I completed my 26th semester last night.
I’ve co-taught the Legislation class at the University of Maryland School of Law since 1995.
One of the guest speakers yesterday had taken the class when he was a student.
Senate President Bill Ferguson.
He discussed what he learned as a Teach for America civics teacher at Southwestern High School, located in what is now the district he represents in the General Assembly; his first meeting with Senate President Mike Miller, two days after his primary win over a seven-term incumbent; the lessons he learned from his committee chair, Senator Joan Carter Conway, his first term in Annapolis; and how he led the Senate this past year with his own style.
He also talked about the importance of personal relationships and of being honest with everyone you come in contact with.
Especially, I would add, after the last four years.
In my closing remarks to the class, I spoke of my love of the legislative process – of moving policy in the right direction or getting something done for a neighborhood in my district.
I concluded with this quote from a recent op-ed:
It’s a frustrating and destructive fight because both sides are partly right.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/16/opinion/leftists-moderates-democratic-party.html
How to find that middle ground, to make some progress towards the ultimate objective, is what I’m still learning.
