21CCCS Testimonial- Brendan B

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Ben Ozgur

My name is Brendan and I am a student at 21st Century Cyber Charter School. I am from Effort, Pennsylvania. I moved to Effort between my first and second year in Cyber School so it was nice not having to change schools and teachers.~ I wanted to let you know why I choose Cyber School. My previous school district failed to provide me an appropriate school environment and quality education. My parents worked with the teachers and school system for a number of years to find the right solution, but the school system could not make things right.

I would like to give you a little background about myself. I was born 3 months premature and had developmental delays. I am on the Autism spectrum and sometimes my mannerisms or words had hurt others when I was younger. I did not always understand that what I said could be hurtful. I also have a Tic disorder which gets worse when I am nervous, frustrated, or excited. I don’t even realize I’m doing it. This made me a target for other kids to bully me. I also Stim when I’m overstimulated which caused a huge problem in school. The teachers didn’t like me touching my hair constantly (even though I was listening to them).

Because of my developmental delays I started out in preschool with early intervention which was in the same elementary school that I ended up attending all through 5th grade. I enjoyed going to school every single day even though things did not go very well. I had difficulties academically and socially. I was put into part time learning support but was main streamed for most classes. Full-Time learning support was not an option for me inside the school. I would had to be transferred to a different school which was for lower functioning children. Everyone in my educational team thought this would not be the best option for me.

My educational team agreed that I needed my own student aide. My parents were excited that the school district was able to provide this for me, however, my first student aide could not understand my needs and challenges. I frequently was told that my actions were “bad” or that I did not do “the right thing”. Nothing was modeled to me as to what I should have said or done. This left me frustrated and upset much of the time because I did not know what I had done wrong.

I watched my parents get upset every day. They always called the school or wrote multiple notes. In the schools eyes I was a problem child. At one point I had a meltdown in the classroom. I crawled under the table and refused to come out. The teacher tried to pry me out and I got up and threw a chair. I was taken to the principal’s office. I was unable to tell them what got me upset and I was suspended for my behavior.

Things got worse in middle school. Kids continued to bully me. I was being taunted in the school bus and in the school. Academics was not any better. I was provided a different student aide who became very frustrated with me. She would often do some of the school work for me when I was running behind. My educational team worked with my parents to come up with the right solution for me, however, nothing seemed to work. This is when my parents decided to research cyber schooling.

My parents and I spoke to a number of cyber schools before deciding on 21st century cyber charter school.~ My first school year online was tough but it was nothing like the frustrations I experienced in my previous school district. Other kids I speak with online and at school events are friendly. I have not had to deal with any bullying which has given me a much better attitude towards school. My previous schooling had left me with very little positive study skills.~ My learning coach and teachers in my new school provide me personalized attention. They worked very hard to put me in the best possible position to succeed.~ I am now in 10th grade and in my 3rd year in cyber school.

I receive the one on one attention that is helping me succeed. If funding to cyber schools is cut I am afraid that I may not receive the individual support that I have received up to this point.~ Because of the wonderful education I receive at 21st century cyber charter school I am now reading at my own grade level. My previous school district told my parents that I would not exceed beyond a 6 grade reading level.~ I am very thankful for everyone who works with me.~ I do not believe I will get the same level of attention if funding is cut.

I could not imagine what my life would have been like now if I continued in my previous school district. Cyber schools provide kids who have been failed by their local public schools another option. Please understand that cutting funding to cyber charter schools will hurt those children who have been failed by their local school district.

21CCCS Testimonial- The Lane Family

Posted on April 30, 2015 by Ben Ozgur

Your child’s name:

Sophia (Sophie) Lane

How long has your child attended 21CCCS?

Sophie has attended 21CCCS for 10th and 11th grades

Tell us a bit about your child:

Sophie is dedicated to becoming a professional Ballet dancer. She dances over 20 hours a week. Sophie enjoys controlling her time in and out of the dance studio. Sophie is a creative person and student. Sophie strives for high grades and sees herself attending College in the future.

