Gratitude is Contagious

If one were to interview people that know me well, I don’t believe I would be described as a cynic.  I think most would consider me to be an optimist, even a bit of a romantic.  When it comes to certain things, however, I can be quite suspicious.  One thing that I have always questioned, as I felt it was a manufactured observance, was “teacher appreciation week.”

I have been teaching for nearly 30 years, and quite honestly, I have always felt appreciated.  Granted, my first year out of college I was making an appallingly low salary; however, I knew the deal when I got into this profession - so I never viewed my earnings as an indicator of my appreciation or my worth.  Parents have always been good to me, students have almost always treated me with a degree of respect, and institutions did the best they could to appreciate my work.  While I know that my sisters and brothers in the field may not always feel the same way that I do, I feel lucky to be able to do something that I love for a living.

So, when it came to the idea of a “teacher appreciation week,” I was a bit skeptical.  It seemed to me that if one wanted to express appreciation, they could do so in their daily interactions and let their deeds speak for themselves.  Therefore, I never really made a big deal out of teacher appreciation week at BHS.

This year, however, the Beech Hill School Parents’ Association organized a teacher appreciation week, the likes of which I have never witnessed.  Every day, the BHSPA did things large and small to make sure that the faculty and staff at BHS knew just how much they were appreciated.  From flowers and balloons to great food and gifts - we were showered with appreciation.  I was truly touched and I know that the teachers really appreciated the efforts.

On Friday morning at Community, I took a moment to thank the students and the parents that were present.  One student thought it amusing that I was thanking people for thanking people.  And it was then that it became so obvious to me how contagious gratitude is.  After a week of being thanked, all I wanted to do was to express my gratitude.

I am now questioning all those things that I have written off as consumerism gone haywire - like teacher appreciation week, administrative assistants day, and the like.  While getting a gift will never absolve an individual from being unappreciative on a regular basis, observing even Hallmark created holidays can help to amplify and multiply appreciation.

I am so grateful for the efforts of the BHSPA this past week, and most of all I appreciate the way that the events that unfolded this week have helped to change my thinking.  I may have just missed administrative professionals day this year, but I have already circled the date on my calendar for next year (April 24, 2024).

While we are appreciating folks, I would be remiss if I did not send a shout out to the moms out there  - Happy Mother’s Day!

The Enduring Empanada

Many years ago, Señora Horn was a Spanish teacher at The Beech Hill School that revolutionized the curriculum.  She instituted an entirely new assessment system and introduced several texts.  While the assessment system did not stand the test of time, many of the texts that she introduced are still being enjoyed to this day.  Her most enduring initiative, however, was Empanada Day.  Sra. Horn was not only a fan of Spanish, but she was also a fan of the Food Network.  The pairing of these interests led to the introduction of a student cooking contest based on the type of empanadas that they could create.

Many years have passed, and several different teachers have taught Spanish at BHS, but the student demand has insured that Empanada Day is not and will not go away.  In fact, the current tandem of Señora Fortier and Señor Vazquez have only strengthened the tradition.  This year, the teachers gave the fifth grade a much more active role in the judging and required the competing students to present to the judges. 

In my experience, the strength of a tradition is revealed in the way that a similar experience is shared through the years.  I would imagine that in years to come, there will be additional changes, but at the core, the Empanada Day experience is one that will persist!

An April Roadtrip

My wife’s birthday is in February, and I was stumped when it came to getting her a gift.  Then it hit me – neither of our children have April Break – I could take her away for a trip - just the two of us!  This was a stroke of genius; especially considering that it has been many years since we have gone on a trip that was just the two of us.  In the last ten years or so especially, it seems that the bulk of our travel has been centered on our children – a baseball tournament here, a lacrosse showcase there, and hockey everywhere else!  Not this time, instead, Sharon and I would be off for a few days to Healdsburg, California, in the heart of wine country.

This great trip never materialized, as like many of the best plans of mice and men, this went awry.  No, it was not a last-minute sporting event for the kids, but it was a child based reason for the change. Based on several factors, my wife and I realized that it was really important that we accompany our son on some college visits, as his junior year of high school is drawing to a close.  So, instead of a getaway for two to wine country in California, our trip became a road trip for three to Central New York and Western Massachusetts, visiting 6 schools in 3 days.

I am still trying to process all that I witnessed on the trip – the beautiful campuses, the single digit acceptance rates, the multiple digit price tags, and the entire process of schooling that stretches from BHS through higher ed.  There is no doubt fodder for future blogs in the college price and higher ed in general.  This week rather, my message is simple, trite even – but one that parents of middle school students must consider: the transformation from child to young adult that happens in the 8 years from 5th Grade to High School graduate is both remarkable and rapid.  Not only does it seem to happen in a blink of an eye, but more than ever, I am convinced that the middle school years are critical in setting the trajectory for all that follows.

Now that the trip has come and gone, I am happy to have shared the time with my son, as it is now so obvious that road trips like this will soon be drawing to a close.  Of course, new adventures will unfold, and before I know it, my wife and I will finally visit wine country – and when I am there, I will no doubt be wondering how the kids grew up so fast.

A Time to Shine!

This past Wednesday, The Beech Hill School hosted the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Greater Concord cohort for their education day.  The cohort consists of 30 leaders from a wide range of industries in the Greater Concord area.  The focus of the day was education in the Greater Concord area, and the cohort started their day at BHS.  As soon as the participants entered the school, they were greeted by BHS students, who offered participants a tour for the school.  Following the tours the cohort went about their work, and eventually moved on to several different locations around the city.  The day concluded back at BHS, where Commissioner of Education Frank Edelblut addressed the cohort.  Throughout his remarks, he spoke glowingly of BHS, our innovative programs and our exceptional faculty.

To say that I was proud of the students, faculty, and the school itself would be an understatement.  The students were so excited to welcome our guests and they represented themselves and our community with distinction.  At the very end of the day, I had the opportunity to introduce Commissioner Edleblut to one of the members of the 7th Grade.  That student wowed Commissioner Edelblut with his knowledge of history and his ability to speak so well.

It is not every day that we get to showcase our students outside The Beech Hill School community, but when we do, they always impress!

Return of The Knoll

It is remarkable how quickly the temperatures can change this time of year.  Last Friday afternoon, I was standing on the sidelines of my daughter’s lacrosse game and it was frigid.  This week, the sun was out in full force and temperatures were mild, to say the least.

This week, we have officially started to hold Community in The Knoll again.  Starting each day outside really does wonders.  Especially when we take our moment of intention, which is when we pause to set an intention for the day.  Even the squirmiest of middle schoolers takes this seriously, and the sounds of birds, neighboring farm animals and even the wind, make the moment that much more special.

Twice this week, I was able to hold class in The Knoll.  While I could have just as easily conducted my lesson in the history class, the change of setting made it seem like it was a treat to have class in The Knoll.  We did the same work, but the novelty of class outside following a long winter made it all seem more special.

Throughout the winter, The Knoll sat dormant.  Mother Nature has, once again, given us the green light to begin using the space, and I can’t wait to see the new and exciting ways that The Knoll will become a part of our community!