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Saturday, June 12, 2010

Wow! What a contrast to visit Sagamore Hill after over a week in New York City! Sagamore Hill was Teddy Roosevelt’s family home throughout his adult life and where he raised his family. It also served as the Summer White House during his Presidency, and welcomed dignitaries from all over the world. Roosevelt had it built and it always remained in the family, so you get a more authentic experience of their home and being able to imagine them in it- Teddy, his wife, Edith, and their six children. The grounds are beautiful and serene: rolling hills, impressive trees, and wide, open spaces. I really appreciated being there today and strolling through the park-like setting.
I didn’t really know too much about our twenty-sixth president, but I came away with a new appreciation and admiration for him today. He believed we all had a duty as citizens to protect our communities and each other, and he led by example. His family was wealthy, but he learned to be disciplined and expected the same from his family and friends. There was a rule that was strictly enforced: “read a book every day.” Everyone was expected to be prepared to ask five questions to contribute to the dinner conversation, or eat with the servants in their quarters an hour after the family dinner. This was also expected of all guests. And if one was late for dinner the same consequences applied. To think some of my students complained about reading for only twenty minutes five days per week!
I was impressed with Roosevelt’s integrity and how he stood up for things he believed in. He demonstrated great courage and commitment whether on the battlefield, reforming workers’ rights or busting trusts. TR was a diplomat, conservationist, writer, politician, and Nobel Peace Prize winner.

However, he was most proud of his home and his role as husband and father; he believed that was what really counted in life. His children remembered him as being a lot of fun and that Edith sometimes said she had six children counting him. His daughter, Alice, said “he always wanted to the bride at every wedding and the corpse at every funeral.” At any rate, I think he was one of the most interesting men in our country’s history, and I am glad that I was introduced to him. He sounds worthy of ranking up there with the likes of Lincoln and Franklin in my personal list of all-time favorite, influential Americans.
Teddy Roosevelt would be an excellent biography to read to students. That would be a great hook when it comes to character education. His rise above his physical obstacles to live his life to the fullest is admirable and deserves respect, whether one agrees with his ideas with some of his policies, or not. Because he made the choices he did in his life and truly cared about other people and this country, he offers hope for many. Young students love a good story, and learning about real people and their challenges and ultimate successes, has been one of the most powerful tools I have used. Lessons in history from life are one of the greatest gifts I have been able to offer my students and myself.

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