Twin Cities Daily Planet (https://www.tcdailyplanet.net/author/joe-nathan/page/9/)
by Joe Nathan, 9/11/08 • Where and when did your family, and your people come to Minnesota? Why? What surprised you, and what delighted you?
These questions came up as I read a wonderful new book, “The Latehomecomer,” by Kao Lalia Yang. This was one of those rare books that made me sad when it ended. The writing was so engaging, and the stories so compelling.
by Joe Nathan • 9/5/08 • What a terrific week for all who treasure democracy! Having spent time marching (peacefully, non-violently) on the streets of St. Paul last week, as well as reading literally hundreds of emails and watching vastly different interpretations of events, I’m even more sold on America.
by Joe Nathan, 8/29/08 • You often hear that someone lived a good life, but rarely hear that a person had a good death. Both happened for John Brandl, a friend and Humphrey Institute colleague who died last week.
Brandl’s funeral drew hundreds of people to celebrate his more than seventy years, including service as a college professor, Minnesota State Representative and Senator, and U.S Government administrator.
Why did both former St. Paul Mayor George Latimer and brother Gene Brandl refer not only to his life, but to his “good death.”
by Joe Nathan, 8/21/08 • What happens when you have everything, and it doesn’t make you happy? Tom Bloch had a wonderful family, wealth, and health. He was CEO of his family’s tax preparation business, the nationally known H&R Block Company. But as he explains in a new book, Stand for the Best, he “ decided to follow a higher calling: teaching math to inner city kids.””
by Joe Nathan, 6/30/08 • Something strange is going on: When state figures show only 34% of 11th graders statewide are passing the state’s math test, we have a large problem. Meanwhile 71% of Minnesota 10th graders passed Minnesota’ reading test, which they must do before graduating from high school.
by Joe Nathan, 6/23/08 • Minneapolis charter schools like Sojourner Truth and Minnesota Transitions and Harvest Prep are part of a strong trend in Minnesota public education. Thousands of families, especially low income, limited English speaking and families of color are shifting their youngsters from district to charter public school schools. Last year, the net gain of charter enrollment set a new record of more than 4,000 students, while enrollment in district public schools continued to decrease. Continue Reading
by Joe Nathan, 6/13/08 • Anoka veteran teacher Kevan Nitzberg and Deanna Gotschall, a younger music teacher from Forest Lake agree. As Gotschall told me, ”it’s a very good resource that helps save us money.” But while many Minnesota art teachers praise the Perpich Center, it appears to be an under-used library for the general public.
by Joe Nathan, 6/5/08 • Several weeks ago I wrote a column with a serious mistake. The column discussed what I felt, and feel, is a major, mostly undiscussed problem in Minnesota – shockingly low graduation rates at many of our colleges and universities. There’s plenty of evidence on this that I’ll share later in the column. But my earlier column provided inaccurate information about St. Olaf College. For that, I apologize to you, the readers, St.Olaf, and to anyone who may have formed an opinion about that college, based on what I wrote.
by Joe Nathan, 5/30/08 • Is kindness contagious? I’m not sure. But recent stories about folks helping out after Hugo’s tornado showed Minnesotans at our best, after some of our worst weather. Helping others, whether after a tornado, a stalled car or other problem, is one of the things we do best. Because kindness, like many other things is learned, why not build a bit of it into summer plans with our kids.
by Joe Nathan, 5/23/08 • Could Minneapolis and other metro communities do the kind of high school graduation party that St. Paul did last week? I sure hope so, because adults sent very powerful, positive messages to some of the area’s strongest students: “We value your hard work. We honor your persistence. We will help you succeed.”