Tuesday, October 30, 2007

The First American High School

The first American high school was actually founded in 1635 to prepare only young men for college life at Harvard. At the time this school was based on government and state rule so women were not allowed to attend. This school was known as the Boston Latin Grammar School. However, the first American public school was founded in 1821. This was an educational facility that was made to prepare young men’s minds for the future to come. This was known as the English Classical School which was built in Boston, Mass. The school was conceived by a subcommittee which included Samuel Adams. It was successful school because it allowed free secondary education. It was the rival of the Boston Latin School and still is to this day. Most of the schools back in its day were based heavily on a large tuition for its students to attend. Most students from the school graduated with a degree in business.

The English Classical School was built with the intent that those who would be attending it would not have to attend college but be able to work in some fields that would normally require a college education. The boys that attended this school were able to learn a various amount of things. Subjects that were frequently taught were math, history, science, geography, bookkeeping, and surveying. At the time men used these subjects the most so they were the more important ones to teach. Some of the most distinguished men such as J. P. Morgan, General Matthew B. Ridgway, Charles Hayden, Leonard Nimoy, Henry Kidder, and Samuel Langley have graduated from this school.

The school changed its name in 1824 to English High School to more practically represent what it was. It was built on Derne Street and high since been torn down. The school name itself still exists but has been rebuilt to fit the needs of the growing population. It has been moved a half dozen times since 1821 and it is now located on the Jamaica Plain. The school name is still same as it was in 1824 but the activities and educational programs have changed. It has now become a coeducational school and is more intone with modern society.

WEB SITES USED

http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:cmoz5D2J89IJ:spectrum.troy.edu/~mjparker/history.ppt+English+Classical+School+(1821)&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=10&gl=us

http://books.google.com/books?id=U_HSk9YheBYC&pg=PA128&lpg=PA128&dq=english+classical+high+school+1821&source=web&ots=pXix1Ziqd4&sig=8tD3FAOlJG1hpvdIVc7gEHf8mT0#PPA129,M1

http://www.boston.com/news/education/gallery/English_High_91407?pg=17

http://www.boston.k12.ma.us/english/alumni/EHShistory.htm

www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/hsinit/papers/history.doc

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Informally Learning

I have learned so many things in life. I must say though that the best lesson I have learned is not to mourn the loss of someone but rather celebrate the life they have and would continue to live if they were here. The first loss I remember in my family was when I was 9 years old. My aunt Tammy had passed away from pancreatic cancer. My mother always called it the "silent killer." I, being so young, remember only the things that I actually saw. It was so powerful to see someone so innocent going through something like this. When my aunt did pass my father told me not to mourn the loss of her but to celebrate her life. I feel he probably told me this so my mother wouldn't see her children cry but it did stick with me. We should be here to celebrate the wonderful life and spirit of the family we have or had and remember that just because they aren't hear physically doesn't mean we can't keep the memory of them alive.
Another very important part of my life was when I joined the Big Brother Big Sister program. I had a little sister who was in third grade and although I can't give to many specifics on this girl she was wonderful to learn from. I would say she is the reason I want to teach children. They are truly my passion. I have never been more willing to dedicate my life to someone as I am to them. They have this perfect innocence about them and it has become my dream and goal to influence and impact the life of as many people as I can. She is the reason why I am going to be a teacher and I am forever in her debt for the wonderful things she gave to me. I never would have thought that a third grade child would be one of my greatest influence's in life but she is and will always be.
My mother is my "informal educator." She has taught me right from wrong, how to tie my shoes, how to do math, and even how to love the simple things in life. There are so many things that she gave me, including the opportunity to be in college today. She is the woman that gave me life, gave me love, and gave me the will to succeed in life. She is the woman I owe my everything to and she doesn't ever expect anything back from me. Even as a little girl when I needed a kiss to fix my boo boo to now when I need her to show me support she is always there. She has taught me compassion, honestly, and given me the strength to keep my head up at an all time low. She is my educator and the one I will always look to for advise. She is my hero.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

first day

Hello,
Trying a blog for the very FIRST time!