Why 22-23 is Going to Be a Better Year

Seeking to be an optimist (because that just feels so much better) and after observing the efforts of my summertime colleagues, I began thinking about the upcoming school year and how it will be better than the past few we’ve experienced—no jinx. These thoughts are presented in a list format for easy reading, reviewing, skimming, or skipping as one would like.

 

In alphabetical order because order is good (and following my usual SOP, with some side commentary):

 

A remodeled Cummings Hall for Grades 4 & 5 
“People will come Ray; people will come…”

“My god, it’s full of stars!”

 

De Mieux, En Mieux—take advantage people!

 

De Mieux, En Mieux too—creative, knowledgeable, dedicated, supportive, and right there for our students. “Book ‘em, Dano.”

 

I’ve got some Chargepoint stock! And we know trends start in California and move east.

 

‘Let’s get educated, educated…’ The number of countries in the world that offer free college education = 39 —and they are not all “socialist”: Philippines? Turkey? — from https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/countries-with-free-college

 

“Food glorious food!”

 

With a wonderful staff of excellent problem-solvers and teachers, the School has outstanding professionals in place from PK-12 to help our students learn about themselves, learn how to learn, and just plain learn.

 

One—and in this case I mean everyone—merely needs to walk through the Capitol Rotunda to understand that a confederate flag never, ever belongs in that building. Washington, DC is awe-inspiring and offers an excellent opportunity for our students to walk through the history they have studied as well as get a better understanding of life and governance in their own time.

 

Speaks for itself.

 

I am optimistic about the return of rain in September. And our athletes can run and play soccer in the rain. They play volleyball inside so that works too! Smells like rain. Smells like a championship season?

 

The course. The one I teach. This one is entirely and transparently selfish. Notice that I buried this one in the middle… :)

 

Hands down, one of the best experiential/global learning opportunities available at any school, anywhere.

 

Elvis is the King. Aretha Franklin is the Queen (of Soul). And our School Nurse is the Empress of Empathy. (We have Countesses of Counseling who are also amazing.)

 

I may be biased because I did some of the interviewing, but these folks are excellent educators, staff members, and administrators who will bring talent, passion, knowledge, intelligence, kindness, and a student-centered approach to this campus every day.

 

From my personal and professional experience, this will be the 25th consecutive year of Brimmer providing one of the best educational staffs in the Greater Boston area: dedicated, caring, intelligent, innovative, and a host of other wonderful attributes.

 

Our raison d’être and our future. Can’t wait to have them back in the house. (“Did you do your summer reading?”)

 

Am I biased? Perhaps, but I believe I have good reason to be optimistic because, ironically enough, of the reality of the elements of the School and the world taken into consideration here. For an interesting and engaging insight into optimism bias see Tali Sharot’s 2012 —ten years ago!—TedTalk on this topic.) We want to recognize the difficulties we face — the war in Ukraine, Climate Change, threats to democracy around the globe, etc., but as we approach the 22-23 academic year here at Brimmer, I encourage all to be optimistic—we have students to teach, and they are our future. Students with good educations make me optimistic.