Every teacher learns early in their preparation to recognize and seize the instructional moment; that unique opportunity when circumstances permit you to teach students about something special and important, even if it is not in the day’s lesson plan or a part of the curriculum. It is the paramount opportunity to teach an object lesson that students won’t soon forget.

The 2008 presidential election gave us those teachable moments, some that will not be replicated in our lifetime.  Yes, it gave us the predictable opportunities to demonstrate how important reading and comprehension are to understanding what each candidate proposed and embraced for our nation’s future. It showed us the application of mathematical principles through poll numbers and the all important 270 electoral college votes needed for election. Regrettably it often illustrated the power of words to distort or hurt, while at the same time underscoring the right each of us has to disagree in a democratic society without fear of reprisal.

But the true teachable moment came with the declaration that Senator Barack Obama had been elected President of the United States. That moment changed the course of American history forevermore. It validated a people and their contributions to the greatness of this nation. It personified the words of Thomas Jefferson, that “all men are created equal.” It proved once and for all that America could elect, in this case a man, but surely in the future a woman, regardless of race, gender or creed.

History maintains that a ship arrived in Jamestown, Virginia in 1619 carrying 20 black African captives that were exchanged for tobacco. Thus began a chapter in this nation’s history that for many did not end until election night.  Senator Obama’s victory is a victory for the nation irrespective of the candidate one supported. We have grown as a nation and the steps that must still be taken to reach our fullest potential as “a more perfect union” will be a little easier because of this campaign.

The months and years ahead will not be easy. Our country and our new President face many challenges, but the strength of the United State of America lies in its people’s ability to rise above adversity, to learn from our past and to embrace our future. We wish our new President and all of our newly elected public officials the best of America has to offer.

Brenda Lilienthal Welburn
Executive Director