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Touching Tomorrow: The Emily Griffith Story
As told by historian Debra Faulkner, Emily Griffith's life story is an intriguing as it is inspiring. From teaching in a one-room schoolhouse on the Nebraska prairie to founding Denver's ongoing and thriving Opportunity School, Miss Emily pursued her vision for all who wish to learn.
The book received the highest recognition from Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA) with an EVVY Award in 2006. Judges described Touching Tomorrow as "A page-turner. A must for historians of women and education in North America." Touching Tomorrow was honored as Finalist for the WILLA award from Women Writing the West.
The book received the highest recognition from Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA) with an EVVY Award in 2006. Judges described Touching Tomorrow as "A page-turner. A must for historians of women and education in North America." Touching Tomorrow was honored as Finalist for the WILLA award from Women Writing the West.
150 pages, Paperback
First published February 15, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 5, 2024
Surprisingly good!
Maybe I enjoyed it so much because my grandfather taught at Opportunity School in the 1940s and'50s. And, I recognized many of the names; I even knew some of the people who were mentioned.
Interesting/odd fact: She has several possible birthdates.
p 17: Emily was a pragmatist. She addressed the immediate needs of others, without passing judgment—then reflected on ways to alleviate the underlying problems.
p 38: Each morning, Miss Griffith wrote a message on the chalkboard beside her front hall desk. One of her favorites was "You Can Do It" — an encouraging reassurance to her staff and students alike. Emily chose teachers much like herself, teachers with experience in one-room schoolhouses or other circumstances requiring mastery of individualized instruction for students of all ages and abilities within the same class. Opportunity School teachers had to be flexible, versatile, adaptable, and ingenious.
p 76: "Give a pupil an assignment he can do so he will have a sense of joy and accomplishment," she recommended before challenging him with completely new material."
Some repetition that could have been edited out.
Maybe I enjoyed it so much because my grandfather taught at Opportunity School in the 1940s and'50s. And, I recognized many of the names; I even knew some of the people who were mentioned.
Interesting/odd fact: She has several possible birthdates.
p 17: Emily was a pragmatist. She addressed the immediate needs of others, without passing judgment—then reflected on ways to alleviate the underlying problems.
p 38: Each morning, Miss Griffith wrote a message on the chalkboard beside her front hall desk. One of her favorites was "You Can Do It" — an encouraging reassurance to her staff and students alike. Emily chose teachers much like herself, teachers with experience in one-room schoolhouses or other circumstances requiring mastery of individualized instruction for students of all ages and abilities within the same class. Opportunity School teachers had to be flexible, versatile, adaptable, and ingenious.
p 76: "Give a pupil an assignment he can do so he will have a sense of joy and accomplishment," she recommended before challenging him with completely new material."
Some repetition that could have been edited out.
September 11, 2007
Wonderful story of a woman in Denver whose mission was for equal education opportunities across socioeconimic status.
September 20, 2009
Emily Griffith, founder of the Opportunity School in Denver - one of the first free schools for adults in the United States to teach English and job skills, in 1916, is the subject of this book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews