Mark’s Remarks
Going to church | Mark’s Remarks
I’ve run into plenty of people who don’t go to church. Being the judgmental person I am, you might think I might look down my nose at such people. However,…
Read MoreChange the world, please | Mark’s Remarks
I had a great discussion with my students the other day. It made me come away from school believing that there just might be hope for this world. They were…
Read MoreWhat a wonderful world | Mark’s Remarks
Mornings at my house are sometimes a bit hectic. When you have three big kids and one baby running around, it tends to make life a little hurried. Just ask…
Read MoreTouchy subjects | Mark’s Remarks
When teachers deal with negotiations and start talking about salaries, emotions can run high. I’ve been on negotiation teams in the past. It’s rarely fun. You see, there is a…
Read MoreSour pusses | Mark’s Remarks
We all know them. People who rarely smile. People whose mouths naturally turn downwards. People who gripe, complain, and disapprove most of the time and have the face to match.…
Read MoreEvery generation | Mark’s Remarks
Remember that Mike and the Mechanics song “In the Living Years” from 1988? It was a hit when I was just leaving my teenage years behind. The lyrics of that…
Read MoreLittle celebrations | Mark’s Remarks
Of course, I always write school-related columns this time every year. Being a teacher for almost 25 years, starting school is always monumental time. I always seem to write columns…
Read MoreCompassion for the bug | Mark’s Remarks
As the school year begins, I find myself spending every waking moment at school. I often go in early in the mornings on weekends or after the kids have gone…
Read MoreNo boys allowed | Mark’s Remarks
When I first started teaching almost 25 years ago, there were only a few men on the staff. In my own particular grade level, there were no men. When you…
Read MoreListen to the words | Mark’s Remarks
Go figure. I like to listen to the oldies station. If you’ve read any of my columns about my love of history, that will come as no surprise. However, it…
Read MoreThe magic of an ordinary birthday | Mark’s Remarks
Bless Andrea Degenhart’s heart. Every year she wishes me a happy birthday in her column. You would think that all of us at the Republic-Times are one big happy family…
Read MoreThe airwaves | Mark’s Remarks
In my hometown, we have a little radio station that started broadcasting in the 1950’s. I grew up listening. In the mornings, there would be commentary from the announcer, a…
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