Education – A Writer's Daughter

Book Reports

Do you remember doing book reports in elementary school? Teachers cleverly devised multiple project ideas to ensure that students were regularly reading books. Assignments included paragraph summaries on 3 X 5 cards, dioramas, posters, book jackets, and others you may recall. Book reading for the young student continues to be a high priority at the elementary level, but approaches have changed, which I will not get into here. Instead, I will report on two, make that three, books I read in 2023. They stand out for me in ways I’d like to share. I hope my synopses earn passing marks from you!

“Live Not By Lies” was the famed dissenter Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s clarion call to resist Soviet repression, especially of religion. Writer Rod Dreher borrowed Solzhenitsyn’s phrase to entitle a book he never intended to write. Live Not By Lies lays out a “soft totalitarianism” that is creeping, maybe steamrolling, into American culture. Dreher came to author the book when immigrants from communist countries approached him about the glaring similarities of events and policies in Western democracies to the oppression in communist countries that they had personally experienced.

The book uncovers the many ways that a liberal ‘creed’ is being forced onto American society. Warning that it could happen again, Dreher recounts dreadful stories of massive religious persecution in Soviet block nations. It is a sobering and very unsettling book to read, but the story is not limited to America’s current dangerous reality and the evil history of the recent past. Dreher shares the steadfastness of individuals, families and congregations who resisted communist aggression against their faith, and he explains how their means of resistance were effective. He suggests these are ways that would be successful again.

My other book report features the book The Thrill of Orthodoxy by Trevin Wax. I saw the book on a recommended list in 2022 and was captured by its title – a bit of an oxymoron? The author was a new name to me, but I liked his bio. ‘Orthodoxy’ sounded daunting, nonetheless I bought the book and determined to read it. I was pleasantly surprised: the book was quite readable and compelling! Wax’s thesis is that orthodoxy, the timeless doctrines of the Christian faith, is adventurous and exciting. Rather than being dull or static, the Christian faith has been and always will be solid, stable, exuberant, invigorating … and in other words, thrilling! Joy and energy permeated the explanations and examples of historic Christian orthodoxy.

For extra credit, let me tell you how the two books are complementary. The onslaught of a new totalitarianism determined to wipe out Judeo Christian beliefs is chilling, but the orthodox truths of God are firm and life-giving. Scripture is “for such a time as this,” not unlike the Jewess, Queen Esther’s, vital calling during an impending genocide (Esther 4 v 14). With confidence and fortitude, we hold on to our foundational beliefs knowing they, by the power of God and His Son Jesus, will withstand the confrontations that may lie ahead.

Indeed, the Bible is the third in my book review of 2023. Now my assignment is complete and posted by the January 31 due date! As this first month of 2024 draws to a close, evaluate the quality and quantity of your Bible reading: set some goals or make a plan for the year ahead, inasmuch as “Every word of God proves true” (Proverbs 30 v 5) and “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4 v 4).

The topmost book on the pile is a journal I keep of books I read. I record the title, author and a brief summary and critique.

If you subscribe to my blog via email, thank you. My posts are best viewed directly from A Writer’s Daughter.

Pardon My French – Part 2

This past spring, my husband and I celebrated a milestone anniversary with a trip to the Caribbean island of St. Martin. The island is comprised of two countries: the Dutch Sint Maarten and the French Saint-Martin. Of course, the Proulxs chose a resort on the French side!

Besides the picturesque aqua waters of the Caribbean, the French international atmosphere enriched our short stay. French citizens travel to this island, no passport needed; guests from France seemed clearly comfortable in their own country! The local language is French though St. Martin is strongly influenced by Caribbean culture.

During our stay at the resort, I noticed that one of the guest activities was a French class. Being a former language teacher, I thought that sounded fun. I showed up at the poolside activity booth at the scheduled time and asked about the class. The host manning the booth scrambled a bit, but soon a staff member showed up, and brought along another staff member in training. No other guests showed up, so the two guys offered me a table and chair nearby … and I had a private French lesson! It was comical!

Here are the phrases the tutor wrote for my lesson.

The two fellows were young, Black Caribbean natives. Many residents on St. Martin are immigrants from nearby Caribbean islands, as these two may have been (I do not recall). Apparently, job opportunities are more plentiful on St. Martin. My tutors asked me what I wanted to learn. One of them pulled out a sheet of paper and began to write out conversational phrases. They pronounced the phrases, and I repeated them. I enjoyed asking them questions about local education and language. They told me the official language and the language of school is French, but English language instruction begins early in their education. There are locally spoken Creole languages too. After 45 minutes of conversing with the two young men, I thanked them for their time and went on my way. Let’s just say that I will need a few more lessons before I can manage any kind of French interaction, no fault of my sincere tutors!

