The MAT (master of arts in teaching) workload is intense and without respite. So for levity if not education, two professors planned a surprise activity. They had us reenact a pedagogical version of the Dead Poet’s Society.
[flashvideo filename=wp-content/video/deadpoets.flv image=wp-content/video/deadpoets.jpg /]
By the way, see the little garage thing in the background? It was the original (and only) classroom for this program when it began 41 years ago. Needless to say, they point to that building as evidence that this, too, is an Ivy League School.
I stayed on campus working for several hours after class and then decided to stick around even a little longer to hear a presentation from a Rwandan (Tutsi) man, Joseph Sebarenzi. —“Many people ask me how many relations have I lost,” he said. “But you know, I’ve never had courage to count.” His mother, father and seven siblings are among the dead.
He ended up speaker of the Rwandan parliament, but when he took a stand against the (unofficial) dictatorship, he was forced into exile.
I bought his book (God Sleeps in Rwanda) and, while in line waiting for him to sign it, got to chatting with my teacher Elizabeth. She told me about a three-week-long SIT program that he leads in “conflict transformation across cultures” which begins the Monday after we finish our MA classes in June. I’m tempted, but I’ll bet it’s too pricey.
Go anyway. You HAVE to.
I call dibs on the book when you’re done.
Oh, that video makes me so happy. I can’t hardly hear what you’re saying (because the music swells dramatically just then), but you’re disgustingly cute.
Joseph’s eyes are incredible. And Eleni may have the book first because I have TOO damn much to read. But I call dibs on it in two years.