Be Hatched

  It is with great joy that I address you, the graduating class of 2021. As you leave the safe nest of John F. Kennedy Catholic School and start the next phase of life, I have an important question for you: What does your action figure come with?  Think about it. You all have had Barbies or action figures and they all come in a signature outfit and a few accessories. If they sold an action figure of you, what would you be wearing and what would you come with? I’ll go first. I am definitely wearing a cardigan and flats, I have a travel coffee mug and a Chromebook. Mr. Kenneally’s has a Kennedy polo and string on the back when you pull it, he yells real loud. Father Lavelle’s has a cheese puff and Mrs. Schlosser’s comes with tardy slips.  So, your High School doll: what are you wearing? The classic polo and khakis, belt optional? The senior hoodie that you haven’t taken off since January? A sports or cheer uniform? This outfit choice for your doll is defining. No one wants ...

I had a great conversation with a few students recently and I wanted to share.  We talked about ACT scores and what college I went to and if I always wanted to be a teacher and principal. I said no. I was pre-med.  What made you change? I shadowed a few doctors my freshman year of college. They were cynical. “Too many malpractice lawsuits” “Too many student loans.” “You’ll start your family too late.” I loved science. I became a science teacher.  Do you regret that? I paused. Do I? Is a flippant conversation making me rethink my life choices? Financially, I might have picked something different. But the answer of “what do you want to do when you grow up?” I knew the answer definitely.  I want to change the world.  Ugh. Now what. I’m a 40 year old principal. How can I change the world?  One student at a time.  I started explaining that being an educator is like being a parent. There are a lot of things that are hard work, and you don’t feel like you’re ...