A day in the life

Today was a typical day for the kind of loving and learning that I get to experience at work.

I walked in and a former student of mine had brought in my favorite breakfast treat for me. She had stopped by the bakery on her way to work and remembered my favorite.

My students presented thoughtful and engaging videos about non-Jewish victims of the Holocaust. They then had a meaningful discussion about why the study of those victims is important.

In advisory we had an impromptu discussion about how we can ensure that all of our religious/spiritual beliefs are honored at school. We shared our personal faith traditions.

I co-taught ninth graders a "What would you do?" diversity/social action lesson. Students were moved; there were lots of tears and little doubt that we were a part of something important.

I worked with the Pax Christi leaders on an upcoming after-school field trip and when we might have someone from my Meeting come talk about the interfaith non-profit Action in Montgomery. They picked a time for her to come in and arranged a meeting for before that to rally the troops.

I went to a solidarity session in support of schools being protested for having gay-straight alliances.

A student told me that the motto for my role could be "for students, by students, with students." She continued to make jokes about how student-centered my work is. I loved it.

I copied the readings for our next Beloved Community faculty reading and discussion group meeting.

I went to the play rehearsal because I won't be able to see any of the official shows. The girls were brilliant and hilarious, and their show made me positively joyful. I was also particularly struck because so many cast members are also important leaders in other ways at school, including several leaders within the Social Action program. I did not have those balance skills in high school.

I was copied on an email sent from one of the leaders of the student Social Action board to student leaders of various Upper School programs, inviting them to partner on a week-long programming focus in January on the justice system and its challenges. Her email was so thoughtful and polished that it easily could have been one of the many emails I get a day about social justice initiatives by non-profits. Again, I did not have those skills in high school.

I love my job.