Orientation

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​I have started my new job as Curriculum Integration Specialist at St. Mary’s and so far, I love it.  I am humbled to be working with a talented tech team and faculty, and excited to be working in the close-knit community that is St. Mary’s where I think amazing things are happening for students and I look forward to being a part of shaping that.  While talking to the librarian about starting here, she said, “everybody here wants so much to see everybody else succeed.”  When I heard that it hit me how blessed I am to be working here.  This was nowhere more apparent than in a meeting I recently attended to go over the schedule and plan for the student orientation weekend for the 172nd school year at St. Mary’s.  I was happy to be included having not experienced the orientation weekend before, but it was clear that this is a very well-organized event and the purpose of this meeting was simply to fine-tune an already successful event.  Questions came up such as “how do we make sure the students are grouped together, so no one has to enter the dining room alone?” and “how do we maximize the organization of department tables for the best flow of traffic?”  The meeting was about getting the input of all the various school entities to create the best possible experience for our students as they start the new year.
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That afternoon I left work and drove a mile up the road to Haven House where I am involved in a boxing program for at-risk youth called Second Round.  Every other Tuesday is Orientation Night for prospective participants.  Coach Massey, the head coach was running the prospective participants through a drill where they had to listen to his commands.  Every time a participant didn’t listen to a command or performed it incorrectly, he had to do push-ups.  The attention to listening of the participants became quite keen by the end of the exercise.  Coach Massey said, “You guys did a good job of listening.   That wasn’t so bad.  How come you can’t listen to your parents at home?”  He paused for a moment, and no one offered a response.   Coach Massey continued, “I’ll tell you why…because there were consequences for not listening.  In the real world, the consequences operate a little differently.  For many of you the consequences for not listening are going to be jail or being put six feet under.”  I was struck by the stark contrast in orientations.  That’s not to say the talent of the staff at Second Round is any less.  I love the way Massey can captivate the room with his charisma and boxing wisdom and leave the boys with a lot to think about…or to watch Lisa, who draws the kids in with her clear explanations and sharp attention to breaking down skills, so the kids can understand what to do.  There is Patt, our newest assistant coach whose youthful enthusiasm and energy are infectious. Then there is Garron, the program leader who works tirelessly to juggle all the many hats he’s required to wear and still maintains a positive attitude through it all.  The focus at Haven House is about survival.  Helping the kids survive and thrive in the tough environment they live in.  Hoping that next grant will come through to ensure funding for the program.  I am equally as invigorated and humbled to be a part of this team as well.

Yes, indeed.  I am quite blessed.  I couldn’t ask for much more in terms of being involved in programs where I have the opportunity to make a difference with my unique set of skills in the lives of children.