Page 75 - EdViewptsSpring2017

On the way to D.C., we rehearsed our although she still had some trepida-
presentation. Loren told me she hadn’t tion, she was beginning to "get it," as This fall, the work-home
read it very carefully so the car became she said. As our break-out room filled blend afforded me the
our rehearsal hall. As a choreographer, with people, we smiled and I fell into
what Loren did in her mind’s eye, I did the role of greeter. She followed along. opportunity to co-present
on paper. Luckily for us, we took turns The organization’s assistant intro- at Character.org’s
driving. Because our last names differ, duced us, and it was our turn. I spoke national conference.
I made a promise that I would not intro- about character education as it flows
duce her as my daughter. I also told her throughout content areas. I shared As my daughter and I
that people don’t register for specific examples of projects I’ve birthed and drove from New Jersey
workshops ahead of time, so there seen implemented in elementary
is no way to know how many people schools, middle schools, and high to Washington, DC,
will actually attend our session. She schools. She spoke about being a col- singing to the radio,
asked about knowing if a presentation lege student, having a double major in stopping for coffee, and
is worthwhile and why take the chance Dance and Business Administration,
that no one will attend. She asked me and various community outreach ac- talking with each other,
why I attend conferences and present, tivities. She conveyed to the standing- I caught a glimpse of a
and why I became a teacher. I learned room-only crowd details from activities
that being a teacher and a mother rare- that included using dance to teach reflection of how those
ly disconnect; I am not one or the other; science to inner city students; using 23 years dovetailed.
to her my behavior simultaneously em- storytelling and visits with survivors to It's interesting to learn
bodies both. That hasn’t always been teach youth about the Holocaust; and
easy. The more we spoke the more we about giving college tours to middle about being an educator
recalled. There’s the time I made her schoolers while speaking with their and a mother from your
stand by Washington Irving’s grave teachers about ways dance may help
while her grandfather took a photo and students enrich their writing. own child.
how that became her yearly show and As we took turns presenting, I removed
tell around Halloween. We had to stop myself from the role of adult presenter our 48 hours together. Day by day
at Mark Twain’s writing cottage on the to the role of mom. The past 23 years I approach that fraction X/55, and
campus of Elmira College on our way was in front of me in a person who there are times to reflect upon the
to Toronto; the recollections flowed embodied before care and after care, past, present, and future. As I bring
freely. I asked Loren about her post- public school, a vocational high school, this column to its conclusion, let’s
graduation plans; the question parents Sunday School, and Hebrew School, a travel full circle to the theme, Educate,
of college seniors ask and the seniors gap year and four years in college, in Inspire, Empower: Building Productive
dread. As she spoke about her college addition to Girl Scouts, Relay for Life, a and Caring Citizens. As professional
experiences, professors, friends, and sorority and 19 years of dance lessons. educators, whether in classrooms or
performances, I learned about the topic in administrative roles, we are held
of her senior thesis, youth conferences As the session ended and people responsible and accountable for many
she would be chaperoning, and her politely applauded, I watched. More things. Let’s agree to make building
dream job. I also experienced her car- participants approached her than me. productive and caring citizens one of
pool version of Adele and Bruce, as well Some people thanked her and others the most important items on our to-do
as her ability to pump her own gas. The asked questions. With poise, Loren lists. These students, our children, both
latter is a necessary productive skill in replied. At that moment, she got it. in reality and metaphorically, are ours
many states other than New Jersey. And at that moment, I was proud that I to educate, inspire and empower. Let’s
Once in our nation’s capitol, we entered broke my promise. I made that choice keep that in the forefront of our minds
when I introduced her as my daughter.
the conference area carrying copies, as we travel the roads less traveled.
props, coats, and other items, essen- Although Loren says she doesn't
tial, at least for our confidence, to our want to be a teacher, and she may
presentation. As I set up, she attended not be one in the traditional sense,
the opening session. Afterwards, she taught me a few things during

About the Author
Dr. Hope Blecher currently serves as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Secaucus
Public School District. Over the course of three decades, Hope earned three teaching certifications, two
administrator certifications, a BA, an MA and an Ed.D. degree. In addition to writing, Hope presents at
local, state and national conferences where she supports teacher learning through a variety of means.
As the mother of Loren and Colin Sass, Hope is continually astounded by their learning paths as they fill
her life with joy.

Educational Viewpoints -73- Spring 2017