Where does “A Writer’s Daughter” land this post? One of my favorite themes is work and excellence. My French teachers demonstrated those admirable traits, but I addressed that subject in my recent post “Dressed for Success on the Produce Aisle.” Instead, I lean into the value of every individual, folks like us and folks who are not, like my Island tutors, so different from me. All of us share the imprint of the divine, being created in the image of God (Genesis 1 v 27). We must esteem each other, beyond what we may or may not share in common. God’s creatures, however, are not automatically all His children, as is often misstated. God’s children are those who call Jesus, the sacrificial Son whom God provided for humanity, their one and only hope of redemption and salvation. Romans 10: v 9 – 13 Rendons grâce à Dieu.

This post is better viewed on www.brendaproulx.com where you can also read Part 1 of “Pardon My French” and other previous posts.

My Summer Abroad?

I spent one summer of my college years at a science station in the Black Hills of South Dakota. My college required completion of a summer program, and while classmates headed off to Europe and Israel, I signed up for science in South Dakota! Cost was a factor, but I hoped checking off my academic science requirements would be easier at a camp than on campus. I also thought field science courses seemed practical for my future as an elementary teacher.

A good plan had unfolded for my Black Hills summer studies. My college best friend also enrolled in the program. It was reassuring to go with someone, since it was far away and I didn’t know anyone else going. Days before the spring semester ended, my friend met me for dinner and told me that she had decided not to go. Her change of mind stunned me and left me questioning my plans. I only vaguely recall considering my options, but I have a clear memory that confirming my Black Hills program plans was a step of faith that God wanted me to take. It seems trite now, but it was big for me then.

The summer of botany, zoology and geology studies proved rewarding in every way! I saw it then, and still do now, as confirmation that I had followed God’s plan for me. In academic subjects that had proved challenging for me in high school, I made my all-time highest college grades. I developed a growing appreciation for the beauty of nature and the wonder of creation ( All Creatures Great and Small). Hands-on classes were fun and engaging. We travelled throughout the remote and beautiful Black Hills region for field trips, and I camped for the first time with new friends. I experienced a spiritual awakening that summer too. As I spent regular time outdoors alone with God and His Word, a personal real walk developed with Him. Braving the program on my own turned into a time of maturing and happy expansion … yes, just west in South Dakota!

One of the reasons my Black Hills summer comes to mind occasionally is because of a song I hear on one of my regular playlists. It was not that summer’s hit tune, but a hymn sung by a student choir. One of the guys took it upon himself to form a volunteer choir for us. He picked a few hymns that we practiced and performed in Sunday services at one or two local churches. I especially remember singing “How Firm a Foundation” *. The hymn’s lyrics are vivid yet poetic, and the tune is robust, like a national anthem!

I close by sharing the first stanza of the hymn “How Firm a Foundation” because the words align perfectly with the theme of my blog: the foundational value of God’s Word for us.

How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!

What more could He say than to you He hath said,

To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

From John Rippon’s “Selection of Hymns,” 1787, Public Domain Based on 1 Peter 3 v 23 & v 25

* ”How Firm a Foundation” is one of several hymns Rev. Tim Keller chose for his memorial service. The worship service in his remembrance was held last week in St. Patrick’s Cathedral (NY). I have added the memorial link to my recent blog about him.

Photo credit of the Black Hills, SD – travelsouthdakota.com

If you receive this blog post via email, please note that it is best viewed at A Writer’s Daughter

Geology, Rocks and Gratitude

The Canadian Shield, a massive expanse of central and eastern Canada from the Great Lakes to the Artic and Greenland, “constitutes the largest mass of exposed Precambrian rock on the face of the Earth,” according to the Britannica Online Encyclopedia. I became familiar with the term “Canadian Shield” as a sixth grade Social Studies teacher. The first unit of study in sixth grade Social Studies is the regions of North America. But in reality, I had learned about the Canadian Shield as a child, though not through school. My family vacationed in Ontario each summer and I experienced the beauty of the many lakes and deep forests that intersperse the endless rock ledges and boulder shorelines of the region. Rock outcroppings fill the gorgeous landscape of the Canadian Shield!

Lakes, forest, rocks and … boathouses abound in beautiful Muskoka, Ontario.

In the last decade or more, I have revisited this area of Ontario several times. I began to notice peculiar piles of rocks stacked on the exposed ridges edging the highway. Mile after mile sat columns of fist-sized stones, stacked usually less than a foot tall, in a graduated pile with no other ornamentation. A bit of quick internet searching informed me that these stacks are called cairns. Cairns are an ancient construct for the purpose of marking a place, possibly a trail, border or as a memorium. Today, however, the stone-stacking trend represents mindfulness, or oneness with nature. Cairn building is popular in America and Europe as a form of New Age graffiti.

