Dear Blake Families:
I hope everyone is having a good start to the week and that the three-day weekend provided some time for yourselves. Amidst a busy weekend for us (soccer, a wedding, puppy walks, yard work) I do feel as though I was been able to stop and breathe a bit this weekend - much needed! I once again want to thank the Blake staff and community for taking time at the end of this past week to recognize and acknowledge our veterans of Medfield. My hope is that the rotation of events we began this year will allow opportunities for students to find meaning each year of their Blake experience. Thank you to all!
This week I am highlighting two articles that you may find of interest, both personally and professionally. In an effort to stay true to my measured (some might say 'baby step') goal of working towards 'balance' stemming from the workshop I attended in October with Robert Kegan on the 'change process', the articles are listed with some quotes that resonated with me and connect to the overarching goals we have for ourselves and our students this year...
Laughter and Learning by David Penberg
"There is lots of work and talk these days about social and emotional learning. The need for resiliency, grit and determination has become part of the parlance of many educators, and this is a good thing. But there is hardly any reference to humor and happiness...There is lots about core curriculum, standards, test scores and student outcomes, but a complete void in any sensible conversation around the purpose of education around well-being and what might make people happy (i.e. being able to laugh). Laughter and happiness are an objective dimension of human experience, and we all know as products of school, that skills and knowledge are not enough. As educators, we also have a fundamental role in shaping dispositions. In other words, if people are to flourish and be happy, they need to gain various dispositions or virtues that enable them to align all of this together into a coherent whole."
George Saunders' Advice to Graduates by Joel Lovell
This post by Lovell is a 'nod' to George Saunders' (writer for The New York Times) convocation speech to the class of 2013 at Syracuse University. I agree with Lovell that the entire speech is well worth the read - noting regrets and emphasizing what he feels we need most - kindness...
"...to the extent that you can, err in the direction of kindness. Do those things that incline you toward the big questions, and avoid the things that would reduce you and make you trivial. That luminous part of you that exists beyond personality – your soul, if you will – is as bright and shining as any that has ever been. Bright as Shakespeare’s, bright as Gandhi’s, bright as Mother Teresa’s. Clear away everything that keeps you separate from this secret luminous place. Believe it exists, come to know it better, nurture it, share its fruits tirelessly."
As I continue to work on my own goals, both personal and professional, it would be misleading (and really just not honest) for me to say our work is easy. However, I feel fortunate to work in an environment that provides opportunities every day to find and share humor, witness kindness, and learn. I hope we can continue to foster this sense of community together for our students and one another. Please let me know how I can help - my door is always open.
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Take care.
Nat Vaughn