Last week, the teachers
and staff members of the School District of Milton hosted parents,
guardians, and family members of students at “conferences”. My
guess is that most families take conferences for granted and are
positively anticipatory about them. It is also likely that most value
the opportunity to get up close and personal with a professional
adult who may well spend more waking hours with their children than
they do themselves. I believe that this contact is critically
important for both sides of the equation. Thank you, families, for
participating.
I also want to
acknowledge that “conferences” don’t just happen. There is
significant extra time and effort on the part of all school personnel
to adequately prepare for this key activity. The custodial crews
take pride in ensuring that our buildings are clean, attractive, and
welcoming. Our teachers invest hours and hours in preparation to
ensure that conferences are as efficacious as possible. They
sacrifice their own personal & family time to provide evening
hours for families who just can’t make it in a “normal” work
day. Some educators are energized by conferences but most are
exhausted. Please don't misunderstand me - this is a good
exhaustion, a pleasant and contented tired - not unlike an intense
run or a good bike workout. It's the feeling that comes with the
knowledge that you worked hard, expended significant energy, gave all
you have for that in which you believe. You feel good and our kids
and grandkids are the beneficiaries. After all, Kids Matter.
Milton
Educators, thanks so much for your time, your dedication, your
professionalism, and your caring. You are building lives and thereby
building our community. I applaud you! You are Milton and,
together, we are Milton.
Jon Cruzan
#cruzan4milton#WAM