Stones and rocks are mentioned aplenty throughout the pages of Scripture, which is not surprising due to the prevalence of rock in the Middle East region! Having toured Israel and bordering areas, sometimes that’s all you see: rocks and desert! In Scripture, rocks play all kinds of roles.

There are warnings about rocks in the Bible. The second of the Ten Commandments forbids making an image, an idol, to worship as a god. Idols were carved from wood or stone, often overlaid with gold. Pillars, some likely constructed with stones, are often condemned for spiritual misuse. Rocks served as boundary markers and moving them was against the law.

But stones also serve purposes of importance and good in the Scriptures. More than forty times God is called the Rock or our Rock. Christ is called the Chief Cornerstone in the New Testament. God also instructed His people to use stones or pillars to mark a spot of significance. When God held back the flood-stage waters of the Jordan River for the Israelites to cross into the land God promised, he ordered the leaders to collect twelve shoulder-sized boulders from the dry riverbed. When the river began flowing again, they piled the stones at the exit point to commemorate the place where God had miraculously given them a dry path, recalling how He had also parted the Red Sea as the Israelites fled the Egyptian army. God wanted that rock monument to remind the people that God had saved and provided for them. See Joshua 4

This tells me that we are apt to forget. If a miraculous dry path through a raging river doesn’t stick in your mind, memory loss is a significant problem! We do suffer from spiritual amnesia. We forget what God has given us and more importantly, what God has done for us. We need mental, and maybe even actual rock piles, to trigger our recollection of God’s blessing and goodness. Not just at this season of thanksgiving, but every day, in our attitude and prayers, may we express rock solid gratitude.

They remembered God Most High, the mighty rock that kept them safe. Psalm 78 v 35 (Contemporary English Version)

How Not to Look Old – Part 1

How Not to Look Old is the title of one of the stacked books in my blog’s new feature photo. I updated my original featured photo of journals and calendars, to a random variety of colorful books. I took the picture around the time of our vacation so some of the books came fresh from my beach bag. I keep other titles in the stack out for easy accessibility.

I found the book How Not to Look Old at the library a few years ago and liked it enough to buy my own copy. The author, Charla Krupp, intended to help forty-somethings stay young looking, so I have missed that window of opportunity, but the book gathers many helpful fashion, make-up, hair, and other beauty tips from experts. I’ll take all the help I can get in these areas, though Krupp would categorize me in the “low to medium” maintenance group. In other words, I am not the type to take extreme or expensive measures to restore my youthfulness.

I ponder aging, my own growing older. I see and feel it every day, but my age and an awareness of my generation became acutely obvious to me when I returned to my career after being home to raise our kids. Maybe all fields are like this, but education particularly draws a young crowd. Many of my colleagues were recent graduates and brand-new teachers. I recall sitting in work meetings, realizing I was probably the oldest participant at the table.

Teaching has become very collaborative: lesson planning, classroom procedure and really everything is developed in teams. As I partnered with so many who were even younger than my own kids, I understood that I needed an honest approach. I was the ‘mature’ voice at the table. I did not have all the right answers, but I had decades of experience as a teacher and a parent to contribute. I leaned into that role as an older faculty member. I welcomed the excitement, creativity, and perspective of the newest educators. I got a firsthand view of millennial thinking and lifestyle. I limped behind their technology expertise but gained a few fun fashion tips along the way. At times, the blend was uncomfortable, but we took it all in stride and we produced strong instruction together.

The Bible talks about being the older generation. In ancient times, the elderly were revered; their voice at the table, albeit thinning, was respected and heard. With that kind of platform, God instructed them to tell their stories of God’s faithfulness to the next generation, to share all the remarkable things He had done in their lives and in the generations before them. Yes, it was an oral history to pass down, but it was also a legacy of personal faith to be shared. Though outlooks may shift, God’s Word says, “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty. … They tell of the power of your awesome works. … They celebrate your abundant goodness … “ (Psalms 145: 4-7) We are called to boast on God this way. It takes creativity and courage which we have since “He who called you is faithful.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

My friend Susan texted me this photo while I was drafting this post. I LOVE the contrast here: old and new? Message me if you’d like to know more about their photography.

So Long, FCPS

This is actually a Facebook post, but I am sharing it on my blog too:

So long, FCPS!

This is an unusual Labor Day for me. For most of my life, tomorrow was back-to-school for me as a student, parent of students, or as a teacher, but not this year. I recently retired from Fairfax County Public Schools as my husband and I prepare to move within the next year. Schools hold a special place in my heart. Education challenged, even stressed me at times, but I loved teaching. Amazing teachers and administrators, delightful students and kind parents enriched my work.

I began my elementary teaching career immediately after college, took a break from employment during our child-rearing years, and returned to public education in 2005 as an elementary ESOL teacher (English to Speakers of Other Languages). This past year, I took a one-year position as my “victory lap” only to end “limping to the finish line” as we were unexpectedly thrown into Distance Learning. It was huge and uncharted for all of us, kids and parents too, but we managed to “carry on” – a theme I had selected for myself prior to the pandemic.

