Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.
~Will Durant

    Gov. Rendell has named a new head to PA's State Board of Education. That person is the president and CEO of Philadelphia's National Constitution Center Joseph Torsella. Mr. Torsella who was in charge of the constitution center from 1997 through it's opening in 2003. He left it's opening year and reemerged in 2004 in an unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic nomination for the 13th Congressional District, which includes parts of Montgomery County and Northeast Philadelphia. In 2006 he came back to the Constitution Center. "I am excited and honored to have this opportunity to serve the commonwealth," Torsella said in a statement "No issue is more important to our common future, both economic and civic, than education in Pennsylvania."
    The one thing I know, is that this summer was the first time that I had ever visited the constitution center, and I walked away very pleased with it. What Joe Torsella has done there is amazing and I hope that he can bring the same kind of know how to the states schools. I agree with Mr. Torsella's statement that nothing is more important that education...nothing. There is a huge gap in what we should know when we leave school and what we do know coming out. Education is what makes futures for our kids, and if we continue walking down the path that we currently are, and we are done for.
    When I have a feeling that more can be done to improve things, than are currently being done, I get a little happy in a change like this. I've seen to many people graduate from school, and not have the basic skills to get a decent job. There are people who should be heading to college, so that we as a common people have better lives, who can't or don't go. Now am I asking that every kid be Harvard smart? No. But what I am asking is that education be paramount and that ever single step that can be taken to make kids learn (not memorize) is what needs to be done. Hopefully he can and will do that, whatever it takes. The one thing I got after schooling was my interest in learning something I didn't know, and if Mr. Torsella can get that interest in school, I think we'd all be a lot better off.
    "I cannot think of a more qualified individual who can facilitate the discussion about guaranteeing that our students graduate with the skills they need to be successful in the global workforce upon high school graduation," the Governor said during his announcement. I hope that he's right, I hope that Joe Torsella can do that. I love history, and Philadelphia was and will be again the place that the world comes for business. I just hope that Mr. Torsella takes us towards that goal. Only time will tell us if my hopes are right or just misplaced, and I shall be happy the day that dream comes true.