Thanksgiving is coming - what are you thankful for???

November brings with it turkey, football, family, and time to think about what you are thankful for. During this entire month, I would like to open the door to adult educators, administrators, and students and see what you are thankful for in your educational life.

I can get the ball rolling. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve the LINCS Community of Practice and to engage in discussions with those doing amazing work in the correctional and reentry setting. You are all making the world a better place.

Looking forward to keeping the discussion going. 

What are you thankful for??

Jeff A

Comments

I am thankful for family and friends who support me through difficult times.  I am thankful that my nephew came and became a part of our family.  I am thankful I have a job and people who help me when things don't go as planned.  Last but definitely not least, I am thankful that Jesus Christ died to pay the price for my sins.

Hi Jeff and All,

What a great topic!

I am thankful for all the mentors who helped me in my educational career. In chronological order:

1. Adrian Jones - An African-American teacher at an almost totally white school in the 1970s, she inspired my love of learning and appreciation of other cultures

2. Paul Dain - My high school cross country coach who believed in me no matter what. He instilled the desire in me to become a high school teacher and coach which I did for three years before entering the wonderful world of adult ed.

3. Steve Yount - My mentor teacher at Hickory High School. He was a great teacher who inspired me to become a better teacher, and he helped me through a very challenging first year of teaching.

4. Dr. Ann Parkinson - My first mentor in adult ed who taught me so much. From her I learned how to give students choices, how to get the most out of a conference, how to learn about curricula, how to develop curricula, how to write grants that got funded, and how to manage a million dollar plus budget.

5. Louis Stephenson - He truly understood the mind of the adult learner and was such a fun-loving person. 

6. Ryanee Whitehurst - No matter what challenge I had as a program administrator, I could count on her for a listening ear and good advice.

7. Dianne Barber - She taught me what it meant to be a professional developer. One of the smartest people I have ever met, she was an adult learner herself who went on to coordinate and deliver professional development in North Carolina for years. She taught me the power of perseverance. 

Thanks so much for all your help mentors!

Steve Schmidt