So, good-bye FCPS! After 40 years around schools, I exit with fond memories and satisfaction. As I said, my colleagues were often outstanding and inspiring, and I wish all of you well. A Virginia Tech professor once called teachers, “the salt of the earth” and you are! Stay wise; you know what to do.

“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3 – Yes, He did!

Welcome Back Teachers

The Master Teacher

The Master Teacher, Jesus, taught a lesson on humility and children:

” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.’ ” portions of Matthew 18:2-11

This object lesson strongly cautions those of us who work with children. With the little one before Him, Jesus warned us not to mislead children or cause them to sin. One of my saddest days of teaching was the day I witnessed a teacher compel some students to be dishonest. The kids were working on a project and realized it was time to go to another school activity. When they reminded their teacher that it was time to go, the teacher said, “No, we’ll just tell them we forgot.” I watched the children react in bewilderment as they realized their teacher suggested that they tell a lie. It broke my heart but I could not intervene. All of us err; every teacher, including me, has said or done something we later regret. It is encouraging to see that God protects young hearts and minds with His angels.

In my classroom preparation this week, I had to reread the school handbook. It states that school personnel shall not impose their “biases” on students. At times, teachers may sense a conflict between covering required curriculum and misleading students into ideas and behavior contrary to God’s standards and Biblical truth. Teachers of faith who have given Jesus charge of their lives can trust God to help them navigate that struggle. All of us can shine wherever God places us.

Teachers, have a great year!

NOTE: I am annexing this post to a previous post. Both posts start with a longer portion of Scripture and both address the Christian and culture.

One Nation Under God

My usual writing process is to share an experience and some thoughts, ending with an appropriate Scripture quote. Today on America’s birthday, I will let Scripture speak for itself. This passage, though addressed to God’s people as they inhabit their new land, parallels modern life in Western culture. In affluence and intelligence, God can be forgotten and society credits itself for its success.

1”Be careful to obey all the commands I am giving you today. Then you will live and multiply, and you will enter and occupy the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.

⁶“So obey the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. ⁷For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with fountains and springs that gush out in the valleys and hills. ⁸It is a land of wheat and barley; of grapevines, fig trees, and pomegranates; of olive oil and honey. ⁹It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills. ¹⁰When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.

¹¹“But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today.¹²For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, ¹³and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! ¹⁴Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ ¹⁸Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

¹⁹“But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed. Deuteronomy 8: 1, 6 -14, 18 – 19 New Living Translation

Whoever You Are by Mem Fox

What is your favorite children’s book? It might be a story from your childhood or a book you’ve enjoyed reading to children, yours or someone else’s.

Children’s literature is a wonderful genre. I remember a few books from my childhood but a college course that we called “kiddie lit” introduced me to a world of great stories and talented authors. Ever since, I have been reading children’s books to my own kids and to students. At school, reading a text to students is referred to as a “read aloud” and all students, no matter their age, seem to love it. I continue to expand my familiarity with children’s literature. I observe what students are reading and browse the library. I try to read several children’s novels each year. Usually the stories are an easy, pleasurable read yet important and deep themes emerge. Children’s literature reflects current thought and trends.

As I meet my new students at the beginning of the year, I like to share the book Whoever You Are by Mem Fox with them. In simple picture book form, Mem Fox portrays how children from all parts of the world are different in looks, language and culture. The story climaxes with the human similarities of all children: smiles, tears, and love. The ending depicts the children as grown-ups, getting along and working together. The quirky illustrations emphasize the message candidly.

In America, we experience a lot of harmony within our diversity. A rainbow of children go to school together every day and are successful in learning and making community. Neighbors across America, with various languages and different faiths, dwell in peace. Workers of multiple nationalities and differing political views get the job done and enjoy each other’s company while doing it. Recently the media has accentuated a few difficult racial and political uprisings. Commentators clash over who hates who more. I believe the news has actually incited hostility by continually replaying the same emotional footage. Yes, there are wounds to heal but the American people generously live out our motto “E Pluribus Unum.”

America’s foundational principles of unity and equality are Biblical. God commanded the citizens of Israel to provide for those outside of their nationality (Leviticus 19:34). Jesus’ ministry often reached out to folks on the fringe of society; the Samaritan woman, for example (John 4:1-42). And the first church was known for its unique ethnic and economic diversity (Galatians 3:28).

If you haven’t read a children’s book lately, head to the bookstore or

library and treat yourself. For an extra bonus, share it with a child. Look out for fall book celebrations too. My area has two good ones: Fall for the Book put on by Fairfax and George Mason University and The National Book Festival sponsored by the Library of Congress. These conferences always include children’s features.