The Newest Version of a Band of Brothers

Rafe, Zack, JM, Seth

We had a great golf outing at the beautiful Glade Springs Resort in Danials, WV. This is an annual event for us but our first trip to Galde Springs. The winner gets bragging rights for a year and for the first time a new champion has emerged, I won taking the honor from Zack. Both Zack and Seth were tied this year but Zack has won all the other years, I should note that I won by one point and a new scoring system. The golf cost few dollars, the meals a few dollars more, the lodging even more dollars, the time spent with my brothers priceless!!!! Thanks Brothers!! Below is the beautiful Woodhaven Course.

# 18 at Woodhaven Course

Seth

# 4 at Woodhaven Course

Par 3 way down

Fall 2011

The new semester is starting today, 22Aug2011. I have six classes and I'm looking forward to all of them. I had a most wonderful summer filled with travel and some work. My wonderful wife started her new job in the Harrison County system last week and today is really her first full day with students. She has a great classroom that we have spent hours setting up and making it inviting for her students, it looks great. We are both excited about this new school year and all that it has to offer. Look forward to future posts where I will share some summer pics and adventures.

The Older Version of a Band of Brothers

This is the one that launched a whole line of candid brother pics. There were of course many sittings in front of the photographer pics, there is only one more candid shot but not sure it just has us in it I have not seen this pic in long time, that is the pic of us in front of the church steps the day of Aunt Don's wedding. Wow That is a pic to see leisure suits and all. Try guessing the ages?? Good luck. I will tell the Beer is "Strohs"

Credit: Virgil "Mac" Mathias

Band of Brothers

There are few things that will actually stand the test of time, but the love and friendship I have with my three amazing brothers is something that will endure forever!!! We four are as different as we are the same, and the most amazing thing about that is we accept each other for the individuals we are and yet know we are bound by a bond stronger than anything known to man. There are a few pics similar to this one that have been taken throughout our lives, but this one hands down is my new favorite. Smiles that lend insight into happiness... need I say more, I think not... Brothers Forever!!!

Finals are Over

the second semester finals are in the books. this has been a great first year I have learned a lot of new things and revisited some old. the lit 1 class had a great selection of stories. the stories themselves had common threads and the authors not only had common ties to their work but also to each other. what better way to rediscover great literature than to look closer into the author's life, especially after you yourself have lived nearly 30 years past your first look at some of these classics. as the way college should be there were many challenges to overcome, but none more than the thrill of applying and being hired to teach 2 classes the second 8 weeks, while still keeping up with my 19hrs of studies. the opportunity to write the curriculum and teach 2 courses for Pierpont ctc was a great experience and reinforced my quest to become an educator. thanks to all that continue to support me in this quest.

The Last Week Before Finals

The furious pace to finish all that needs to be done before finals week and the close of the spring term is running full steam ahead. Vinn diagrams and questions???s
what WVpts / function does this class ( this blog) fit?
my choice is standard #4 Professional development. i would also point out the this is an ongoing endeavor and really fits other standards as well. Here is a link to my website portfolio.

Letter From the Secretary

Arne Duncan, the US Secretary of Education has written an open letter to all of the 3.2 million teachers in the United States. Here is a link to that letter read it for what its worth. I think he sounds genuine enough, just not sure the commitment to the kind of systemic changes needed to turn the educational system around can really be done by this administration. I think it will take all the stakeholders working toward the same goal... "Educating students"     ...Not Teaching Tests