Laura Bush, Ex-Teacher, Goes Back to Kindergarten [NYT]

The New York Times ^ | October 17, 2001 | Ronald Smothers

[summer]

I never get tired of reading these articles about First Lady Laura Bush. IMO, she is just wonderful. She is one of the few people who enables me to feel proud to say I am a certified teacher. Thank you, First Lady -- and teacher -- Laura Bush.

Another public official who actively supports teachers and whose support makes me feel proud to say I am a certified teacher is her brother-in-law, Gov. Jeb Bush. Thank you, Gov. Bush, for all you do for teachers in Florida, even though most of the teachers don't even know what you've done to help them.

BTW, anyone seeking a teaching position in Florida can visit: www.teachinflorida.com

[summer]

FYI. :)

[Toidylop]

First lady Laura Bush smiles as she meets with kindergarten students Gary Anderson (R) and Jasmine Harris (L) at the South 17th Street Elementary School in Newark New Jersey, October 16, 2001. Mrs. Bush was attending the class, which is taught by "Teach For America" teacher Mark Williams, as part of a series of school visits during "Teach For America Week". Teach for America, launched in 1989 recruits a national corps of recent college graduates from all academic majors to commit to two years of teaching in underserved schools. REUTERS/Mike Segar

U.S. first lady Laura Bush reads "Grandfather's Journey" to a class of kindergarten students at the South 17th Street Elementary School in Newark, New Jersey, October 16, 2001. Mrs. Bush was attending the class, which is taught by "Teach For America" teacher Mark Williams, as part of a series of school visits during "Teach For America Week". Teach for America, launched in 1989, recruits a national corps of recent college graduates from all academic majors to commit to two years of teaching in underserved schools. REUTERS/Mike Segar

U.S. first lady Laura Bush holds Tydaysiah Chambers as she teaches in a class of kindergarten students at the South 17th Street Elementary School in Newark, New Jersey, October 16, 2001. Mrs. Bush was attending the class, which is taught by "Teach For America" teacher Mark Williams, as part of a series of school visits during "Teach For America Week". Teach for America, launched in 1989, recruits a national corps of recent college graduates from all academic majors to commit to two years of teaching in underserved schools. REUTERS/Mike Segar

[summer]

Oh, thank you so very much. You made my day! :)

[SpinyNorman]

And she is a damn sight easier on the eyes than that witch Hillary! Quality shows! What a pleasant difference from the previous occupant of the White House.

[summer]

And, frankly, Tipper Gore's much publicized talent of playing the drums didn't do much for me.

[Explorer89]

The last picture of Laura says so much about her....she knows how to hold a child! What I mean is that she is cradling the girl who got her fingers stomped, but without missing a beat, is continuing to teach. She obviously spent a lot of time holding her own children. Any real mom knows what it is like to hold one sad child while still making dinner. We would have never seen this picture from Hillary.

[rightofrush]

A happy BTTT. It's nice to have a first class lady as first lady again.

[paleolibertarian]

Somehow all this bear-hug touchy-feely, feel-good dribble about public education... doesn't change my desire to seek the abolition of state-run schools.

[Amelia]

my desire to seek the abolition of state-run schools.

It's not really the topic of this thread, but i'm interested in knowing what your alternative would be?

[Amelia]

Ms. Bush, a former teacher herself, seemed to warm to the task instantly.

That's because she's a Real Teacher. Not everyone in charge of a classroom is, you know.

[summer]

Dearest Amelia,

Thank you for your TWO fantastic posts, #10 and #11!

Sincerely,
summer :)

[ohioWfan]

I never get tired of reading these articles about First Lady Laura Bush. IMO, she is just wonderful. She is one of the few people who enables me to feel proud to say I am a certified teacher. Thank you, First Lady -- and teacher -- Laura Bush.

I'm kind of late getting to this thread, but thanks for posting this article! I agree that I never get tired of reading articles about our gracious, charming, loving and very real First Lady! (And I'm a teacher too).

You can see how comfortable children are when they are around her, and how comfortable and nurturing she is with them! And the way she comforted that little girl without missing a beat was fantastic.

Incidentally, her husband is a natural with kids too. Every time I see either of them with kids, I have to smile! Kids know the real thing when they see it! What a fabulous couple they are! America has been blessed!!

[ohioWfan]

doesn't change my desire to seek the abolition of state-run schools.

Maybe he'd like to see millions of uneducated kids running loose on the streets?????.........

None of these people have solutions. Trust me, I've debated here at FR with many of them. They just like to spout anti- "government school" rhetoric, and insult people who don't agree with them.

What Laura Bush is doing to create an interest in having qualified people go into public school teaching is absolutely fantastic! Way to go, Laura!!

[giotto]

the abolition of state-run schools.

The emphasis was on teachers--recruiting quality people to become teachers, encouraging quality teachers to stay in the profession. The fact remains that, at least for now, most kids go to public schools. Improving the quality of teachers in those schools would help immensely.

[Churchillspirit]

Good points. Laura does look at ease with the children.

The child in the last picture seems to be clinging to the First Lady. What good vibes she must emit for a child to do that with a stranger.

[RobbyS]

Anecdotes from here in Tejas suggest that who you see is what you get.

[summer]

Dear ohioWfan,

Thanks very much for your upbeat and warm post #13 -- and, always so nice to meet yet another teacher on this forum!

Sincerely,
summer :)

[summer]

And, a HUGE bump to your post #14!

[summer]

Improving the quality of teachers in those schools would help immensely.

Unfortunately, teaching is not a very attractive profession to many people qualified to teach. Low pay and long hours, dead end opportunity in terms of greater career advancement, and dim-wit administrators are all part of the picture.