Partnership Educators,
My wife and I have been known to frequent the driveways and garages of other locals in search of hidden gems within their wares. Investigating the tables and talking with the happy sellers is what brings the joy of the activity. I love to investigate the Barnes and Noble like discount books that are often in boxes or strewn in piles that invite the buyer to move the top books to find if there might be a prize underneath. Upon one such adventure, I unearthed a book that I had read to my sons. I was pleased to find, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. I started thinking about those moments of reading with my sons and a great sense of joy filled my heart with the fond memories of those intimate gentle times with my boys. Those memories are not just attached to this particular book but it was one of those books that generated great discussion and conversation. My son's imaginations were running wild and it was fun.
Many times we consider imagination as something apart from reality, something we use to escape from the stark world around us; but imagination can be a means of fostering critical thinking and problem-solving in children. The belief in dragons, unicorns, elves, and the corresponding stories that surround them can help our children to imagine a new way to land on Mars in their later years. C.S. Lewis said, "You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending." This is a shout out to all of our educators in our schools, who are imagining the unicorns of ideas that are helping to serve our kids in these unique times.
The older gentleman enters the office and humbly approaches the desk. The masked but smiling staff great him with a hearty hello. He begins the conversation with how much he appreciates what is happening in his child's classroom and reaches out his hand with a gift card clutched in it. "I hear and see how my son's teacher is with the kids online each day and I really appreciate how kind and gentle and patient she is with everyone. I want her to have this to say thanks for what she is doing." This was a man that came to the Turtle Bay office to honor a teacher. The second person I would like to highlight has exemplified another one of our traits. Empathy is demonstrated when you have an awareness and sensitivity to connect with others' feelings, opinions, experiences, and the sharing of those moments. Congratulations to Dawn Smith for the Empathy award for the start of this year. Her kindness and patient work have helped to build thankfulness within the hearts of her parents as demonstrated by our story above.
REU Cares: Redding Electric Utility would like to assist those that are employed by a school district and have an REU account. They feel that all those employed in education have been negatively impacted by COVID and can receive up to $300 off your utility bill. If you would like to opt into this program fill out the form and we will forward it to REU.
Thanks for a great first two weeks. Enjoy your weekend.
Rob