New Teachers & Hope Has Won

Last night we had the privilege to be visited by 3 relatively new teachers who graduated from Luther and are now teaching in the Decorah School District. They all talked about how Luther had prepared them to step into their own classroom, and they also commented on how much more we will be prepared because we will be in the classroom observing and doing practicums. I also thought that the music teacher brought up a good point in that, we never stop learning. It should be our goal to "steal other people's ideas" and make them our own, always adjusting our methods of teaching to fit our classroom. I really enjoyed listening to what they had to say.

On another note, Barrack Obama has been elected as the President of the United States. I can't help from thinking about what a large achievement this is, for everyone- the American people- for our country as a whole. It's amazing when you think of how far our country has come, and the message we send to the rest of the world. I feel like this is a defining moment in history, that I will end up telling my children about someday. "It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America," Obama said in his speech tonight. I felt inspired as he told the story of the 106 year old woman who voted today, and all of the things she has witnessed in her lifetime.

"This is our moment. This is our time -- to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth -- that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can," Obama said.

We all know that there is a great anticipation to see the changes in store of our country, and we know that there is a lot of work ahead of us to create the change we want. I love that Obama addressed all of the people who supported McCain, that we all have to come together as one to rebuild our country. I think Oprah put it best when she said tonight: "It feels like hope won. It feels like not just a victory for obviously Barrack Obama, but America did the right thing," Winfrey said. "It feels like there's a shift in consciousness. It feels like something really big and bold has happened -- like nothing ever in our lifetime did we expect this to happen."