Visiting Presidential Libraries

One of the goals on my ‘to do’ list is to visit all of the Presidential Libraries. At the present time there are thirteen of them spread out across the United States. The newest library, completed this past spring is that of George W. Bush (Bush 43) is located on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

All of the libraries are administered by NARA, the National Archives and Records Administration. When a President leaves office, he usually donates his papers and artifacts to the government. The president selects a city- usually in the state he is from -to house the library and museum. The archives are displayed for the public to view and for researchers to work with. Three of the museums are in Texas, Bush 41, Lyndon Johnson and Bush 43. There are two libraries in California, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. The other libraries are spread out across the country.

While the federal act that established presidential libraries started with Herbert Hoover, the first library was established in Hyde Park,, New York, home of Franklin D. Roosevelt. (www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu)

While most schools are far away from libraries, they all have web sites with information that can be used in the classrooms. Resources for teachers can be found at http://www.archives.gov/education/

Here is a list of the thirteen official Presidential Libraries and their locations;

1)      Franklin D. Roosevelt- Hyde Park, New York

2)      John F. Kennedy- Boston, Mass.

3)      Jimmy Carter- Atlanta, Georgia

4)      William J. Clinton- Little Rock, Ark

5)      Harry Truman- Independence , Mo

6)      Dwight D. Eisenhower- Abilene, KS

7)      Lyndon Johnson- Austin, TX

8)      George H.W. Bush- College Station, TX

9)      George W. Bush- Dallas, TX

10)   Richard Nixon- Yorba Linda, CA

11)   Ronald Regan- Simi Valley, CA

12)   Herbert Hoover- Iowa

13)   Gerald Ford- Michigan

Notes – One of the newest and most interactive museums is the Lincoln Library and Museum in Springfield, Ill. This library and museum is the most student friendly of all that have visited. If your school happens to be in the area, this would make a great field trip. One last note- A new George Washington Presidential Library has just opened at the Washington home in Mt. Vernon, VA.

C.2013 J. Margolis

Back to School Reading for Teachers

Every new school years brings with it new challenges and responsibilities. Teachers need to harness their creativity and create opportunities for their students to be successful. At the beginning of each new school year, some school districts bring in motivational speakers to help energize the staff and create enthusiasm for the year.  Other districts show inspirational films to explore all of the possibilities that lie ahead and lay out off of the possibilities. In the event that your school does not provide any of these opportunities, there are any number of books, several recently published, to demonstrate the challenge and hope for success, even in the worst of academic environments.

“Confessions of as Bad Teacher: The Shocking Truth from the Front Lines of American Public Education” by John Owens. The author, a former publishing executive, tries his hand a teaching in a high school in the South Bronx. Readers can follow his path and insights as to what might be need for school reform.

For a more global view, take a look at” The Smartest Kids in the World and How They got That Way" by Amanda Ripley. The author takes a look at the education process in other countries and why the US is falling behind.

Some of my perennial favorites are a little older but their messages are just as valid.

“Teacher Man, A Memoir,” by Frank McCort , McCort, an award winning author and 30 year veteran teacher shares his experiences- his successes and failures- teaching in New York City.

Finally, New York Times writer Abby Goodnough, follows a first year elementary teacher around in "Ms. Moffett’s First Year." This is a sobering tale of public school realities.

In between  preparing lesson plans and tending to your own personal and family needs, take some time to grab a book. Have a great school year!

As always, please feel free to add to the dialogue and recommend a book of your choice to share.

C.2013.J. Margolis