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Is Thank You Enough?

It's our last week of school and I found myself at a nearby shopping center this evening, weaving in and out of stores looking for some end of the year presents. I knew I had to find something for a teacher I can't bear to lose but am losing for reasons outside my control. Somehow, I am hoping this sentimental card and gift remind her of the work she has done here and how much I will always believe in her. 

 Next, I decide to pick up a card for a co-worker I know is struggling with worry for a dear friend we share. I haven't been able to stop and put into words what I want to say so I am hoping the card reminds her how much I am thinking about her too. 

 And then, I think about all of the people that help me run my building day in and day out. I have incredible team leaders, meticulous AIS coordinators, an outstanding school counselor and the best of the best in nurses. I decide to pick up something (small) for them too. 

 Then, I start thinking about the teaching assistants in my building. These three TAs get pulled in every direction and never say no to a request. Each day is different for them. They might think they are walking into Plan A but then Plan A becomes Plan B in a blink and they roll with the changes as if they are no bother. They do this each and every time without fail. 

 Still,  there's my secretary -- the heart of our school. She juggles every plate I throw at her with grace and humor. I have to remember something for her too. 

 I take all of the little treats back to the office and begin tagging them. I look at my staff list to make sure I haven't missed anyone and I see that I have.

 I've missed the rest of my teachers. My teachers. 

 I look at each name and can specifically recall a reason why they TOO deserve my thanks. Specific memories from the year come to mind. The team I work with has given me some of the greatest gifts over the years. Presents like trust, forgiveness, humor, creativity, and dedication.

I have teachers (upon teachers) that have gone above and beyond for some of our most difficult students. I also have an incredible group of teachers that run recess duty and another awesome team that runs lunch duty. I see their names listed on my staffing list and smile with pride. I also see names of teachers that led activities for students after school and continue to reflect on how lucky we are. Drama Club, Select Chorus, Math Club, Handbells, Library Club, Website Club, Math Olympics, Student Council, Modified Sports, Mini Courses and more. All of these memories are above and beyond what they do in the classroom and around learning! 

 When I pull into work every day, I never doubt I can accomplish almost anything with the team I have. I know we will face what needs to be faced. We might fall down. We might mess up. We might even disagree. But, we get back up. We get back in the ring and figure out the tough answers together. Are we perfect? No. Are we hard working? No doubt! We've made many changes over the last four years and some are those that could not have been predicted. 

 We've done so much work together.

So my dear team at CMS, please allow this post to be my big present to each and everyone of you for an incredible year of putting students first. I am proud to be your principal.


Kind and Generous by Natalie Merchant

"You've been so kind and generous
I don't know how you keep on giving
For your kindness I'm in debt to you
And I never could have come this far without you
So for everything you've done 

You know I'm bound... 
I'm bound to thank you for it ...."

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