The contrast between outdated tradition and future innovation What I saw of the Benedictine College ceremony was edited, of course. Still, the message delivered to their graduates was in stark contrast to what my daughter and her class heard at Longwood University this weekend. I’m sure most of you have seen video excerpts from theContinue reading “A Tale of Two Graduation Ceremonies”
Tag Archives: education
Moms For Liberty is Not a Beacon Of Educational Leadership
So why are school systems relying on their guidance for developing curriculum and educational resources? I feel like I’m fighting a losing battle, for the evolution from a democracy to a theocracy seems to be accelerating at an alarming pace. My county decided to give the school board unilateral authority over the “deselection” (read: banning)Continue reading “Moms For Liberty is Not a Beacon Of Educational Leadership”
My Babies Have Fledged
I’m officially an empty nester It’s Monday night. The house is quiet. It is clean. And there is a remarkable absence of an abundance of stuff. But it’s also lonely. My babies have officially left the nest. Even the dog and cat have noticed and are extra clingy today. They say that raising children isContinue reading “My Babies Have Fledged”
First, They Came for the Books. Then They Came for Equity
Hanover County does it again Once again, I attended the Hanover County Public School Board meeting. On the agenda for July? Dissolving the Community Equity Advisory Board, a group to which I was appointed, but in which I was never able to participate. Due to certain people complaining about the “wokeness” and unfairness of equity,Continue reading “First, They Came for the Books. Then They Came for Equity”
Book Banning in Hanover County Public Schools Has Begun
The school board passed the measure 5-2 The hot ticket on June 13th was the Hanover County School Board meeting. I arrived at 5:30 to ensure that I would have a place to sit, and as I strategically parked my car on the street rather than the parking lot of the building, I noticed aContinue reading “Book Banning in Hanover County Public Schools Has Begun”
Learning to Fly
Sending my kid off on a big adventure Cars were everywhere, parked every which way, in cattywampus lines three deep. Trunks were flying open, luggage was being frantically pulled out to the pavement, and loved ones were hugging goodbye, with everyone frantically trying to get their people off on their adventures. This was the sceneContinue reading “Learning to Fly”
There’s No Need to Fear the Red Pen
A great editor is a gift Think back to your very first editor. Mine was my mom. Before my teachers read my papers, my mom would look them over, correcting grammatical errors and also spelling. Yes, unfortunately, I’m so old that spell check wasn’t yet a thing. We did it old school. Sometimes we wentContinue reading “There’s No Need to Fear the Red Pen”
“Not Bad, for a Girl”
A tale of two English teachers My 9th-grade Advanced English class was an exercise in humility. My teacher, Mr. Hespinhide, was one of those bitter, older men who delighted in making his students miserable. Or at least afraid of him. He had grey, unruly hair, an equally unkempt beard, and a foul attitude. I thinkContinue reading ““Not Bad, for a Girl””
Banning Books Closes Minds
It’s 5:00 on a Friday afternoon. I’m wrapping up my documentation for the day, and I’m running later than anticipated. But before my frustration gets to me, I’m calmed by a welcome, yet unexpected sound. Over the loudspeaker of the nursing facility where I work, the cantor sings a song in Hebrew, welcoming the beginningContinue reading “Banning Books Closes Minds”
Same Mantra. Different Lipstick.
Monday was a flexible learning day for my junior in high school. This new phenomenon in learning leaves it up to the student and parents to come up with meaningful learning activities on these days. On past flexible learning days, we have visited the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in downtown Richmond, driven to CharlottesvilleContinue reading “Same Mantra. Different Lipstick. “
Anne the Vegan 