Shared Duties and Memories
Today I am grateful for rest yesterday and how very adorable our grandson Leo was in his little monkey costume for Halloween.
I also want to say a big thank you to the chaperones from my school who joined me in the job of overseeing 49 seventh graders for the three days and two nights of our trip. Pete, Sarah, and Stephanie all teach middle school students. They all brought unique and complementary experiences and demeanors to the group.
We very much appreciated being joined by Liz, who has retired from teaching but enjoys this kind of trip enough that she was willing to come along and help us out. (It wasn't easy to round up the needed chaperones. I can't imagine why . . . nearly 200 miles from home, sleeping in dorm-style rooms for two nights, and always on the alert for that wonderful 7th grade energy that can all of a sudden take a concerning turn.)
It was great to spend time with Liz, a good friend I have worked closely with for years. We miss her in our school. The two of us enjoyed our two early morning walks and a chance to catch up on our lives. Liz had been on this trip and similar ones numerous times, so it was comforting for me to have her along.
Sarah, Stephanie, and Pete were rookies on this particular trip, but brought a diversity of their own experience, expertise, and love of young people to the mix. They were very helpful in so many ways. From helping on the bus trips, to waking kids up each morning and making sure they quieted down each night, to holding students responsible and accountable for their behavior, to showing students their personality and enthusiasm outside the usual classroom, to jumping in and participating in many different ways themselves. I hope they will each consider doing the trip again.
The staff at the center we were at were also outstanding. From those who organize each group's visit, to those who did such a good job engaging students in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor classes, to the cooks in the kitchen who provided delicious meals, to those who cleaned and kept the entire area welcoming.
Between us, duties were shared and memories were created. Thanks again to all of you!
I also want to say a big thank you to the chaperones from my school who joined me in the job of overseeing 49 seventh graders for the three days and two nights of our trip. Pete, Sarah, and Stephanie all teach middle school students. They all brought unique and complementary experiences and demeanors to the group.
We very much appreciated being joined by Liz, who has retired from teaching but enjoys this kind of trip enough that she was willing to come along and help us out. (It wasn't easy to round up the needed chaperones. I can't imagine why . . . nearly 200 miles from home, sleeping in dorm-style rooms for two nights, and always on the alert for that wonderful 7th grade energy that can all of a sudden take a concerning turn.)
It was great to spend time with Liz, a good friend I have worked closely with for years. We miss her in our school. The two of us enjoyed our two early morning walks and a chance to catch up on our lives. Liz had been on this trip and similar ones numerous times, so it was comforting for me to have her along.
Sarah, Stephanie, and Pete were rookies on this particular trip, but brought a diversity of their own experience, expertise, and love of young people to the mix. They were very helpful in so many ways. From helping on the bus trips, to waking kids up each morning and making sure they quieted down each night, to holding students responsible and accountable for their behavior, to showing students their personality and enthusiasm outside the usual classroom, to jumping in and participating in many different ways themselves. I hope they will each consider doing the trip again.
The staff at the center we were at were also outstanding. From those who organize each group's visit, to those who did such a good job engaging students in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor classes, to the cooks in the kitchen who provided delicious meals, to those who cleaned and kept the entire area welcoming.
Between us, duties were shared and memories were created. Thanks again to all of you!
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