Why did you decide to send your child to cyber school?

Sophie attended 9th grade at Cheltenham High School. Sophie was injuring herself during gym. We tried working with the administration to have dance count as her gym credit. Pennsylvania has laws in place that require students to take four years of gym. Cheltenham High School would not accept dance hours for gym.

We decided to send our child to cyber school for the flexibility in Sophie’s schedule academically and for her physical safety.

How has your child been impacted by his or her experience with cyber schooling?

Sophie has flexibility in her schedule, which allows for more training and performing.

Sophie feels that she is learning 100% during the time at cyber school. She felt so much time was given to commuting to and from school.

Sophie has the flexibility to spend her day just in one subject and really understand the concepts. Cyber teachers and learning coaches are available to talk at any time. The concept of a learning coach is wonderful. This teacher keeps an eye on the students progress and alerts students and parents to problems.

Sophie has developed computer skills that will benefit her through any career.

Sophie feels so much happier and less stressed, balancing dance and school.

21CCCS Testimonial- The Runge Family

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Ben Ozgur

My daughters, Cierra and Madison Runge, both enrolled in 21CCCS in 2012 because their need for extraordinary athletic training demanded a less structured, yet rigorous, educational experience. Both girls have aspirations that not only give them the opportunity to represent the United States at national and international competitions, but also include attending and competing for Division 1 NCAA universities. The need for an exceptional education and training is a necessary part of those goals, and we have found that 21CCCS enables both of those things.

Both Cierra and Madison train from 3 ½ to 5 ½ hours per day, six days a week. Training is physically and mentally exhausting. 21CCCS has allowed them to remain flexible with their daily schedule so that they can attend practice, have frequent quality meals, nap as necessary, and complete schoolwork. It also allows them to travel to competitions that would normally interrupt attending class. Because they attend 21CCCS, they can complete schoolwork by extending their school attendance throughout an entire day and through weekends and holiday breaks. They can also take their work with them as they travel without any limitations. Because of the ability to attend to their training and physical needs, their athletic performance is maximized and they are able to attain their goals. Cierra has been named to the United States National Team, has represented the USA at multiple world-class international competitions and won multiple medals for Team USA. She is within the top 5 in world ranking in multiple events and is a strong US Olympic Team hopeful for the upcoming 2016 Rio Games. She is also now a PAC 12 and NCAA American record holder, NCAA record and NCAA champion who swims for University of California-Berkeley. Madison is a National Junior athlete and is an expected Olympic Trials qualifier this season. She is currently being recruited by many Division 1 universities across the country.

Because Cierra is attending a prestigious universitiy, Berkeley, and Madison will also attend the equally impressive University of Wisconsin or the US Naval Academy, it has been imperative that their education remained rigorous enough to pass admissions to these universities and prepare them for the intensity of coursework they will face. 21CCCS has provided class choices that are accepted by the NCAA, rigorous enough to pass admissions and provided practical competencies, challenging content and further development of advanced critical thinking abilities necessary for attending this level of university. Cierra was easily accepted at Berkeley and achieved a 3.5 average her first semester, despite an incredibly busy schedule and challenging classes such as Physiology and Chemistry. She is having repeated academic success this semester. We expect that Madison will be prepared for the same.

I can say with complete confidence that neither Cierra nor Madison would have achieved their athletic or academic goals by attending a traditional public school. Having a structured, inflexible, impersonal, “mass” education would have limited the necessary training, therefore lowering their athletic performance and lessening the height of their achievements thus far. They would not have been recruited to the best universities and given opportunities to pursue degrees at the finest institutions in the country. 21CCCS faculty have been extraordinary in their personal attentiveness and individualization, the classes far more varied and interesting, the coursework solid and thought-provoking, the schedule flexible, and the style one that prepares them better for the self-discipline and motivation required in a collegiate education. The girls are safer, socially connected and very happy. Public on-line charter schools allow students to maximize individual interests, strengths, potential and goals in an alternative, successful setting.

