Samantha

There are so many examples of wonderful students, wonderful people who were my students and some time I get wonderful athletes that were wonderful people who were wonderful students. One of those is a young lady, first name, Samantha.  Because she is one of some local notoriety and since many of you know her personally, you will easily guess who she is but I will stick by my policies of only using first name.

I first got to know Samantha at Manual high school watching this tall thin freshman play basketball for the school.  At more than 6 feet tall she could have play forward or even center on some teams, but she was a guard and a superb on at that.  I never saw her show anger or disgust but she made her statement through her play and quiet competitiveness.  She never got in people faces or did anything to show off, but just did the job.

Later, she was one of my students in US History in her junior year.  By then she was well known among followers of girls athletics in Jefferson County and the state of Kentucky.  I found her to be humble, caring and congenial with all, respectful of her teachers and peers and never heard a bad word about her.  I was not sure if this was sincere but soon learned that it certainly was. I was watching her play one night and was sitting beside a female spectator and struck up a conversation.  While watching the game, I happen to say to her, do you see that player dribbling the ball, that is Samantha __________ and she is not only a great basketball player, but she is also a great person and student.  The woman turned to me and said, "Thank you, Samantha is my daughter."  We introduce ourselves and had a big laugh.  I told her that I needed to be the one thanking her for rearing such a great kid for the benefit of the world.  I think that may have embarrassed her.

Samantha went on to be an a star at Auburn, University in Alabama, and as far as I know, she still holds the school record for career three point shots made.  Samantha went into coaching and eventually made her way home and is now an assistant coach for Jeff Walz of the Louisville Cardinal women's basketball team.  A couple of years ago she had her number retired by Manual High School and I went to the game to see it.  I talked to her before the ceremony due to be done during half-time.  With her were a couple of players from the University of Louisville.  One was the now famous WNBA player and native-American ambassador, Shoni Schimmel.  Shoni found out that I was one of her teachers and asked me what Samantha was like in high school.  When I told her the truth, she asked me how much her coach had paid me to say that.  But that is how she is.  Samantha is one of the best.

This is the third time I have tried to post this entry.  The first time I left and forgot to the save it, the second, I tried to save it and failed.  this time I am not going to be interrupted and finally be able to just push publish and be done with it.

After joining Facebook and gathering a number of former students as friends, I began to realize that many of them no longer live in the community and many do not live in the city, the state or the country anymore.  I tried to go through my friends and count the one who were somewhere other than the US and with almost 900 friends, I became tired and gave up.

Some I can remember off the top of my head and I am sure I will not get them all.  Feel free to respond with others.

One of my students from quite a few years ago, is teaching ESL (I think) in  Thailand, and if you are following the news (or lack of it in today's egocentric press)  Things are not well there.  He is also very honest and out there in his Fb postings and I hope this does not cause him problems.

I have at least three students in England, one in Scotland and one that I know of in Ireland.  One is living in Italy and a couple live in South Africa.  So at this point I have covered three continents and except for North America, I don't of any other.  Australia is not covered, as far as I know, nor is South America  and I would love to know if anyone is living in Antarctica.   That would be cool. (Sorry)

One young lady lived in France and had her own baking business.  She has since returned to the Louisville area with her two beautiful daughters and we have lunch occasionally.

there are some in Canada and the last I heard, at least one in Mexico.  Let me also add Uzbekistan.

Some have moved often.  One of my earlier student first traveled with the Marines and after retiring, eventually found himself in Alaska.  From there, he and his wife moved to Hawaii, talk about your change in climate.  It wasn't long that the moved back to Alaska because of a better job offer and it is possible that they soon will be moving back to the Louisville area.  So, Tom, have you ever actually unpacked you suitcases over the years?  A student from a few years ago, at one time lived in Houston and now resides in Florida, as do many others; there are, at least two living in Washington State, two in Arizona, and a very large number in the states near Kentucky, particularly in Indian, Tennessee, and Ohio.  I know of one who is a teacher in Michigan,  and a number who live in New York City.  Many of those are actors and of those Lavon, a mother and actor, just finished a long stint in a big role on Broadway.

Other states and countries that I remember, would include, Missouri, Virginia, Both Carolinas, Georgia Louisiana, Colorado, California, and Montana.  At least no one has claimed North Dakota, which I contend does not exist.  Some other nations would be,  Germany, Poland, Denmark and, I think I remember Sweden.

If I have missed someone, please forgive me but do call me to task.

Much of this is a testament to  successful and adventurous lives and I am proud of so many of my former pupils who have made marks in life, those that have had successful unions, who have struck a blow for a better world by their actions and those have managed to survive and thrive during tough times and tragedies.  I have lost a number of them to death and many have had the lose of parents and other family members through the same.  I rejoice in their triumphs and cry in the dismay and mourning, and feel old in looking at pics of their children and, yes, grandchildren.

