I would love to meet you someday. I'm thinking you do not reside in WV, but if ever in Glen Dale area , or visiting a middle school here... PLEASE let me know.

Good Rome analogy!

Thanks again. I enjoy your posts, as well. You have the stamina, humor, and passion that make it interesting.

(I'm surprised by you getting those emails. That's not the salesian way, is it?) :)

And it IS a sad dtory about the Mount. But, in my opinion, it was one person who tried to lead, but could not. THAT was the problem, and the ultimate demise of that school. I am very thankful my family and I got out of that situation when we did. I got a few nasty e-mails from that "leader" afterwards, too. Very mean spirited and vindictive. I will remember that as well. I feel sorry for many of the parents ans students... they were fooled into believing all was ok, when Rome was falling. Everyone heard the fiddle, but hardly anyone actually listened.

Please remember to give your niece a hug for me. And tell her my daughter (going to WVU... my alum), misses her, too.

I always look forward to your posts... some of the most well thought-out and intelligent remarks on this site. I am proud to be an acquaintance. Not just saying that, either... I really mean that.

I still think back to those Mount posts--first time reading this newspaper. In reflection, the essence of those posts & the emotional loyalties represented the very 'thing' that caused its demise--a desparateness to hold on to a myth w/ an unwillingness to see reality.

It was "tragically funny" how they positioned "identifying problems" as "Mount bashing."

The school was bending a thousand different ways to appease everyone, rather than maintain a strong, central vision and hold to it with confidence, acknowledging it's not for everyone.

No Leadership.

...A vicious downward spiral--the more they bent, the weaker they became, the less parents became satisfied, and more left. It was similar to public school (just not government subsidized).

It was evident how much you cared and that your compassion came from your years of commitment.

And you're right... what coulda' been. A chapter in our lives that we look back on and just shake our heads.

God bless you and your entire family.

Our daughter was in the lower classes at the Mount and all 3 rode together to school.

We all had such high hopes for that school, didn't we?

Woulda, coulda, shoulda...There are so many 'cool' things a private school can do.

And please relay a "good luck" (and a big hug, too),from me to that sweetheart we both know beginning college. I miss her so very much.

n-e-v-e-r be a lemming! :)

BUT... "Lost Reality... huge entitlement" is even more on target.

I have great respect for you topsie, but ya' really gotta' be there to believe it. What I have seen as a sub and these last few weeks truly should be on 20/20 or 60 minutes. It's sickening. And WOULD be funny if not so sad.

eToothman- Funny you mention the teacher's lounge... I have already vowed to myself to stay away from the lounge. I will work well with others as necessary, but will not be another lemming. I WILL try to be the best TEACHER every day... and the best PERSON I can possibly be. That's not a promise to you, it is a promise to myself and my students.

I won't change the world, but by God, I will do my best to help my little corner of it. Success for my students is my success.

Lost reality; Huge entitlement.

You will do well; your students will do well. Take your vitamins and stay out of the toxic teacher's lounge.

What goes on behind the closed doors in our public schools is remarkable. Even you, eToothman, would be shocked to sit and listen to these nutcases that we call educators. VERY scary indeed.

Try to fire a public school teacher with their UNION--it's tedious, extremely difficult, and a huge waste of taxpayers's monies. But Teacher's Unions are great--just ask a-n-y teacher.

If you can get an incompetent teacher to resign, they will simply go to another state and get rehired.

...a great system, huh?