As we do the last few loads of laundry, make sure everything is packed and I try to keep myself calm for #twincollegedropoff this coming week(s), I realized that I had not yet done the most important thing: Thank all the teachers who have undoubtedly worked to prepare my girls academically for the challenges ahead. For sure, Chuck and I take credit for a lot and I am (and will post liberally on this) incredibly proud of their compassion, kindness, resilience, curiosity, thoughtfulness, grace and many, many talents. But they are also extremely well prepared. And that is not something I take lightly.
Just about 35 years ago, my parents -- who also rightfully took enormous pride in my accomplishments -- dropped me off at Trinity College. Many of you have heard that the experiences I had on that day and the days that followed have been the motivation for my professional commitment to public service and particularly to improving educational excellence and opportunity for all students. Because my parents worked hard to make sure we had the best possible teachers and opportunities available in the North Adams public school system in the 1970s and 80s. And they just plain worked hard. But I quickly discovered that I was nowhere near as academically prepared as my wealthier classmates -- not to mention that the room furnishings and clothes I arrived with were of a very different class. Yet, through a lot of hard work and tenacity, I did get a great education. But I left determined that my younger cousins and kids who grew up in neighborhoods and cities like North Adams would read the great books, write the term papers, have access to the rigorous courses that the wealthy kids from the 'main line' in Philadelphia and all the places like that got as just a matter of birthrite. Every day at Trinity I met kids who were not nearly as smart as many of my friends back home who had not been lucky enough to end up at a great college and I knew that was going to change the opportunities available to them. That struck me as blatantly unfair and frankly, un-American, then and it still does today.
Beyond the fact that my girls will not have to worry about having all the right stuff (and, I know will also be sensitive to the fact that it is a privilege that not all their peers will share -- or I will come looking for them) and being dressed in the clothes that make them feel comfortable Chuck and I also have been able to insure that their education at Williamstown Elementary School, Pine Cobble School, Rice Memorial High School and for the twins, a finishing year at Burr & Burton gave them all the tools to compete academically. I thought about calling out some of these great teachers by name -- then I realized there are too many to name. And I don't want to forget any. But we have had many, many terrific teachers. That has been the greatest gift we have given these girls.
They have taken the AP courses. They have read so broadly, and written so many types of papers -- they know MLA format. They know how to talk to teachers and what is appropriate advocacy. They have had intensive and strong math instruction (even when they hated it), and they have explored economics, religion, philosophy, race and gender. They have had athletic and extra-curricular activities with the coaches and mentors that enhanced their learning in and out of the classroom. And, they have faced adversity -- both academically and personally -- and been supported by the teachers who took a real interest in them as people and students. In short, they have gotten the high quality education that we want for every child in America. Sadly, that is still not the case. However, at least one of these well-prepared and kick-ass girls is studying to be a teacher herself. And I am back at the advocacy for educational excellence game ... as soon as I take this little victory tour.
Just about 35 years ago, my parents -- who also rightfully took enormous pride in my accomplishments -- dropped me off at Trinity College. Many of you have heard that the experiences I had on that day and the days that followed have been the motivation for my professional commitment to public service and particularly to improving educational excellence and opportunity for all students. Because my parents worked hard to make sure we had the best possible teachers and opportunities available in the North Adams public school system in the 1970s and 80s. And they just plain worked hard. But I quickly discovered that I was nowhere near as academically prepared as my wealthier classmates -- not to mention that the room furnishings and clothes I arrived with were of a very different class. Yet, through a lot of hard work and tenacity, I did get a great education. But I left determined that my younger cousins and kids who grew up in neighborhoods and cities like North Adams would read the great books, write the term papers, have access to the rigorous courses that the wealthy kids from the 'main line' in Philadelphia and all the places like that got as just a matter of birthrite. Every day at Trinity I met kids who were not nearly as smart as many of my friends back home who had not been lucky enough to end up at a great college and I knew that was going to change the opportunities available to them. That struck me as blatantly unfair and frankly, un-American, then and it still does today.
Beyond the fact that my girls will not have to worry about having all the right stuff (and, I know will also be sensitive to the fact that it is a privilege that not all their peers will share -- or I will come looking for them) and being dressed in the clothes that make them feel comfortable Chuck and I also have been able to insure that their education at Williamstown Elementary School, Pine Cobble School, Rice Memorial High School and for the twins, a finishing year at Burr & Burton gave them all the tools to compete academically. I thought about calling out some of these great teachers by name -- then I realized there are too many to name. And I don't want to forget any. But we have had many, many terrific teachers. That has been the greatest gift we have given these girls.
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| All three girls on our trip to the Grand Canyon! |
They have taken the AP courses. They have read so broadly, and written so many types of papers -- they know MLA format. They know how to talk to teachers and what is appropriate advocacy. They have had intensive and strong math instruction (even when they hated it), and they have explored economics, religion, philosophy, race and gender. They have had athletic and extra-curricular activities with the coaches and mentors that enhanced their learning in and out of the classroom. And, they have faced adversity -- both academically and personally -- and been supported by the teachers who took a real interest in them as people and students. In short, they have gotten the high quality education that we want for every child in America. Sadly, that is still not the case. However, at least one of these well-prepared and kick-ass girls is studying to be a teacher herself. And I am back at the advocacy for educational excellence game ... as soon as I take this little victory tour.
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