Megan Fass: Student leadership has turned into a sham
For every officer in a student organization that is genuinely dedicated to the cause, there are two more just looking for another extracurricular activity to tack on to a resume.
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No religion has all the answers
Barbara B. Johnson: Discussion on the meaning of life could and does go on and on with much vigor, but alas no conclusion. No one knows. That is the only real truth.
Tech-free semester was eye-opening experience
Catherine Blizzard: I reluctantly gave up my phone and within a matter of days, my perspective had changed completely.
Confessions of a frustrated Catholic
Frank Matthews: It isn’t every day (or for that matter, every century) that you see a Pope literally take on the hierarchy of his church. As one of the millions of “practicing, but shouldn’t be” Catholics, I am cheering him on.
Failing grade for testing
Peter Evett: There is an opportunity cost to all testing. All of the time spent testing, regardless of its value as a tool for student learning, could have been spent in instruction.
Gay or straight? It doesn’t matter
Other people’s sexuality used to be an issue with me, says Laurie Lynn Lindemeier. But I look forward to the day when it is not noteworthy at all.
You'll remember the teachers who made you care
Jeff Fortney Sr.: It takes a teacher who both loves their subject, and seeks out ways to motivate and interest their students for them to learn to love learning.
Teaching isn’t just a science
Carolyn Festa: The fixes seem to be prescriptive rather than diagnostic. They’re based on the pure science of teaching and have lost sight of the art of teaching.
Failure is definitely an option
Jeffrey Clapper: My attitude changed when my first real professional mentor took me aside one day and imparted the wisdom of productive failure. What I first thought to just be an oxymoron fast became a personal mantra.
When we were your age …
Tracy Begland: If our kids knew more about our young adult selves, they might realize you don’t have to be perfect at 18 to turn out OK.
Progress means loss of serenity — and a friendly horse
My family and I loved the pasture at the end of the road where we live, and we befriended a horse there over the years, says David McClure. Then came the bulldozers and earthmovers.
When the Loon closed, the world got smaller
Erika Vargas: From my conversations with the regulars, randoms and newbies, I learned about careers, starting a business, giving a sales pitch, real estate, psychology, finances, history, relationships and myself.
Will my generation always have small businesses to cherish?
Amy Roh: Smaller boutiques and cafes gave me an experience that felt more valuable, where employees and owners seemed genuinely interested and devoted to what they were putting out.
Before we agree to disagree …
MaryAnn Taylor: My brother and I have developed a model called “On This We Agree.” In effect, it makes us argue backward to the point we are comfortable with the other’s position. Nicer people who wouldn’t have begun an argument might call this the point at which we agree to disagree. In fact, it’s actually the point just before that.
Parents should remember lasts, not just firsts
Mindy Levine: We remember and applaud first time occasions; but we frequently fail to recognize last time events.
Love can outlast loss every time
Adriana Bate: In the midst of the numbness, anger, fear and grief, there is love.
