Lessons from Matthew

Matthew

I can only hope that the path I take in my life can create and leave some positive things for the world around me. I know my path will be both good and bad, but I must continue forward the best I know how. When I reach a barrier or realize a limit, I will simply gather myself fundamentally and continue. 

-Matthew Moore

We have all had varied high school experiences.  Some of us were part of the popular group and were invited to all the best parties, while others of us barely struggled to survive the sea of teenage angst.  I definitely fell into the latter category and often say to others that I should sue Napoleon Dynamite for stealing my look.

Yes, my teenage years were not exactly the best years of my life but they do still hold some valuable lessons that I pass on to my students who are just entering that sometimes troubling time themselves.   Going into high school was panic attack inducing for me.  Feeder schools all cycled into one massive high school and from the moment I got my schedule in the mail, I was frantically calling my limited friend list to see what classes, if any, that we had together.  One of my biggest fears was that I would walk into a class and not know a single person.  Sadly, it came true.

Upon walking into my first history class of the year, I discovered that I did not recognize anyone.  Being a few minutes early, I put my books down on the closest desk and ducked out of the room in hopes of seeing a familiar face coming down the hall.  No such luck.  When I knew that I couldn't delay it any longer, I walked back into the classroom and discovered that someone had taken all my materials and had tossed them to the ground.  To add insult to injury, everything had fresh dirty footprints all over, ruining a binder and fresh stack of paper.  The teacher was nowhere to be seen (smoke break) and several students sat in their chairs giggling at me, seemingly enjoying my pain and embarrassment.  Even as I write this, my hands are shaking just bringing it back into my memory.

Me, glasses and all

I stood there for what seemed like an eternity literally frozen.  I stared at my books but felt immobilized and not sure what to do.  People had picked on me through the years, but this was different.  They were strangers.  I had done nothing wrong except put my books down.  Yes, I did fit the ultra nerd look, but it was not my fault.  I did not choose to have bad vision and wear bottle thick glasses.  I did not choose my bad skin.  I did not choose to have my crazy out of control hair.  (I was still a year or two away from discovering hair gel.)

In the middle of my desperation, a student named Matthew Moore, stood up and became my advocate.  He came over to me and began picking up my books, even straightening out the crumpled papers that seemed beyond repair.  I stood there, still frozen watching him do this.  Once he was done, Matthew put his hand on my shoulder and said "Come on, there's a seat over here" and he took me to sit beside him.  Although still wanting to crawl under a rock, I was so relieved to have Matthew there with me.

My schedule soon changed and I moved out of the class, never to have another class with Matthew again.  Despite that, every time I passed Matthew in the hall, he always smiled at me and asked how I was doing.   No, we were not best friends and we certainly never hung out in the same social groups.  He was one of the most popular kids in school, while I was relegated to dork status, especially once I began the torturous task of getting my jacked up teeth fixed with all sorts of torture devices.

I never got the chance to thank Matthew for what he did for me that day.  If I did, I would say that he was the closest thing to a physical guardian angel that I ever had in my life.  Tragically, Matthew and another student, Seth Adams, were killed on their way back from a spring break trip to Chicago.  Their deaths sent shockwaves throughout the school and left our Senior class in shambles.

Although a long time has passed since Matthew died, I still think of him often.  What was probably to him just two or three minutes of being kind to a stranger, has in reality impacted me for the last 25 years.  Matthew left behind a quote for our literary magazine which says;

"I can only hope that the path I take in my life can create and leave some positive things for the world around me.  I know my path will be both good and bad, but I must continue forward the best I know how.  When I reach a barrier or realize a limit, I will simply gather myself fundamentally and continue."

As a teacher, I try to instill the idea of being kind to one another into my classroom.   The way that they treat each other can have a long lasting impact, either good or bad.  I begin the year by doing a journal writing activity based on Matthew's quote and telling them the story above.  Although, it is a bit uncomfortable for me to share and also embarrassing, it helps to create a personal connection with the kids.  I feel that sharing personal moments like these with the kids can help broaden and open up communication.  There is nothing wrong with showing our humanity to the kids.

I wrote earlier that I never got the chance to thank Matthew, well here it is:  Matthew, thank you for being kind.  Thank you for looking up from your desk and seeing someone in need and taking action rather than doing the easy thing and simply ignoring it.  Thank you for providing a moment that I can share with my students and even though you are gone I hope that I can keep your legacy of kindness alive so that others can learn from it.  You were taken from this world far too early but your memory remains in the hearts of your closest friends, family and a formerly scared kid that you helped when he needed it the most.

Please visit my website at One if by Land Adventures

Let me read your Aura

I have to admit that there are times now that I am absolutely overwhelmed by the technology that is available to us.  Every week it seems that there is something new that will change the face of education.  The challenge is sifting through all of it and finding out what meets the needs of our classes.

