intellectual, physical, and emotional development of our children in American schools and celebrate and thank all who play a role in ensuring this development.

If you know school students, tell them this week how proud you are of the good work they do, remind them of the importance of the legacy they are receiving.  If you know teachers, paraprofessionals, or administrators, thank them for their dedication to the profession they have chosen to pursue.  If you have in mind those who provide community service to their child’s school or are simply supportive of their children as they attend school, let them know how important these roles are in their communities. 

What am I doing for American Education Week?  Tomorrow morning (Thursday), I will be reading to 3^rd graders at Bancroft Elementary School in the Kennett Consolidated School District.  I will be joining other school board members, district administrators, civic and business leaders, and law enforcement officers to bring the richness of children’s literature to Bancroft students.  I will be sure to thank them all for their support of the education of America’s youth.

It should be a great celebration.

Until next time…

I am sitting in front of my computer drafting this post because I had lunch with my friend Meghan Kelly a few weeks ago.  We spent nearly three hours at the Sidebar Restaurant on Gay Street catching up.  At one point during our (really delicious) meal, she asked me to consider blogging for WestChester-pa.com on topics related to education.

Of course I said yes.

 How much fun will it be for me to blog for this website?  Lots, I’m sure.  What will the context be for my perspectives?  Fair question.  First of all, we have so many great educational opportunities in and around West Chester, there is bound to be a lot to share and discuss.  One thing we have in our favor is a host of viable options in terms of preschool programs for our youngest children; public (including charter), private, and parochial schools for our school-aged children; and the availability of numerous choices of programs in post secondary/higher education. 

 Second, I’ve spent nearly two thirds of my professional life in Chester County.  Over the course of thirteen years, as a member of the faculty in the WCU College of Education, I had a hand in helping to prepare over a thousand teachers, many of whom are now working in schools in the tri-state area.  I supervised the student teaching experiences of roughly 100 student teachers, an opportunity that gave me a front row seat for what always proves to be a transformative experience for those who choose to teach.  The point is that I have clocked a lot of hours in schools, both public and private, in and around West Chester and Chester County.  If you are a parent of school-aged children reading this, chances are I’ve spent time observing the good work going in your kids’ schools.

 Third, my wife and I have completed, with good success, our responsibilities as parents of school-aged children; our three boys are all proud alumni of Kennett High School.  I have attended so many back-to-school nights, parent conferences, PTO events, and field trips that I feel confident about discussing the causes for celebration and the trials and tribulations inherent in being the parent of school kids.

 In future posts I plan to share my perspectives on a host of issues and topics related to teaching and learning.  Sometimes I will discuss ideas that interest me and make think and reflect.  At other times, I will try to connect past experiences I have had with current issues and circumstances in schools and schooling.  I will strive to highlight the good things underway in our schools and classrooms, as well as the good things going in our communities that benefit children and families. 

 Along the way, you will get to know me better.  I am hopeful that you will want to join the conversation by using the comment feature found at the bottom of each post to send along comments and questions.  In this way, I can get to know you better too.

Until next time…