Civics and the Far-Flung Importance of Such:

 On this long-shadowed evening, waiting for that Spouse o' Mine to return from his group ride (cycling), I have settled onto the floral linen loveseat, lines of summer sunset striping my thoughts through the plantation shades.  Through the magic of Messenger, this evening I have communicated with a former English teacher. Her huz was my former Civics and History teacher, way back when.

I began thinking about civics, and history.  Way back when I was earning demerits - though I am not sure earning is the verb I am searching for...- Ah! Acquiring! - through uncalculated inactivity in classroom and homework, I did not appreciate the importance of such.  Well.  Given the state of of our Union the past 4.5 years, I can state with confidence and ~43 years of adult life experience, that civics and history must surely share a place on the academic podium with the STEM subjects in elementary and secondary education.  It is imperative, seeing now the amazing number of U.S. citizens who do not know their elbows from asses. 

NO, no...that is unkind. 

The amazing number of US citizens who do not know the three branches of government and what they do, the electoral college, the content and definition of the U.S Constitution, and so on: have we neglected this part of our children's education in order to fulfill those STEM obligations?  What about our freedoms?  When was the last time you or I read the US Constitution?  (Actually, in the last couple of years.  But, I also read the Farm Bill.  Ha.  {The 2020 Farm Bill even talks about boll weevils.  Seriously.  Did you know that?}) 

So, Mr. Elliott, I would like to thank you kindly and most sincerely for teaching.  What did I learn?  I did not store rote facts away.  But let me tell you, that day I drove my old Datsun B210 through Flatbush, in Brooklyn, NY, I did hear your voice giving me the safety facts.  When that Spouse o' Mine and I moved to Michigan, I learned that we were moving to a township.  A township!  I knew about townships! 

Mr. Elliott, your classroom was the runway to my adult responsibility of life in a community.  Of government.  Of common sense.  You never told us that was what you were teaching. Were you aware of the impact of your lessons?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  What I learned was perhaps not what others in your classes did.  For me, your lessons were stories that I apparently stored away for another day.  (And, also apparently, NOT for Test Day.)  But in the twists and turns of living as an adult in the past decades, I still hear your voice and I can glean stock from what you did teach.  So fun to make a connection.  And so, again, I thank you, Mr. Elliott, for your time and attention as an educator who did, indeed, make a profound impression.