From the Editor’s Desk:
The Springtime of Education
As I write this, spring started
just a few days ago. There were
pellets of ice somewhere
between snow and sleet on the
windshield when I left the house
this morning. Still, that didn’t
stop me from picking up (more)
seeds and three new seed-starter
trays when I went to the home
and garden store after lunch
today.
hours of practice and study and
the willingness to strive to
become better must certainly
constitute the majority share of
what makes greatness. True education does not produce the final
end product; rather, it plants the
seed that the student must water
in the field of experience if true
growth is to be realized. It gives
the student tools to use as he
builds on the foundation laid.
Officially, I was there to pick up
I believe in the Stained Glass
a few things for the Stained
School because I believe in the
Glass School that will be needRichard H. Gross, MTS
value of education. Learning
ed at the next enamels class,
can be its own end; some things
which will be held in April.
a person learns are learned simply for the joy of knowStill, there’s no sense in not making opportunities for
ing. However, much more frequently, learning is
multitasking… especially at the lawn and garden store.
undertaken as a means to an end: one wants to pursue
a career making beautiful stained glass windows;
especially in early spring.
therefore, one pursues an education in stained glass so
that one can be successful in that career. The foundaIf I actually plant all the seeds I have right now, I’ll end
tion is laid in the classroom.
up with enough fruits and vegetables to feed a multitude. But that’s not the point. After all, it’s not just
The Stained Glass School has long been a publishing
about growing fresh fruits and vegetables — although
and scholarship-granting body. It is very gratifying
certainly that’s a wonderful side benefit — it’s also
now to see it becoming so much more. The classes it
about what the seeds represent: possibility. Potential
offers are building in both diversity and frequency. No
for growth. Potential for the future.
longer are they limited strictly to the SGAA’s Annual
Summer Conference. Now workshops are made availIn a certain way, that’s also how I see the SGAA’s
able throughout the year at the SGAA Headquarters
Stained Glass School: potential and possibility. After
just outside of Kansas City.
all, the purpose of education is to plant seeds in the
mind that will grow into talents and abilities in the stuThe seed has been planted, and it will continue to
dent.
grow. Quality stained glass education from a reputable
school is desperately needed in this country; the
In a certain way, anyone can make a stained glass winStained