A Harvard Poem

I was clearing out my inbox over the weekend and found this poem by Lynette which brought many fond memories of Harvard in 2007 and thought I would share it.

The Principals’ Institute – July, 2007
It all began on July 12, 2007 when we arrived and were greeted by Mary Grassa O’Neill
She informed us of our norms and everyone knew that being at Harvard was indeed a BIG deal!
Milli Pierce then shared the purposes of schooling and how we must establish a sense of urgency.
Lee Teitel encouraged us to move from isolation to working together and thinking more adaptively.
We broke into our groups and reflected, and that was a breeze
And little did we know our perceptions would change the next day as we STRETCHED and climbed trees!         Yes, Project Adventure was really a hit!
Then we returned on Saturday to understand the importance of making sure all of our children “fit”
Norman Kunc encouraged all of us to ensure, at our schools, everyone feels like they belong.
Then John Collins stormed in with his energy to make sure kids’ writing “counts” and becomes strong.
Malachi Pancoast gave us great news on Sunday.
Now, we are all ready to go back to our schools and CLEAN OUR OFFICE in every way!
We are now going to have more time in the classrooms and even a personal life
And we learned that cleaning out the clutter is a great way to lessen our strife.
Barry Jentz moved about strategically on stage as he encouraged us to be more reflective
I’m sure next time we must correct a colleague, we will give good data and listen, or at least we can have a good laugh, just as “Frank” did.
On Tuesday Jim Honan encouraged us to be diligent, do right and use ingenuity,
As we studied and discussed LBUSD and the imprint their work has on you and me.
Jeff Howard encouraged us to achieve the Mission of Proficiency for all our kids
By first believing they can achieve no matter how poor, dark, or sheltered a child is.
Richard Elmore made us think deeper about our instructional cultures.
He gave us great tips on coherence so that our staff will soar like eagles rather than swoop down like vultures.
Irma Tyler-Wood then followed his lead
As we learned who we need to influence and persuade to do our jobs effectively.
She spoke so much about inner work and negotiation –
From Kitty Boles, we learned the importance of Rounds, Lesson Study, and Action Research and how each of these will improve the practices of education.
Kurt Fischer stepped in during lunch in a snap,
And he dispelled the many brain myths we learned from way back.
We must continue to plasticize our staff’s, students’ and our minds
As we stretch their and our thinking and make meaning, time after time.
Kim Marshall encouraged us to shift the conversation to results and provide assessments via interim and dipstick,
While making sure our plan of action is comprehensive.
Finally, we heard what Roland Barth shared
And now as we share our stories and listen to others, we’ll show that we truly care.
Throughout the sessions we laughed and had fun
As we intently listened and participated to help make our schools #1
We ate very well during the breaks
And we truly indulged at the welcome reception, ice cream social, Fogg Museum, book talk, and the clambake.
All of this wouldn’t have been possible without each one of you…to the participants, our group leaders, Rosanne, Sherese, and of course Mary who summarized each day,
We thank you, we thank you, for none of us will ever be the same!
The nine days indeed helped us prepare our schools for great change.
As each of us have gone our merry way, let’s continue to hold on to the passion that was rekindled inside
As we lead with confidence, courage, and a tenacious PRINCIPAL drive!

© Lynette N. Tannis, 7/2007 

Lynette N. Tannis, Principal
Marion P. Thomas Charter School
370 South 7th Street
Newark, NJ 07103