Heartwarming Welcome!
So here's the thing about Sauk Prairie from an outsider's, or at least a newbie's, perspective. In 19 days on the job, I been told what a great job I am doing more times than I have ever been told that in my entire career previously. It's not that other places I've been aren't filled with kind, caring people who are doing their best every day to do great things for kids. It's not that I have suddenly become much better at doing what I do. It's not even that other places are very appreciative of the work we do.Everywhere I've ever worked, people express their gratitude for the work we do with kids. "Thank you for the work you do" being a common statement of gratitude in every school community I've ever worked in. However, so far, in Sauk Prairie, while that is commonly heard, what is also heard is "Let me tell you what I appreciate about you" and then that comment is followed by specific examples of the exact things you are doing that people appreciate. If you've never worked anywhere else, that might seem like a normal thing.
It's not! And I can't tell you how awesome it is to experience it for the first time! I've always loved my job and enjoyed coming to work. But now I can't wait to get here every day! I can't wait to go to lunch or to the barber or to the gas station. Why? Because it seems like everywhere I go, someone wants to tell me about something I've done in the last 19 days that they especially appreciate. That is awesome.
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| SPHS - From Space! (Via my cellphone. :) ) |
Time to decompress...
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| Northwest Ontario!! |
Around this time tomorrow, I'll be sitting in a boat with my father not too far from this sign. In 1963, my grandfather, Ray Harnisch, bought into a cabin in Ontario. A member of my family has fished these waters every summer since. This coming week, I'll be continuing that legacy for another year. It is the one week of the summer I ritually count on as my total decompression time. As you get to know me, you'll learn that my connection addiction is as bad or worse than most teenagers. My bride would say that I never put my phone down. So one of the beauties of this lake is that it is far enough into the wild that I have no access to technology while I am there. So if you email me, don't plan on a response before July 29th. :)
In the meantime, I'll be thinking of all of you while I look at this:
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| Actual native totem pole in an isolated location on the lake. |
And eat this:
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| Shore Lunch!! |
We've only got a few weeks left until we are back together and working with students for the benefit of humankind. Please make sure you take the time you need to relax and recharge. Every deposit we make for ourselves in our emotional energy bank this time of year, will pay dividends in January, March, and June!! Don't neglect the healing power of relaxation!! Your students deserve a refreshed you!!
Things I am reading and thinking about this week:
I'm on vacation, so I'm reading:
American Gods and Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
Stolen Prey by John Sandford
Inferno by Dan Brown
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