Teacher of the Century Read Online Free PDF

speak.
    â€œIn this world of technological miracles,” he said, “knowledge is abundant. Information is downloaded directly into the human mind. Thanks to the hivenet, the sum total of human experience is available to anyone at any time.
    â€œAnd yet, we have found no substitute for traditional learning,” said the president, looking around meaningfully at the attentive faces in the White House rose garden. “No technology can match the magic that occurs in the face-to-face communion between teacher and student.
    â€œTraditional education is the backbone of our nation,” said the president, and the audience applauded. “It is because of this that we single out a Teacher of the Year, an example of the excellence that enables our children and nation to flourish.”
    Again, the audience clapped. At the president’s side, Principal Caesar beamed. In deference to the occasion, for once, he had concealed his naked body beneath a suit and tie.
    â€œIn this, the final year of the century,” said the president, “we will go a step further. In honor of the accomplishments of all our nation’s teachers over the past one hundred years, we will single out America’s finest teacher not only of the year, but of the century.”
    The president nodded proudly. “Let me tell you, this woman is more than deserving of the title I am about to bestow upon her.”
    The audience applauded with rising enthusiasm as the culmination of the ceremony approached.
    â€œShe has served with distinction for over fifty years at some of our nation’s finest schools,” said the president. “During her career, she has helped to mold the minds of some of our most distinguished and accomplished citizens.
    â€œHer contribution to our greatness cannot be overstated,” said the president. “By embracing progress while holding fast to the time-tested tenets of American education, she has linked the best of our yesterdays to the best of our tomorrows.”
    As the crowd applauded, the president consulted his palm screen. “I’m sure you already know her,” he said, returning his sincere gaze to his listeners. “Every year for the past decade, she has been named America’s Teacher of the Year.
    â€œNow, she is about to receive the highest honor in the land for a member of the noblest profession on Earth. There is no one who deserves it more.
    â€œFor excellence in the field of teaching...for contributions beyond measure to the success of our great nation...for unswerving devotion to the children of America...I hereby pronounce Cilla Sullivan Franklin America’s Teacher of the Century!”
    As the crowd burst into wild applause, the president turned and guided Cilla to the podium. She looked radiant in her frilly white dress, bathed in an aura of bright sunlight that shimmered around her and haloed her silver hair.
    â€œCongratulations, Cilla,” said the president, handing her a translucent plaque that pulsed with rainbow light. “And on behalf of all citizens of the United States of America, thank you.”
    â€œThank you, Mr. President,” Cilla said softly, peering around at the ring of newsglobes scoping their lenses in her direction. The globes made her nervous, reminding her of the eight-ball parental A.I.s.
    â€œYou are a national treasure, Cilla,” said the president.
    Cilla nodded and smiled, but was unimpressed by the flattery. To her thinking, the whole Teacher of the Century honor was meaningless, given the state of the world of education. How could anyone be honored to be a teacher when the schools were such a joke, when students and principals alike ran naked through the halls and the only learning taking place was the godlings’ learning new methods of mayhem?
    â€œNow, Cilla,” said the president, the applause fading at the sound of his voice. “I have a surprise for you.”
    Cilla glanced at the