There’s no better way to start the year than to be inspired by our professional counterparts from The Washington National Opera at The Kennedy Center. From lighting, to set design and construction, to costume and makeup, singing and dancing, conducting the orchestra and being in the grand venue of the opera house, we were on top of the world. The music, the general atmosphere and all that transpired on stage transported us to another place where anything is possible.

And now, we set off to create our own work of art that will also serve to inspire and deliver a powerful message.

We begin the academic year with renewed energy and determination to discover our hidden gifts and talents and to use them in pursuit of something bigger than ourselves. On the final day of school in June, I met my incoming class. As always, I asked the students to write what they were thinking and feeling about being in this third grade class. Many were excited to be a part of the opera experience. Many were nervous, not knowing what to expect with the opera process. What Ashley wrote inspired me to begin thinking about and planning for fall, 2017.  So here we are. I won’t let you down, Ashley. Thank you for your enthusiasm for what is to come, for what is to be.

I feel excited for 3^rd grade and I am ready to learn new things about life and ready to move on.”
-Ashley
June 15, 201

THE MAZE (VIDEO)

On a beautiful, sunny morning while on a retreat in Buckeystown, Maryland, I happened upon a magnificent labyrinth. Its circular stone path called to me. I had no choice but to enter. As I took my first step into the maze, I thought about my students and their challenging journey this school year. I decided to take them with me. I videotaped the experience. Along the path, I noticed a tiny, lone sprout that had forced its way through the rock. Its seeming message was evident. I smiled.

When I returned to school the next day, I shared the video with my students, and asked them to respond in writing to what they saw. Their powerful metaphors assure me that we all will find our way in the confusion, in the noise, in this labyrinth of life.

Merriam Webster defines collaboration as “the action of working with someone to produce or create something.” When stated as such, the act itself sounds relatively simple to achieve, yet most of us struggle in situations where we are expected to work together to accomplish a common goal. We see this everywhere . . . in the workplace, in our homes, our communities, our leisure activities and entertainment and in our government.

I applaud our school system for recognizing collaboration as imperative to the learning process by including it in the curriculum, but these skills are not learned in isolation or through simulated, contrived tasks. Collaboration is learned in situations where students are motivated by an authentic purpose to accomplish a common goal. Collaboration is not a single skill. It encompasses a distinct set of skills, each one essential in contributing to the effectiveness of the group effort.

Collaboration has been our company’s greatest challenge this year. As a result of our individual and collective setbacks, we have a newfound appreciation for working together. Recently, I asked the company, “What is needed to work collaboratively? What must we do? What skills do we need?” In small groups the students recorded their reflections. These thoughts will serve all of us as we continue to improve the art of collaboration.

The goal is that each day will be purpose driven and meaningful in a way that engages and excites all students in the learning process. When we notice that much of our space is filled with the “silly, stupid things” that get in the way of learning, it’s time to step back and ask ourselves, “What really matters?” Last week I asked that very question. Company members retreated to a comfortable writing place and put pencil to paper. When given time to reflect, we can see what is happening around us and inside us. Then we are able to recognize the moments and experiences that affect us positively and negatively. We are more cognizant of what really matters.