History of IDEA
Jeannie Oakes, Founder and Former Director
Youth Voice in School Finance
NEW REPORT: Los Angeles' road to A-G for all
Without Dollars and Sense Powerpoint
Past Educational Opportunity Reports
A sprig of verbena and the gifts of a great teacher
- 04-14-2010
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By Kathleen Parker/Washington Post
One of President Obama's consistent education themes has been the wish that every child cross paths with that one teacher who hits the light switch and changes one's life. Each time he expresses some iteration of that thought, I suspect thousands or millions think briefly of the person who held that distinction in their life. The light master. Or, in my case, the one who extended an imaginary sprig of verbena and, holding it to his nose, inhaled deeply in a gesture of solidarity with William Faulkner. That scene took place in my 11th-grade English class, oh, a few years ago. The teacher was mine for only three months, but he changed my life in a flicker of light. I thought of him Monday when -- if you'll grant me this small indulgence -- I was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for commentary. (more...)
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