In a meeting with school leaders earlier this week, I acknowledged the extreme duress facing school leaders, educators and parents with children learning at home, along with the physical suffering endured by so many others. Uncertainty, ongoing changes, and exhaustion are common. I reminded them that we are in the longest marathon of our lives, and spoke to the significance of prayer, exercise, community and mental health. One of this week’ s opinion columns from the New York Times places these tensions in contrast with the reality of how long life will be different: Stop Expecting Life to Go Back to Normal Next Year.
While the current climate disasters, racial injustice, and pandemic crises can feel all-consuming at times, I strive to focus on that which is good. Daily I try to recognize the blessings God grants me. Today I am so proud of my kids for their resilience throughout distance learning, I appreciate their teachers and school community, and I am so grateful to be able to open my windows for fresh air. I have taken a walk with my family during both breaks of the day thus far, and look forward to our next one after dinner.
Breaking down next steps in manageable portions is key for me these days. I’m looking ahead to a couple more calls, catching up on some emails, and then helping my kids with their homework. The picture depicted above is a sign that I passed by today in my neighborhood- it’s a nice reminder to you, too!
At this mid-September point, let us keep the educators and families we serve in our thoughts. As these weeks of the new academic year turn into months, I trust that the strength of our school communities will provide the support we need. I can attest to the long days encountering all of us, and also the need for us to tend to the spiritual social-emotional needs of the young entrusted to our care. Yesterday my family went outdoors for the first time in days and our 20 minute walk with our dog felt like a blissful eternity. Over the weekend I also read this quote aloud to my wife from the book I recently re-read:
“To be teacher or parent is to be a special instrument of God’s grace in learners’ lives. Ultimately, to educate is God’s own work.” -Thomas Groome, Educating for Life
I hope that each of us finds our place in God’s work throughout these turbulent times. May God make each of us a channel of God’s peace. I found the child’s voice in this rendition of The Prayer of Saint Francis to be an inspiration, and I pray to the intercession of the patron of my city for the healing that God’s creation needs at this time.
In this thought provoking piece, I Need You to Care That Our Country Is on Fire, journalist Charlie Warzel makes a compelling case for the urgent need to address climate change. At times I find it difficult not to despair around this issue, especially given that I have been unable to go outdoors for days due to the toxic air quality. The West Coast is on fire, and I am concerned for countless loved ones, colleagues and for those who are simply my neighbors by virtue of our shared humanity.
On this anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, I found this prayer from the Sisters of Mercy to be a source of comfort:
“We remember all that was lost to us that day: our sense of security, our peace, our innocence, our belief that we were safe beyond such random violence and death. Most of all we remember those who died in New York, Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania, their lives of promise extinguished in hatred.
We trace the movement of your grace through those among us who risked their lives to save others. We are comforted by those who offered kindness to persons in distress, and by those who would not let hatred overcome love. For those whose witness to a deeper wisdom and faith comforted us, we give you thanks.“
Today I pray for our world leaders. I pray for peace. And I pray for the safety and well-being of all.
Over the weekend we celebrated another of our children’s birthdays. We Facetimed with family, played games in our basement, and celebrated being together. The air cleared enough for us to spend an afternoon at a park with friends. Witnessing our kids running around and laughing was a gift in and of itself.
This week marks the “return” of all students to the new academic year at the schools in our Lasallian District. We are continuing to learn new and creative ways to practice our Lasallian community and sense of hospitality, whether it be virtually, in a hybrid fashion, or with adherence to distancing norms. While the physical safety and well-being of all is foundational to all approaches, tending to the spiritual and mental health of our students- and educators- is critical as well.
This reflection – I Believe by Lothar Zenetti– was shared as a prayer last week, and I am pleased to pass it along to you. It reminds us to practice gratitude while recognizing the presence of God. I invite you to take five minutes to focus and view it, for St. John Baptist De La Salle wrote: “The remembrance of God’s presence will be a great advantage in helping you and in inspiring you to do all your actions well” (Letter 2).
I hope that the poem and song below, and the articles that follow, inform your leadership this week.
When the rhythm of the heart becomes hectic, Time takes on the strain until it breaks; Then all the unattended stress falls in On the mind like an endless, increasing weight.
The light in the mind becomes dim. Things you could take in your stride before Now become laborsome events of will.
Weariness invades your spirit. Gravity begins falling inside you, Dragging down every bone.
The tide you never valued has gone out. And you are marooned on unsure ground. Something within you has closed down; And you cannot push yourself back to life.
You have been forced to enter empty time. The desire that drove you has relinquished. There is nothing else to do now but rest And patiently learn to receive the self You have forsaken in the race of days.
At first your thinking will darken And sadness take over like listless weather. The flow of unwept tears will frighten you.
You have traveled too fast over false ground; Now your soul has come to take you back.
Take refuge in your senses, open up To all the small miracles you rushed through.
Become inclined to watch the way of rain When it falls slow and free.
Imitate the habit of twilight, Taking time to open the well of color That fostered the brightness of day.
Draw alongside the silence of stone Until its calmness can claim you. Be excessively gentle with yourself.
Stay clear of those vexed in spirit. Learn to linger around someone of ease Who feels they have all the time in the world.
Gradually, you will return to yourself, Having learned a new respect for your heart And the joy that dwells far within slow time.
Formation happens more through relationships than individual dispositions or actions; we are what we repeatedly do together. For this reason, we have to be intentional about integrating self-care and mental health into our relationships as families, friends and communities for work, school or worship.
This week I have been reflecting upon love in action. The need to act. And our Gospel call to serve.
