Acorns From An Okie

Allen June 29th, 2004

Read Kevin’s reaction to an unusual assignment in 31 Years Of Graduates Do One Last Homework Assignment.

Some teachers can change your life. Carrie Kolder is one of those kinds of teachers. From the Chicago Tribune (Registration required - privacy guarded ID’s available at BugMeNot):

It was a dream only an English teacher would have: a retirement party jammed with hundreds of former students, all bearing essays.

That’s what Carrie Kolder wanted as a brain tumor brought her 31-year career at Fremd High School in Palatine to a premature end. And on Saturday, after nearly a year of planning, that’s what she will get.

As many as 500 of her “kids”–some of whom are now approaching their 50s–are expected to meet in the school cafeteria for a farewell salute to the tough but tender Mrs. K, who demanded the best from D students and college bound alike.

She set the price of admission as one last bit of homework, a paper in which the students recall how their time in Kolder’s classroom shaped their lives. The assignment has prompted many to reflect on the huge impact one teacher can have.

I spent 3 years in high school in the Creative Writing department — years pouring myself into writing poems, essays and short shories. When I reached college, it all turned off. I cast around, looking for something that I enjoyed doing that would also earn a living for me (and my future family). To make a long story short, I spent roughly 10 years getting my bachelor’s degree (and 6 years getting my Master’s — another story entirely) and never got around to writing again.

While I am writing again, most of my writing energy is devoted to this blog. I’d like to spend more time on the stories that I am working on, but I enjoy blogging too much. I’ve set a goal of writing at least 30 minutes each day on the stories, but fall short all too often.

• Weblogs
• Comments(1)