Photo by Andi Butler, www.mrsbillustrations.com.
After receiving so many positive comments to my post about our visit to Eastview Elementary School last June, I decided to write a radio essay about how much I learned –and continue to learn – from three special boys I befriended there.
Me with two of my new boyfriends. Photo by Andi Butler,
Chicago Public Radio titled the essay Writer Beth Finke Goes from Teacher to Student, and aired it as a back-to- school piece. If you missed hearing it on the radio, you can listen to it online here. A clue to those of you who are as much of a computer nincompoop as I am: in order to hear me reading the essay, you have to hit the “download” link after you get to the page. Enjoy!
You sound so happy on air! Thanks for putting the link here, I missed hearing this when it was first on the radio.
Beth,
Thank-you for the reminder about the radio interview. I really
enjoyed your comments about the boys. All three are very fortunate
that Eastview School has such a wonderful teaching staff. I am
happy to say I was part of the Disney trip with my two grandsons.
Every time I am with them,I am learning! Great interview! Judith
Beth,
Great essay! I’m just sorry I haven’t heard it on NPR! I normally listen all the time but I’ve been engrossed in a book on CD. It’s so great that the three boys have each other and you! Also I never understood Braille before but now I feel like I have a bit of a clue.
All the best,
Cortney
I loved your essay! Thanks for the heads-up about the downloading or I wouldn’t have been able to hear your delightful voice. Our NPR station is in DeKalb, so I wouldn’t have heard it there, either. I’ve run my fingers over Braille type and can not tell how many or what position the raised dots are in –let alone what they say. Good luck learning to read your own book and the kids poems!
Tell Hannie hello from that Freeport lady who smelled like other dogs. Our three mutts send their love.
Loved it Beth! You have a great accent!
Its very difficult to explain braille isn’t it? You did a good job though!
Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever, ever imagined a woman from Ireland complimenting my Illinois accent. You made my day, Jenny — THANKS!
Oh c’mon Beth! By the age of ten I was already reading contracted Braille too! *grin* I really liked your explanation about the structure of the Braille cell — I had never thought of explaining it that way!
Oh, Sandra, knowing you, by age ten you were reading contracted Braille in English *and* and in Spanish, too! I bet by now you can read it backwards. I’m not exaggerating, I bet you can!
Interested in tutoring an old lady…?!
Somehow I missed that you are an 848 contributor. I really enjoyed this piece. Thanks for posting the link.
Oh, Lori, you’ve gotta be the only soul on earth who has managed to escape hearing me brag about the essays I do for Chicago Public Radio! I am very proud to be affiliated with public radio and have even had a few essays air on Morning Edition on NPR.
Glad you liked this one!
You know, I actually *can* read it backwards — it takes me more time, but I can do it! I can certainly be a tutor — if I get paid well of course! *smile*
Hmm. What’s the going rate for a tutor who can read contracted Braille forward and backward…?!
I’ll think about it and I’ll let you know! *smile*
Heard the last half on the radio and just now got around to clicking the link and listening and reading the whole piece. Just great as usual!
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