Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Teach Your Children (G. Nash) ~ Erwin Lazaro 062

We all know that children are extraordinary.  It doesn't matter whose children for consideration; ALL children are extraordinary.  Given the opportunity, all children will thrive and become extraordinary beings.  The opportunity has to be available. Love and nurture have a lot to do with thriving, as well.  Love has to be available.  Parents are typically a child's first teacher.  If siblings of similar age are present, then siblings would be next in line to teach, which can be beneficial.  Or, cringe, "where did you learn that?" line of questioning may be in order.  That's when shoulders shrug and parents jokingly blame one another for unfortunate traits passed on.  The degree of sincerity is measured by whether the finger pointing is accompanied by smiles, or not. ;)  

At the ripe old age of 5, though some may start much earlier, because of the need for day care, children begin formal education through preschool.  The timing's debatable, but whatever the case, teachers/educators become the next greatest influence in a child's life. Teachers carry a great deal of responsibilities on their shoulders and I have great respect for all who choose education as their vocation.  I feel that those who pursue education are noble people because each person that becomes a teacher must possess outstanding qualities at many different levels.  From selflessness to compassion, from intelligence to wisdom, from ingenuity to patience, and so much more, teachers wear many hats at once.  If all of those hats were labeled and visibly tangible, located on every teaching noggin, the sight would be quite the spectacle, though the imagery would fit quite nicely within a Dr. Seuss creation.

Just imagine every teacher showing their spirit by wearing all of those hats!  Though the younger children would giggle at the sight, and the older children would shake their heads and pretend to ignore all of it, all children recognize the truth.  When teachers give their best effort to educate their students, students respond.  No one can be at the top of their game, all of the time, but the daily grind does actually reveal the fruit of all the labor, the rewards are real from all of the efforts made.  For all of you educators who have dedicated some of your valuable time to read my blog, I want all of you to know that my family appreciates, respects, and honors all of your efforts.  You wanna know why?  Let me tell you why!  My three children come home and they share all of the wonderful lessons they've learned.  They have big smiles and recite facts, share their projects, they earnestly do their homework, and most importantly, the next morning, when it's time to go back to school, they're all eager to move forward with their day!  My youngest wishes that she could go to school on Saturdays and Sundays! I'm not sure how long that intention will last.  The most important fact remains.  The reality is that our teachers are making a significant impact on the lives of my children and I want to show my appreciation through this blog and through my cover for the timeless folk rock hit from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: "Teach Your Children".  It is Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week beginning on Monday, at least where my family lives, and I couldn't let this opportunity pass by this year.  Teachers need all of the support that they can get!  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!  Please continue to inspire the children, as my children's teachers have inspired them.

From Wikipedia:
"Teach Your Children" is a song by Graham Nash.  Although it was written when Nash was a member of The Hollies, it was never recorded by that group, and first appeared on the album Déjà Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young released in 1970.  The recording features Jerry Garcia on pedal steel guitar.  Released as a single, the song peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts that year.  Nash, who is also a photographer and collector of photographs, has stated in an interview that the immediate inspiration for the song came from a famous photograph by Diane Arbus, "Child with Toy Hand Grenade in Central Park."  The image, which depicts a child with an angry expression holding the toy weapon, prompted Nash to reflect on the societal implications of messages given to children about war and other issues.  In 1984, Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale used the song in a campaign commercial on arms control.  In 1994, Crosby, Stills & Nash re-recorded the song with guest vocals from country music artists Suzy Bogguss, Alison Krauss and Kathy Mattea, crediting the recording to "The Red Hots".  This version was included on the album Red Hot + Country, a release by the Red Hot Organization benefiting AIDS awareness.  The Red Hots' version of the song spent one week on the Hot Country Songs charts in October 1994, peaking at #75.  The music videos directed by Charley Randazzo was premiered on Country Music Television, The Nashville Network & VH-1.