Hi Friends,
I hope you’re enjoying this warm (albeit slightly damp) weather.
Today’s FRIENDS Friday is a slightly unusual one in the sense that it comes to us from a former teacher, rather than from within the organization. But this celebration of our Dedham school is nevertheless heartwarming and inspiring. Here is what I received:
“Hello Mark.
I am taking this opportunity to write to you about my experience at Little Sprouts in Dedham Massachusetts.
My name is Leslie and I was a Toddler 1 Teacher with Barbara. My last day was January 26th.
I want to let you know that my time there was short. Shorter than I have ever been at a job where I was completely happy! The reason for my leaving was the commute from Randolph to Dedham each day and it proved to be too much for my 10 year old daughter and my family.
In my 9 months there in Dedham, I learned again what it means to respect children and families, co-workers and administrators in a way that I came into teaching in the first place almost 20 years ago. My teaching and learning experience in Dedham was Amazing, Exhilarating and teacher changing. I learned a great deal about mutual respect and working as a team from my co-workers and administrators.
So, I guess what I’m saying is…. I FELL IN LOVE WITH TEACHING AGAIN!
The families are happy and welcomed every day and I felt welcomed every day as part of the family in Dedham. I was very sorry to leave and Karen has expressed that if I want to return that I am welcome. THAT MEANS A LOT.
I want you to give a shout out! to KAREN, MAE AND HEATHER for doing a great job in Dedham. I loved it there and they are all about the children and families.
Their love and commitment to Education, Families, Children and Quality is A SIGHT TO SEE. I will miss them.”
Now, to be honest, I was not even a little bit surprised to hear that Leslie had a positive experience teaching at our Dedham school. Executive Director Karen S. has established an incredible culture there. However, I will confess to being pleasantly surprised to hear that Leslie not just enjoyed her experience but “fell in love with teaching again”. How powerful is that?!?! As we all know, the only way a real educator has such a positive experience is if he or she is surrounded by others with the same Real Passion for the work. It is clear that Karen’s team in Dedham oozes this passion!
Thanks, Karen and Team Dedham, for living our values!
Mark