Tag Archives: education

Chip Off the Old Block

Posted on June 18, 2021 by maryannniemczura

Wife and four daughters. Proud husband and father. Eldest of six children after his dad died from a felled tree. Breadwinner at age 10. Excelled in sports: boxing, football, basketball, baseball, glee club. Football scholarship in college and semi-pro afterwards. … Continue reading →

Posted in 4 H, chip off the old block, Great Depression, Happy Father's Day, sports, WWII | Tagged baseball, basketball, boxing, education, faith, family, football, love, setting good examples, tolerance | 10 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

Homage to Uncle Joe

Posted on June 17, 2016 by maryannniemczura

As we celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday, I wanted to pay homage to one of my father’s brothers, my Uncle Joe. He was one of six surviving children after his father was killed while felling trees. My father was … Continue reading →

Posted in Father's Day, Homage to Uncle Joe | Tagged education, family, family memories, Father's Day, Massachusetts, storytelling | 8 Comments

5 Lessons My Father Taught Me

Posted on June 3, 2016 by maryannniemczura

1. Look it up! 2. Do it yourself! 3. Work hard! 4. Be curious! 5. Challenge yourself! 1)There were books, encyclopedias, and dictionaries in my house growing up. When I or my sisters had a question, we were told to … Continue reading →

Posted in university | Tagged education, friends, Fulbright Teach in Germany, hard work, lessons, life's challenges, Massachusetts, parents, strong values | 34 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

July 4th Traditions

Posted on July 4, 2015 by maryannniemczura

Family, friends, faith, food, flying the flag and fireworks create memorable traditions this July 4th. Neighbors are out relaxing, playing, taking walks and cooking outdoors. Everyone stops to reflect on this country and on those who went before us and … Continue reading →

Posted in celebrations, Colorado, faith, family, fireworks, food, friends, July 4th, prayer before meals, Pueblo, traditions, Upstate New York, vegetable gardens | Tagged birthday cakes, children, education, faith, family, fireworks, flag, food, friends, gardens, German prayer before meals, July 4, memories, music, traditions | 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

Languages Reveal Cultures

Posted on January 17, 2015 by maryannniemczura

As a German language educator for some forty-eight years now, I am still intrigued with languages and words and recall as a young girl in Massachusetts how we used certain words for everyday things. When I was ten and moved … Continue reading →

Posted in children, Colorado, education, family, Foreign Language Learning, Fulbright Teacher Exchange, influences in life, languages, Massachusetts, parents, rural America, school, South, Sturbridge, Teaching, Teaching in Germany, Western Massachusetts | Tagged bag, childhood, childhood play. Massachusetts, Colorado, countries, cultures, education, family, foreign languages, Fulbrighter, Germany, poke, regional differences, remembering, rural towns and villages, sack, teaching, words | Leave a comment

Nursing – a Family Tradition

Posted on November 2, 2014 by maryannniemczura

In my book, A Past Worth Telling, I mention my mother who became an RN in Boston where she and my father met at a Boston University dance. One of my opening poems, “It was Complicated,” recounts the story of … Continue reading →

Posted in About the book, careers, education, family, nursing | Tagged Boston University, careers, education, family, nursing, RN | Leave a comment