A Vision of Excellence

“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he's always doing both.” - James Michener

I came to the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage district as a new teacher in 1995, after earning my bachelors in elementary education and graduating summa cum laude. It was not an easy road. I had dropped out of a college I didn't want to attend after declaring a major that I didn't want to declare. I wanted to be a teacher, and frankly, that profession wasn't valued in my house - because teachers didn't make a lot of money. (Seriously, that was the reason I was given.) When I finally went back to earn my degree, I was scared to death to go to school again, but was determined to do the best I could. I graduated with high honors. I became a teacher and it became me. Nary was a dividing line. I dedicated myself to my kids and learned along with them. When I took my current job as gifted magnet coordinator three years ago, it was out of that dedication to all students and the firm commitment in two things: that gifted education benefited every single student, and that gifted children often times did not have an advocate for their unique needs and circumstances. It was more than work. It was just part of me. It always will be.

I find myself in the unique position of writing my last blog entry for the Bishop Blog, in large part because of what I have always said to my students: take chances. Take risks. Do what you believe, and never, ever, ever stop learning and growing. (Seriously, if you think this is just fluff, ask any student I ever had.) I leave the Burnsville School District a better person than when I came. And I leave Harriet Bishop Gifted and Talented Elementary School with a piece of my heart left behind. People, parents, tell me I have a passion for what we are doing here, and they are right. I do. There's a reason.

I chose a Michener quote for two reasons. First, it's a good quote that sums up what I am feeling right now. But secondly is because of eighth grade. I was chosen to be part of a class of students who would be accelerated in all content areas - math, social studies, language arts and science. I took ninth grade biology as an eighth grader. I took Algebra I as an eighth grader (funny how it wasn't developmentally inappropriate back then). Our language arts and social studies classes were, to use today's jargon, deeper and more complex (similar to today, both classes had more nebulous "standards", rather than following a grade-level track of curriculum such as math and science does). My teacher, Mrs. Silverman, was a former New York model and taught her classes sitting on a stool. She didn't give us the regular language arts textbook; instead she gave us Tolstoy and told us we were ready to read him. (I read Anna Karenina and LOVED it. It completely turned me on to Russian literature, a love affair that exists to this day.) She took us to the ballet to see "The Mikado" and to the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, where we listened to original compositions of the orchestra with the songs of whales incorporated into them. She had us write poetry about our lives and then got us published. And she made us read Asimov and Bradbury, Poe and Longfellow.... and she made us read Michener. I read The Source. If you've never read it, you must. However, when I first started the book as a thirteen year old girl, I was hardly as enthusiastic. I remember the first seventy pages or so, thinking to myself, I'm just going to die of boredom. But then the archeological team got to their first artifact and went back in time, and I was mesmerized. I distinctly remember reading the book on the bus to and from school, and sneaking it out every moment I could (sorry, Mr. Thomas in Algebra, but the book was WAAAAY better than variables). The book is over 1,000 pages and our teacher simply said, "you're ready."
She influenced me in ways she never even knew.
She taught me that eighth graders can read, comprehend, and discuss Michener.
She taught me that hard work pays off, even when it's frustrating.
She taught me that learning is way better than getting it right the first time.
She taught me to take chances.
She taught me to teach from a stool (which I did, for a long time - and Melissa, I still have the red one that you gave to me as a gift!)
She taught me that every student should have a chance to grow academically, every single day.
And she taught me that excellence is a lifelong journey. It's not a right; it's not easy; it's not automatic. It's a journey.

I hope that the journey Harriet Bishop has been on these last three years has been beneficial to all students attending, and will continue to be beneficial to all future students. The school has a phenomenal principal and wonderful staff. When I took the job as gifted magnet coordinator, it was with a vision to excellence for all, and an inward reflection on the daily experiences of each and every student. I love what we have done, and what this school will continue to do. I am eternally grateful for the dedication of the staff, and for every parent I've met along this journey. You have been great teachers for me, and I will take you with me in my heart as I continue on my journey in life - because I do have a blurred line. Education is not just my job. It is a piece of me. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

The Life of a Family

The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. - Richard Bach

I am reminded every year during applications to Harriet Bishop of the dedication of all of our families. Now, that's not to say that I don't see that dedication all year long, because believe me, I do. I had a prospective parent the other day ask about the level of volunteerism in our school, and I was so proud to answer that question! But I am doubly reminded of the dedication of families to their children at this time of year, because parents, grandparents - even neighbors - go out of their way to see that their children try to get into our school. One parent had to travel some way to attend to a family member in the hospital, but needed to get her kindergartner in for testing and was going to possibly have a neighbor help. One grandparent actually filled out the application for her grandson. Countless teachers and caregivers took time out of their very busy day to write recommendations. Parents are collecting work and submitting entire portfolios.
None of this is easy work. Not for anyone. This is single-handedly the busiest time of my year as a coordinator. But golly, to watch these little ones and get to meet them - it's really wonderful. I have met great families, great kids, and I for one am just very thankful that our school exists.
The life of a family is not just one connected by blood. A family can exist anywhere - we are a family at Harriet Bishop, and we are excited to welcome new members to our family for next school year, all the while celebrating the family members who currently walk our halls everyday.