Last Wednesday Pat received an email from
CSU asking for volunteers for the President’s visit to the Wolstein Center. All they asked was that we wear CSU garb and have no political paraphernalia. What a hoot we thought. It made me think of the heady days of our youth when we were idealistic and thinner. In exchange for a day helping out with giving directions (like I'm sorry ma'am, the closest washroom is 8 blocks away and no ma'am, I can't promise to save your place in line) we were promised a seat close enough to get a picture of the President and Vice-President. The Social Studies teacher in me thought how cool that would be. I have never seen a President and Vice-President together. I thought "classroom artifact."
Well, Pat and I were getting instructions from a high level volunteer who got her instructions from some higher entity when a young man asked me if I had ever taught at a this local high school. I introduced myself and told him that I had. His words floored me. He told us that I was the reason he got involved in politics and went to college and is going for his masters next year. WOW! If I wasn’t so jaded, it might have brought a tear to my eye. Instead I figured it was allergies.
I got a bunch of pics of the President and Vice-President and some will make their way to my class room, but the picture that is already there is this one.
10 comments:
Way to go, Jim. You can call yourself an agitator, a rebel rouser or a pillar of the community. It all depends on which side of the political fence your inspiree stands on!
Well done that man!Excuse me, I've got something in my eye.
Jim, I love stories like this, makes it all worth it doesn't it!
Eileen
Excellent Post! "You never know" is correct. You never really know the impact you have on the lives of the people around you. It's nice to hear some feedback once in a while..... Well worth it....
Great accolade Jim. You look so rightly proud.
I too remember being thin and more political (dare I mention the 60s!)
Laura
It makes teaching worth it Jim when you get a remark like that one.
Wow! What a testimony... awesome post. Thanks for sharing!
way cool! awesome story - thanks for sharing it!
Jim, Thanks for sharing this story! At this point in the semester, when my students and I are agreed we can't see any light at the end of the tunnel -- just tunnel -- it's good to be reminded of what it's all about. Your former student has made my day! -Jean
Aw, Jim, just think of how far the ripples of your actions are spreading in the world already! You must be an awesome teacher. I'm glad you got a chance to glimpse some of your influence in action. :)
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