Well, That Was an Unexpected Surprise! Love to Be Annually Reported, Especially By The Organization I Love.

There's the to-do list, and then there's the distractions. I came home from walking the dog and received the 2017 National Writing Project Annual Report. I knew they sent their photographers to capture the work CWP-Fairfield does in the summer and I was somewhat curious by what they were going to do with it. I also know they interviewed several of my teachers, but was oblivious they took photos of me.

Well, they did, and I made the Annual Report (wish I was in a tie and someone did my makeup).

I can't complain, however, because the essence of the National Writing Project work was captured and they told so much of what teachers across the nation love.

https://ar17.nwp.org

I was thrilled, too, that they shared the story of William King who is featured on the National Writing Project Website. He is an amazing educator who I have had the fortune of working with for several years now, especially in relation to Ubuntu Academy.

Next week, October 11, he will facilitate a panel of Coach Sydney Johnson, Producer Taylor Sharp, Teacher Jessica Baldizon, and International Non-Profit Organizer Mark Crandall after a screening of HOOPS AFRICA: UBUNTU MATTERS, all part of the Saugatuck Story Fest.

I'm not sure what the event will look like, but know the crowd, as well as excitement, is growing. I am, because we are. 

I was talking last night with an organization in Lithuania and simply stating, "Ubuntu is truly remarkable when you stop and think about what you can contribute. You take what you can do and you unite with phenomenal others to see how, together, the community can make the world a better place." I continued, "We live in such divisive times where so many choose hatred, walls, divisions, anger, and mockery. That's not me. That's not Ubuntu. We are human beings. My duty is to take the talents I have and to unite them with the talents of others. Human beings need human beings."

I am forever grateful to the National Writing Project to share the story of our Connecticut site on the national level. I am only a slight part of the story - it is the 17 teachers I hire every summer and the 200+ kids who participate in our programs that complete the chapters. Of course, there are also phenomenal writers who encourage the young people to read, too (and many of them are coming to Connecticut October 12-14). 

I can't write much this morning, because there's still too much to do. Even so, I am thrilled to see the professional reporting that was sent my way. I wish I had such talent!