This is the last day of the Presidential Academy and everyone is both exhausted and aware that our time together is winding down. As I sit and write, groups are planning their last hours of free time in DC. Some are off to the Holocaust Museum. Some going back over to House of Representatives, hoping to get in the gallery and hoping to see debate or a vote on the debt ceiling. Our last session was last night and we'll meet tonight for evaluations and a final pedagogy discussion.
Maggie asked me last night on the phone if the Academy will help in the classroom and I started spewing incoherently all the things I can incorporate, will continue to research and plan on showing my kids. The professional development sheet they gave us indicates that we have spent more than 70 hours in classes and read almost 3,400 pages of literature to prepare for those classes. What it doesn't show is time spent with talented and passionate colleagues. We've collaborated, conspired and debated. The discussions and experiences were all that much better because of them. Travel with a group of people for three weeks and you get close. Its bittersweet to think that by this time tomorrow, most will be in Philly or in the air, on their way back to their homes.
All in all, good times.
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| There are three Library of Congress buildings in Washington DC. The Jefferson is the one that is beautiful and impressive. The Madison is next door and where we started our tour. (The other honors Adams.) This huge medallion was over one of the research halls and I couldn't resist. The only memorial to Madison is this building. Somehow, I think Madison would be okay with his memorial being a library. |
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