Former Red Raider to take on Patriots

December 16th, 2010

Tyler's Matt Flynn hoists the 2007 BCS National Championship trophy

Green Bay Packers’ backup quarterback, and Tyler’s own, Matt Flynn, doesn’t normally get surrounded by the press in the locker room on media day, but this day’s different seeing as he’s preparing for what might be the toughest task of his football career so far: the New England Patriots.

Although word hasn’t officially been released to the public yet, Flynn will start against the Patriots Sunday night.

“I’m excited, and I’m going to go through the week like I’m definitely going to be playing and hopefully Aaron (Rodgers) can get back, but I’m just going to get in there like I’m going to be playing and prepare like it,” Flynn told the media.

Rodgers went down in last week’s 7-3 loss to the Detroit Lions. In his debut, Flynn completed 15-of-26 passes for 177 yards and one interception. The more experience, the better, and Flynn said getting the snaps he got last week helped a lot.

“I go from getting a handful of plays during the week to getting most all of them. So it’s been good getting the timing with the receivers and just small things like working snap counts with the offensive line. If I get a chance to get in there, the timing will be a lot better than last week.”

The 8-5 Packers will take on the 11-2 Patriots on the road.

“It’s definitely a big game,” Flynn said. “ It’s a night game, it’ll be on TV, but I’ve played in games before, I know not at this level, but I’ve been on the big stage before so that’s not going to really bother me. It’s just about getting on the plane Saturday, getting completely prepared and having my mind at ease that I prepared myself as much as I can.”

Flynn knows and is grateful for having the respect of his teammates.

“I can’t speak for everyone, but I will speak for the receivers-we’ve got all the trust in the world in Matt,” Packers receiver Jordy Nelson told packers.com. “We said it last week when he came into the game against Detroit. He would take a couple throws back, but I thought he performed very well.

“I told him on the bus, ‘Right now, the receiving corps, we believe in you.’ We actually felt that from his rookie year when he came in and played well in the preseason and moved up and got second-string quarterback. We know what he can do. He won a national championship in college, and you have to be a good quarterback to do that.”

Before winning that national championship, Flynn quarterbacked the Robert E. Lee Red Raiders to a state championship during his junior year in 2001 where they fell short to Mesquite High School.

The following year, as a senior, he threw for 1,679 passing yards and nine touchdowns while rushing for 305 yards and 12 touchdowns, and despite playing his last four games with a broken foot, he led his team to the state semifinals where the Red Raiders lost to Midland High School.

After high school, Flynn attended Louisiana State University.
For his first three years, he served as backup quarterback JaMarcus Russell.
As a fifth year senior, he finally got time under center as he led the Tigers to a BCS National Championship game where they beat the Ohio State Buckeyes 38-24. Flynn was named MVP of that game.

The Packers drafted Flynn in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft and signed a contract through the 2011 season.

Based on what Flynn tells the media, he seems ready to go, but’s he’s got a true test in front of him Sunday night.

Tags: 2007 Bcs National Championship, 3 Lions, Aaron Rodgers, Backup Quarterback, Bcs National Championship, Big Game, Championship Trophy, Coach Mike, Detroit Lions, Digital Picture Frame, Football Career, Frame Weight, Green Bay Packers, Handful, Head Coach, Interception, Locker Room, Matt Flynn, Mike Mccarthy, New England, New England Patriots, Night Game, Offensive Line, Receivers, Sd Mmc, Sure Thing, Teammates
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Classical Christian Schools

September 18th, 2010

I’ve written quite extensively in recent weeks on some of the most prevalent and growing philosophies of Education. The sad fact is, many educators and administrators do not fully understand what it means to have a philosophy of education, and are unable to articulate it if they do. They sum it up by simply stating “Well, we’re a Christian school, and we have chapel once a week…” This is not enough definition!

There are two philosophies or methodologies of education of which I am a very big advocate. One I have written about already. It is called the Principle Approach. The other “is like unto it” and is called Classical Christian Education (CCE).