On a daily basis, I witness countless acts of servant leadership among the school leaders, educators and Trustees with whom I work. Across the country, these individuals are continually adapting to ever-changing guidelines, expectations and realities. I am inspired by these schools’ commitments to their kids, to safety and to the well-being of all.
And at home, as parents we navigate the delicate balance of keeping our children informed of today’s conditions, while also striving to protect them from some systemic injustices that unfortunately continue to confront society. This is where I feel my faith called into action. By modeling participation in our democratic process, and by participating in community alongside my family, I actually feel that I can make a difference. Dialogue around these issues is important in our household…we don’t have many of the answers, but we ask the questions together.
And then sometimes in the middle of these meaningful exchanges, it’s only a matter of time before I hear “Dad!” from the next room when someone needs Chromebook support. Lucky me- I am with my family and we are healthy. We will figure everything else out in time.
In today’s Gospel reading from Luke, following a healing miracle “at daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place.” I am struck by this example, and so many other examples, from Jesus’ ministry when he sought out a quiet place to be alone and reflect. I seek these similar places in my own life, whether it be a few extra minutes lying still before getting out of bed or by spending time outdoors. This morning I give thanks for the clean air that allowed my family to take our dog on a walk before we started school/work. It’s been over a week since we have been able to be outdoors in the morning due to the toxic air from the wildfires, so it felt like a blessing.
In Three Ways Administrators Can Nurture Teacher Growth autonomy, competency and connectedness are emphasized for supporting instructional success. Especially in our remote learning reality, supporting these aspects of teaching and learning are critical for our school and home communities. In our communities, there are all kinds of teachers and students; as educational leaders, our responsibility is to each and every one. Let’s take a cue from Jesus to ensure that we are creating the time and space in our lives to reflect upon just how we can do this: meet the needs of all educators and students entrusted to our care.
This weekend my family played “Reverse Charades” while indoors due to the wildfires. We also enjoyed late afternoon hikes once the air quality improved, thanks to the end of day breeze from the ocean. We enjoyed superhero movies on “Marvel Mondays” during the summer; I had planned to discontinue this practice due to the screen time impact of distance learning….yet tonight we will watch Black Panther. Rest In Peace, Chadwick Boseman, the actor who passed away unexpectedly on Friday. Here’s his 2018 advice to graduates of Howard University; On the Importance of Purpose. Powerful stuff.
The tragic injustice, social unrest and violence in cities like Kenosha, WI and Portland, OR once again invite us to increase our efforts toward anti-racism and equality. I hope and pray that these challenges facing our communities of color, in particular, provide us the impetus to empathize, learn and change.
Last week I began listening to classical music while I worked, as one buffer against the constant influx of inputs- Zoom meetings, emails, phone calls, technology support for my kids, etc. It is my sincere belief that finding healthy avenues of release for each of us- exercise, meditation, music and other means- will sustain us throughout the ups and downs of today’s world. Yesterday I started a new book as another practice that feeds my spirit.
This quote from Saint John Baptist De La Salle reminds us of the need to nurture ourselves in order to best serve others:
“Act in such a way through your zeal that you give tangible proof that you love those whom God has entrusted to you.” (MD 201.2)
Let us count our blessings and also pray for all those who are struggling. You are in my prayers. Enjoy the day ahead.
This week’s protests by professional athletes have drawn even greater attention to the urgent need for reform in support of racial equity. The African American community in the United States deserves better. Their experience of daily life is an unjust one that demands change.
And so I was proud of all my favorite teams- here in San Francisco and back where I grew up in Philadelphia- for taking a stand. I read this article yesterday which placed this emerging movement among athletes in greater context: One N.B.A. Team Walked Out. A Generation of Athletes Followed. In reading it, I learned about Renee Montgomery of the WNBA, whose inspiring example speaks to her commitment to making a difference.
Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run album was released 45 years ago this week. He has been one of my favorite musicians for nearly the entirity of my life. Enjoy this 1992 rendition of Thunder Road. With these lyrics, the Boss reminds us to “Show a little faith, there’s magic in the night.”
These words provide me with a welcome source of inspiration today. I have found much of this week’s national political dialogue to be toxic. We are stuck indoors due to the poor air quality from the California wildfires, while my colleagues in the New Orleans area brace for potential hurricane impacts. In Milwaukee, Jacob Blake is one more black man shot by police, and of course the pandemic shapes every aspect of our daily life.
I would be remiss if I did not recognize how privileged I am within these experiences of adversity; my faith, my family, my community and my home afford me the time and space to even reflect upon these unfortunate events.
My kids and their eager adaptation to distance learning give me hope. I am already exhausted by the technological needs but that comes with this strange aspect of today’s parenthood reality. I am grateful for my partnership with my wife and trust that we will prevail stronger and more resilient. It continues to be a tremendous blessing that we are healthy and together.
I find myself listening to this Classical Music today while I work. May it bring peace and tranquility to your day. Enjoy!
Today is the first day of school for my kids. Their chromebooks are set-up and I installed a wi-fi extender at home so that my internet could withstand the numerous daily Zooms. The sense of loss of the in-person experience is offset by the excitement my children have of seeing their friends on their screens.
Prayers are requested for our school communities in California, Colorado and Louisiana. Wildfires and approaching storms affect these states. This morning I reflected upon this quote from Saint La Salle to ground me amidst these climate disasters:
God’s compassion for you is greater than the troubles you have. (Meditation 38.1)
May these prayer resources below bring us comfort to sustain us throughout the week ahead. I give thanks for all educators, students and their families, for the gift we enjoy of serving as communities of faith and service. Let us continue to pray for all those challenged by this pandemic, and trust in our God who loves us.
Keeping the Faith 