News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Longtime Cookeville educator Peggy Fragopoulos is telling her stories of traveling and teaching through her recently released book.
The Truth as I Remember It: Short Stories of Life and Travel highlights 30 of Fragopoulos’ favorite Putnam past times and world trips. Fragopoulos said traveling with past students made for great lessons in the classroom.
“That has been kind of the focus behind my travels,” Fragopoulis said. “It is just not going to have a good time, but it is a learning experience. And in that learning experience, we learn about people that are not just like us, and I think it has taught people to embrace the difference, and it also has taught them to appreciate home.”
Fragopoulis said readers can find stories ranging from her father’s tenure as a Tennessee Tech maintenance worker to teaching English in China. Fragopoulis said down time during the pandemic and students wanting the stories shared lead to the writings.
“I think it is an easy book to read, because most people do not have the time to sit down and read a novel,” Fragopoulis said. “But this particular one since it is 30 different stories. You can read one and move on when you have time. They range from maybe two to five pages each. It has been fun to write.”
Fragopoulis said the fan favorite is called, “Students, A Hearst and a $1.18.” The story starts at Monterey High School when two students told Fragopoulis that one could travel to New York for $1.18. The means of travel ended up being unconventional.
Fragopoulis said fans of her stories can expect 30 more with plans to release another book in the future.