Classical Christian Education, like numerous curriculums and methods began to form in the nineteen seventies. It places a heavy emphasis on the Greco- Roman languages, thought and tradition as the basis for western society. The schools that employ this approach usually offer Greek and Latin language classes, logic and debate, and English and literature as the core of their curriculum list. The classrooms themselves appear generally traditional. Studies usually center on in- class lecture and a question- answer format. Like the Principle Approach, The Classical School puts a heavy emphasis on the teacher’s role in the classroom. The program stresses the importance of critical reasoning and the Socratic Method.

These schools are dedicated to producing thinking Christian young people, with a worldview that is well founded in the scriptures. They hold as their purpose also to help preserve the Judeo- Christian culture in our nation. Theologically the Classical Schools tend toward a fairly heavy reform doctrine. This may seem surprising from institutions that champion Romance Traditions. As far as I can tell there are groups, which offer Classical Schools membership and accreditation, like the Association of Classical and Christian Schools (ACCS). These groups tend to be more tightly bound doctrinally, to the Calvinist position. (I should be careful to state that this is not exclusively the case). There are also schools that are more independent and loosely “classical.” These seem to be more denominationally diverse. Even some Catholic Schools consider themselves to be classical these days.

While I personally am not of the Reformed Tradition, I do strongly advocate the classical model’s devotion to critical reasoning, championing the Judeo- Christian heritage and the use of traditional teacher driven classrooms. For a lot more information on the classical model, visit the following websites: http://www.firstprinciplesjournal.com/articles.aspx?article=128&theme=home&page=1&loc=b&type=cttf , and http://www.accsedu.org/Mission_Statement.ihtml?id=36663 .

Tags: Answer Format, Christian Culture, Class Lecture, Classical Christian Education, Classical School, Classical Schools, Critical Reasoning, Curriculums, Language Classes, Latin Language, Methodologies, Philosophies Of Education, Philosophy Of Education, Principle Approach, Roman Languages, Sad Fact, Scriptures, Seventies, Socratic Method, Worldview
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University of Texas at Tyler

December 24th, 2009

Just off the Southeast corner of Loop 323 in Tyler, tucked away in a wooded area is the beautiful, peaceful campus of the University of Texas at Tyler. I used to work at TJC and UT Tyler, and I always noticed the difference just passing through the entrance to UT Tyler. I could almost smell the sense of academic purposefulness that hung in the air. Everyone was going somewhere, moving forward, studying intently. The vast majority of students I came into contact with seemed to be serious about getting their education and succeeding in their chosen field. Maybe this has something to do with UT’s starting point as a higher education center serving Juniors, Seniors, and Masters students. In 1997 they expanded to include general courses for Freshmen and Sophomore students. Perhaps the mature student body in UT’s early beginnings helped draw successive students who were also striving for academic excellence.

UT’s small class sizes are a huge plus. Even though UT is continuing to expand its programs and grow its student body (about 6,000), they still maintain a 1:16 staff to student ratio, which gives UT a private-school feel at a public school price.

UT boasts four professional colleges and one traditional college of arts and sciences that together offer over 90 academic degrees. They are accredited to award bachelors, master’s and doctoral degrees. Many courses are also offered on-line. UT Tyler makes its courses available to students living near its two remote campuses in Palestine and Longview. On-site professors, ITV (Interactive Television), and internet courses make getting a degree much more cost effective and convenient for students in those areas.[ad#large-blog-block]

Among the professors and courses I experienced (education, psychology, business, biology, literature, counseling), across the board, every one displayed a high level of professionalism and enthusiasm for their area of expertise, but no tolerance for anything they viewed as academic laziness. So UT is not the place to come if you are hoping to just squeak through to get a degree. The sense I got from UT’s professors is that they have a willingness to answer questions and an open door policy, but you had better keep up.

Up until a few years ago, UT didn’t provide much of a place for student life or extracurricular programs, which maybe helped their academic atmosphere, but was probably hurting their growth. The expansion of their NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletic program in the past five years has drawn more students and stirred up a sense of school spirit within their student body as well as within the community.

