My daughters show some of the educational values that I hold…
Keyboarding should be taught as early as possible, my youngest daughter Rachel learned to type by fifth grade by using some free software. She was using a PC regularly in 2nd grade. She is currently a junior at U of I Urbana in elementary education. I really love to read her blog. Every student should have a blog; in high school it would be best posted on an internal school website to protect kids. A good blog fosters careful reflection and precise written communication. An unexamined life is not worth living—Socrates. Very good on your teaching freshmen to keyboard.
Critical thinking and activism are central values of our culture. My oldest daughter Beth and I regularly discuss everything from ethics and environment to politics and education. I sharpen my thinking with her. We are big NPR fans. She is in her fifth year as a special education teacher at a Jr High in Berwyn. Activism based on disciplined study and thought should be an outcome of an education. I was proud when my daughter joined The Sierra Club. She is addicted to learning—guitar and Spanish. She traveled alone to Guatemala, learning Spanish and to China visiting a close friend during summer breaks. Your community service requirement is first rate.
My middle daughter Becky is an achiever: cross-country and marathon runner, Air Force Academy graduate and top logistics officer at a base in Louisiana. She sets goals for herself and disciplines herself to complete them. She learned to play the piano and now is working on guitar. She recently was recognized for reaching the highest level of physical fitness for a female officer. Kudos on your requirement of physical education for all.
I owe much to my mother. She was a life-long learner before the phrase came into being. She was a tremendous secondary school teacher. As a single mom she taught us—three children—to hate racism, embrace the space race, love reading, study history [In 2nd grade I recall she had me watch live B&W TV as Fidel rode a jeep to power in Cuba and said remember this pivotal moment; I do.], find Indian flint artifacts, and be constantly developing as a person. She left us with her parents for a year while she worked on a master’s degree. I treasure the time. It was my 3rd grade year in the tiny one-room school house adjacent to my grandfather’s farm. My great grandfathers, grandparents, mom and uncle attended the same school. K through 8 in the same room, 1 teacher, an incredible education experience! Mom became an expert on the history of Southern Illinois, genealogy and early American antiques. Even in later life she continued to explore new areas and became an editor and compiler of cookbooks based on themes. The broadest based education is the best. Bravo for art and music at Noble.
My wife has taught me much about compassion and service. She works as a nurse. When we met in 1977 she was planning a selfless career of missionary work, like her aunt and uncle. We got together because of love and romance, but also because her plans aligned with my goal of teaching in a third world country. From 1985 through 1994 we served in Pakistan. Rachel was born there. After learning the Urdu language, I began teaching Afghan refugees En