Many of the kids, will, by the fact that they live in non-English speaking nation, grow up bilingual and multilingual. Yes I realize, that bilingual is also multilingual, but, please pacify an old man. :) Those who do will have a great advantage. However, I never had trouble being understood by using a few words and sign language as I often did while living in Germany and the Czech Republic (Ceske)

I learned to speak one phrase in the Czech Republic with a perfect accent, jeste jedno pivo, prosem.  It means, I'll have another beer please.  You had to know I would get that one right. It is pronounced something  yestia yedno peevo proseem.)

To all of my student, I salute you in the things you have done and the lives you have touched.  Keep up the fight and know that there is someone who cares.

Just remembered another state, Alabama. Sorry Krishna.

One of my students, Jill, was winner of the Kentucky Junior Miss Pageant and qualified to represent the state in national competition. She was and, I assume is still, a wonderful singer and a great personality. She did not receive the national titles but we were very proud of her. a year of two later I was playing on a softball team that was mixed men and women and it was held at one of the local YMCA sites. While walking to the playing field for our first game with a friend who was also on the team, I saw a beautiful young woman running across the field and threw her arms around me and told me how nice it was to see me. It was Jill, who was now working at the "Y" between college years. We talked a while and my friend stood and watched with a strange look on his face. Later on the bench he kept nudging me and finally I asked him what he wanted. He asked who that stunning young lady was and why she was hugging me on a softball field. I simply replied that she was the former Kentucky Junior Miss. I later explained. I eventually quit that team because the men were batting natural and not opposite of the their natural side, left v right, and I found it to be dangerous for some of the less experienced women.

SHONI SCHIMMEL I understand that this blog is about teaching and students and there is a special feeling in my heart for all the former students I have had along the way. Today, I want to deviate just a bit. My, son, my wife and I have been U of L women's basketball season ticket holders going into our 8th year. Even though I actually seldom meet the young ladies that play on the team, I do, in a way, feel much the same about them as I do my former pupils and I also see many of my past charges at the games. Last night, July 19th, I watched one of the Cards grads set the court on fire in the WNBA All-Star game in Phoenix, Arizona. She put on an awesome display of basketball wizardry. Shoni Schimmel, a native American from Oregon and former reservation resident, put on a show that will not long be forgotten in a game that is often forgettable. Not only will this game be remembered, 125-124 in overtime, but Shoni will become legendary in the collective memory of the fans. Shoni scored 29 points, a record for an all-star game, including 7 three-pointers, had 8 assists, some due to amazing no-look passes, with some behind the back and behind the head executions. She also managed to get 5 rebounds. She was voted the games Most Valuable Player and was exceptionally gracious, staying and taking photos with her wonderful family, opponents, and fans for a very long time. What I like most about Shoni and her younger sister, Jude, a U of L senior in the approaching season, is that they have become icons among the native Americans, especially among those who feel trapped on Reservations across America. Both the Schimmel sister work tirelessly for the cause of the native-american population. Jude has done enough that a national magazine has named her one of the ten most remarkable college women in America. Her 3.8 something GPA didn't hurt either. Because of Shoni's fame, she has been the one most renowned and both the sisters take on that tiring roll with decorum and humility. I applaud them and I, too, look to them for inspiration as I do for many to my former students who have shown strength and resilience in difficult and tiring situation. I think we may be leaving this world in better hands than we ever anticipated. Here's to the youth.

MY STUDENTS TOOK CARE OF ME It never ceased to amaze me how my students took up for me in very subtle situations. In some of the less disciplined class I had, I would often need to stop instructions and reminds student that the real reason for being there was to learn, not socialize. Some days it was a serious battle. Those classes transformed into the most respectful and interested students when I was occasionally evaluated which each teacher is supposed to experience each year or two. On those occasions, the student looked at me (a rarity) raised their hands, asked questions and actually paid attention. After the administrator would leave I often asked them "Who are you and what have you done with my class?" On one occasion, I very vocally sent a student down with a referral that she was totally disrespectful of me, threw books across the classroom, cussed like a sailor and screamed at the top of her lungs. I slammed the door and turned around and faced my class and said with a smile, "I'm sorry you had to witness that." they applauded. The girl was suspended and after returning the counselor assigned her to another history teacher until the girl protested that she wanted to back in my class because she really liked me. The councelor called and asked if that
would be OK with me. Sure I said, if she acts like that with a teacher she likes, I can't imagine how she would act if she didn't like her new teacher. I accepted her with certain behavior requirements and she was an angel the rest of the year. Man, you never know.

