An Artist + A Poet: A Review

About the Exhibition

The exhibition An Artist + A Poet runs in the Norma Jean Calderwood Gallery of the Boston Athenaeum from February 10, 2010 through April 10, 2010. This exhibition is open to the public. The Boston Athenaeum, 10½ Beacon St., Boston, Massachusetts 02108.

I had never heard of George Nama nor Charles Simic before seeing an announcement for a joint exhibition of their works at the Boston Athenaeum. But after spending time in the exhibition, I am glad that I know them now. I wish that I had known about them sooner.

The opening reception was last night, one of the Boston Athenaeum’s event open to the public. I was not quite sure what to expect.

The Athenaeum puts on a lovely reception. The reception was an excellent opportunity to become acquainted with these two artists. A nice selection of cheeses; two nice wines — Trapiche Malbec and Ca Donini Pinot Grigio; and orange punch. A jazz trio played throughout the evening.

Read more..

The Class: A Movie Review

In This Essay

The Class

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring

My friends have been very supportive of my goal of becoming a teacher. Most of them have offered words of encouragement.

One recommended a movie.

The Class sounded as though it would be relevant to me. I was excited to watch it. François is French teacher in Paris, teaching inner city kids about language, literature, and life. Change that only a few things, and you have me: Matthew wants to be an English teacher in Boston, teaching inner city kids about language, literature, and life.

Too bad I didn’t much like the movie.

Read more..

Imagined Conversations: A Review of Why School?

In This Essay

Why School? : Reclaiming Education for All of Us by Mike Rose

Letters to a Young Teacher by Jonathan Kozol

I first learned about Why School? : Reclaiming Education for All of Us while listening to Marketplace on NPR back in August. I ordered it from Amazon.

I tore into it immediately. I have been thinking about it since then. I had been a bit afraid to review it too quickly.

Mike Rose covers a lot of topics in his slim 169 pages. But his essays are broad, each like an introduction to the topic rather than like tightly argued persuasion piece. And therein lies the value of these essays.

Read more..