Every school needs a heart.
Brighton School is lucky enough to have two hearts—our long-time school secretary and her brother, who is our bus driver, custodian, computer tech person, and chef. Nancy and Willie Joe Howard not only live in Brighton, but attended school in Brighton, and have spent most of their adult lives working at the school. These two are true stakeholders and the unsung heroes of so many children who have passed through our schoolhouse doors.
Among our many challenges as a school is that although we are considered a single K-8 unit by our district and the state, we are divided into two buildings, some distance apart on a large, hilly parcel of land. I spend most of my time in the K-5 building where Nancy is housed, so I want to tell you about what Nancy Howard contributes to our school.
This past week, I witnessed her walk 160 Brighton students from the K-5 building to the 6-8 building for after-school tutoring. I was amazed as she marched this great flock of children in a quiet line up the hill. Several of the other teachers observing this scene commented on this feat. In the discussion, one teacher said it is because Nancy knows all the children and their families, and they know she will make a call home if they are misbehaving. That's really the greatest asset she brings to our school—Nancy Howard knows the children! I cannot tell you the number of times that teachers, administrators, and I have gone to her seeking information on a student and she is able to give us exactly what we request.
Last year, I was in awe as Nancy called every child's family who did not send field trip money. Thanks to her persistence, no child missed a valuable experience (our children seldom travel outside their neighborhood). During annual testing, in order to meet the state's standard for test participation, she informed all the parents how important it was to be on time. One day, a student was late and she called the parent and told them they had five minutes to get their child to school! She waited out in front of the school for the child and ushered the child into the classroom. As a result we had 100% participation.
I have seen Nancy make herself physically ill when a child is being mistreated or neglected. I have watched her talk to the most out-of-control student, calming the child down and initiating a solution to prevent this from happening again. I have also observed her quietly, but convincingly, informing students, teachers, and parents what is expected of them at Brighton. She is a powerful advocate for our school and a determining factor in the success we are experiencing.
At the end of last year, I finally got up the nerve to ask Nancy why she had been so nice to me—an outsider who sometimes brought unwanted attention to "her" school. I truly thought she would be my hardest sell on my motives for coming to Brighton. She did not hesitate to tell me that she gives everyone a fair chance. She went on to say she had watched me daily, and she saw I truly cared about Brighton's children. This is the highest compliment I could have ever received.
Brighton's children are blessed to have someone who is their defender, protector, and benefactor. I am fortunate to have Nancy Howard for a friend and colleague. I hope every school has a Nancy Howard. She is truly our heart and soul.
Betsy,
What a truly touching post, finely observed and beautifully written. I know that Nancy will be proud of what you have written. Probably for two reasons, first because it is always gratifying to have one's efforts appreciated, and second because it shows your growth of understanding about the people and culture of Brighton.
Back just before I started reading your blog, I was worried that you were going to be an advocate for wholesale switching of teachers from one school to another in an effort to "put the best teachers where they are most needed." I worried about that because I know that so many people who are ignorant about how schools work think that that would be a solution to the achievement gap that occurs between "successful" and "unsuccessful" schools. I was pleased that such did not prove to be the case. And this post illustrates nicely why that would not work. Nancy's knowledge of the kids and their families is an essential part of her effectiveness. I am sure she would be a good secretary anywhere she went, but she could not be the heart of a place where she was transfered into and out of at the whim of an administrator. This is true of teachers too. I am widely acknowledged to be a good teacher, but my 20 yrs. at Evander have given me an understanding and knowledge of its students that I could not have were I moved around from one failing school to another. I would be effective in my classroom eventually, but my heart, which needs time to grow tendrils of attachment that make me truly valuable, would not be able to attach if I were given no choice about where I could teach.
But enough politics, back to you and Nancy and Willie Joe--Brighton is successful in one way for sure and that is in having the three of you care so much for its children.
Joe
Posted by: Joe Bellacero | November 21, 2005 at 11:32 AM