I have been spending a fair amount of time this week packing up my school career, at least it feels that way. For years I taught numerous subjects at the ALC and I had the philosophy working with resistant learners that it was important to find something of interest to them. So I accumulated quite a collection over the years visiting garage sales and discount bookstores. I have hundreds of books to remove, as the long-term sub replacing me will not be using them. As with political philosophies, so too with educational philosophies – different people take different approaches in pursuit of similar goals.
No single personality or philosophy will prove successful with every student… no matter how competent the teacher. The same is true at the Legislature. I hope to be open-minded to the ideas that will make our communities better places to live, whether I like the philosophy or the philosopher who brought it forward. That’s what democracy is all about. And while I am excited with my new “office”, paging through the books at my old one gave me much cause for reflection.
I am sure you have all had the experience going through old things of being distracted by the flood of memories different items might bring. Faces of former students, events, discussions, ideas, even the location of where I found the book might weigh on me. I enjoy this kind of reverie but it definitely does not get the job done.
One book in particular caught my attention, a book of sermons by Martin Luther King Jr. The first one seemed to offer good advice for my new challenges, “A Tough mind and a Tender Heart”, which reminded me of Thomas Jefferson’s advice to a friend, Peter Carr, "An Honest Heart. . . A Knowing Head." Both sentiments express the need for a balance of
knowing the truth with compassion.
I look forward to creating a new set of memories and connections. I know I have much to learn and being a lover of learning I am in my element.
I had several meetings with folks over in Belle Plaine last week. Two friends in the photo, Cary Coop and Ben Bryant have been long time supporters of my campaigns
for the legislature. In addition to them, I met with the City administrator, David Murphy, to get a better understanding of the cities perspective on the highway 169 stop light issue. I also enjoyed a visit to the Belle Plaine Historical Society’s Christmas event. I have always enjoyed the connection local people feel with their past. My father was a small town news reporter and much like our own Maggie Lee he enjoyed the local story. He must have taken me to dozens of small town museums and loved exchanging stories of local lore. Belle Plaine is no exception with a rich store of history to tell. I bought two books filled with historical photographs to match my books about Northfield.
I look forward to hearing from you soon. Take care and happy New Year!