Cyber Charter School Saved My Son’s Life

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Ben Ozgur

When my son was born, I promised him, and myself, that I would be there every step of the way: encouraging him, protecting him, keeping him safe, and pushing him to reach for the stars. Along Stephen’s life journey, I have been challenged to keep that promise. Unfortunately, my decision-making has been especially difficult in cases when it comes to my son’s education.

My husband and I signed Stephen up for football hoping it would help make the transition into middle school easier. Football season was the start of Stephen being picked on by his teammates and threatened through social media. We reached out to coaches and administration as the situation continued and did not receive the help that was needed.

My child began changing in front of my eyes, losing his vibrant, funny personality. He was diagnosed with an eating disorder due to the seriousness of the bullying. Something needed to be done immediately before we lost our child. I knew that our home school district was responsible for providing a free and appropriate education for my child. When a child is being bullied day after day and no longer feels safe in his learning environment, that education is no longer appropriate. It was at that time that we made the decision to choose a different school for our son. We enrolled him at 21^st Century Cyber Charter School for his 7^th grade year.

Fast-forward two years. Stephen continues to attend 21CCCS. He enjoys school again. He is able to complete schoolwork on a schedule that works best for him and really enjoys the interaction with his teachers and classmates. He has made distinguished honor roll each quarter because he is able to focus on his academics. He is so happy and full of life. His smile lights up a room. Most importantly, I have my son back.

Parents, Stephen’s story is not unique. Many of our students have stories similar to Stephen’s. Please share your story and let politicians know why it is important to support Cyber Charter Schools. Please share your story via email with Monica Frank at mfrank@21cccs.org

Alumni Updates

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Ben Ozgur

Wondering what our awesome graduates are up to? Take a look at the exciting adventures of some of our favorites! All Alumni are invited to send updates (with pictures if possible) to Mrs. Eileen Vice at evice@21cccs.org. It’s a great way to connect with your former classmates, advertise your business, and show current students where a 21^st Century Cyber Charter education can take you.

Robert Greisemer, Class of 2012: After 21^st Century Cyber Charter School I have been working full time for Netcarrier Telecommunications as a network operations technician. 21CCCS allowed me to complete my information technologies study and internship at North Montco Technical Career Center while continuing to provide me with a challenging workload. On a day-to-day basis I monitor a nationwide network that provides telephony and network services to small to large size businesses. My secondary responsibilities for the company are ensuring smooth operation of both Linux and Windows based servers for our thousands of customers, and coming up with inventive ways to make the management more efficient. I truly believe that without 21CCCS I would not have been able to follow the career path that I was passionate about.

Topher Cusumano, Class of 2005: After high school, I went on to earn my BA in Theatre from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. During my time at West Chester, I began writing and producing experimental theatre in and around New York and Philadelphia, including my 2009 solo show, Roughouse which was called “performance art at its best” by nytheatre.com. In 2013, I continued my education at Savannah College of Art & Design, where I earned my Master of Fine Arts in Dramatic Writing. Today, I work as a writer, content creator, and performer around the East coast. My screenplay, Bad Shine, made the top fifty of the Oscar’s Nicholl Fellowship, out of over seven thousand applicants. This April my stage play, Getting Away With Mother will be performed as a part of Stage Left Studio’s Left Out Festival in NYC.

Here I am posing with Andy B. Meyer, who produced Fried Green Tomatoes and The Breakfast Club.

