Tag Archives: teacher

He would have been 85 today

Walter McCraw

Walter McCraw
April 4, 1928 – June 7, 1981

It’s been almost 32 years since we lost him. Even though I’ve been alive without my dad longer than I was alive with him, his influence is with me every day and he’s practically larger than life in my memory. He was a wise and learned man and we enjoyed deep conversations together. I always knew I was loved and my dad knew I loved him. I will always miss him.

He was a U.S. Army veteran, high school English teacher, community college English professor, community college dean, and then a truck driver. It’s a long story – never let anyone tell you there isn’t corruption and politics in the community college system. Continue reading

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How to succeed in class even if your science teachers fail

By Robin McCraw

The last time I had instruction in either science or social studies was over twenty years ago, but I still have memories of a few specific assignments.  The most vivid memory I have of a difficult science assignment occurred in seventh grade.

My family was new to Faribault, a thriving small town in central Minnesota. I was shy and uncomfortable in my new school.  It had become painfully obvious that I would no longer be considered the most academically advanced student in 7th grade as I had been  in the poor, rural South Carolina school I attended during 6th grade.  Continue reading

My wife is my hero

My wife is my hero. I always knew she would be a good mom but I had no idea just how great she’d be until I watched her for twenty years.

During our engagement she made it clear she would not work outside the home if we ever were blessed with children.  I really didn’t think that was realistic in an era where it seemed pretty necessary to have two incomes just to pay the bills. How would we afford the added costs of parenthood on my modest salary alone?  I knew she’d see the error of her thinking in good time.

A few years later when we were expecting our first child she reiterated.

“Now, remember what I said – I won’t be working when it gets close to time for the baby to come.”

“But you’re earning more than I am right now. There’s no way we can afford having our income drop by more than half now!”

I’m serious. We’ll just have to find a way.”

Adamant, she was. Quit her job, she did.  Continue reading