A story crossed my desk the other day that I would like to
share with the education community and is appropriate for Veterans Day. This
story is about David Oclander, a West Point graduate and a veteran who served
two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.
When he returned home, Oclander decided to pursue a career as a
classroom teacher. He felt that he had a great deal to contribute to the community
and his leadership skills would serve him well in the front of a classroom. There
was just one problem- he did not have a teaching credential. Fortunately for
Oclander and the school district of Chicago, the state of Illinois does not
require teaching credentials to teach in a charter school. So after a three
month crash course he wound up at a Noble Network Charter School in one of the
worst neighborhoods of Chicago and began to make a difference. Oclander began
to take a participle interest in a young man who had said that he was
considering enlisting in the army after graduation. He suggested to his student
that he should consider applying to West Point, a goal well beyond his
imagination. As you might have guessed, the
student, with his teacher’s help, is now a cadet at the United States Military
Academy ( West Point.) For teachers- you never know who is sitting in your
classroom and who you can help succeed. For students, stay in school and don’t
be afraid to ask your teachers for help.
They want to help you success in school and in life.
To all of our veterans- Thanks for your service. America honors you.
c.2014 J. Margolis
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