Jonathan Smith, Class of 2007: Upon graduating from 21CCCS, I attended Bucks County Community College and explored a variety of majors, which led me to find my true calling in the performing arts. I completed two years of comedy improvisation there, and participated in local Community Theater. I’m currently a founding member of a sketch comedy and improvisation group, Pro-Stupid!, in the Hatboro area. Our group has a Vine account, (@Pro-Stupid!), and we have over 5,000 followers! Without the support and encouragement from the amazing teachers at 21CCCS, I would not have had the self-confidence to have gotten involved in comedy, which would be a real tragedy… buh dum tis.

The top photograph is with Bruce and I in Asbury Park, NJ, and I think it captures my humor. The photograph on the bottom left is a self-portrait, and on the bottom right is a photograph of myself with my group, Pro-Stupid!

Kelsey (Biedenharn) Carlton, Class of 2011: After graduating 21CCCS, I attended community college for two and a half years, majoring in business management. August 1st, 2014 I married my best friend and it has been one adventure after another since then! My husband graduated in December and was offered a job in Spring Green, Wisconsin. So, on December 16^th, we packed up, said goodbye to Pennsylvania and made the journey up to Wisconsin. We have been enjoying making new friends and exploring the area. In late January, I was offered a job as an infant teacher at Capitoland Christian Center. I am loving it so far, and can’t wait to see what adventure comes next in our lives. 21CCCS was a true blessing to me, and I hope it can be to others as well!

@John Athans Photography

Sandy McGraw, Class of 2013: After 21st Century, I began working full time in the music industry. I’m currently the Assistant Vice President of Nordman Sports & Entertainment, LLC, which advocates appearances, experiences and opportunities for our clients – professional musicians and athletes. Through this company I handle live bookings for 7 different professional jazz artists/groups, including, 2-time Grammy winner, Paul Brown and Grammy nominee, Nate Harasim. 21CCCS was one of the greatest experiences of my life because it allowed me to have flexibility so that I could pursue my passions! Without 21st, I would’ve never been able to produce my first album at age 16 with the incredibly talented and Grammy nominated, Wendy Moten! I was also able to travel around the country making contacts that are currently driving my career forward. I learned many great skills at 21CCCS that serve me today, including proper online communication; in fact I just recently put together an international licensing deal with a Japanese based record label, completely via email! I look forward to what the future holds for me, I’m starting college business classes in the fall and will be putting on my first touring show, written and produced by Brad McNett and myself! Even with the current route my life is taking; I constantly look back and thank 21CCCS for allowing me to take advantage of the opportunities I was presented with at a young age, which put me ahead of the curve!

This is me with 2-time Grammy winner, Paul Brown, Grammy nominee, Wendy Moten and some of the greatest session musicians in the world, (from left, Tommy Kay, Roberto Vally, Mitch Foreman, Paul Brown, Wendy Moten, Sinclair Lott, and myself).

Are Cyber Schools Undermining the Future of Communities?

Posted on March 11, 2015 by Ben Ozgur

Recently proposed legislation has started a debate over funding for charter schools, particularly the funding for cyber charters. 21CCCS 10th grader Paige Y. recently wrote an opinion essay on the subject of cyber funding.

In 2009, more than $300 million tax dollars, which were taken away from local school districts, were given to cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania to pay for the education of 10,000 cyber students. Students of these “cyber charter schools that are really interested in making a profit”(Probing Question) attend at home for personal reasons such as bullying or wanting a flexible schedule. There are also rumors of inadequate courses for the children to take where, “…students read a section of a chapter, do a few problems from the book, and there will be some form of graded assessment. That is all.”(Cyber Schools Are Much Worse) Being a cyber schooled student I find all these rumors extremely unsettling and have decided to dig deeper and set the record straight.

It is a widely held belief that public schools are drained of their finances by cyber schools. In 2011, 1% of the PA local taxpayer money for education was given to cyber schools while the other 99% was for school district funding. When a student transfers to a cyber school, their tax money is transferred with them, allowing the Cyber School to function. Cyber schools use the tax money for curriculum, electronics, textbooks, and qualified teachers that benefit the student. Since the student is no longer attending the school district, it only makes sense they the school district should not be paid. Except, they are; the school district actually keeps some of the students tax money. Essentially, the district does not have to spend money on a student yet are being paid as if they were. Not only that, but in PA, and other states, cyber charter schools are a legal form of public school thus having the right to a students tax money to fund their education. After discovering these facts about Cyber School funding, I find it astounding public schools would accuse cyber schools of depleting their finances.

