Today was book club – a group of about 12 retired teachers gather at my house once a month to talk books. The bulk of us not only taught in the classroom but also worked in the district office for many years in the Curriculum and Instruction department. We were providing support and staff development for teachers through out the district.
Our school district is not in good shape financially or other wise. Public education is struggling in so many ways. There are power house teachers who are struggling with districts that have lost their way.
This conversation could go on for hours and it did in our book group. It is so hard to see an institution that you believed in and support for so many years falter.
We did finally move on to a great discussion of Geraldine Brooks book Horse. We loved her ability to bring history to life through a created story. She was able to step into the lives of slaves as well as present day people. She balanced the emotion of black and whites in several time periods.
For me it was also about horses. It brought out the old childhood desire to own and ride horses. It has been years since I thought about the power and glory of a horse. The strength yet gentleness that this animal can bring to a relationship. This story shows that connection between man and horse in a deep way. It also shares a part of history I did not know much about – the horse racing years in rural southern states during slavery. It also brings to light the horror of slavery and the aftermath that we still deal with today.
Lots to think about and talk about. There is something powerful and yet reassuring to gather with people you have worked with for years. There is a level of understanding and trust in our conversations. Yet we also gently push each other to see and understand what others are seeing or thinking as we choose books for fun and also for learning.
Next up for April is Michelle Norris’ book Our Hidden Conversations. Lots to talk about there. Have you read either of these books?
Words from JL 
Horse is on my holds list at the library. Sounds like there will be a lot to think about when I read it.
You are so right about education losing its way. It’s the tests, and G. W. Bush deserves so much blame. I blame Ted Kennedy, too. He led the democrats into the NCLB trap. I’ve had Horse on my TBR but haven’t read it. I have read some of Our Hidden Conversations. I snagged a Net Galley ARC but didn’t have time to finish it before publication.