THE LONGEST BLOG SO FAR, THE SLAVE GAME KIDNAPPING When teaching the Civil War I devised a simple question and answer competition with a twist. By lots, I divided the student into slaves and owners. Actually they worked as a team with the owner being in charge and the one who gave the official answers to questions. I made “slave money” of my own design and ran it off on an old steno machine. It was very detailed and haphazard in order to keep my student from counterfeiting. I dealt out an even amount of money for each team. Each team could wager as much as they wished on any question. There ways provided for the slave to become free and for owners benefit either by trying to deny the freedom of their slaves or for cooperating in their freedom. Those were situational issues. The number of questions answered, multiplied by the size of the wagers, determined the amount of dollars the the teams had and this was part of what determined their grade. Since these were honors and advanced student this often caused much stress. Considering that there were no limits on the wagers, the money amounts could become extensive and for that I had blank checks that I could sign. All kind of strategies came up spontaneously about thing I never considered, such as, “may I lease a slave to another group.” This happened when a slave was very well versed or wise. “May I trade slaves with another owner.” “May I sell a slave to another owner.” “May I refuse to cooperate if my owner is not treating me correctly.” I tried to make my answers as true to the actual slave customs of the pre-Civil War Southern society as I could. All these had to be dealt with within the game and each year, the game became more refined because of them. These were very sharp teens and thus, each year the game became much more complex and sophisticated and, for the most part, better. I tried to remain flexible as much as I could and I tried to keep the game as realistic as possible. The questions for the game were created by me. The first year I spend many, many hours finding and writing these questions, I estimate about 2000 of them. Some were easy, some were difficult and many were actually taken from our textbook and and other classroom supplemental material. Many were taken from the many specific books within my own library, thus some questions were very esoteric and some were quite general. When a question was missed I put it back into the stack and asked the same question at a different time or date. I always shuffled the 3X5 index card in which he questions were written. Occasionally we would have a bid on a question. As the game progressed I witnessed some sophisticate organizing I have ever seen student create. Some organized by subject, others by date, etc. With the internet and Google, this game would not work with the extensive ability to gather specific info, this game would no longer work under this format. Because these questions were so incredibly valuable to the students, I had to take great precautions that the answers did not get out. Would AP students's cheat. You must be kidding. They would cheat more than any other groups I taught. I believe that there is often so much pressure for grades from the level of student that many, not all, of them would take every edge they could get, even out and out cheating and with some of amazing strategy that have witnessed from teens. Even their cheating was impressive. And that statement leads me into one of the most incredible classroom situation I have ever participated in or I ever heard of. If you have not read my post about the “Stick,” you may want to read it now, because is about to become the focus object of an amazing story. Basically the stick was a custom altered window closer that I carried everywhere and held it while I was teaching. One year, during the Slave Game, I was delivered a note from the office during my planning period. It read something like, “Mr. McAdams, your stick has been kidnapped and if you ever want to see it alive again, please follow these instruction precisely and completely. I day later I was delivered a note to go to the Library and on shelf such and such pull the book that is fourth from the left and look on page so and so and find more instructions. This part I really like, the name of the book was Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson.. How about that, sports fans? Things progressed quickly from there. I was subsequently instructed to bring, lets say, $12,000,000 in slave money and to place it in a particular locker in the locker well on the third floor and immediately walk away. I exactly followed the instructions with a couple of secret maneuvers that set the culprits up for detection and doom. I made more money with my initial template except for a couple of additional readable but ultimately subtle marks that one had to look for to find. I also arranged for the audio visual department to secretly tape the whole procedure from a class room across the hall with the classroom lights out and the shades drawn so they would not be detected. With that information secured the next day and with my stick being returned early that day. no worse for wear, I asked all the teams to let us count their money in order to see if I needed to make change of what money I had available and then confiscated the money of the team that had perpetrated the kidnapping “put them under arrest and announced that we would have a slave trial to determine guilt or innocence.” they did have the marked money and I had the taping in hand and proceeded to assign Lawyers, jurors, a bailiff, court recorder, and a judge (me) and the trial began. I managed to get a riser from the drama department and had my desk raised to a higher level from the floor. And I got a robe from the choir room for me to wear as the judge. The trial was not going well for the defendants and they were getting desperate considering their grade was on the line. I might note that no one was going to fail this game with the worse team receiving a “C.” they tried a plea bargain but the opposing attorney wisely turned them down because he/she had a strong case. They tried begging. Didn't work. They tried throwing themselves on the mercy of the court. There was none. a day or so into the trial a man showed up at my door with what looked like a big suitcase and shook my hand and said he was an operator for the company that conducted polygraph tests for the Louisville Police Department and when he saw my blank expression he said that is was his understanding that I had requested a demonstration; I had not. As it turned out, one of the defendants father worked with the police and she had arranged this to happen. She stood and proposed that I be put on the lie detector machine and be interrogated by her. What she planned to ask I do not know, but the guest assured her that they never put teachers on the machine but they would students. The student who had arranged this, Aileen, was thus given a lie detector test after the opposing lawyer gave the operator a list of questions he wanted asked. Aileen failed miserably. They were convicted and none of their money was returned. In fairness I extended the game a couple of days and they were able to borrow money from the bank less interest and was able to come back quite a bit ( it helped that they were very organized and sharp) and their grades were not disastrous. I feel that this event was unprecedented, even unique in the annuls of education. It was cleverly done and an amazing amount of fun was had by almost everyone. I can't believe how blessed I was in my career.