Another misunderstanding, about cyber schoolers themselves, is that they are social outcasts. While they are not social outcasts, many students attend cyber charter schools because of bullying. In fact, a quarter of parents who enroll their children in cyber schools do so because of a previous bullying experience and 94% said the online learning environment solved the issue. In some cases, students are just looking for a challenge while others need a more flexible schedule. According to Bart Shields, a recent graduate of 21^st Century Cyber Charter School whom is studying to become a professional violinist, “21^st Century offers freedom for me…I never really fit into a public school setting; I play the violin and needed more time to practice.”(21^st Century Cyber Charter School) Cyber school students are often accused of being anti-social. Being social has much less to do with how many friends or acquaintances you have and is more about, “understanding how to behave appropriately in different situations and knowing how to interact with a wide variety of people.”(Homeschool vs. Public School) Cyber school students have many gatherings, such as co-op, to interact with other students and are often very active in their community. Defying the normal “teenager”, these students are able to have an easy conversation with people of all ages because they were not stuck with one age group for the whole of their schooling. It is obvious that cyber schooled students are no less socialized than students who attend a traditional school and might just be looking for a challenge.

Are cyber schools undermining a generation by providing inadequate education? Of course not; in fact their curriculum might be more advanced than other school district’s curriculum. At 21^st Century, the majority of courses are written and taught by the teachers. This way, teachers know exactly what their student is learning and can explain the subject very precisely. Since a teacher does not have to teach classes all day long, there is often more one-on-one time between teachers and students. Students who take longer or complete assignments faster can work at their own pace in an asynchronous environment. As a result, students get a more individual education and learn more through the process of education.

Are cyber schools undermining the future of communities? No. While money may be taken away from school districts, it is simply because they do not teach that student any longer. A cyber school provides a safe place for students to learn and makes learning an individual and enriching experience. It is evident that cyber schools are very much a part of the public school system, contribute to a better school environment, and give an excellent education to those who choose this method of schooling. Cyber schools benefit local communities with intelligent individuals and an alternative for those who do not fit into public school.

Bibliography

Elder, Andy. “Do Cyber Charter Schools Help or Hurt the Educational System?”. Penn State News, 25 Feb. 2014. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.

“5 Big Facts.” Cyber Schools Save. Cyber Schools Save Them, 2013. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.

“Cyber Schools Are Much Worse Than You Think.” One Room Schoolhouse. One Room Schoolhouse, 17 Mar. 2013. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.

“21st Century Cyber Charter School.” 21st Century Cyber Charter School. 21st Century Cyber Charter School, 2014. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.

Ellen, Mary. “Homeschool vs. Public School: Who’s Better Socialized?” Off The Grid News. Off The Grid News, 14 Mar. 2012. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.

Klonoski, Brian. “More Kids Are Going to Online Schools to Avoid Bullies.” RYOT News. ROYT, 05 Dec. 2013. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.

Embracing the Uncomfortable

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Ben Ozgur

In this guest post, Mr. Dutcher explains how stepping out of his comfort zone opened him up to amazing experiences.

You may have heard the old saying “Life is full of choices, so choose wisely.” This saying can be applied to every choice you make; every time a decision is made, it impacts your future in countless ways, both seen and unseen. This saying is never more evident than for students in middle school and high school. These years are a time in life where you are faced with important choice after important choice. Some of these choices seem to have incredible magnitude, and may take a while for you to figure out: Where will you go to college? What will you do after you graduate? Some choices, on the other hand, are less life-changing and have smaller consequences: Which club will you choose to join in school? What will you do on Friday night? What will you have for dinner? Which friends will you choose to spend time with?

