Precious Moments

Montessori Life, Fall 2003 by Bobbitt, J B

I am honored to have the good fortune to offer a testimonial designed to acknowledge the educational institution that has continued to serve me in my life and in my higher education, School of the Woods. School of the Woods served as the foundation for my appreciation and acquisition of essential skills ranging from writing to problem solving. So here I stand, also needing to demonstrate my ability to speak, to offer my thoughts about some of the most memorable, precious moments of my life. In fact, School of the Woods ignited my desire to make sense of, contribute to, and cultivate my University's Student Government Association. These educators from School of the Woods are, in every conceivable way and by any reasonable benchmark, teachers formed by pride-fueled skill and soul-filled desire.

Let me offer a frustratingly quick expose of only a few that come to mind. Writing is not only fundamental, it is the avenue in which thoughts and ideas are clearly conveyed so that these thoughts can touch the reader's mind and heart. Because of teachers like Mrs. Dhruv and Mrs. Joseph, the elusive skill of communication never escaped me. Even today I analyze my every word using the skills and proficiency that they taught me. You see, I was never allowed to forget that I was writing for the real world and that people needed to be able to read it. And along with learning how to nurture a sense of literacy came the desire and need to find ways to circumvent conflict with those around me.

What Dr. Coe taught was more than how to become thoughtfully assertive. She taught me how to win without creating a loser. She taught me the power of dignity, integrity, and the human condition. On a school trip when each student was given money for food and souvenirs, there I was at the table ready to eat. I looked in my wallet and realized that I had lost my money! I was broke and hundreds of miles from home. Upon discovering my loss, Dr. Coe assured me I would not miss out on any educational or nutritional activities. Skittles and snickers do not fall into that category. Upon my return home, I was provided with the opportunity to solve my problem. I made arrangements to earn the money to repay the school by working for the school. Since that time, I have become much more aware of the responsibility of handling and managing all the money one has in the world.

To be able to do all that I want in my life requires good time management skills, something I learned from every teacher at School of the Woods. Thanks in particular goes to Mrs. Shields, who stressed in one school trip the importance of priorities, of quality, and of effectiveness every single day. It took only one time for me to appreciate the importance and value of taking a shower, breaking down and packing a tent, being ready to eat and then drive several hundred miles before 7 A.M. Now I do all of the same except drive I hour to school down 1 10 for a 7 A.M. class each day.

So there you have it, in short (or in three, as it were). These individuals, these consummate educators are but a few of the many ingredients in the very well seasoned institution we call School of the Woods. This is the place to which I am indebted. This is the institution which I thank every day for conveying, teaching, and modeling the life of quality, of caring, and of learning. I have gained effectiveness, efficiency, and clarity through my years, and I will always build upon the skills and knowledge that I learned at School of the Woods.

J. B. BOBBITT shared these thoughts at the spring 2003 graduation ceremony at School of the Woods, Houston, TX.