Beginnings

We started with a teacher, Barbara Steiner,

Who is passionate about students and learning;

She refuses to believe that boredom is acceptable,

and determines to help students discover and achieve.

She writes,

"As I watched my students,

I realized that they needed to know

stories from American history and the Bible;

Pledging allegiance at school

should be more than looking

at a drooping strip of rayon

and mumbling “republic”;

Shakespeare’s allusions to the Bible can be

vivid reminders of familiar people and ideas,

rather than unfamiliar words to skip over;

People like Louie Zamperini, George Washington,

Jackie Robinson and Thomas Paine,

   fuel imaginations,

and build understanding

of American ideals and struggles;

Stories from the Bible and American history

prompt questions and independent thinking--

Why did Edison invent?

What kept Ben Franklin curious?

Was God fair to Cain?

How would William Penn participate

in current American politics?

Why do Americans celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

Who was he?

From my childhood

Stories have changed me;

I wanted my students

to have that opportunity;

I have laughed at Maniac Magee’s zany imagination

and with him felt prejudice;

I have watched Madame Curie sleeping in an attic,

using her clothes for blankets,

and craving to learn;

The Ugly American infuriated me,

with pampered Americans,

including myself;

I wondered...

What about people around me?

Do they have water?

What are their problems?

Am I willing to learn from them?

I frequently read in the Bible

about Josiah’s yearning to be a godly leader

despite the despicable example

of his grandfather and father.

God used these stories and people

to ignite courage in me and help me to hunger for truth.