This is me.
In case you cannot tell, I am sitting reading Tennyson outside of Notre Dame in Paris. You know, the usual. I am very sophisticated.
Which is why, when I met the governor last week, I was completely calm and mature and prepared and looked something like this:
Just kidding. That's my roommate, Kate, who said something like, "I don't have time to read anyone's blog." Bad move, Kate; bad move.
Just kidding again. I love Kate. Just not enough to take down that phenomenal picture. In all seriousness, when I met the governor, I looked something like this:
Yeah, that looks about right. Governor Patrick came to visit Excel Academy Charter School last week, and, after spending all morning peering around corners and walking to the copy machine fifteen times while his entourage was waiting near there (totally accidental -- kept forgetting to take more than one copy at a time), I finally "accidentally" bumped into him and got a formal introduction. I don't totally remember what my principal said, but I think it was something like, "This is Sarah Stuntz, our 8th grade English teacher. She normally doesn't grin like a total idiot and will eventually let go of your hand after I kick her to remind her."Let's just say, I was a little star struck. There are only 50 governors in the United States, and one of them was completely captivated (or held captive?) by my handshake in that moment. It was pretty...special.
If you want the more "official" version of the story (although I believe eyewitness accounts are always best), go here. Governor Patrick came to our school to promote charter school legislation, and it was an incredible honor for the school and our students to be headlined as an example of education that is working. We prepped the students for the governor's visit in the morning, and I asked my homeroom what they thought people might expect of middle school students -- especially Latino students from East Boston. Their responses were quick and heartbreaking: "lazy," "not interested in school," "slackers," "criminals." I asked them what they wanted the governor -- not to mention the media accompanying him -- to see when they came by, and their responses came equally quickly: "that we work hard"; "that we are smart"; "that we take our education seriously"; "that we have fun"; "that we're respectful." And -- not to brag too much, but I think when it's my students and not me, it's ok to brag just a little -- they showed all those things, and more. It was an inspiring and exciting visit, and while I do not know exactly what I think of the governor's policies or record in office, I was impressed by the time he took to actually listen to staff and students. I am hopeful that his visit signals more attention to our public schools and to students like mine who have traditionally been written off as "high risk" and therefore not expected to perform at the same levels and not been given the same educational opportunities as students from wealthier areas.
I am also hopeful that he does not remember me stuttering miserably when he asked me a question (which I don't even remember). Lots to hope for.
Now, when the governor wants to come visit your school, he doesn't necessarily give you a lot of time to prepare. So, needless to say, his 12-hour-notice for his visit threw our staff into a cleaning/prepping/primping (hey, you never know WHO is going to end up on camera) frenzy, and it took the rest of the week to recover.
Then, there was the weekend. A time of rest. A time of relaxation. A time of almost-burning-down-our-whole-apartment-building-and-destroying-our-oven.
Yeah, we did that too. Our landlady was never really thrilled about us moving in (we're cramming five people into a four bedroom apartment), and I think I remember at one point reassuring her, "We will be the easiest tenants you've ever had." If, by easiest, I meant the only tenants who have required five fire trucks to fit onto our tiny one way street, I did not lie.
THEN, there was the week before Thanksgiving, and for any of you who can remember being a student the week before a vacation, there is no need for further explanation about why this week was crazy.
So, today, I am thankful for many things. I am thankful that there are people who are poised enough to deal with important officials like governors every day -- and that I do not have their job. I am thankful that we did not in fact burn down the whole building, and that even though we have no more stove and our apartment may smell like smoke until May, we are all safe. I am thankful for all the people who brought me microwave food this week and shared a few laughs. I am thankful for my mom, who gave up her dream that this would FINALLY be the year when I could cook Thanksgiving dinner at MY place (sorry, Mom).
Mostly, I am thankful for a chance to stop, to rest, and to reflect on why I am thankful. I need to do that more, and, I have to say, a belly full of sweet potatoes certainly helps to get my mind and heart in the right place.
Happy Thanksgiving to all! I am very thankful for all of you. :)
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