Category Archives: education

How Was School Today?

Posted on September 10, 2021 by maryannniemczura

After sitting down to dinner with my parents at either head of the table, our Dad would ask this question after we finished saying Grace together before our shared meal. Memories flooded my mind as I observed how silent our … Continue reading →

Posted in dinner table talk, education, saying Grace, school | Tagged Colorado, Fulbright Year, generation to generation, Germany, Herr Bode, Massachusetts, parent teacher organization, planting seeds | 17 Comments

Five Brothers, One Family

Posted on May 29, 2020 by maryannniemczura

As we recall this Memorial Day all the sacrifices made, we are grateful as a country for our liberty. We visit cemeteries, march in parades, fly the flag, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and sing our National Anthem. We are … Continue reading →

Posted in children, education, faith, family, freedom, Memorial Day, resilience, soldiers | Tagged Bill of Rights, Brownie, civics class, Constitution, education, faith, freedom, history, love, parades, Pledge of Allegiance, role models, soldiers | 14 Comments

Lessons Learned the Hard Way!

Posted on February 7, 2020 by maryannniemczura

Can we have our cake and eat it too? Recalling my student days in Heidelberg, I recall wearing skinny pointy-toed high heels with my slim pencil skirts. In the Heidelberg winter months, I wore rain coats, carried an umbrella in … Continue reading →

Posted in education, life lessons, trolley, umbrellas | Tagged Birkenstock sandals, boots, comfortable clothing and shoes, fashionable young folks, learning the hard way, raincoats, snow sneakers, umbrellas | 21 Comments

Family Rituals, Traditions and Education

Posted on December 29, 2017 by maryannniemczura

Nurtured in us at an early age was the love of God, family and the importance of education. We were also gifted piano lessons and practice was a given. We never questioned any of it but simply did as we … Continue reading →

Posted in education, education in Germany & the US, foreign languages, Fulbright Teacher Exchange, rituals | Tagged helping others, law, learning foreign languages, love of family, love of God, Manlius Pebble Hill School, music, music lessons, nursing, parents, peace, role models, singing | 16 Comments

11 Things To Achieve Greatness

Posted on August 18, 2017 by maryannniemczura

Learn a foreign language early in life Live abroad (we chose Germany) or travel often Attend schools abroad (we chose Germany) Start music lessons as children Be a role model as a parent Learn compassion, understanding, respect Get a good … Continue reading →

Posted in college education, education, Foreign Language Learning, hard work, leader, love, music lessons, role models, study abroad | Tagged being a leader, compassion, faith, family; foreign languages, German Schools, Germany, hard work, live abroad, love, parents as role models, respect, smile, sports, travel, truth, understanding | 30 Comments

Day of the Red Pen

Posted on June 2, 2017 by maryannniemczura

Morning alarm at 4 AM. Walk the school track in Pre-dawn moonlight. Usually 3-4 miles and plan for the day ahead. All alone or so I thought. What was that approaching? Oh, no! Mr. Skunk. What do I do? What if … Continue reading →

Posted in education, red pen, Teaching, walking | Tagged newspaper lady, police officer, red pen, retired teacher, skunk encounter, walking school track | 15 Comments

Ten Important Considerations for Parents

Posted on September 2, 2016 by maryannniemczura

With an almost fifty year teaching career behind me, I offer reflections about what works and what does not work when rearing and educating children. As we commence a new school year, these might be of note to parents. Allow … Continue reading →

Posted in education, music, organized sports, technology, world languages | Tagged childhood play, cursive handwriting, libray, musical instruments;, reading aloud, religion, restrict television time, speaking foreign languages, taking responsibility | 8 Comments

Education – Then and Now

Posted on September 26, 2015 by maryannniemczura

The Principal of my mother’s high school in Massachusetts was also a teacher. What a novel idea for today’s schools. After being assigned a mandatory study hall in high school, my mother was dismayed until she discovered her Principal also … Continue reading →

Posted in challenges, education, Fulbright Teacher Exchange, Principals as teachers, schools in Germany, struggles, teacher certification, U. of Colorado, U. of Heidelberg, US schools, vocational education | Tagged apprenticeships, education, Fulbright Teaching in Germany, German Schools, independent learners, life challenges, Principals as teachers, problem solving, teacher certification, US schools, vocational education | Leave a comment

Auf Wiedersehen, Until Next Time

Posted on May 30, 2015 by maryannniemczura

The German expression auf Wiedersehen seems less final than goodbye in English which implies forever or farewell. The German appears hopeful and means until we see one another again. At the conclusion of both Fulbright experiences in Germany, the Director … Continue reading →

Posted in auf Wiedersehen, education, educator, faith, German, life lessons, saying goodbyes, students, study abroad | Tagged anticipation, auf Wiedersehen, bittersweet moments, college, education, faith, German, Germany, going abroad, life's journey, nostalgia, remembering, saying goodbyes, students, study | 2 Comments

Treasure the Gifts of the Past

Posted on May 23, 2015 by maryannniemczura

With flowers, trees, birds and bees in full bloom now and bustling activity, I reflect this Memorial Day Weekend on family and especially those who have served in the military. Each year my husband puts up hanging flower baskets on … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, education, faith, family, freedom, love, Massachusetts, Memorial Day, productive citizens, reflect on the past, resilience, role models, soldiers, WWII | Tagged children, Colorado, education, faith, family, freedom, independent citizens, love, Massachusetts, Memorial Day, parents, resilience, role models, soldiers | 4 Comments