Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Teachers Sending Love to Newtown Teachers


My heart is broken with hearing the news of the father of a slain six year old boy, heckled last night as he made his case in a Connecticut hearing about gun violence. I could not even continue reading the article. The lack of empathy, decency, and civility astounds and deeply saddens me.

I choose to share instead about the act of kindness the amazing art teacher at our school, Jen Campbell, started. She came up with the idea of making clay heart necklaces for each teacher in the Newtown School district. She organized our teaching staff, ordered materials, and provided us with the tools to create these ceramic pedants with our messages of love, strength and support to our colleagues struggling with such a terrible tragedy. 

She wanted them to have something tangible to remind them that their fellow teachers are with them in spirit, in heart, and in camaraderie. 

I think they are beautiful. And if it makes just one of them smile, however briefly, or gives one teacher a touch of kindness on a dark day, then it is worth it. We are a wider family of teachers. 

Thank you to Jen Campbell for this beautiful idea, for the leadership and organization, and for seeing this through to delivery. This week, we'll add personal messages to each one before sending them.