Kilted at a High School

[A Hay]

I'm on vacation in Michigan, visiting my daughter who teaches English at a High School. I asked her if she would like me to come to her class in a Kilt and she said that would fit right in with the unit she has been working on.

The month of April is poetry month in her 10th Grade classes (4 periods).
So I said I would come and talk about Robert Burns and his poetry.

Last Friday, I went over there in my Black Stewart Kilt, with Black Argyll Jacket and vest with red tie, black hose with red garter ties, and gillie brogues. I have no way to upload the photos now, but I think you can guess how it looked.

I gave a short talk on Burns and his life and how that influenced his poetry, and read exerpts from Scots Wha Hae', A Man's a Man, My Luv is Like a Red, Red Rose, Ae Fond Kiss, and Auld Lang Syne. The classes had already read To a Mouse. After about 20 minutes of that, I talked about Highland Dress. I had a Holyrood Kilt and a sporran for display and for the kids to touch.

The day went very well. The kids, if not attentive during the poetry section, were not disruptive. When they were able to feel the kilt and some tried it on, they were very animated and I got a lot of questions. These were 15 and 16 year old boys and girls. I took a lot of pictures, but don't feel it is appropriate to post them here. (Privacy of the kids). But I will make prints for them. I think some will also appear in the yearbook!.

My daughter had already posted a picture in her classroom of myself with the Actress Brooke Shields and Actor Nicholas Braun from a few weeks ago. That got the kids interested in the kilt. Some of them may even take up wearing it in a few years.

The teachers and admin staff all expressed approval and appreciation of my being there kilted. Who knows, it may become a regular event after I retire here.

I enjoyed the experience, and also gathered an new appreciation of Teachers and the tasks they face. Thanks to all of you out there who have made it your profession to teach our future generations.

Tom H.

[piperdbh]

I've done the exact same thing, although I got my own teaching gig. I can promise you those kids won't forget the experience!

And, you're right about not posting the kids' pictures.

[McFarkus]

Sounds like a great learning experience for the kids. And likely to have captured their attention more than poetry alone.

[cessna152towser]

Excellent.

[Ozark Ridge Rider]

What a neat thing to do. those kids will ever after remember Burns a bit differently.

Regards,
Dan

[McClef]

Good to see you sharing your experiences in this way on a trip home Tom.

I have no doubt that the people you talked to have a much better understanding of Burns than ever before.

[BrazHunter]

Great deed ! Such interactive experience for the kids will certainly enhance their learning and open their mind to different cultures.
Congratulations !