Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be teaching convicted felons for the Michigan Department of Corrections. Even when as an impressionable young boy listening to my grandfather’s stories about working with trustees at the Jackson Penitentiary Farm System, my thoughts were on becoming a dentist. For whatever reason, pulling and drilling teeth had a certain allure more so than taming the savage beast of man. And why would anyone say, “When I grow up, I want to teach the Charlie Mansons of the world.”
One time, my grandfather had an ex-felon show up on his front door step. I don’t know exactly what he had said to his unexpected visitor, but I’m sure part of it was, “Get the hell off my property before I shoot your ass.” It wasn’t until years later, after he retired and moved, that two trustees escaped and brutally murdered a family in the local farming community.
My grandfather has long since passed, and my grandmother’s health isn't what it used to be—a steady diet of radioactive iodine isn't helping. She returned a handwritten letter I had sent to my grandfather some sixteen years ago during my four-week DeMarse Academy training in Lansing, Michigan. He never wrote back, but he did enjoy knowing that I went through the same self-defense and anatomy of a setup courses.
Yesterday, I had a special treat for everyone—some 20 year-old video footage of myself as a promising public school teacher. Those were the days when I looked forward to having a positive influence on my students. Now, it doesn’t really seem to matter as much, although the graduation ceremony you witnessed (I was behind the camcorder) seems to say otherwise.
In order not to bore you, I wiped out my voice (who wants to hear a history lecture on South Carolina’s Ordinance of Nullification anyway?) and dubbed in The Wolfgang Press. Thanks for your loyalty and if you haven’t seen the video yet, now may be as good a time as any.
One last thing: Welcome home Bro.
14 comments:
Before I watch the video, let me just say: South Carolina’s Ordinance of Nullification is pretty damned interesting (in all seriousness ;) A cousin to the Virginia and Kentucky Resolves of 1798 in response to the wicked Alien and Sedition Acts -- which were akin to today's Patriot Acts. Too bad the SC politicians were also defend their "freedom" to maintain human slavery. A neater feat than Scotch, neat.
Okay, this is the last time I will mention the "not smiling" thing. I can see it is genetic.
Ok all you history boofs; Which state was the first state to codify slavery as written law?
hmmmmmmm?
10 pts for each correct answer.
grandpappy must have never forgot his training good for him.
Peace
mark
TWM.
Carolina?
Ivan
Can't imagine you as a dentist - glad you went into teaching. (I'll bet a lot of people are.)
Massachusetts is the correct answer and the commonwealth was also the first state to take the slavery laws off the books.
Peace
mark
Your Grandfather worked the MDOC
at a most interesting time. They were self sufficient. They raised their own cattle, dairy, chickens,
and eggs. Everything they used was made at the prison. They had farms. Large farms. Some argue they need to return to that now.
Nice post and pic. MW :)
Geewits took the words right out of my mouth... Ha! What a hoot.
Very cool video, by the way. I can't imagine you as a dentist. I think you're a natural teacher.
This is...like...so COOL...wish I had something like that to look back at. Oops, ended a sentence with a preposition. hee hee And me a grammar specialist! I've had so many kids contact me on Facebook this summer and want me to be their "friend" now so I have to be careful what I put on my profile there. But it is gratifying when your students come back to visit or contact you out of the blue - you know, then, that you made a positive impact. Kudos to you for working in such an environment.
Jim,
This is priceless! The video is to die for. As for dentists, they have a very high suicide rate. I'm guessing teachers might rival it, though.
you are a born teacher JR, and we need you out there trying to educate the masses.
WHEN WE DIE OUR BRAINS ARE APPLESAUCE AND WE ROT ALL ALONE
Somehow, I just can't see you as a dentist. You look so much like a teacher to me.
Jim, I liked the 20 yr old video with the current GED graduation! Also, my days of also wanting to become a dentist didn't make it as far as my white shiny teeth in all those old photos. --Bro, Ron
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