Aurasma is one tool that I found to be very interesting and useful.  Sure, when you first hear or read the word it sounds like some sort of disease that would require some serious ointment, but Aurasma is an augmented reality app that could have great potential in the classroom.

Each year, we do a major research project in which students pick a person or event that they would deem worthy of a memorial or monument.  They submit a standard research paper but the true star of their project is the memorial that they design and build a model of.  Through the years, we have had submissions turned in that would rival some of the best memorial designs in D.C. for their sheer symbolic quality.

The issue has always been that when kids bring in their projects, passersby are sometimes left to wonder what their design means.  This year each student filmed themselves giving a guided tour of their project which we then linked in Aurasma.  Now, when looking at the projects, the viewer can simply open the app, point it at the project and the student pops up to explain it virtually.

We also used the app the create interactive bulletin boards as well where short videos were linked to a picture or item.  For example, a picture of former president could be linked to a student created one minute bio.

This year, I plan on exploring Aurasma even more by incorporating it into a family history project.  Every year we do what I call the "panel project" in which students create a hanging timeline of their family history in which they share a family moment while also sharing about what was happening in the United States and the world at that time.  Basically, how were your family members a part of the time they were living in and how were they affected?  Using Aurasma, I plan on having the kids link in interviews with family members.

The fun downside of using the Aurasma app is that now the kids think EVERYTHING has an aura and they are constantly scanning things to see what pops up.  Hey, it's obvious that their curiosity is sparked.  One way I solved this is by printing out the company logo and attaching it to things that have an aura.

Yes, there are many things out there to use and just going through the app store can give you heart palpitations, but I really think that choosing a few and really focusing on those is better than inundating kids with dozens of apps.  In the last year, I have seen quite a bit of app fatigue among colleagues and students.  This year, I plan on developing multiple ways to use Aurasma so the kids feel very comfortable in using it and also using it well.

I welcome any feedback that anyone has about using Aurasma.  I'm sure that I have not begun to scratch the surface of its uses.  Please visit my website at One if by Land Adventures.

A Beekman 4th

Reality television.....love it or hate it, it is definitely a part of the American culture today.  There are a limited number of them that I can take before I feel as if my brain cells are being depleted and I shake my head at the utter nonsense of such shows as Honey Boo Boo and the loads of Kardashian garbage.

That being said, a friend told me about a reality show called The Fabulous Beekman Boys a couple of years ago and I was instantly hooked on the show.  It explores the trials and tribulations of Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge as they move from city living to establishing their own farm and lifestyle brand known as Beekman 1802.  The great thing about the show is there is a true sense of honesty and both Brent and Josh are incredibly likable.  The inhabitants of Sharon Springs, NY are also featured and they add the kind of flair that instantly makes you want to move there.  

Josh and Brent are probably more well known as the winning couple on a recent season of The Amazing Race, which I must admit has been the one reality show that I have been a constant viewer of.    When they were announced as contestants I was very excited to see them on TV once again, but after the first few episodes I honestly kinda figured that each episode would be their last since they were just barely hanging on and other teams seemed to be getting more air time.  Much to my surprise and excitement they ended up winning.  It was seriously the first time I have ever jumped for joy during a TV show.  

Being a geography teacher, I decided to see if the Beekman boys would Skype with my class as an introductory geography lesson.  While Josh and Brent were on the show I was especially impressed with the way they played the game.  Rather than resorting to back stabbing all kinds of negative behavior that is often portrayed on reality shows, they played with dignity and fairness, not forgetting common decency.  I felt that was important lesson for my students to understand.  Luckily, Josh agreed to chat with us and answered the kids questions about the race and what he and Brent learned on their journey around the world.  

When I hit the road earlier this month, I decided to travel up to the Adirondacks and decided to stop by the Beekman 1802 Mercantile for a little shopping trip and hopefully thank Josh in person for Skyping with the kiddos.  When I got there, Brent was manning the store and Josh was nowhere to be seen.  Looking back, I really hope that Brent was not offended by my disappointment that Josh was not there.  

I guess sensing my sadness, Brent told me that they were going to be grilling some hot dogs in the local park and that I should stop by for a visit.  Honestly, I'm not sure whether he was asking me to do a quick meet and greet and then be on my merry way or not.  Regardless, I showed up and and Josh graciously offered me a bourbon slushee which helped ease my nerves a bit.....especially after the second one.

