The

CURRY

Blog

Can you remember your ninth grade English teacher?

Mine was Mr. Paul Terpstra. He was my ninth (and eleventh) grade English teacher at Chelsea High School in Michigan. He came to mind the other day when I was talking with friends.

Back in high school, he had us read To Build A Fire by Jack London, and Mr. Terpstra’s main theme for the story was this: “You must know your limits.” For those who don’t know the story, it is about a man who undertakes a long trek in subzero temperatures – a trek that pushes the very boundaries of his survival.

Mr. Terpstra’s lessons were always articulated in these “themes.” If I remember correctly, what he wanted us to understand was that each of us has a unique set of personal guidelines by which we must abide – we should strive to know when we’ve reached the edge of our comfort zone, to know when to push past our comfort zone, and to be aware of how far beyond that zone we can safely tread. Now, not many of the teenagers in my class were facing the kind of perilous life-or-death situation that the protagonist of the story experienced. But looking back on this lesson a decade later, I realized that we are often faced with situations that push our personal or professional limits. And to survive— in our relationships, our jobs, our lives, and especially in our high schools—we must know our limits and strive to keep our genuine selves in sight.

I mention Mr. Terpstra’s lesson because I think everyone can recall a teacher or other education professional who has made a difference in his or her life. It might not be a radical difference. Mr. Terpstra didn’t change my life’s course; he didn’t reach out to me in a moment of need, and he wasn’t always a comforting presence. (In fact, he was notorious for liberally punishing students with the much maligned lunch detention.) But the fact remains: I remember what he taught me and I can apply it to my everyday life. To this day I can still recite his definition of irony: “A statement or event in which the opposite is said or the unexpected happens.”

Each of us has the opportunity to use the lessons our teachers shared with us. And every time we do so, we have the chance to honor our teachers and their dedication to our education.

At the Curry School of Education the mission of our teacher preparation program is to train future teachers who will undoubtedly have an impact on generations of children and adults.

As you continue to honor your past teachers in your thoughts and your actions, we ask that you also consider honoring them by making a gift to the Curry School Foundation in support of future teachers.

Learn more about Curry’s Thank a Teacher Campaign in effect through April 30.

PS: If you have even a tiny bit of doubt that everyone can recall a teacher who had an impact on their life, check out what Sir Ken Robinson has to say about Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons, in his book The Element. “Until he got to college, he’d found only one teacher who truly inspired him. ‘My first-grade teacher saved paintings I did in class. She actually saved them, I mean, for years. I was touched because there’s like, you know, hundreds of kids going through there. Her name is Elizabeth Hoover. I named a character on The Simpsons after her.’”

Hello, Curry friends and alumni!

My primary role at the Curry School Foundation is to raise unrestricted operating support for the Foundation – otherwise known as the Annual Fund. Over the next few months I’ll explain more about what that even means. For now, I’d like to tell you about my connection to the Curry School of Education and the University of Virginia and why it matters to me that we are able to grow our resources.

Since graduating from the University of Michigan in 2008, I’ve made my career in the world of higher education fundraising. I’ve only been at Curry since January 2011, however, so I’m still pretty new.

When I moved to Charlottesville, I wondered what my connection would be to the University and to the community here. U of M was my alma mater and my previous employer; Ann Arbor was home. Could I feel the same way about U.Va.?

My worries were totally eased as soon as I began settling into Charlottesville and working at Curry. Here was a school whose mission aligned with my personal values and whose faculty, staff, and students were friendly and smart to boot.

At President Teresa Sullivan’s inauguration last April I discovered just how deep my connection with U.Va. really was.

The inauguration took place on a glorious spring day—sunny, not too warm, a gentle breeze. A big crowd of University folks had come down to the Lawn, myself and my colleagues among them. The kickoff for the festivities was a processional of dignitaries from universities and colleges across the country. Of course, I looked to see if anyone from U of M had made the trip.

Much to my surprise, not only was U of M well represented, but their president, Mary Sue Coleman, was the keynote speaker! As she introduced President Sullivan, she expounded on the historical connection between the University of Virginia and the University of Michigan. I learned of Thomas Jefferson’s friendship and extensive communications with U of M’s founder, Augustus Woodward. “The two men were friends, united in their passion about the necessity of public education,” President Coleman said, “and we in Ann Arbor are indebted to the conversations that first took place here in the hills of Charlottesville.”

As you can imagine, I was totally jazzed during her whole speech. I love Ann Arbor, and I love Charlottesville – finding out that there was a connection between the two was kind of like finding out that your best friend’s grandma was also best friends with your grandma.

Odd metaphors aside, that inauguration ceremony really marked the moment when I started to see Charlottesville as home and myself as part of the U.Va. community. Our passionate alumni, the spirit of service and self-governance, the amazing dedication and research of the Curry faculty (hello, top 100 education scholars), and the deep historical traditions are just a few of the reasons why I am incredibly happy to be part of the University of Virginia.

I hope that as I continue to learn about Curry and the University of Virginia, you’ll share your stories and experiences about U.Va. and the Curry School and give me even more reasons to love this fabulous university!