Veteran visits IB class
Vietnam veteran Randy Thomas visited Central High School’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level Literature I class on Wednesday, Feb. 4, to share with the students about his time serving overseas in the army.
The class is currently reading the book “The Things They Carried” by Tim O'Brien, which is set during the era of U.S. involvement with the conflict in Vietnam. Thomas’s visit helps to bring the story and its associated history off the page and into the real world.
Thomas shared his story starting from his experience with the draft and becoming an aerial gunner. Sharing photos and a model helicopter, Thomas described his memories of army life including what he called the scariest day of his life as his helicopter was shot down in the midst of combat. Rounding out the story, Thomas described what life was like when he returned to civilian life — experiencing adversity like many veterans returning from service in Vietnam.
“Real life interactions make the learning feel real and help students see how school is connected to the world beyond the classroom,” said teacher Jodi Pitts. “I also think it can help boost connectedness between our community and our school.”
IB programmes not only offer a versatile and rigorous learning experience, but also aim to bring students closer to the local community. Guest speakers like Thomas offer the students tangible connections between what they’re learning and the real world around them. Not only were the students able to meet a living breathing person who lived through what they were learning about, they had the opportunity to ask him questions.
While Thomas’s story was one of history and related to the book being read in class, it also fostered a conversation of human connection. IB students are meant to learn and hold a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities that go beyond academic success. The IB Learner Profile empowers students to become inquisitive, principled and caring citizens.
“Somebody else is relying on you to do your job to save them. It creates character,” said Thomas about his time in the army.