50+ Lifestyles

The Legacy of Valuing Education

By John & Joan Maxwell

Though my dad didn’t graduate high school, he valued education, just as he valued other hard work. He and my mom, herself a teacher and substitute teacher, expected us kids to work diligently in school and go to college. As parents, they made many sacrifices to enable that to happen, my dad even working years at a second job at the Farm-All factory to pay tuition. I know, if my parents were still alive, they’d be proud of the legacy they instilled in us: not only did my sisters become teachers, but many of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren pursue and value education. Serving on the North Scott School Board, I’m honored to give back to students and families in the district.

As my parents taught me, I too have prioritized education when raising my own daughters. Valuing education, however, isn’t just going to school: it’s being a life-long learner. With help from many teachers in North Scott schools, my daughters have grown to enjoy learning. Their love for reading, in particular, which began at home, grew in elementary school, and has matured during their adulthood, enables them to continue growing and carry on our family legacy.

When still young, my daughters loved reading so much, they would both find ways to incorporate reading into their chores on the farm. If a chore had even a little downtime, their eyes would soon be devouring Black Beauty or a Nancy Drew mystery! One such chore was running the barn cleaner, a large looped chain with paddles that moved the manure in the barn’s gutter out to the manure spreader, where it could then be spread as field fertilizer. The barn cleaner system, driven by an electric motor, was a huge improvement from the shovel and wheelbarrow method of my childhood—and yet, was not without its faults. Sometimes the chain would get derailed or a paddle become wedged, in which case the motor needed to be quickly shut off to prevent further damage. My oldest daughter would stand, book in one hand and other hand on the cleaner’s switch, ready to shut off the motor immediately should she hear any sounds of problems. Though I often questioned her ability to react quickly enough (especially if the book was riveting), it never led to any great catastrophes. Perhaps she was more attuned to the cleaner than I gave her credit for!

However, the draw of an especially good book did get my oldest daughter in trouble—at school, of all places! She and her best friend (who also shared a love of reading) would bring their lunches from home and, not having to spend time in the lunch line, would sit side-by-side reading (separate books) after they’d finished eating. One day in seventh grade, they were reading after eating. A teacher sternly told them to put their books away: they were not to read during lunch period. My daughter and her friend dutifully did as told, though not understanding why. Having not been given a reason, they later discussed it and came to a reasonable hypothesis: perhaps it was because they were reading school library books, and the teacher didn’t want them soiled. What other reason could a teacher have to prohibit reading?
Logically (according to them), the next day, the two girls brought their own books to read during lunch. How could the teacher be upset if they damaged their own books? To their surprise, the same teacher sternly told them to put their books away and would not listen to their protests. It didn’t seem to matter whose books they were. The teacher still did not give a reason, but admonished this was the last warning. Not one to break rules, my daughter’s friend ceased her reading efforts. My daughter, however, decided to challenge what was, to her mind, a ridiculous policy. So, guess what? The next lunch my daughter’s nose was buried once again in her book. The teacher promptly sent both girls to lunch detention. My daughter asked if they would be allowed to read there, which further infuriated the disciplinarian. Since the period was almost over, lunch detention was not accepting new detainees, but the teacher, undeterred, marched the offenders to the principal’s office before returning to lunch supervision. While waiting to see the principal, both girls pulled out their books. I’m sure he must have been surprised to find his next “delinquents” quietly reading while waiting for their hearings. After listening to the story, he said he’d speak with the teacher. After all, wouldn’t it be great if more students were reading after finishing their lunches?

Reading and pursuing education requires good nutrition! Our Cinnamon Ridge Country Cupboard is your one-stop shop for delicious and healthy locally raised beef, pork, eggs, and cheese, plus home baked goods. Our products are also conveniently located at North Scott Foods, I-80 Truck Plaza, and The Machine Shed Restaurant, leaving you with plenty of spare time to read or enjoy another favorite hobby. Stop by today!