Every Child Can Learn Note from the Author I taught First Grade for thirty years in the Denver Public Schools. I believe it is there that one lays the beginning of a sound education foundation upon which a child can continue to learn successfully. The children I have written about in this book depict only a few of the many challenges I faced and how I did my best, for the good of each child, to solve whatever the problem might have been. No matter what the ethnic make-up of my classes were, those were my children; we were always one big family. There are recordings of my life story and achievements, but this is the first time that I have written about some of my specific teaching experiences that might be helpful to other educators. Teaching First Grade was the joy of my life, and because of my pioneering and trailblazing, I now have a Denver Public School named in my honor-"Marie L. Greenwood Elementary School," now advanced to K-8 School. Every Child Can Learn Marie L. Greenwood This book depicts how education systems and philosophies have changed through the decades but how the importance of knowledge of basic facts remains the same. In this day of computers, calculators, and other electronic devices, it is still essential that a child be taught the basics of reading, writing, spelling, mathematics, and communication. This foundation must be formed in the elementary school so that middle school and high school teachers have a solid basis on which to build. Some education is primarily academic as shown in my stories of "Big Girl Dora" and "Attentive Betty." There are other skills, attitudes, and acceptable behavior patterns that need to be learned, no matter how bright a child might be, as depicted in the stories of "Belligerent Marilyn" and "Brilliant Robby." ...Marie Greenwood's accomplished life could be considered an inspiration for the Denver school district's energizing aspirations to transform urban education.... EVERY CHILD CAN LEARN is animated by a commitment to excellence that transcends race or income.... The heart of Mrs. Greenwood's book is a collection of profiles of children who had been struggling, often labeled problem children at other schools but who flourished under her tutelage. Sheperd Nevel, Rocky Mountain News article, Friday, 10/19/07
