We went to a “sunset picnic” on an Amish Family Farm during our recent vacation to Central Pennsylvania. There was much to see and learn. The food was excellent, and the lemonade was icy cold.
The lemonade was served by ten-year-old Hanna Rose, an engaging young lady notable for her pleasant smile and efficient pouring. Of course, I could not resist engaging her in conversation.
(To understand our conversation, it becomes necessary to disclose that most Amish children attend private Amish schools only through eighth grade. The value of education is high but takes a very different form than the one we English have adopted.)
So I asked Hanna Rose what grade she was in. She finished filling my glass, smiled at me, and said, “I’m going into sixth grade this fall.”
To keep the conversation going, I said, “So you have two more years of school left!?”
Her smile faded just a little, and she looked a bit troubled. She sat the lemonade pitcher down, her smile brightened, and she held up one hand to count on her fingers. “Six, seven, eight,” she said. “That’s three years.” Her tone was patient and pleasant–I’m sure she considered how to correct me without making me feel bad.
Realizing my math error, I too smiled and replied, “You’re right!” Her smile broadened some.
“I think I should come to your school to learn how to do math better!”
Her smile broke into a grin as she picked up her pitcher to continue serving. I won’t claim that we developed a deep friendship, but we did manage to have several more conversations throughout the evening.
When we left, I wished her well in sixth grade. She replied that she was going to work really hard at learning. I somewhat regret not thanking her for reminding me of some important things.
Simple is good. While that’s something I love about the Amish in general, Hanna Rose shared a concrete example, and she did so graciously. She didn’t say, “Why are you making this so complicated–you’re getting it all wrong!” I later laughed at myself for my foolishness. And then I laughed at “us” who are not Amish because we often love making things harder in teaching. And we love big words.
Thankfully, I didn’t say, “Oh, Hanna Rose. I like how you have used your fingers for math manipulatives.”
The job of teaching should be to make things simple.
Hanna Rose also reminded me of a sign I’d seen a few years ago contrasting Amish Schools with Public Schools. One of the points was that Amish Schools value cooperation and humility above competition and pride. That’s not to say the Amish reject competition and pride–it’s to say that they understand balance. Hanna Rose’s hesitancy to “correct” my error suggests she thought hard about how to do so in a spirit of humility and without alienating me or making me feel bad.
I also later teased her, “I’m not leaving. I’m going to stay here and live with you forever and ever.” Her wide grin and lack of a reply told me she’s heard it before and realized it’s a compliment, not a threat.
And maybe not such a bad idea. I suspect I could learn a lot more from Hanna Rose and her family. Maybe we all could.
After a year of uncertainty, three adult education programs have scheduled live and in-person workshops this fall.
And that’s not a surprise! This fun program is designed to prepare people interested in serving as a substitute teacher or ed-tech. There will be plenty of “hands-on learning” including important classroom management techniques and teaching strategies. We’ll also cover some legal aspects and help you develop your own “sub pack” of resources and an action plan that will get you started on the right foot! If you’ve been subbing, this is a great opportunity for a “refresher” and some new ideas. One student comments, “…very engaging with a lot of real-life scenarios. I came away with new information even after subbing for a year.”
Spruce Mountain Adult Education (Livermore Falls) is offering the program as a one-day workshop on September 15, 2021, from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm.
RSU 19 Adult Education (Newport) is offering the program as two evening classes on September 20, 2021, and September 22, 2021, from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm. (Students must attend both evenings.)
MSAD 53 Adult Education (Pittsfield) is offering the program as two evening classes on September 28, 2021, and September 30, 2021, from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm. (Students must attend both evenings.)
Note that information and registration may not yet be available on the adult ed websites–summer is not quite over yet! Mark your calendars and check back! You may also contact me with questions…
RSU 19 Adult Education
most courses are offered at Nokomis High School
Newport, ME 04953 • 207-368-3290 • snowinski@rsu19.net
Facebook: @rsu19adulteducation
Spruce Mountain Adult Education (RSU 73)
most courses are offered at the Adult Ed Center
Livermore Falls ME 04254 • 207 897-6406 • rraymondt@rsu73.com
Facebook: @rsu73sprucemtnadulted
MSAD 53 Adult Education
most courses are offered at Warsaw Middle School
Pittsfield ME 04967 • 207 487-5145 • canthony@msad53.org
Facebook: @MSAD53
It’s no secret the real estate market is hot! Here’s your opportunity to get involved and licensed. It all starts with the successful completion of a required Sales Agent Course and I’ll be teaching one in July!
The Sales Agent Fast Track Course is exactly that: fast! And it offers the best of both worlds. The course includes self-study using online resources and a textbook. But it also includes four classroom workshops where you take part in interactive learning activities with fellow learners and a instructor.
The workshops are held at Beal University in Bangor on Wednesday evenings starting on July 14, 2021. The deadline for registering is July 7, 2021–registering earlier is recommended so you have your materials and complete the required lessons.
“I have to give a huge shout-out to our teacher Walter. He thoroughly knows his material and the way he explains things makes is much clearer than reading from a book alone. He went above and beyond to assist in areas I was struggling with and was extremely prompt on answering emails. He also was very encouraging. I am not sure I have had a more sincere, encouraging well informing teacher in my life.”
This Memorial Day is, like all Memorial Days, unlike any other. I am disturbed, perhaps even troubled, over the lack of tradtional activities–not the barbecues but the parades and related traditions.
I am, however, managing to maintain a few of my own. I will post the colors at the end of the driveway. I think I’ve actually found a small parade and celebration fairly close by to attend this morning. And, last night, I spent some time reflecting on the meaning of this important day. That personal tradition also includes some study of events past and commemoration of them.
Somewhat by accident, this year I spent some time virtually visiting the Normandy American Cemetery. One of the tours I took was a YouTube History Traveler Episode 54. In it, the cemetery is described as ” …a humbling place that is the final resting place for some of the best men that the U.S. has ever produced.”
That’s something to think about.
Some trivia about the cemetery includes the fact it contains the graves of 45 pairs of brothers (30 of which buried side by side), a father and his son, an uncle and his nephew, 2 pairs of cousins, 3 generals, 4 chaplains, 4 civilians, 4 women, 147 African Americans, and 20 Native Americans. 307 unknown soldiers are also buried among the other service members. The most recent count suggests there are 9,388 laid to rest there.
Perhaps, more accurately, there is nothing trivial about this place. There are some 9,388 stones representing 9,388 stories. Today is a day to remember those stories. We know that Tony A. Frank was from Louisiana, his unit, and the fact he gave his life on Christmas Day, 1944. In some ways, it’s not much of a story. There’s not much room on those white Lasa marble headstones. But in other ways, it’s a big story–an important story because if Tony hadn’t been and hadn’t done what he did, our lives would be very different today. There should be room in our heads and hearts to wonder about him and his family. What was in his heart and head that brought him to this place? This day is not meant to memorialize his death or the deaths of so many like him. It is to remember their lives.
And it’s a good day to wonder what we might find in our hearts and heads if we faced a similar challenge? Perhaps we do. There are many unmarked battlefields.
At the core, the American citizen soldiers knew the difference between right and wrong, and they didn’t want to live in a world in which wrong prevailed. So they fought, and won, and we, all of us, living and yet to be born, must be forever profoundly grateful.
Author Stephen Ambrose