Pam Moran - Teachers Make a Difference

The speaker reflects on the profound impact their grandfather had on their life. Growing up on a farm in South Carolina, the speaker learned valuable lessons in observation and social good from their self-educated grandfather. Despite having only an eighth-grade education, the grandfather was wise and open to change, capturing moments like the moon landing with a Polaroid camera. His legacy emphasized the importance of education and being open to learning, shaping the speaker's perspective on education as an ecosystem rather than a hierarchy.

What did the narrator's grandfather teach them about observing the world?

• To prioritize mechanistic perspectives over natural observations

• To focus only on books and written knowledge

• To ignore the environment and focus on technology

• To observe the relationships among animals, plants, and people

How did the grandfather contribute to his community?

• By focusing solely on his own family

• By providing financial support to everyone

• By being a person who others could rely on for help

• By avoiding interactions with neighbors

What was significant about the grandfather's education?

• He was a university professor

• He never attended school

• He was self-educated with an eighth-grade education

• He had a college degree

What event demonstrated the grandfather's openness to new ideas?

• His interest in the first moon landing

• His refusal to use modern technology

• His focus on traditional farming methods

• His disinterest in scientific advancements

What message did the grandfather convey about education?

• Education is only for the wealthy

• Education is unnecessary in modern society

• Education is important and should be pursued as much as possible

• Education should be limited to formal schooling