When making decisions like these, it’s often easy for us to stay within our comfort zone and make the most “practical” decision. We all live within the comfort zone; it is what allows us to make reasonable decisions that we feel will have the most predictable outcome. While choosing to be rational and reside in the comfort zone is something we all do, there is value in stepping out of the comfort zone to embrace the uncomfortable. Renowned American author Neale Donald Walsh once said “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” What an interesting idea! Rather than being scared of new experiences and the challenges they bring, what if we were excited to know that trying something new is often when our most memorable and special experiences occur?

This summer I had the opportunity to drive from coast to coast on a trek of over 10,000 miles and over 20 states. Along the way I met up with old friends, camped in some beautiful national parks, and made countless memories. On a journey like this, you learn to live outside of your comfort zone, and I found the benefits of embracing new and unfamiliar situations that I’d normally avoid in the comfort and familiarity of everyday life. Being thousands of miles from home and the security that it brings can be stressful, but I learned that Walsh’s quote can ring true in the decisions we make. I was able to go white water kayaking in the rapids of Whitefish River, Montana, cliff dive into the freezing cold waters of Crater Lake, Oregon, and come face to face with a moose in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. While I was unsure about these experiences at the time—to be honest, I felt a real sense of fear and uncertainty in the moment—I look back on these moments as the highlights of my trip. I remember them fondly, often with goose bumps, as the times where I felt a real sense the beauty that was around me, and when I really felt the perspective of just how lucky I was to be on this amazing adventure.

Since I came back from my trip, I’ve receded back into my comfort zone and the daily routine that we all experience. However, I do occasionally think back to the experiences I felt this summer and how invigorating it was to have a leave my comfort zone behind for a summer. What I learned was that as you make decisions in your daily life—whether it is choosing a college or just how to spend your evening—remember that good things can happen when you embrace the uncomfortable and try new things. You never know what you’ll learn about yourself and the world around you.

Turning Over a New Leaf

Posted on December 5, 2014 by Ben Ozgur

“I’m not going to be able to do this.” This comment is not uncommon among students as they wrap up one quarter and move into the next. Whether they have struggled in a specific class or in all of their classes, it is easy for them to become discouraged. Some may think they will NEVER be able to do Biology or Algebra II. English is always a struggle with so much writing, and they can never seem to remember the dates in American History. It is often difficult to see past the struggles of the previous quarter and move towards the next.

Seeing the wealth of possibilities that lie within the clean slate of a new quarter can be a challenging task. It sometimes feels as though mistakes or procrastination from the previous quarter will never let go, but it is important to take on an optimistic attitude from the start. There are a few steps that students can take in order to begin taking control of their quarter:

Ask for help. – It isn’t always easy to ask for help, but many students forget that asking for help is a sign of maturity and independence. The ability to recognize when help is needed is a valuable and important skill. The teachers are here to help!
Attend your classes. – The teachers offer exciting, engaging, and informative live classes once a week. These classes are important to cover content and practice the skills that you find within the lessons in the classes.
Talk to your learning coach. – Learning coaches are here to help in many different ways. They have knowledge and resources to share with their students, and they may offer help that is unique to each student.
Stick to a schedule – Each part in your classes should take approximately two weeks. Take the time and stay on track! This will make the last week of the quarter way less stressful!

One quarter does not dictate how a student will do for the remainder of the school year. Use the resources that are available to you and remember that it is never too late to turn over a new leaf!

Alexander Mark named to US Speedskating’s 2014/2015 National Training Program

Posted on October 30, 2014July 30, 2015 by Ben Ozgur

Alexander (Xander) Mark is a 2007 graduate of 21CCCS. We received a press release updating us on some of Xander’s recent accomplishments which we wanted to share. Congratulations Xander!