I have never been a social butterfly and meeting new people has always made me freak out a bit.  Small talk has never been one of my strengths, but armed with the slushee, I did manage to chat up some of the locals who were exactly how I thought they would be; very friendly and welcoming.  Despite that, I felt a bit like a party crasher and fidgeted a bit not sure of what to say when the conversation lapsed.  I figured since 2 slushess were doled out then I couldn't have been too unwelcome.  

Toward the end of the evening, Josh asked me out to the farm for an early morning tour which I jumped at the chance at.  Seriously, who would turn that down?  Luckily, The American Hotel, which is featured in the Fabulous Beekman Boys had some availability that night and I was able to stay there, furthering my reality show experience.  The owners, Doug Plummer and Garth Roberts were especially gracious and made me feel more like a long lost relative rather than a hotel guest.  It was the first and most likely last time I will ever be hugged by the owners of a hotel upon checkout!

Selfie with Josh Kilmer-Purcell.  Dang, wanted Brent too!

Luckily the Beekman Farm was easy to find and I seriously hoped that Josh remembered that he had invited me.  I certainly did not want to be that creepy fan that just shows up and knocks on the door.  Despite my initial fears, Josh met me on the porch and proceeded to take me around the property for a little farm and history tour.  The Beekman Mansion is gorgeous and the television show honestly did not do it justice.  Usually when I visit famous locales, I am often a little disappointed due to my elevated expectations.

Josh pointing out details on a tombstone

Josh led my down to the family crypt and explained that the Beekmans had buried their dead in an adjoining field but that it was totally trashed and the tombstones were knocked over.  The recovered tombstones were all relocated into the family crypt which gave it an even more eerie quality even though it was light outside.  One cool thing that Josh pointed out was that some of the family members listed the cause of death on the stones.  One unfortunate member of the family was run over by a carriage at a young age.  Josh hypothesized that they inscribed the cause of death as a warning to others in the family.  In addition, to the stones, there are also some human remains like what appeared to be a jawbone and a tooth.  Josh picked up a pliable piece of material and asked me to guess what it was.  Turned out it was a piece of a lead lined coffin.

Who could go to the Beekman Farm without paying tribute to the famed diva of the property, Polka Spot the resident diva llama.  Polka Spot became a celebrity in her own right on the Fabulous Beekman Boys for often naughty behavior and eccentric personality.  When I entered the barn, Josh pointed out Polka Spot and she immediately cast some shade my way.  She totally earned her diva status by looking at me and then staring me down until I left.  Luckily, Farmer John who tends to the goats was much more personable.

After checking out the barn, Josh told me that I was free to roam around on my own since he was needing to hop in the shower and get ready to head to the mercantile.  Josh and Brent recently got married and he told me to go check out the hill on the property where they conducted the nuptials.  I'm glad that I stuck around and trudged up the hill because the views from up there were like something from a postcard.

When I made it back to my car, Farmer John was mowing and waved at me.  With that, my Beekman adventure came to an end.  I was very fortunate to be able to spend some time in Sharon Springs and with these two very down to earth and friendly men.  I was hoping that the way they were portrayed on television was an honest view, and from my short experience with them, in real life they are even more likable.

Polka Spot staring me down.

A visit to Sharon Spring is highly recommended and even if you can't make it there you can order the Beekman brand and get some amazing recipes at Beekman 1802.  Honestly, I got the Mortgage Lifter Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta and kept just eating it out of the jar with a spoon.  The Salty Goat Fudge Cookies I bought were originally meant to be a gift, but they did not survive very long on the car with me.

The Beekman 1802 Mercantile in Sharon Springs, New York

The Astronaut Wives Club

Ah yes, summer....it's the time of the year when we can all toss out a beach chair and grab some good and fluffy beach reading.  Well, I have never been much for the typical beach read.  Every Nicholas Sparks book I have ever read makes me skip to the end to see who dies and from what awful illness or tragedy, and honestly, I'm still trying to forget the horror of reading Twilight several summers back.  Sorry Twihards.    Regardless, every summer, I am on the hunt for that book I can simply not put down and be sort of sad when it is over.

Recently, I was in the bookstore, yes, those DO still exist, and came upon an interesting title.  Actually, I was more drawn to the retro looking book cover, so whoever designed that......good work.  The Astronaut Wives Club written by Lily Koppel is sort of the opposite of The Right Stuff and tells the stories of the women who braved their astronaut husbands going off to space during that epic time of early exploration and discovery.

The result is often enthralling and frustrating.  The subject matter is absolutely fascinating and it is remarkable how these women were able to lean on each other through such periods of uncertainty.  These women were hounded by the press, but had to keep putting on that happy housewife demeanor even if an overzealous reporter just walked into the home uninvited.  It was also surprising to learn of the rivalries that developed between the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo wives.  A little "Mean Girls" thrown into the mix was unexpected.

