Tag Archives: education

Pondering Perseverance!

Did you ever wonder how you came to be the person you are? Here’s part of my story which begins with my parents and our family. Through thick and thin and seemingly insurmountable odds, my parents remained steadfast.  Through a … Continue reading

Posted in family history, lifelong learning, perseverance | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Chip Off the Old Block

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 , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Five Brothers, One Family

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Homage to Uncle Joe

  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 , , , , , | 8 Comments

5 Lessons My Father Taught Me

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 , , , , , , , , | 34 Comments

Education – Then and Now

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 , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

July 4th Traditions

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Auf Wiedersehen, Until Next Time

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Treasure the Gifts of the Past

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Languages Reveal Cultures

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment