WHY I DON’T YET RETIRE The following is an excerpt from the acceptance speech of Lynn Cherkasky-Davis ‘75 at the Reach Awards Gala held at the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower on June 6, 2017. Cherkasky-Davis has received national recognition for her work as a teacher-leader and was honored with an NLU Reach Award for her commitment to the profession of teaching.
FIRST WORD
“…I am often asked why I don’t yet retire.
The short answer is that there is more work to be done, and I have so much more to do.
The longer answer is that I’ve spent my professional life holding high standards and expectations, helping students and teachers think deliberately and carefully, using truth, rigorous reasoning, creativity, and knowledge to advance learning. To have all this violated daily by the political leaders at the helm of my country is an affront to education — so that is why I don’t retire. I must continue to educate, empower, support, influence, develop and restore generations of teachers and teacher-leaders so that they will continue to educate, empower, support, influence, develop and restore generations of students.
Finally, to address my colleague’s question of what I would want inscribed on my headstone when that time comes. I hope my family, friends and those teachers and students I have taught, led, developed and mentored will tell you that what they will inscribe is: Lynn Cherkasky- Davis made a difference. Thank you to National Louis University (NLU), the trustees, faculty and staff, families, friends and tonight’s guests for understanding and perpetuating the importance of this university. What it stands for, what it has meant, and what it will do in the years ahead. Thank you so much for this award, and to NLU for enabling me to reach.”
You can view Lynn Cherkasky-Davis’ full acceptance speech at nl.edu/NotRetired
5
National Louis University VIEW | FALL 2017
Powered by FlippingBook