Symbolism In Out Of The Dust

Dr. Cheryl Steele--A "Goddess" of Teaching
In previous articles, I’ve written about the importance of connecting with teenagers long after they have been ‘officially’ yours. Perhaps they were in your charge when they were in middle school or junior high, and now, they are in senior high, they have graduated high school, or maybe have gone on to graduate college, get married and have children of their own. Regardless of any of those landmarks (as significant as they may be), still recognizing your kids from when they were early teenagers can be extremely empowering to them.
I was blessed enough to have a PERFECT example of such an adult who was one of my mentors in my early adolescence. She kept in touch with how I was doing after graduation

Billie Jo endures trials many of us cannot even imagine, far beyond dealing with the complications of the Dust Bowl. She even tries to leave the situation, but [SPOILER ALERT!] she realizes she belongs back home with her father. As the novel ends and Billie Jo’s life moves on along with her father’s life, Billie Jo makes a profound observation for any 15-year-old: “I am because of the dust.” The dust represents ALL of the unfortunate realities of Billie Jo’s past, but she is finally able to recognize them not with resentment, but with appreciation that she would not be the person she is without those difficult experiences. What 15-year-old do you know who has that kind of

In the last two years, both Kansas and Missouri have passed laws prohibiting some drivers from texting and driving at the same time, while some of the other laws prohibit every driver from texting while behind the wheel. These different laws (proposed and/or passed) have provided much debate. For instance, “Missouri's current law against texting while driving only applies to those drivers who are 21 or younger. The law was put in force in 2009 and was the result of a quickly composed legislative compromise” (“Texting While Driving Debate… “ 1).
The laws against texting while driving for those 21 and younger are completely valid; however, these same laws are completely valid for those of us over the age of 21, if not more so. As teen mentors, we must serve as examples for our kids. One of those pertinent examples is showing that we are not addicted to our cell phones.
When I took a group of kids to a presentation held by one of the survivors of the tragedy at Columbine High School in Littleton, CO, I insisted that my kids turn OFF their phones. They responded with, “We have them on vibrate…” NO! I told them that they are not doctors, police officers or clergy members; they are not on call 24/7, and they must respect the speaker and the topic by turning OFF their cell