In the time that has passed since, we have also reflected on the past four years, and we have realized the blessings we have experienced because of this lady and her ability to unite a purpose-driven team. Below are a few thoughts I have written to Ms. Hennessey in a feeble attempt to express our pleasure at having known her and worked for her:
Most of us don’t know what to say: we don’t know how to express ourselves when we experience a loss. And that’s what this is to us: a loss.
Yes, we understand that you are moving into a new, well-deserved phase of your life. We are even happy for you, if not somewhat jealous that we aren’t going with you. The idea of relaxing and doing the things we enjoy – taking care of ourselves for a change – is definitely appealing. We understand that hard work and intelligence has earned you a break, but that does not mean that we will not miss you as we move forward in your absence.
You may remember the first time you met Eddie Gweedle: it was at McDonald’s on McTeacher Night that first year of you Cecil Floyd tenure. Four years later, when Eddie says you were “the right person in the right place at the right time”, he is correct. You came at a time when we needed the right person. We were a broken school, laid out and opened up like carrion for birds to scavenge, and somehow someone brought you to us.
I don’t know where Mr. Gweedle gets his insights, but as quirky as he can be, he understands where we were and what we have become.
At our first staff retreat, I looked at Cecil Floyd’s leadership and made the statement that this was the right team. You came to us when we were feeling beaten, broken, and shamed, and you picked us up. You came to us when we were directionless, and you gave us direction – not with a heavy hand or a dictatorial cloud over our heads, but with soothing encouragement and a positive infectious spirit. You came to us when we needed unity and love, and you gave it to us without hesitation.
It turns out I was a prophet (Sometimes I even surprise myself with my astute and insightful abilities and wisdom.)!
On a more personal note, I would like to thank you for your humble leadership, your example of continuing professional study, and your personal coaching through difficulties. You set a calloused teacher straight when he was off course, you listened with empathetic ears, and you cared.
Most of all, you allowed me to explore my strengths and diagnose my weaknesses; you allowed me to develop skills and strategies that would help me profoundly reach my students; you respectfully stepped out of my way and allowed me to teach. Sometimes those lessons fall flat or fall apart, but I learned from them only because you gave me the space to do so. I am grateful that you rescued me from the cold hands of micromanagement and trusted me to professionally develop in my areas of both limitation and strength.
Unfortunately, space here will not allow me the time to list all of the things I have taught you in return.
At the same time, you showed your concerns for my physical needs, taking the time to confirm my safety when I had to drive home in icy conditions, calling to make sure our field trips were going as planned during springtime storms, and lend sympathy when I felt the effects of kidney stones. Just knowing you cared helped me let go of much of the guilt and trouble that come along with being out of the classroom; I knew I had a team of peers who would happily take care of my students.
You have allowed Cecil Floyd to achieve its own identity in the district. No longer are we fighting for survival; now we are reaching for improvement. No longer are we itching to abandon ship; now we are sailing for the open seas… and only God knows where we will land next. Our sails are full, thanks, in no small part, to you.
My prayer for you is for peace, clarity, laughter, and joy. If you don’t know by now that we love you, you haven’t been listening. Those are not the easiest feelings to announce out loud – they often bring tears – but they are absolutely vital, and they must be expressed, even if as ineffectually as I have done so here.