The Flower: A Diversity Framework

This week I went to a diversity workshop and learned a new framework called The Flower (see below). The framework pushes us to think about what driving our actions and our patterns. How often is it not our espoused values, but core beliefs or assumptions that we hold onto. 

Love wins!

When we lead with fear, we lose ourselves. When we lead with love, anything is possible. We have the power to change minds and hearts.

This week at work

This week was a perfect microcosm of how dynamic and empowering our school is.

First, last weekend the students put on a delightful production of Shrek the Musical.

On both Tuesday and Saturday the faculty had service projects that were coordinated by members of the Formation to Mission team.

On Wednesday we had a Student Leadership Closing Ceremony, for which the student leaders crafted "thank you" messages to the members of their group, highlighting each group's accomplishments. That same evening we had the Oral History Night, for which students in US History shared their oral history projects that they have been working on all year, reflecting on the impact of the project.

On Thursday we had the fabulous interdisciplinary Shakesfaire, which was also a celebration of learning. We also had big senior night games for the spring sports, and celebrated that with a spirit day all day.

On Friday, students in the Physics and Engineering classes went to Hershey Park to see their lessons' application to the world outside of the classroom.

In all, the week was representative of the myriad opportunities we offer students to explore their passions, and for the modeling we do of that as adults.

An April of Conferences

April 2016 has been a month I've been looking forward to since last summer. I had culminating conferences in three different groups that I am a part of. After months of planning, I was expecting April to stressful. Instead, it was wholly inspiring.

After the Baltimore Yearly Meeting's Peace Networking Day on April 2, I wrote "First one down and a success!" I had a powerful conversation on the drive to the event with a peace activist, and I shared with him the discomfort I feel in the way he presents a message of peace (sometimes he makes peace sound like an exclusive club). I appreciated the opportunity to speak truth to power. The conference was combined with a Youth Peace Day hosted by SSFS. It was wonderful that the two conferences coincided because it was inspiring to see the work that students are doing for peace. As a whole, the day was full of exciting collaborations, from which I learned a great deal from my peers and was able to envision all of what Bethesda Friends Meeting is capable of!

The SR TEDx conference was themed "The Mystery of the World," and the talks were consistently thoughtful and deepening. They offered all of us new ways of approaching the world around us. At the time I wrote that, "TEDx feels like a mascot for all the work I do" because it had a spirit of social action. It was inspiring to have a broad audience exposed to such positive an encouraging messages. The greatest part was that my stepmother was one of those incredible speakers. I was so proud!

Finally, last weekend I had the Quaker Palestine Israel Network Collaboration. It was an amazing opportunity to connect with people who share my passion and values. One of the themes was that investing in peace takes head and heart. It helped me to feel comfortable taking on stand for the Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) movement as the most authentic form of solidarity with the Palestinians and the most promising means of supporting the Palestinians in having a voice in peace talks. What a powerful reminder that pacifism isn't passive.

I'm coming out of this month a more grounded woman than when I entered it. So much of my time is put into activities that help me to be the change I want see in the world. This month helped me to see that it's worth it.

Pendle Hill is my Mecca

I love Pendle Hill because it is where my people are. When I was there last weekend for the Quaker Palestine Israel Network, I kept having flashbacks to my time in the Friends Council on Education Institute for Engaging Leadership in Friends Schools because we were in the same rooms I had enjoyed five years earlier. I have strong sense memories and they are only being affirmed and made stronger.  Both experiences have been incredibly positive and significant in shaping me into the woman I am today. They have each made me more sure of myself and my purpose. Pendle Hill remains an important touchstone for my life.

Honoring Kevin

My colleague Kevin passed away earlier this year. He was a beloved teacher, colleague, friend and mentor. He lived a life of faith in action. He is what we all aspire to be - funny, inspirational, authentic, impactful, and kind. Although I didn't know him as well as faculty members who had worked with him for years, I was touched by his Light, as was everyone else in our community. He came to school to teach through mid-January and passed away at in early February. He was able to do so because he was driven by love.

Today we had a "Shakesfaire" in honor of Kevin and his appreciation for Shakespeare. It was one of the most joyful learning and teaching experiences that I have ever been a part of. Teachers had booths relating their passions to Shakespeare, which left students with all the right kinds of questions that they could go on to explore further. It was also a reminder for all of us that learning is supposed to be fun, and it is a time of year when we need reminding. I hope we cover a topic in such a joyful and interdisciplinary way every year from now on. It is certainly how students learn best. I know Kevin is proud of us.

To Be Lovestruck

“Martin Luther King, Jr. called for us to be lovestruck with each other, not colorblind toward each other. To be lovestruck is to care, to have deep compassion, and to be concerned for each and every individual, including the poor and vulnerable.” — Cornel West 

Ever since I read this quote, I have embraced the concept of being lovestruck. I have been reflecting on the importance of being lovestruck by everything with which I share the precious resource of my time. That is how I live my life in a spiritually grounded way. That is how I make all of my work love made visible, following the sentiment of Kahlil Gibran. There is a power that accompanies love. I can't do anything beautiful or true without it.