DuPage Co. (ECWd) –
My family has a long list of teaching credentials that I believe offer me an interesting perspective, and I felt it worthy of sharing. I regularly provide classroom instruction to Firefighters all over the country, and although that setting is quite different than a conventional school classroom, I have come to cherish those days of instruction, much as my brother, father, and two grandparents have throughout their teaching career.
It takes passion to become a great teacher. I look at my Grandfather who became known world wide in the dental industry. A man who was forced to retire from the passion of his life at the age of 86 from Northwestern University as a Dental Professor. I can remember sitting in a dental chair while stationed in Anchorage, Alaska and the local dentist took one look in my mouth and called for the other dentists to come look. He knew where my gold foil came from, my grandfather, Dr. Paul T. Dawson.
My grandfather was my best man at my wedding. He was a man who led by example and never minced words. He stood up for what he believed in and spoke out in defense of those who couldn’t. He was a role model for every person blessed to have known him. He was a teacher!
My father is much the same way. A man who devoted his life to his wife , kids and his occupation. A science teacher by education who never wavered in doing the right thing. He took pride in his work and it showed every time I visited him at work. Both students and other teachers respected my father and always had kind words about him. He led by example and assured everyone that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. He was a teacher!
My brother, a science teacher with more passion to educate than I have ever witnessed. He too is much like my father and grandfather. Always looking for that unique presentation to instill a desire to learn. A man who has students move on and succeed in life and come back to thank him and attribute their success to him. He is a teacher!
What role does a teacher have in this society? As it relates to COD, I have pondered over how those instructors are dealing with the undeserved negativity brought down on their campus. A lot of which I contributed to in an effort to expose the malfeasance by their administrators and President.
The teachers are not to blame in this matter. No, in fact they have been sending the messages for many years and We The People did not listen. Much like that young student I wrote about last week. (Click here for that article) They were sending all the signals and no one was paying attention. They deserve better as they are educating our society.
I personally want to thank the teachers and let them know you are appreciated. I share many of the same concerns and ask for your continued dedication to do what you were called to do, teach! You play a key role in solidifying the integrity of COD as an institution of higher learning not just from book knowledge but from leadership. You set the stage for our future. May the the cancer of politics, power and corruption never enter into your fine institution again!
To all the teachers of COD, Thank you!
To all the other employees who are not teachers, you too play a very important role and I want to thank you as well. A school won’t run without the support staff! You too are appreciated!
