Wednesday's Words of Wisdom: Mary MacCracken, Caring: The Key to Education

*Photos from FlickrCC.com

“Almost anything can become a learning experience if there is enough caring involved.” - Mary MacCracken

Thought for the Day: I love when a quote introduces me to someone new who has helped people reach their dreams. Mary MacCracken, whose words of wisdom are featured today is one such person. Her work helped emotionally disturbed children, who were stuck & unreachable (& teachers who have learned from her work), succeed & move towards their dreams. I hope you enjoy learning about her work & that you will take the time to listen to the interview with her from 1987. 

 

      Mary MacCracken, a special education teacher, discovered that the secret path to the hearts of her students was caring. Two of Mary MacCracken's autobiographical books, A Circle of Children & Lovey, based on her experiences as a teaching intern, became TV specials. MacCracken had been a special education teacher for 6 years when she went back to college. After a 25 year break between her sophomore & junior years in college, she needed a degree to continue teaching. As an intern, frustrated by simply observing & documenting the behaviors of emotionally disturbed children, she began to connect with them. She discovered that through love, honesty, trust, & compassion she could help seemingly unreachable emotionally disturbed children learn & succeed.

     If you have time take a look at this interview with Mary Maccracken from 1987 conducted by Connie Martinson about MacCracken's book City Kids. It is well worth spending a half hour with this insightful passionate teacher & therapist. 

      Come back tomorrow for the answer to Tuesday's Psychology Trivia Question: Are we dumber than our Victorian ancestors?

Books by Mary MacCracken:

• Turnabout Children: Overcoming Dyslexia and Other Learning Disabilities (Jul 7, 1987)
• Turnabout children, part one (1986)
• City Kid (Feb 2, 1982)
• A Circle of Children (Mar 1, 1977) Made into a TV Movie
• Lovey: A Very Special Child (Oct 1, 1977) Made into a TV Movie

*Photos from FlickrCC.com

Right top: '0216' http-/www.flickr.com/photos/26611570@N04/3019776218
Right middle:  'Focused' http-/www.flickr.com/photos/90963248@N00/299066758
Right bottom: 'Joaquin y sus 9 meses' http-/www.flickr.com/photos/28328732@N00/3222146311
Left top:  'Hey teacher! I know the answer!' http-/www.flickr.com/photos/12836528@N00/3364591795
Left bottom: 'who do we appreciate' http-/www.flickr.com/photos/73645804@N00/2408048812