Mill Pond Elementary – Westborough, Mass.

What a great way to get back on the saddle again.

Student artwork beckoning Spring on a January morning.

Mill Pond elementary in Westborough Massachusetts made getting back into the swing of school visits a pleasure. The literacy coordinator, Stephanie Nephew had everyone so prepared for our visit all we had to do was show up.

We did four assemblies the first day for the 4th and 5th graders who were already steeped in our work. While we were driving to this Boston suburb from our home in Ohio we received an email with a video of some 5th graders made for one of my poems about a noisy family. It was divine. We knew we were in for a treat.

Soon to be full of poetry fans.

The second day we did two 2.5 hour PD sessions with the teachers who were engaged, cooperative and more than a little bit of fun.

Afterwards i got this note from Stephanie, a forwarded email that she had received from one of the PD participants: “Wow! I just want to be sure to take the time to say WOW and thank you to all involved for bringing in two inspiring poets for students and staff! Their presentation yesterday and workshop this morning were dynamic and inspiring! This afternoon, during literacy, I immediately tried something that I had learned from the morning! I’ll try more things next week! It’s great to feel “re-charged” and motivated after professional development! “

PD session with 4th and 5th grade teachers.

I wish we could take all the credit – but success like this starts in the school. The best PD in the world isn’t going to make a bit of difference if the participants aren’t part of a growth mindset institution. Well, the assistant superintendent participated in one of our sessions – that says a lot.

So, thanks Stephanie and everyone else who made our re-entry into school visits for 2018 such a joy.