The Quasi Start to Summer

I wiped away nine months of hard work, fast drying Expo marker reminders and procedures today from my whiteboard, an official ticket into the Summer of 2009. Posters came off the walls and clean rags collected red, blue, green, and black stains as a little elbow grease was spent cleansing a classroom of ninth and tenth graders. So much work (physically, mentally, spiritually) went into creating this room, and in minutes, everything was stripped away. Perhaps tomorrow as I sit in my chair and instinctively head to the break room for a cup of coffee will I sit back and begin to reflect on the year that was. 

Continued to talk and investigate the role of the Community College tonight at school, and I'm fascinated with a handful of issues and facets that have continually come up in the three classes i've had so far; how NOVA "get's it", how more attention and money needs to be invested into student counseling/advising, the economic benefits of a C.C., and the lack of college preparation our K-12 schools are giving students. Tonight, though, this question lingers: What role does the C.C. play in our society? Is it only for vocational students seeking trade-specific skills and certification? Is it to provide remediation and a more intimate learning environment (and opportunity) for post-K-12 students who would typically bomb-out at four-year universities? Is it for lower to lower-middle class folks who can't afford or qualify for university? Or do C.C.'s exist for community members seeking to become "jack of all trades" and padding their intellect and extra curricular calenders? 

Training nurses and technicians?

Assisting the 2.3 high school gpa student in their dream to attend a Bachelor's degree?

Cake Decorating and Ballroom Dancing?