Schools!

Public Schools specifically! In so many ways the most perfect imperfect institution known. Designed to serve all, the hallways and classrooms of a public school offers a microcosm of the real world. Diversity abounds in every imaginable way!

This afternoon as I left school having completed all the final preparations to welcome our students tomorrow, I decided that my workout would be to ride my bike around our city past all our schools. I wanted to just see these amazing buildings of opportunity before they overflow with students tomorrow.

As I rode past school after school I was in awe of what I was seeing. At every building parking lots were full...still of cars undoubtedly of faculty and staff making final preparations for their students tomorrow.

This being my 32nd year in public education I fully recognize what the overall mission and calling is, to serve our students. However, seeing so many cars still in the school parking lots at this late afternoon hour reaffirmed to me how amazingly dedicated so many teachers are to their students.

It is easy to point fingers at all that is wrong with public education, and certainly we serving in this profession have much to improve on. But make no mistake about it, there are many, many great things going on in our schools as well.

Thank you to all of our caring, dedicated, and loving teachers! You shape, mold, and influence the most of gifts known, your students!

And for everyone out there who is reading this, remember that in just about all cases you are able to do so because of a teacher. Take some time over the next week or so to say thank you to a teacher. I can tell you from experience, it certainly is appreciated!