Koppel moves along at a leisurely pace which does make this a good beach read.  My one real complaint and what I found frustrating was that Koppel simply tries to cover too much ground and inundates the reader with wife after wife.  I was often going back to make sure just exactly which one she was talking about and often Googling their husbands names to make the references stand out more.  Just when you get really absorbed with one story, another one begins.  One portion of the book I was looking forward to was about Marilyn Lovell and Apollo 13, but Koppel boils it all down to just a couple of pages.  I could easily imagined The Astronaut Wives Club to have been a trilogy of books, each one focusing on the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs.  It's easy to see why Koppel chose to pack it all in one book though.

In the end, The Astronaut Wives Club is a decent read, but definitely not the page turner I was hoping for.  It is a slice of American history that has needed to be told.  Unfortunately, this effort reads more like a series of short stories.  Interesting information?  Yes, absolutely, but told in a way that left me wanting more.

A Confederate in the Attic

Years ago I read a very compelling book called Confederates in the Attic which details our enduring fascination with the Civil War.  The author, Tony Horwitz, had always been interested in the war but through the years his interest had been put aside by other things, that is until the Civil War unexpectedly crashed through his front yard by way of a documentary being filmed.

Horwitz decided dig a bit deeper into Civil War lore and began following around re-enactors who devote an incredible amount of time recreating and honoring what happened 150 years ago.  One of the re-enactors that is profiled is a very dedicated man named Robert Lee Hodge who is known as being one of the most truly authentic re-enactors out there.

I recently took part in the 150th commemoration of Gettysburg.  The highlight was the memorial march of Pickett's charge on July 3 in which the public, along with re-enactors marched across the fields recreating the infamous charge minus the carnage but with me running away screaming from the potential of seeing a snake.

As I was standing around not really knowing what to do, I noticed a re-enactor standing alone in the field to my right and I instantly recognized him as Hodge.  Through the years of talking about the book with my class, students had asked me to google image Hodge so I knew it definitely had to be him.  I milled around for a second and debated whether to disturb him.  He looked pretty deep in thought so I was a little hesitant.  Eventually I mustered up the courage and started filming the pre-charge preparations and panned over to Hodge and struck up a conversation.  Looking back I should have asked permission to film him but the heat and lack of water obviously affected my etiquette.  Hodge did not seem to really care though.

Now I gotta admit that there is a stereotype that these re-enactors are just a bunch of rednecks who chum around and play war like little kids.  People have often not really understood why anyone would go to such lengths to portray an event from over 150 years ago.   Well, everyone has their own interests.  I personally do not understand why anyone would obsess over Justin Bieber, but I don't fault anyone for doing so.  Well, actually.....

Robert Lee Hodge proved to be an incredibly articulate and knowledgable man.  His commitment to history education and preservation is commendable.  In addition to re-enacting, Hodge also gives battlefield tours and travels the country giving lectures.  To find out more information about him and possibly book him for a tour simply visit his website.  Of course, don't be afraid to check out my website at One if by Land Adventures too.

Lincoln Into Art

It is no secret that I have been a bit obsessed with Lincoln since I was a young kid.  I just simply always enjoyed learning about him and my world is filled with various little trinkets in his image.  Just surveying my classroom, you will find a Lincoln blanket, a puppet and all manner of stuffed knick knacks resembling the 16th president.

On a recent trek to Gettysburg for the 150th anniversary of the infamous battle, I stumbled upon a unique art studio in which the resident artist, Wendy Allen, has devoted her craft to portraying Lincoln through art.

As I surveyed her works, Wendy was kind and accommodated my various questions.  I will never pretend to be an art critic and will readily admit that the furthest I got anywhere artistically in school was creating clay paint bombs that secured me the wrath of my art teacher.  That being said, I walked around Wendy's gallery in total appreciation of what she had created.

She was quick to point out that she considers what she creates are landscapes of Lincoln and not portraits.  In every painting there is something new to discover in Lincoln and each is unique in its portrayal.

It is also interesting to note that Wendy has chosen Gettysburg as the locale in which to create.  "It's a powerful environment in which to paint because the events at Gettysburg 150 years ago changed the course of world history.  I believe that America's soul was born the instant Lincoln concluded his Gettysburg address on November 19, 1863.  In that moment, he made true the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution."

It has been over 30 years since Allen began painting Lincoln and based upon my two visits to her studio, I think it is safe to assume that Lincoln can still continue to inspire.

For more information you can visit Wendy Allen at her website where you can order her fantastic book or if you are in the Gettysburg area, I highly suggest popping in for a visit.  Wendy is especially kind and gracious.  She even took pity on this poor miserable sap and got me some aloe spray for my severely sunburned neck.  And of course as always check out my website at One if by Land Adventures