In Praise of an American Educator: Dr Richard DuFour

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

The Colstrip Administrative Team attendance at the August 9, 2016 PLC Institute in Seattle.

I was saddened by the news that Dr. Richard DuFour passed away yesterday on February 8, 2016. I have had the privilege to meet and learn from him in several Solution Tree PLC Institutes. Although I was just one of many that attend Dr. Rick DuFour trainings (as you can see from the photo above), I felt a personal connection with Rick and I am sure that I am the only one. He connected with people. He made a difference.

When he presented, he spoke with a love and passion for education. In fact, his love for education brought him to the August 9th Institute that our  Colstrip Administrative Team attended. At that time, even though he was battling cancer, we were not told until at the end of the Institute. To say the least, everyone was emotionally struck when hearing this news.

Robert Eaker, who co-authors a number of books and articles with Dr. DuFour explains Rick dedication to education best in his Forward of Dr. DuFour's book In Praise of American Educators:

I must add one final, more personal note: I have often pointed out how much I admire Rick DuFour's leadership, presentation, and writing skills and just how much I treasure his nearly four decades of unwavering and generous friendship. I would be remiss if I did not share a word about Rick's enormous courage. Rick has shown remarkable strength - and humor - as he has been engaged in a tough battle with a serious illness. Even as Rick has struggled with his health, he has continued writing and assisting educators in their school improvement efforts. At first, I asked myself, "Why does he do this - why does he spend his time this way?" Then I realized it is because he is Rick DuFour, and his commitment to and love for educators and students is at the very core of his being. It is who he is, and he cannot stop being himself.

I was so taken by Eaker's Forward about Rick DuFour, that I have used the quote in his last paragraph as a mantra. Eakers says:

Winston Churchill could have been speaking of Rick when he said, "What is the use of living if it be not to strive for noble causes and make this muddled world a better place for those who will live in it after we are gone."

Dr. Richard DuFour is an American Educator that has made this world a better place. Thank you!

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

A Cowboy Poet Comes To Town

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Well he isn't a poet laureate, but he is pretty darn close here in Rosebud County. Wally McRae dropped by my office this afternoon. I am so proud of the fact that I thought I would share his visit. Mr. McRae probably didn't come to see me as much as he came to see our Business Manager, Joanne Schrupp as they are long time friends; however, the fact that I had a poet in the house is what matters.

In my life before becoming a school administrator, I was a language arts teacher. I taught English at a small school in Harrison, Nebraska called Sioux County High School. Those were some of the best days, with some great memories. At any rate, I loved reading poetry by Baxter Black and other western poets. More importantly, I had a number of students interpret their poetry in the classroom and at forensic meets across Nebraska and Eastern Wyoming. I have never met Baxter, but I now can say I have met Wally McRae. Meeting Mr. McRae gives his poem "Reincarnation" new meaning.

During his visit, he spent some of his time telling me a story about his worst teacher ever. He reminisced of the day that this infamous teacher (not to be named),  came to school and found that the mousetrap, located in the closet, had caught its pray. She had to leave the room for a bit and asked one of the students to stand guard and report any misbehavior by the class. She announced to the class that if anyone misbehaved, they would be eating the dead mouse when she returned. It wasn't long and she had returned as promised. She asked her identified classroom guard if there was anything to report. He had no choice but to identify a varmint that used foul language. Well, that being said, the teacher picked up the trap with the mouse dangling from the other end. She held the trap above the student and before she could command her follow through, the young man reluctantly drew back and then as if he had no choice lunged at the mouse with both hands and shoving the critter into his mouth with only the tail dangling from his lips.

I asked Wally if this was tall tale. He said it was true, he swears to it.

At any rate, I  immensely enjoyed this story and several others he told about his friend Baxter Black! Today is definitely one for the books.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

An Extraordinary Week of Celebration

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

I want to wish everyone a Happy Monday of Homecoming 2015. I am excited about my first Homecoming here at Colstrip. One thing is for sure, I've been through a few Homecomings, but each school and district celebrate a little different. The week has already started itself off with a note of the unusual and EXTRAORDINARY. This morning around mile marker 35, on Highway 39,  I saw 5 large mule deer bucks running. I slowed down to measure them up (one might have scored 160 Boone and Crockett). At any rate, I was thinking to myself that it is always good to see wild life, but why were they running? As soon as my eyes came back to the highway, there stood a 6X6 bull elk right at the side of the road. He was magnificent. Even though I have harvested larger bulls, it was great seeing such an EXTRAORDINARY animal on the way to work. I am just glad I didn’t hit it! I slowed to photograph him and I couldn’t get off the road and my camera out in time.

Highway 39 Sightings:

• August 19: Bear; Mile Marker 37
• September 21: Bull Elk (6X6); Mile Marker 35
• EVERYDAY: Deer: EVERY Mile Marker (LOL).

I thought I would share and wish each of you and EXTRAORDINARY WEEK OF CELEBRATION! 

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"