Respect
Written by: Richard Larochelle, CITC Math & Material Science Teacher, Bartlett High School
I grew up in Maine and spent summers helping my father, a lumberjack in the forests. It was hard work but satisfying. He trained me to stay alert, how to use a chain saw, cut at a certain angle to fall a tree and communicate with the other camp members. Lumberjack skills require concentration, math skills, good physical condition, constantly on the alert and awareness of surroundings. Reading the weather and watching the seasonal changes were also an important asset in decision-making.
Years later when my wife’s brothers took me out hunting on the Yukon Delta, the skills my father taught me helped me to assimilate to that region. Observing the coastal weather and reading tides were a little challenging, but I had good teachers. I found that although I lived in a different environment and culture, my upbringing proved that our values are similar. There is a need to pay attention, practice close observation; work hard and listen respectfully to name a few are universal standards.
Knowledge from the two diverse cultures who share the same principles gives me a good foundation in my teaching career.
No comments:
Post a Comment