Something Completely Different

So, with the hurricane news dominating the headlines lately, there's been a lot of negative energy afoot. So it was really refreshing to me last night when I caught the tail end of the PBS show POV, where they were doing a story on the Hobart Shakespeareans. It focusses on Rafe Esquith who teaches fifth grade to mostly poor immigrant children. He is the most dedicated teacher I've ever seen. He's not easy (There's a big banner at the front of the classroom that reads "There are no shortcuts!".) on the kids, he has high expectations of them. He knows a lot of them are dealing with really serious problems in their homes and he wants to show them what a good education to do for them. So he takes them on a lot of trips including trips to various colleges. Somehow, I didn't catch how, he got Ian McKellen to read Shakespeare in class to these kids(!). He also is trying to make them be decent human beings, so he's a disciplinarian as well. Anyway, their class project is put on Hamlet at the end of the year. Did I mention they're in fifth grade?? I found the program really moving (especially on the last day of the class where every child appears to be in tears at the prospect of moving on to another teacher) and highly, highly recommend it if you have a chance to see this show. America needs more teachers like this guy. Check out the website if you have a chance.