About the title: This post definitely needs this explanation. I didn't want to have to do this but the title was too long to actually write it out. So this is what it means; 20 Lost Minutes, 7 U-Turns, and 1 Illegal Turn (in the wrong direction down a one-way street) This was our first hour in Jackson, courtesy of Mr. James Benjamin Guest XII. We were forced to drive around for 20 minutes because he was lost. We made a total of 7 u-turns and he managed to drive down a one way street going the wrong way. Someone should get Ben a GPS system or something. But I digress.
We saw four speakers on Saturday; Ward Schaefer, Torsheta Bowens, Lincoln Dall, and Jerry Mitchell. This post is really supposed to be dedicated to one of them but I've decided to take matters into my own hands and write a little bit about each of them. They all made the trip to Jackson worth missing some of the MTC volleyball championship/farewell bbq so I'm going to let each of them shine.
WARD SCHAEFER: How do you teach in a classroom without proper walls? What do you do when you cannot get adequate support from your district or administrators? These are some of the things Ward had to deal with while teaching his first year. Despite all the obstacles, he managed to survive the year at one of the toughest schools employing MTC teachers. Even after going through all of this (including a school change after his first year), Ward stayed in Mississippi. He wants to use the Jackson Free Press to address issues facing the state and work to make effective changes to state legislation. Looking at Ward, I think back to the conversation we had at Baskin Robbins/in the car/in our livingroom. I don't think it matters where the teachers come from. Look at Ward, Dave, Father Dall, Ben, and many more I'm sure. They may not be in public education anymore but they have stayed and make significant improvements in this state. I commend them all for working to make a better Mississippi even though it is not their original home.
TORSHETA BOWENS: If you are a teen mother, your life is over. Give up all your dreams and aspirations because you can never make anything of your life. Torsheta rose above this common view of teenage pregnancy prevalent in MS. Not only did she graduate high school but she went on to college and participated in one of the most competitive teaching programs in the country. Torsheta is an inspiration. It further exemplifies my belief that we cannot write these kids off as screw ups or damaged goods. Yes, people are victims of their circumstances but that doesn't mean that they cannot rise above them. They just need a good head on their shoulders or a push in the right direction.
LINCLON DALL: Father Lincoln Dall is probably one of the most interesting people I have ever met. Listening to his life journey was almost unreal. I wonder how someone can do so much in a lifetime and be effective at everything they do. Father Dall's story of his prison ministry touched us all. He even brought one of us to tears as he tried to fight back the tears himself. His story further exemplified my point about how we treat our prisoners. Once they are behind those walls, they are forgotten. No one bothers to see if they are properly fed, cared for, or that due process is ensured. I applaud Father Dall for listening when no one else would. He probably helped to strengthen that man's spirit.
JERRY MITCHELL: I must admit that after taling to Mr. Mitchell I wanted to go home and watch the Medgar Evers movie so I can see if I can spot his 3 pens :-) Jerry was probably my favorite speaker of the day. I actually prefer when speakers just come with stories rather than philosophical thoughts of education and life in general. He kept it real with us and I really appreciated that. I can't wait until his movie comes out. And Mr. Mitchell, if you read this by some chance, I want advanced tickets of the movie and all that good stuff :-)
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