Chip Schram's Reflection

Subject: Chip's Reflection
Date: 6/15/2007 12:11 PM
From: "Chip Schram"

My good friend, Chip Coalter, just retired from teaching chemistry at our local Rockbridge County High School. He is also the adviser for the high school Interact Club. In the old days, we called this club "The Wheel Club" and Gene Mooney was the club president and Coach Mosher was the adviser. It was a 'boys only" club.

At the attached (see below) is Chip Coalter's reflection that was given to our Lexington (Virginia) Sunrise Rotary Club on June 14, 2207. Our club starts each meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States; then we sing God Bless America (yes our club is made up of 25% women...so we don't sound too bad); and then a club member gives a reflection of his choice.

As you recall, we dedicated our 1961 year book, "TOWAYAM" to Dr. Harold Bonn Bender who was one of our two chemistry teachers. He was well loved as is my friend Chip Coalter. On Dr. Bender's dedication page it was said that; "It is with deep affection and sincere gratitude for the many hours he has spent with us and the priceless knowledge he has instilled in us that we dedicate the 1961 TOWAYAM to Dr. Bender, who has found a place in all our hearts because he has dedicated himself to us."

If you can see fit, please send the attach reflection to our class mates. Let them reflect upon their grand children and their great grand children that are traveling the road to a high school diploma.

Thanks,

Chip Schram, 61'
POB 1392
Lexington, Va 24450-1392
Rotary District Liaison for Interact Clubs
Fate has it that my first Rotary Reflection coincides with the first Rotary meeting after my retirement from 32 years of teaching.

Many of you have lived thru this change of roles and probably have had similar reflections about your careers.

I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting recently.

I’m a slow learner. Last Saturday at the RCHS graduation, I finally figured out what kids get from high school.

A high school offers the kids an opportunity to grow up in a safe environment. It is a place where they can make mistakes without the consequences that they would face in the real world.

A misplaced decimal in my class might cost a student 5 points and a little counseling about the significance of decimal placement. Such is not the case in the real world.

Some students are constantly testing the limits of insubordination. Most learn what those limits are with us rather than learning the hard way in the real world.

Students learn to manage their time, some quickly, others more painfully. But the consequences again are not real world consequences.

A high school offers the kids moral guidance. At the front of my room I have a poster that says: "You and I will follow all school board policies, all RCHS policies, and all science department policies; But remember that the rules that really count are not made they just are." Most of my students understand my poster by the time that they leave me. We help wandering children to find their way.

A high school offers the kids opportunities for leadership with an absolutely huge safety net. The net includes older students, teachers, administrators, school boards, families and the community. My Interact students have been assisted by all. Again schools offer a safe environment to grow up.

A high school teaches a sense of a caring community, whether the community is a lunch table of friends, a class, a school, a community or a world.

A high school imparts a passion for learning. We don’t really teach much, but the kids can develop interests that will stay with them throughout their lives.

Virginia Standards of Learning have little to do with the really important lessons that should be taught in Virginia’s schools. It’s not content. It’s shaping lives.