Salt Lake City, Utah

Pennsburg, Pennsylvania native and world class athlete Alexander (Xander) Mark has been named to US Speedskating’s 2014/2015 National Training Program (NTP) and selected as one of six members on the National Sprint Team. The NTP is an elite group of 24 female and male athletes who were selected to the team based on performance standards and qualifications at World Cup and International competitions. According to Long Track Program Director Nick Pearson, ‘the goal of the program is to produce World Championship and Olympic medalists for many years to come’.

Recently, Xander Mark signed an exclusive athlete talent management and placement agreement with Arrow Entertainment of Seattle/Nashville. Arrow Entertainment will provide Xander with ongoing business management, booking for select speaking and appearances, and placement opportunities with sponsors, TV/film, and modeling agencies. In addition, Xander has signed a food sponsorship agreement with a fresh, organic, meal delivery service based in Salt Lake City – www.MealsThatTransform.com to enhance his nutrition and recovery needs. Arrow Entertainment and Xander have created a new brand image that promotes Being 34 – going after your dreams, leaving your mark on the world, and a relentless pursuit of the podium in sport and life. To find out more about Xander Mark and to be a part of the Being 34 movement, visit his official website at www.XanderMark.com

Xander Mark indicated his excitement with what lies ahead, “With the support of my family and teammates, I have been able to overcome injuries, setbacks, and obstacles along this path that has lead me to world class athletic and professional stages that will allow me to impact others and make a difference in my community as I leave my mark on the world.”

For Xander Mark Management related requests: Arrow Entertainment – Chris Sobonya – President of Talent Management at ArrowMusicAgency.com

The Importance of Real Connections by Mr. Dickinson

Posted on October 21, 2014 by Ben Ozgur

The Importance of Real Connections

A few weekends ago I enjoyed the nice weather by taking my kayak down the Schuylkill River for a three-mile journey through the heart of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Winding down through Phoenixville towards Valley Forge, I relaxed and enjoyed seeing our local wildlife. When I reached Valley Forge, I discovered that I could paddle up an estuary and end at Washington’s headquarters. I realized that I was paddling in water that helped shape the Revolutionary War. I sat in my kayak, at a mere stone’s throw away from where George Washington helped plan, strategize, and implement a war that shaped the complexion of our country. I began to understand how important it is to venture out into the world and make “real connections.”

After paddling down to my pick-up point, I went home and researched Valley Forge more closely. It inspired me to brush up on my Valley Forge history and made me truly appreciate the history that is so rich in Chester County. These real connections can occur with another person, a historical artifact, or an experience. These real connections help to inspire us, shape our interests, and educate us. Had I not decided to go out and kayak that afternoon I may not have been as interested to read up on Washington’s headquarters and understand the importance of this location.

The importance of “real connections” is a lesson I’ve been learning over and over as I explore further and further into our world. I’ve seen a Holocaust Camp memorial in a quiet German town; I’ve walked to the top of the 750-year-old Cologne Cathedral; and I’ve seen the Greenwich Meridian Time’s beam of light shoot across the London sky. All of these experiences have embedded something as little as a fun fact or as large as an indelible mark on who I am and how I view the world.

Being a Social Studies teacher, history is something that obviously interests me. However, these “real connections” do not have to be historical. Venturing out of the house will offer you the chance to explore new avenues and areas of interest. Put yourself out there and meet someone new, share a story, or try a new activity.

My most recent reminder of this lesson was driving through Centralia, PA on my way to Bloomsburg with a coworker just last week. I only spent a minute in this nearly empty town north of Allentown as I passed through. It left us both with an itching curiosity to explore and learn about this location that has been plagued by a smoldering coal mine hundreds of feet beneath their homes, churches, and streets.

So don’t be afraid to put yourself out on a limb. Wander out into the world and see what you find. I know I frequently manage to find something that educates me, interests me, or ultimately shapes who I am.