I was inspired, by Jake Stonebenders post on the Lubbock ISD refusal to play President Obama's speech, to seek previous speakers invited into the LISD during the previous eight years.
In 2002 and 2003, a man named Christian Thomas Lee, toured several schools in the Lubbock, TX ISD. He brought with him classic works of art and historical documents, like the painting, "Christ On The Mount Of Olives" and the pardon of President Nixon. He is highly regarded as an inspiration for children by bringing art and culture into the schools. He is doing a great thing and should be welcomed into schools. Lubbock ISD loves him. So do Governors Pawlenty and Crist. So what kind of praise does he receive and what are his goals?
The Lubbock newspaper reported a teacher's comments that "He talked to them about staying in school, being good students, working hard and staying away from drugs." And after experiencing the valuable pieces of history, kids worked on related projects for the week.
Robert Knight, of nearby Plainview ISD, was reportedly the first educator to invite Mr. Lee to speak to west Texas schools said, in a letter to Mr. Lee:
March 19, 2002
Dear Christian:
I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you how much we enjoyed having you visit Plainview High School and Trinity Christian School. The results of your visit were phenomenal.
For your information, during the course of the week at Plainview High School, you presented your art collection to over 400 freshmen through senior students in 10 class sessions. The school-wide assembly was attended by over 400 additional students. (By the way, that was our first school-wide assembly in more than three years!)
What a delight and motivation for our student population in rural Texas that is over 70% minority to hear someone of your caliber and to see the artwork in your collection. It was definitely an experience that almost all will never be able to duplicate.
As a matter of fact, your visit has had such an impact that students complained to their teachers about not being able to see one of your presentations. Additionally, the teachers reported that as a result of your visit several students have been inspired to seriously pursue developing their artistic talents.
During your visit to Trinity Christian Schools, you were able to reach over 500 seventh through twelfth grade students in the school-wide assembly you performed there. Over 200 students and faculty attended the five art master class sessions. Students, faculty, and parents were awed, amazed, and deeply touched in many ways by your visit.
Finally, when I think about the evening concerts that you performed, in particular, the one for the foreign students at Texas Tech University, your music and your art touched minds and hearts in ways that they had never been touched before. Indeed, it is with great pleasure and expectation that I look forward to your return to West Texas in April.
Sincerely,
Robert Knight
Plainview High School Counselor
Sounds like a great event for the Lubbock ISD. Mr. Lee sounds deserving of his President's Call to Service Award and his Points of Light Award, both presented by George W. Bush.
Perhaps the Lubbock ISD should be reminded about the importance of historically-relevant presentations and how children find inspiration in those who strive for learning all they can.