One of the coolest things about my job is getting invited places - getting the chance to see cool people do cool stuff.
I don’t always hold up my end of the bargain, because of a failing memory or just a desire to be at home, resting.
Not, mind you, in a rest home. But I definitely know that I am slowing down, and I have to respect that.
Braden Wilson gave me that chance the other Friday to see one of those cool people. And, thank you, to the Education Department of Presbyterian College for thinking of me for an invitation. I just re-listened to Braden’s talk to the Teacher Cadets of CHS and LDHS (for the article that appears on Page 1) and found it inspiring. If you ever get to hear her, I hope she presents the story of “Erica” and the lava lamp. I would have put that lava lamp in a place of distinction in my classroom so I could be inspired by it every day.
Because, in the classroom, some days are hard. As Braden says, you have to respect your students - “notice, I didn’t say ‘like’ because somebody doesn’t like everybody all the time.” But, you are there, in that classroom, to do a job and it is an EXTREMELY IMPORTANT job.
I’ve been thinking a lot about this since Nov. 6. and I have come to the conclusion that the best way we can help President Trump realize what he said in his victory speech that he wants - a unified nation - is to just put our heads down and do our work. Forget the show-boats, the attention-seekers, the so-called influencers and the “hey, look at me, all the time types,” and just get our work done. America is a great nation right now and we have to resist the forces (foreign, most of them) that want to persuade us that we are not.
That starts with Education. Civics, especially.
Not a sugar-coated look at history. A clear-eyed look at where we have succeeded and where we have failed as a nation. And, the right and responsibility of everyone to vote. Here just me digress for a quick second, Laurens County, You Showed Out -- 75 PERCENT of eligible voters casting ballots (!?) that is outstanding.
You see, if you want more people to vote, make it easier for them to vote. The Covid precautions are gone, sure, but these taught us something - Democracy works better when the most-possible number of people are engaged.
OK, enough soapbox. Let us, as a Nation, recommit ourselves to Education, in its many forms. Book-learning is important, but hands-on activities also reach some learning styles. Not everybody is cut out for college, but some people ARE. We should encourage and celebrate that.
Vic MacDonald is Editor of The Clinton Chronicle. In June, 2025, he will observe his 50th year as a community journalist. Reach him at 864-833-1900 or news@clintonchronicle.net
