I've put this post off for too long looking for time to make witty comments on the pictures. I've now opted to just post the pics from last week. I'll comment later.
The National Gallery of Art rotunda shot, orchids at the US Botanical Garden Shot and the Lincoln shot were my first camera phone pictures. People aside, the National Cathedral shot is my favorite. However, the people in the pictures were what made the quick trip a great mini-getaway.
Once again, I have to admit my nerdy addiction to C-Span. Early yesterday morning, I caught an interview with the Executive Producer of this documentary. Fascinating!
Please take a minute to watch. It will likely raise questions for you as it did for me. I wish you could have seen the interview which answerered some of the major ones like:
1. Weren't there other American students that could have been selected for this?
2. The ending of the film (not shown in this trailer) seems to justify the American system. Why?
I'm not an instructional design expert nor a public education administrator. However, I do have my own opinion on principles that are needed in education reform. Mainly:
a. At least as much staff and resource support should be given to gifted and talented students as remedial ones. I think we hold a lot of students from reaching their potential by setting the bar and not seeing how far they can reach beyond it.
b. Something has to change with discipline. Teachers and administrators can't be motivated by what will or won't get them sued. Right and wrong exist. Let's bring them back to our schools.
c. Teachers need competition. I support performance pay for exceptional teachers and think tenure and the teacher's unions (in some degree) are aiding the decline of education while substandard or unhappy teachers stay for 20 years just to collect a paycheck.
The funny thing is.. I do still see myself in education ultimately. I should probably start thinking about how to be part of the solution.
1. Stonewall Jackson's home in Lexington, VA - fast becoming one of my favorite places and considerations for a place to settle someday. (the town, not the house) - These first few shots are dedicated to Amanda T.
3. Stonewall Jackson Monument in the Stonewall Jackson Cemetary, Lexington, VA. I believe he was once buried on this spot, but moved to the next photo spot, or vice versa.
4. Stonewall Jackson burial site in the family plot (see note above) - Also in the Stonewall Jackson (formerly Presbyterian) Cemetary.
5. Robert E. Lee's home while President of Washington & Lee University, Lexington VA
6. Lee Chapel, Washington & Lee Campus, Lexington VA - Lee, along with his family, are buried in the crypt below the Chapel. A fantastic museum is on the lower level. His beloved horse, Traveller is also buried on the property.
7. Just a really cool brick facade in downtown Lexington. I wanted to know more about the history of the building, but settled for taking a picture. I've never seen such an intricate brick pattern. What workmanship!
8. MY DREAM HOUSE!!! - Lexington, VA. I've often thought about different architectural features I would love in a house someday. While simply driving out of town, I noticed this gem in the downtown area and had to stop to take a picture. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the copper roof, large side bay window, whitewashed redbrick look, front porch and little dormer window. How hard do you think it would be to keep track of it and own it someday?
9. A view of the Lynchburg 9th Street Corridor, taken at last spring's Lynch's Ferry Festival.
10. The Williamsburg Fife and Drum crew that came to the Ferry Festival.
