Letter to the editor: ‘Old School’ was often effective

By sowing the wind, in the form of our society’s ongoing worship of youth, as the excellent recent journalism by the Independent makes it all too clear, we are now reaping the whirlwind in our elementary schools. We have finally managed to elevate and entrench infantilism. “I can do what I want,” and “Make me,” are rampant responses to adult directives. The former has unfortunately come true and the latter, as every young child discovers, leaves adults helpless. My own career as an educator began as a presc … (read more)

The Vermont I love has changed over the years, as is inevitable. But for me to read a local congregation’s willingness to identify as aggressive canines left me feeling insulted, even if they weren’t.

Exemplary teachers who persevere long enough to earn legendary status share an edge sharpened by their lengthy careers in the classroom.