The new Herrington Patriot Center, the largest building on campus, at 127,312 square ft, serves a dual purpose as an athletic and academic building. The HPC is the university’s answer to the lack of student life activities, providing fitness classes, recreation and therapy pool, backetball/vollyball courts, and a student lounge. Student life seems to be getting more attention at UT.

Many Tylerites have attended one or more musical or stage performances at UT’s Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center, a classy cultural center for the fine arts in Tyler. The Cowan Center also frequently hosts well-known speakers, such as former President Bush, drawing the public onto campus, and putting UT Tyler on the map.

UT continues to reach for the far horizon and make valuable contributions to society, as it intensifies its focus on its research program. Federal, state, and private funding for this research helps cover the latest scientific equipment, pays for more faculty, and makes UT more appealing to first-rate graduate students.

If you are looking for an excellent, affordable education with a private-school feel, check out UT Tyler.

Tags: University of Texas at Tyler, UT Patriots, UT Tyler, UTT
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The City of Tyler, TX

December 16th, 2009

The City of Tyler, TX, though not as large as the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex, holds a significant place in the state of Texas.  Tyler is the largest city in East Texas, and the county seat and hub of Smith County. It is located approximately 100 miles east of Dallas, and about the same distance west of Shreveport, Louisiana. That space allows the city to thrive in its own right. Tyler is surrounded by suburb-like towns on every side: Lindale and Mineola to the North, Chandler to the west, Bullard and Jacksonville to the south, and Chapel Hill to the East. The closest significant city is Longview, which sits 40 miles to the east.

The City of Tyler was founded in 1846 by planners who were looking for a county seat for Smith County. It was named after President John Tyler. During the Civil War, the city hosted a prison camp called “Camp Ford.” At that time, the city was home to more than 1000 people.

Today, Tyler is home to more than 100,000 residents, and is probably best known for it’s beautiful roses. The city is nicknamed “The Rose Capital of America.” It is estimated that 20% of roses grown in the US originate from Tyler. Each fall, the city celebrates its reputation as it welcomes thousands of visitors to the Rose Festival. More than 100,000 visitors enjoy the festivities, which include a coronation of the new Rose Queen, and a large parade through the city. The Tyler Municipal Rose Garden, which is the largest in the entire nation, is central to the festivities.

Tyler is often referred to as a Retirement Community. According to GreatPlacesToRetire.com, Tyler is “one of the great places in the U.S” for seniors to settle down and retire. And thousands of elder Americans do just that because of factors such as the low cost of living, the moderate size, and the accessibility to a major metropolitan area. It is a great place for those who don’t like the hustle and bustle of the big city, but don’t like the isolation of the small towns either.[ad#large-blog-block]

But the city of Tyler is not just a retirement community. In fact, it hosts some of the most popular colleges in the region. Tyler Junior College is a 2-year community college with more than 12,000 students enrolling each year. TJC also offers continuing education classes to thousands of residents in Smith County.

In addition, Tyler is home to The University of Texas at Tyler. UT Tyler is a satellite campus of the University of Texas, whose main campus is in Austin. UT Tyler is a four year university with more than 6000 students.

So is Tyler a Retirement Community or a Student Community? Some say both. Perhaps it is simply a family community. The cost of real estate and overall cost of living are low, and the opportunities for families abound, especially in the area of childhood education. Tyler hosts large public schools, and seemingly limitless opportunities for families who prefer private schools. Since Tyler is a very religious community, there are many Christian Schools which offer a variety of educational choices. Bishop TK Gorman Schools are a popular choice, especially for Catholics in East Texas. All Saints Episcopal School, The Brook Hill School, Kings Academy, Christian Heritage School, Grace Community, and East Texas Christian School all serve to educate students from a Protestant Christian perspective.

And of course, churches play a huge role in the life of Tylerites. The common cliche “A church on every street corner” almost rings true for the city. There are centers of worship for every denomination, of every size and shape. Baptist and Methodist churches are especially common, but there are plenty of other as ewll. Three of the most notable Tyler churches are Green Acres Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, and Grace Community Church.

