National Oratory Fellow--the 'humblebrag'

I have been trying to figure out what to do with my blog. I initially set it up to show students what I'm up to as I travel on professional development trips over the past years. I've also used it to muse on things 'edumacational' with colleagues and friends. But I wondered if the blog, which was named for the three documents I studied as a member of the Presidential Academy in 2011 (Declaration of Independence, The Gettysburg Address, King's I Have a Dream), had become obsolete. The school's new website has a blog option for me and teaching is a marathon for ten months. I was pretty sure having two nearly identical sites would be a waste of time...

...and then ...

... last summer, while I was at Ford's Theater for the Civil War Washington Teaching Fellowship, I was encouraged to apply for their National Oratory Fellowship. I applied and was notified this week that I selected! I will tell you I am honored and encouraged at my selection...

...but

...I am more excited for my students. This fellowship is different than others I've seen. It will teach me how to incorporate oratory into classwork and connect me with a cadre of other teachers doing the same thing. However, it also brings teaching actors into my classroom to work with my students! DC actors working via video conferencing with my students, how cool is that?! In addition, two of my charges will be selected to perform their works (either an interpretation of a famous speech or an original oration of their own) on the stage at Ford's Theater! The box in that photo up top is where the podium will be in May! I've used a KU reference with my kids. It's like playing basketball on the court at Allen Fieldhouse. It will be an honor they will remember for the rest of their lives.

So...

...this blog, like a good Christmas present, is getting a 'regifting'. We are going to use this site specifically for 'speechifying', and I want to ask your help. I will post regularly what the kids are doing and about the fellowship but every once and a while I want to ask for your help.

Request #1:
If you had to recommend a speech to a 13-14 year old, what would it be? Answer in the comments section. You don't have to be a member if you don't want to. Just give me your first name, okay.

Here are a couple videos I found on YouTube. The first is a documentary on the oratory program. It looks different than this now, but you get to see the process. The second is a young man from Maryland--I've watched this piece several times and continue to find new things I like about this oration.

My kingdom for a washer and dryer

Part of my to do list today is laundry. At home, simple enough. Through a series of unimportant and, yet, annoying events, I'm in the Shaw-Howard University area of DC at a laundromat. Yesterday at the Willard next to the White House. Today in a laundromat in an area of the city not on the tours. Talk about a reality check. I did get to meet G, which I assume is short for Grandma. And she seems to be everyone's. When I called before leaving the hotel, I asked if it had both washers and dryers and her response was direct, "it's a laundromat isn't it?" I've watched her greet everyone whose come in. I walked in and saw her assessing me. I'm the only white person I'd seen in three blocks from the Metro and so she was right to assume I was out of place.
She has loaned extra quarters til 'next time' and shared her breakfast with another patron who asked. Even folks not doing laundry have stuck their head in to say hi. There is a man who appears to have a mental illness and she sat him on the bench I was on. I had to smile. As he sat down, he eyed me cautiously and G said, "that white boy ain't gonna hurt you." then she shot me a look I remember from my childhood. My grandmother was a formidable woman too.