Two Snapshots of a Day: Tomorrow-Thinking and Shouting Out To The Past

(Note: This is being written during the rare moment that my computer is cooperating with me - two years of asking for help from Fairfield University to replace this computer with one that works functionally and still we go back and forth - welcome to bureaucracy. I hope this will post as my computer continues to die a slow...slow...death).

And breathe. Here's what I'm celebrating. Today, I visited a pre-K thru 4th grade school with a high-ELL population. One of my students, a National Writing Project Teacher leader, is introducing best practices for teaching writing in a school system where traditions are counter to what works best with kids. I sat in her room and watched, first hand, stellar instruction, 100% student participation and excitement, and tremendous writing interaction. The young people she served today, 4th graders, were thrilled to be in her space, anxious to participate in writing workshop, and thrilled to share their learning not only with me, but with each other. At one point, a young girl said, 'Ms, you forgot to give Dr. Crandall his writing reminder." Esther Theodore, the teacher, then went to the table and got a framed photo of two frogs in conversation. The first has his fingers over the one's mouth who is trying to say, "Ribbit." His thought bubble is, "Dude. Please be quiet. They are writing."

They are writing. They were writing. They were thrilled to be writing, and I got to witness outstanding instruction for ELLs that should be replicated across the country.

Later, I attended a retirement celebration for Dr. Mary Frances Malone, who has been an institutional visionary, a mission and purpose extraordinaire, and an institutional diva. I can't even begin to comprehend the amount of historical knowledge she has about Fairfield University, but I do know by the standing room only crowd to applaud her retirement that she is loved, she has made a difference, and she is truly, truly appreciated. I couldn't help but capture one of two cakes baked in her honor: festive, cultivated and well positioned hats that match the etiquette, formality and traditions that she has carried forth at Fairfield University.

In my years since 2011, I have come to respect and appreciate the wisdom and expertise of Dr. Mary Frances Malone and I know that her shoes (which more than likely match her hat) will be tremendous to fill. Actually, it is her mind and intellect that is irreplaceable and her leaving is a tremendous loss for all of us in southern Connecticut.

I left campus today thinking, "But who is going to hold Fairfield University together?" - that was the role of this remarkable woman (who I wish nothing but the best for her retirement).