And Laugh Often.

Following are excerpts from the remarks I shared with the faculty at our annual August back to school staff meeting.

The work of education - teaching and learning - has become increasingly complex and often unpredictable. 

Despite the difficulties and challenges we face as educators, I believe our work is extraordinary. I believe it is a gift to educate children in this community. Here are just some of the things we get to do each day:

• Nurture human connections - We have the responsibility and the honor to bring young people together, to bridge differences, nurture friendships. We have an opportunity to create small groups of children in our classrooms from many backgrounds who look, learn, pray, and love differently! We have the power to offer students meaningful human interactions that promote empathy, understanding, and a sense of wonder and curiosity in the world - and the people around them. We can help young hearts and minds develop a respect for human differences.

• Empower the next generation - Our Portrait of a Needham Graduate framework outlines the key skills and competencies we are privileged to offer young people. Through your hands and hearts you provide children with the knowledge, skills, creativity, and critical thinking abilities they need to shape their present needs, their future lives.  

• Resist negative influences - Acts of bias and hate, substance abuse, exposure to violence and economic inequality can weigh America down, can burden our students and their future selves.  By promoting a love of learning, a chance to build friendships and community, and by nurturing a school culture that allows mistakes, educators can help children develop resilience and resist harmful societal pressures. By considering the way we treat our students, listen to their voices, and elevate each child’s experience and life, we defy the negative narrative, we can embolden their hearts and minds.

• Build a better world - Education has the power to break down barriers and promote a more equitable and just society. We simply expect more of ourselves and our students within the schoolhouse; we aspire to be better and demonstrate more civility.  In this way we became counter-cultural and reflect back to the broader community how it just might be possible to learn from and respect one another if we take the time to listen carefully and acknowledge another’s personal story. 

• Laugh and discover joy - Let’s enjoy our students: Let’s laugh with them and relish their youthfulness and innocence. St. Ignatius Loyola reminds us to “Laugh and grow strong!” Let’s smile at their corny jokes and youthful exuberance...Let's laugh at ourselves more; take the work seriously but let’s not take ourselves too seriously!  Laughter will allow us to relax, take stock in what is really important, and, as Ignatius suggests, it will strengthen us for the arduous journey.

The power we possess - the responsibility we hold is enormous! The joy of building up a human being is exhilarating and awesome. We have the ability to show how education can be a counter narrative - and antidote - to the cynicism and incivility of a perplexing world. Yes, our work is hard.  

My advice on the eve of a new school year? Lean on and learn from each other; lift up your students' voices, seek perspective, pace yourself, screw up every once and a while, listen deeply to others.

And laugh often.