Economic opportunities are expanding in Tyler as well. The region was historically an oil rich area, but the economy is very diverse. Some of the most notable employers are Tyler Pipe, Train Heating and Air, and the Target Distribution Center. The city is also home to large retail districts. There are always jobs available in retail stores and restaurants.

So what do Tylerites do for fun? Besides going to the popular Rose Garden, the wonderful Caldwell Zoo, or the lovely and peaceful Tyler State Park, Tyler residents generally enjoy fishing and hunting, shopping, and high school football. During the fall season, local stadiums are packed as thousands of men, women and children cheer as their sons and nephews beat up on their hated rivals. Those who don’t like football so much will always enjoy going to their favorite buffet (and there are many, many buffets!) and catching a movie at one of Tyler’s three cinemas.

Overall, the city of Tyler is a wonderful place to raise a family, go to school, and settle down during your twilight years. It’s lush history, spacious lots, low cost of living, and abundant opportunities make living there an eventful–if not so fast-paced–experience.

Tags: City of Tyler TX, life in Tyler TX, tyler attractions, Tyler living, tyler schools, Tyler TX
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Andy Woods Elementary School Area

November 30th, 2009

When relocating to Tyler Texas it is sometimes hard to picture what a house may look like simply from the real estate listing emails you receive from your Tyler realtor. The way me and my wife found our house was by driving out to a neighborhood and looking at homes we liked. We would occasionally find a house that was for sale and it would sometimes be just what we were looking for.

You can use an MLS search tool to look through homes in a certain zip code. You will be able to narrow down your choices this way but it is always worth getting into your car and going to areas that are known to be good locations to live in. The Andy Woods Elementary school area in Tyler Texas is a great affordable location in Tyler to buy a home. There are several moderately priced neighborhoods in this area and if you work in Tyler you will likely not have a very far drive to work.

There is one house close to Andy Woods I would recommend staying away from. One of the houses has a large sign in the front yard because of a land dispute. The sign is about 10 feet tall by 5 feet and has a large map of the diputed property line. What is weird is that the property line in dispute crosses into his property by a couple feet. The fence was built several years ago and there just isn’t anything legally the guy could do anyway to get the lady to move her fence and storage shed.

The guy in question doesn’t look like he plans to budge anytime soon and the little old lady in the house he is disputing with I can’t see paying to have her fence and storage shed picked up and moved. When considering moving into this area of Tyler this is the only real problem I have seen in the area. There are a few little cottage styled houses that are really small as well that would probably go for around $70,000 – $90,000. A small cottage home would be great for a single first time home buyer. A couple with no kids could also find a pretty decent small affordable home in this area of Tyler as well. There are some larger homes in this area as well but it is good that you have your pick at different price ranges on houses in the same area.

There is a park nearby Andy Woods called Pollard Park and it has a Tennis Court and two nearby churches. The soccer fields are big enough to fly a Kite and the park has a fairly good sized playground. This year the Obama Administration is offering a $8,000 first time home buyers tax credit you don’t have to pay back. Because of the state of the economy I am not sure if this credit is a smart thing to give out right now but since it is available I would jump on it as I don’t think it will be around much longer.

I have seen people walk around the park with their dogs, some drive golf balls there in the evenings. There are about 6 tennis courts available with a large fence around them to prevent your tennis ball from going out into the road.

The Andy Woods area with the park and good elementary school system offers a low crime rate, moderately priced Tyler homes and gives you a central location in South Tyler. Your drive to Best Buy is about the same drive time as it would take to get to the court house or Tyler mall. For the location, low crime rate, school, and park I think you will get a very good deal for a home in this area of Tyler.

Tags: Andy Woods, Andy Woods Elementary, Choices, Couple Feet, Fence, First Time Home, First Time Home Buyer, Front Yard, Homes for Sale in Tyler TX, Land Dispute, Little Old Lady, Mls Search, Moving, Neighborhood, Real Estate Listing, Realtor, Relocating, Search Tool, Storage, Time Home Buyer, Tyler MLS Search, Tyler Texas, Zip Code
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Former Red Raider to take on Patriots

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The City of Tyler, TX

Andy Woods Elementary School Area