7104 Stonebrook Dr. Sanford, FL 32773 New Years 1998 Dear beloved family and cherished friends, It is time, once again, to write my annual new year greeting, but unfortunately I'm plagued by writer's block at the moment. So, what I think I'll do this time is let my fictional friend, Isaac Thomas, tell you a little about what I've been up to this past year.
In 1997, Jon had a number of accomplishments. He not only taught three English classes at Seminole Community College, but he dedicated his life to them and his students. He led excellent class discussions on many works such as Orwell's "Shooting an Elephant," Keats' "On First Looking Into Chapman's Homer," Singer's "Gimpel the Fool," Auden's "The Unknown Citizen," Carroll's "Jabberwocky," McLean's "American Pie," etc. When discussing Jackson's "The Lottery," he re-created the event for his shocked class. He showed videos, brought in guest speakers, and when studying Faulkner's "A Rose for Emily," he presided as judge at his class' mock-trial which found the character of Emily Grierson not-guilty of murder, based on circumstantial evidence. Such bringing literature to life prompted his department head, who witnessed the trial, to write, "I enjoy seeing students have fun with literature. You are doing a great job." And another colleague remarked that his "method is inventive and interesting."
Despite the vibrant action that goes on in the classroom, Jon told me that what he most enjoys about his job is working one-on-one with his students, because that is where one truly sees individual progress. Learning as much from his students as they do from him, he dealt with students whose problems ranged from being abused, to being blind, to having AIDS; other students shared most fascinating lives as a Native American, an ex-convict, a Gulf-War vet, and a high-fashion model. Many times he went out of the way for his students, gave them second chances, and at least a half-dozen students who were on the road to failure managed to rededicate themselves and pass after conversations with Jon. Perhaps the most dramatic evolution was from a student who tested at near-genius levels and remarked she had no use for teachers or formal education. But after inspiring her to discover new levels of excellence within herself, she wrote to Jon, "I greatly appreciate the patience you have taken with me and have been more than inspired by your way of thinking and teaching. It is nice to come across a teacher who has not yet been jaded by the profession."
Jon was deeply affected by her remark and pondered the problems of being jaded: something that seemed it might come from overwhelming piles work, especially responding to and grading student journals. You see, Jon spends far more time and energy grading journals than most of his colleagues. When I asked why he simply doesn't just note that something has been written and give a check-mark, he said, "For me, content can never be irrelevant. I want my students to know I read every word of what they write and think about it. That way, they will put time and effort into what they write. If you do not care, you do not try; and when you do not try, you cannot learn."
Word of Jon's success has spread and he's been offered two additional temporary jobs next year. He also was the sole representative of the English Department at SCC's semi-annual graduation ceremony in December.
In addition to teaching, Jon's literary career is also going well. Although he only had one poem published this year ("The Dying Egret"), he's been invited to read at several poetry readings, both in Orlando and Gainesville. More than once, he was given a standing ovation.
Jon also does a lot for the community. This year, he volunteered his time to serve on his synagogue's High Holiday Committee and handle publicity. He also delivered two interesting torah lessons: one on the building of the ark of the covenant and the other on a strange, ancient adultery ritual described in the book of Numbers. When the Writing Center of Rollins College was threatened, Jon initiated a quasi-successful letter-writing campaign to alumni in hope of saving this institution which had been such a positive influence when he had been a student there. And for a week in May, Jon also served the Seminole County Court as the foreman of a jury in a difficult drunk-driving case.
When Jon's oldest friend Barry called him to say his father was dying, he didn't hesitate a moment, but packed his bags and headed for New Jersey. He spent an intense three weeks sitting by a hospital bed and finally burying his friend's father. But while up north, at least he was able to take a small amount of time off to watch the emotionally exhausting "Miss Saigon" on Broadway and also see Barry hit the winning run of what was perhaps the greatest softball game ever played (where Barry's team came back from 10-0 to win the game 17-16.)
Jon was able to take two brief vacations this year. One to Virginia where he visited his sister and cousin and saw Jefferson's home of Monticello, a Renaissance faire, the heavily dark and brooding National Holocaust Museum, and the more pleasant National Gallery of Art, with several excellent Picassos, as well as a memorable exhibit of Victorian art. In June, he visited his friend Kris in Dallas, Texas where he attended, along with 400,000 others, Blockbuster Rockfest which had 14 live bands including No Doubt and Jewel. He had fun watching Kris work for a local television station but was most affected by walking the "grassy knoll" in Dealy Plaza and viewing it from the infamous sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository.
Finally, the most rewarding relationship Jon developed this year was in cyber-space. He has corresponded with a wonderful and intelligent woman in Spain and the two frequently exchange interesting cultural analyses. Jon told me that what is even more fascinating than learning about a non-American culture is rediscovering his own culture through the eyes of a foreigner. What is most important, I think, is that this relationship represents one of the greatest possibilities of the internet: bringing the world closer together.
And that is perhaps the most important message for this time of year. Its one thing to say "peace on Earth" and "unity through diversity," but let us live our lives that way, too. Jon may not be perfect, but he at least is striving for perfection.
Oh, gosh, Isaac. (Blush, blush.) I appreciate the sentiment, but you've really gone too far. Friends and relatives, I'm sorry I asked Isaac to write this. Please ignore everything he has said--there's not a speck of truth in it. So let me just wish everyone seasons greetings and a very happy new year for 1998; and let's leave it at that, okay? Peace on Earth, Jonathan Chisdes (407) 320-0873 jonchiz@magicnet.net http://www.nightmare.com/~jon