Ahead of His Time

Posted on August 18, 2020 by Jennie

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“Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero.”
~Fred Rogers~

Jennie

About Jennie

I have been teaching preschool for over thirty years. This is my passion. I believe that children have a voice, and that is the catalyst to enhance or even change the learning experience. Emergent curriculum opens young minds. It's the little things that happen in the classroom that are most important and exciting. That's what I write about. I am highlighted in the the new edition of Jim Trelease's bestselling book, "The Read-Aloud Handbook" because of my reading to children. My class has designed quilts that hang as permanent displays at both the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, and the Fisher House at the Boston VA Hospital.
This entry was posted in Early Education, Expressing words and feelings, Inspiration, Quotes, self esteem, Teaching young children and tagged , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

56 Responses to Ahead of His Time

  1. beetleypete says:
    August 18, 2020 at 6:05 am

    I only found out about him from your blog. He was undoubtedly an inspiration to so many.
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Reply
  2. Ritu says:
    August 18, 2020 at 6:27 am

    Wonderful ā¤ Inspirational man!

    Reply
  3. Marcia Strykowski says:
    August 18, 2020 at 6:44 am

    Such a legacy he left to the world!

    Reply
  4. Norah says:
    August 18, 2020 at 7:10 am

    I agree with Mr Rogers, Jennie.

    Reply

  5. Pingback: Ahead of His Time ā€” A Teacher’s Reflections | davidbruceblog #2

  6. Liz Gauffreau says:
    August 18, 2020 at 8:44 am

    Shazaam, that’s right!! Mr. Rogers clearly demonstrated that children can learn virtually!

    Reply
  7. circadianreflections says:
    August 18, 2020 at 9:45 am

    He was and he had the best virtual field trips too.

    Reply
  8. Tammy Hutchinson says:
    August 18, 2020 at 10:28 am

    I was so happy to have Mr. Rogers take over while I made dinner each night. I credit him with helping us raise wonderful humans. Thank you Mr. Rogers.

    Reply
  9. Becky Ross Michael says:
    August 18, 2020 at 10:49 am

    Such a good point, that this was all done virtually:)

    Reply
  10. quiall says:
    August 18, 2020 at 10:51 am

    We need more teachers like him . . . and you.

    Reply
  11. petespringerauthor says:
    August 18, 2020 at 11:19 am

    I didn’t realize what a genius he was until I was much older. I haven’t seen the movie A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, but many say it’s quite good.

    Reply
    • Jennie says:
      August 18, 2020 at 7:29 pm

      I loved his show and watched it with my children when they were little. Then I began teaching, and he became as important for me as a teacher as he was when I was a parent. The movie was okay, so-so. I would strongly (yes, strongly) recommend the documentary ā€œWonā€™t You Be My Neighborā€. Marlene, you will love it. I know you! I canā€™t say enough good things about this. The documentary is available online. I really, really want you to tell me what you think, and what struck you about the documentary.

      Reply
    • Jennie says:
      August 18, 2020 at 7:41 pm

      Pete, I was replying to both you and Marlene. Apologies, but the same message to you both. I was lucky to hear him speak at a national teacher conference. Please let me know if and when you watch the documentary. Itā€™s that good.

      Reply
  12. insearchofitall says:
    August 18, 2020 at 11:22 am

    Well, that was an eye opener! We think of virtual as on a computer and TV is virtual as well. Duh! My son learned to speak English from Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers, etc. I learned English better from Howdy Doody and Captain Kangaroo. šŸ˜‰ I think I’m awake now. šŸ˜‰

    Reply
    • Jennie says:
      August 18, 2020 at 7:47 pm

      Yes!! Captain Kangaroo and Howdy Doody were the same for me. I double-replied to both you and Pete, encouraging you (well, pushing you) to watch the documentary ā€œWonā€™t You Be My Neighbor?ā€ It is beyond wonderful. Itā€™s available online. So please watch and let me know your thoughts. I know you well! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  14. Opher says:
    August 18, 2020 at 2:50 pm

    I’ve never heard of him before you mentioned him Jennie.

    Reply
    • Jennie says:
      August 18, 2020 at 8:54 pm

      You are the second person who has said that, Opher. He was the best thing that happened for children, and of course for parents and teachers. I strongly recommend you watch the documentary ā€œWonā€™t You Be My Neighborā€, and I mean strongly. As a teacher and humanitarian, you will be blown away. Itā€™s that good. Itā€™s available online. Please let me know your thoughts…

      Reply
  15. John W. Howell says:
    August 18, 2020 at 3:36 pm

    Fred Rogers was a saint. Here is a very touching video of his Emmy acceptance speech in case you haven’t seen it. If you have it is worth watching again. https://youtu.be/Upm9LnuCBUM

    Reply
    • Jennie says:
      August 18, 2020 at 9:17 pm

      Yes, he was. I was lucky to hear him speak at a national teacher conference in Washington DC a long time ago. I remember watching his show with our children. Okay… even typing that is a lump-in-my-throat moment. Yes, I have seen the Emmy acceptance speech. Thank you for posting it so I could see it again.

      My greatest Mr. Rogers moment came from Naomi, my long time assistant teacher, this past spring. She is the quiet wonderful one children love, she never makes a fuss. She quit because our school is really hard with high teacher expectations, etc. Our director was all over her with, ā€œDid Jennie give you opportunities to teach?ā€ On and on and on. Finally Naomi put a stop to the questions and said to our director, ā€œJennie is the modern Mister Rogers.ā€ Oh My Goodness.

      Reply
      • John W. Howell says:
        August 19, 2020 at 8:33 am

        Another fine manager moment. Too bad Naomi felt she had to leave. Thanks for sharing. it is a great story about you. (We all know that by the way.)

      • Jennie says:
        August 19, 2020 at 3:38 pm

        You must bring out the storyteller in me, John. It is sad she has left, yet remarkable she voiced her opinion so strongly. Thank you for your kind words.šŸ˜Š

  16. Dan Antion says:
    August 18, 2020 at 7:26 pm

    He was a wonderful teacher, and you make a great point, Jennie.

    Reply
  17. frenchc1955 says:
    August 18, 2020 at 8:40 pm

    Hi Jennie, Yes, he was a wonderful teacher! Thank you!

    Reply
  18. rabbitpatchdiary.com says:
    August 20, 2020 at 6:29 am

    you know I am a huge fan of Fred Rogers-and what a good point you made!!

    Reply
  19. OIKOSā„¢-Editorial says:
    August 20, 2020 at 7:53 am

    Thank you for mentioning Mr. Rogers. I only got knowledge about him by your blog. Will look for more of him. Michael

    Reply
  20. Kally says:
    August 20, 2020 at 1:07 pm

    From the other part of the world, I admire and love Mr Rogers’ work. He was a wonderful teacher and he is a legend.

    Reply
  21. Geri Lawhon says:
    August 20, 2020 at 2:59 pm

    I am not sure the movie was accurate, but if it was even close, he was one special person. Thank you for posting this.

    Reply
    • Jennie says:
      August 20, 2020 at 9:43 pm

      I can’t speak for the Tom Hanks movie, but the documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” was phenomenal. The footage, interviews, and film clips were the sort of things that stick with you long afterwords. I highly recommend it. Yes, he was one special person. Thank you, Geri.

      Reply

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