Excellance in Education

I'd like to change gears for a moment to identify someone who I feel has done a magnificent job in the field of education.  Last summer my wife and I moved our family from Littleton, Co across country to Richmond, Va and enrolled our children in a new, public school system.  For those of you with children in public schooling, you already know the need for parental involvement and participation to ensure that our children are being educated, not just preparing for standardized tests.  Add to that the prospect of new teachers, new curriculum, and the challenges kids face adjusting and socializing in a new peer group...you get the picture.

Karen Farrell is a teacher at Falling Creek Middle School in the Chesterfield County Public Schools System.  She teaches Honors 7th grade Language Arts and occasionally she assists 13 year old students that show promise, just how to fulfill that promise.  (and not get killed by their Dads!)  When my son needed to be encouraged and challenged, she provided him with the opportunity to assist with her summer project.  I've watched him move from indifference at getting what he perceived was "extra work", to diligently committing himself to learning HTML and developing interest in web site design.  This morning he came to me for the credit card saying he wants to launch his own blog this summer and start a web site design company!  (I wonder if Mrs. Farrell does micro-loans as well?!)

Mrs. Farrell also travels extensively.  She has traveled to Cyprus and Greece and is planning a trip to China this summer as well.  (I must be working in the wrong field!)  You can find her China resources page here and also here as well as many helpful links for anyone wanting to learn more about China.

Please join me in thanking Mrs. Karen Farrell.  If you know a teacher in your child's life who is going above and beyond the call to duty, let them know it!