Gathering of Eagles

VFW's 2006 "Teacher of the Year"

Published: 08/10/2008 Posted On: April 19, 2007 at 11:59 AM By: Redhead Infidel

Via email, April 2007:

Back in September of 2005, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at Robinson High School in Little Rock , did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she took all of the desks out of the classroom.
The kids came into first period, they walked in, there were no desks. They obviously looked around and said, "Ms. Cothren, where's our desk?"

And she said, "You can't have a desk until you tell me how you earn them."

They thought, "Well, maybe it's our grades."

"No," she said.

"Maybe it's our behavior."

And she told them, "No, it's not even your behavior."

And so they came and went in the first period, still no desks in the classroom. Second period, same thing. Third period was the same. By early afternoon, television news crews had gathered in Ms. Cothren's class to find out about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of the classroom.

The last period of the day, Martha Cothren gathered her class. They were at this time sitting on the floor around the sides of the room. And she says, "Throughout the day no one has really understood how you earn the desks that sit in this classroom ordinarily."

She said, "Now I'm going to tell you." Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it, and as she did 27 U.S. veterans, wearing their uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. And they placed those school desks in rows, and then they stood along the wall. And by the time they had finished placing those desks, those kids, for the first time I think perhaps in their lives, understood how they earned those desks.

Martha said, "You don't have to earn those desks. These guys did it for you. They put them out there for you, but it's up to you to sit here responsibly to learn, to be good students and good citizens, because they paid a price for you to have that desk, and don't ever forget it.

Verified as a true story. More history of this teacher is located here.

H/T: Ironman

Last edited by Kathy on August 10, 2008 at 9:01 PM

Posted on April 19, 2007 at 11:59 AM by Redhead Infidel

To: Redhead Infidel

Thank You for this moving post! My husband is a teacher,and acquired his degree utilizing his G.I. Bill benefit. Dan you see had to recover from having sustained a traumatic limb loss due to an ambush with an IED in Vietnam; 25th ID 4/23rd Tomahawks / The Tropic Lightening Division! Dan is my husband and MY Hero! He turned what might of been a challenging experience into a positive. He taught for most of his career at Carver Military Academy a PUBLIC Full time Army Academy in Chicago on the east side in the projects! He has been the Special Education Coordinator, Athletic Director and Girls fast pitch baseball coach. He has nurtured and inspired a generation of young adults to strive for success and achievements! Dan & I had the immense priveledge to visit at WRAMC one of his students that had sustained the same injury! Upon meeting this Fine Heroic Gentleman,he stated "He Never Knew!" calling Dan; Mr. Finn. Dan ask him Please to address him as Dan, in response Jerod replied again, "Mr. Finn, I Never Knew!" Dan answered "What didn't you know Jerrod?" "I never knew you ran with a prosthetic!" Jerrod said incredulously. Dan's response, "Then just Run Jerod; RUN!" What a powerful moment to witness this wounded warrior just home days from overseas, looking up to his teacher for Support, counsel and words of empowerment! Dan also plays racquetball and swims, he continues to Mentor and encourage those posed with challenges! I have so much respect for teachers who daily enter their classrooms to enlighten our young people to the possibilities each of us have as Positive, Productive, Citizens of our Communities! I believe they need to focus on Positive possibilities to give the next generation Hope and the outlook for a Bright Future! Martha Cothren, Bravo you deserve your recognition and an "A" for your beautiful classroom experience! surly those young people will always remember the Lesson of That Day, and have a better appreciation for what ALL our Service Men & Women have secured for us, Here in America! Gold Bless our Educators! God Bless Our Troops, Our Veterans, Our World Leaders, & America!

Respectfully, Christina Finn Founder / Coordinator Patriotic Pillow Project SM www.PatrioticPillowProject.org

1 Posted On: April 19, 2007 at 3:43 PM By: Pillowlady

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To: Redhead Infidel

Well, this is indeed a moving piece. The point it stresses will be lost on the Leftinistra. After all, some of the more obnoxious of the moonbats think the military is comprised of stupid people with guns.

They eternally discount that it has been the blood of the military that enables them to be free to be as stupid as the moonbats wish to be.

2 Posted On: April 19, 2007 at 6:15 PM By: Snooper

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To: Redhead Infidel

This is beautiful but I fear that some member of the Moonocrats or National Socialist Democrat liberal media Party will find a way to construe this as severe child abuse for having those children set on the floor or be exposed to military uniforms in their class rooms. We need more Americans willing to stand tall and instill respect for the defenders of liberty.

"There is not but two people who will give their life for you, God and the United States Military."

3 Posted On: April 19, 2007 at 6:30 PM By: Dugst828

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To: Redhead Infidel

God Bless this wonderful teacher. From two retired school teachers and the proud parents of a retired Navy Chief and Pentacostal Minister.

4 Posted On: April 19, 2007 at 6:52 PM By: < Former Member >

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To: Redhead Infidel

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for this teacher using her class to teach what true freedom entails and how to keep it. I hope that each of those children will remember that lesson above all others and carry it in the way they live their lives. God Bless the United States of America and the United States Military.

5 Posted On: April 19, 2007 at 9:53 PM By: Rightmom

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