June 19, 2010
I’ve had a few days to sit and reflect about the New York trip, and all I can say is WOW! What an incredible experience! Our time was filled with visits to fabulous historical sights such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Little Italy, Central Park, Five Points, Tenement House Museum, Ellis Island, the Erie Canal, Ticonderoga and Saratoga, Harriet Tubman and William Seward’s home. And that is the short list. Our group exerienced educational program experiences, such as EY Zipris Primary Source Workshop, which will be become invaluable as we translate our New York experience into the classroom. This trip has given me so much background information and will provide enrichment for my class and students. Our group experienced soooo many different things and we wore ourselves out!
Of course, the opportunity to be dropped into New York City’s past and present for a week and a half was such a treat! While there, I found the city to be very safe and New Yorkers extremely helpful and kind. Looking back, it is so amazing that such a diverse population has learned to coexist effectively and rather peacefully. The city sounds and hordes of people are everywhere, all the time and that was pretty cool. New Yorkers were extremely kind to answer any questions we asked, to the point of walking along with us, and making sure we didn’t get lost. The New York Police force boasts 40,000 police officers, who can say more with their facial expressions than most people with their voices. 
New York is a great example of a melting pot full of people from all walks of life, who choose to live in the city to make their fame and fortune. There are some who can’t wait to make the almighty dollar, get out, and others who would never dream of leaving New York.
When asked what my favorite activity was, I have to say it seems to change daily. At the moment, visiting Teddy Roosevelt’s Sagamore Hill home comes to mind. 
While sitting in rocking chairs on his front porch, it became easy to imagine him and his wife doing the very same thing not long ago. Walking across the lawn and hiking with friends through the woods to Oyster Bay was pretty amazing as well.
Oyster Bay
I could just see the Roosevelt children spending their days collecting shells, oysters, crabs, and other sea creatures at the beach. Then, to have these lovely woods to hike through, must have been pure delight. I really enjoyed hearing that Teddy reserved playtime his kids at the 4:00 hour, and the dinner table was reserved for family time. I think perhaps those are some lessons families could learn today. When it’s all said and done what do we leave behind – family and hopefully positive impacts upon those we love. For some reason, I also enjoyed the simplicity of the Roosevelt’s grave site covered with ivy. It seemed very quaint and peaceful.
Oyster Bay
In upstate New York, Fort Ticonderoga was an enjoyable site to see. I took a few minutes and walked to the garden below the fort, and discovered a delightful greenhouse, flower and vegetable garden once I passed through a wrought iron gate and a red, brick wall, that enclosed the garden. 
The Secret Garden! Ooh!
Of course the boat ride on the Erie Canal will allow me to bring first hand photos of the canal opening and closing to share with my class. To think the canal cut the cost of shipping 90-95%. Awesome!
- Kings Garden at Ft. Ticonderoga
Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge 
at night was awessome. We felt safe and thoroughly enjoyed the views all around. Thank you Jonathan for assigning McCullough’s book as I wouldn’t have had any background on that bridge or understood its importance. My experience in New York has given me a new appreciation for its history and the part it plays in the world as a major city. Now, I better understand why New York is considered to be the center of the world culturally, and financially to so many.
I feel blessed to have been able to attend Boston, Philly, Chicago, and New York. Thank you gentlemen for a job well done!
Sherri,
The Brooklyn Bridge walks have to be one of my most memorable and influential times of the trip! I too felt safe, in fact, comfortable. I think that the bridge to this day serves one of the same purposes that it served when it was built. It gave us an opportunity to get some fresh air and time to get away from the streets of the city. I really loved walking across it at night when the city was lit. It really did provide a getaway,a time to think.
I’m so glad that we had the opportunity to do this together, along with the degree. You have always been a great support and so much fun. What are we going to do next year?!!
Wendy
Hey Wend! It was really too much fun! I think Jonathan is having withdrawals already – he seemed a bit nostalgic in San Francisco, that his four years traveling with teachers, has come to an end. Perhaps, we will get lucky and a new grant will fall into their laps. How was your trip with your family? As for the bridge – I will never look at one the same way again. Hopefully, I will be able to integrate some of the knowledge and excitement generated upon its completion, with my students.
We will always be their first graduating class – and that is pretty cool! Love ya, Sher