Making New Friends: Table 2-1

For the past eight years, I have enjoyed my tenure as an administrator immensely. The ability to have an impact, with potentially far-reaching consequences, is stimulating and energizing. Working with the adults in the world of education is a gift. Here, I have daily contact with such dedicated professionals. People who have chosen a career that puts them in daily contact with children – from the darling little ones in our Preprimary to our wonderfully interesting and yet challenging adolescents in the Upper School. While I found the entire experience to be consistently impactful, there was always something missing.

There was always a bit of a realization that it just wasn’t the same . . . So, just what was it? The “it,” I soon realized, is the closeness that exists only in the classroom, or perhaps on the playing fields. The closeness that is almost unexplainable, the trust and rapport that builds up between students and their teachers or coaches as they meet daily to share time, stories, learning and, yes, trust. The closeness that develops when kids know you really care about them, what happens to them, their successes and their struggles. The closeness that happens when you share – share your lives together – even if it is just for an hour a day. I realized as I forged my way as an administrator that, while I had a wonderful opportunity to have an impact on a much wider audience, I no longer had the exclusive alone time with students so extraordinary when I was in the classroom. Not knowing how to remedy this in the “busyness” of an administrator’s day, I comforted myself with the knowledge that my professional support allowed my faculty to create the very same special moments in the classrooms throughout the schools I led.

As the 2012-2013 school year approached, I continued to search for ways I could connect with the students. Over the years, I have found it seems more acceptable to walk freely in and out of the classrooms of the Lower and Middle schools, not as easy in the Upper School, where it seems more disruptive to what is typically a more complicated lesson format. Therefore, I had more frequent opportunities to interact with the younger students and longed for this same rapport with the older ones – the ones in the age group I had spent so very many years teaching. Quite frankly, I knew how much fun adolescents can be and realized I missed that fun.

And then came Table 2-1. I decided that, although many advised me that I simply did not have time, I would carve out each day the opportunity to eat lunch with a group of Upper School students. So, I have now spent the most delightful three weeks with Roofia, Coco, Billy, Djadede, Jake, Sydney, and Harriette. My seven new friends! I have learned so much about the importance of our tradition of breaking bread together with each other, as students and teachers come together every day to share the midday meal.

We come together from different age groups, backgrounds, new students and returning students. I have learned that these USM students are the most impressive young people. They are mature beyond their years, open and accepting, funny and conversational. They are quite simply – charming. We have shared the early moments of getting to know each other – remarkably short-lived, the comfortable times when we felt growingly more sure of our relationship, and then the banter and laughter that comes from becoming good friends. While I will miss my first six tablemates, I now look forward to my next students, knowing that in just a few short weeks I will undoubtedly lay claim to six more good friends.

Not To Be Missed X 2

#1 Tiffany Hendryx on Monday evening

I try to cover different topics in my blog each time, so it is unusual for me to write about parent education opportunities two weeks in a row.

Last week, I encouraged you to read Tony Wagner’s The Global Achievement Gap in time for a Parent Education discussion set for early October. (Please note new date: Wednesday, October 10 from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. in the Ells Conference Room.)

This week, I urge you to attend Monday night’s (September 10, 7:00 p.m., Virginia Henes Young Theatre) Parent Education session with Tiffany Hendryx from Crane MetaMarketing.  Thanks to the work of Middle School Division Head Pamela Nosbusch, we are fortunate to have received a special grant to bring Ms. Hendryx to USM.  “As a parent, I am very excited to hear Ms. Hendryx’s suggestions on how best to communicate with my soon-to-be 16 year-old. As an educator, I know that I will gain valuable insights into more effective communication with the different generations of individuals within our school community,” says Nosbusch.

During her visit, Hendryx will also speak to students at both Middle School and Upper School assemblies.  While all three of her presentations will cover different age-appropriate themes, her valuable insights should generate some interesting discussions between you and your children.

Hendryx describes herself as a “big picture” person who sees the themes and the patterns within interactions and who is constantly on the lookout for new information, trends, and insights. Over the last 10 years, she has visited over 120 schools and talked to faculties, leaders, parents, and students.  Her presentation will share positive, practical thinking and techniques for keeping communication flowing between and among all of the generations present in your family circle.

#2 Middle School Teachers Encourage Students to “Drop in Daily”

During a Middle School assembly this week, students were shown a parody of the viral hit song “Call Me Maybe” performed by their teachers. Titled “Drop in Daily,” the video features MS faculty members reminding students that they can confide in their teachers and that homeroom is a safe place to talk about any issues or problems they may be having, whether related to homework, friends, or family. 

Watch our MS music video stars in action here.