I was taking a walk with my wife and girls earlier this month when Kinsley, my youngest, paused mid-stride and pointed excitedly at a patch of crocuses pushing up through the mud.
Bending over to get a better look, she remarked how happy she was that the flowers had finally decided to sprout and how pleased she was to see those delicate, purple petals after such a long, drab winter.
Her words got me thinking as we turned and headed for home.
The four of us were bundled up in heavy coats as late winter wind swirled old, wet leaves and whipped through bare, brown tree limbs but here along this unremarkable stretch of sidewalk, a vibrant, purple flower had decided to take root.
After months spent gathering strength and nourishment beneath the soil, here it was, unperturbed by the harsh conditions around it, unbothered by the next day’s forecast, entirely confident in its decision to thrust up through the snow and open its petals to the light.
I see the course of progress generally, and education specifically, in much the same way.
At first, a new concept may seem foreign and the task of understanding it too daunting. We can work and work and work - all without the benefit of any discernible improvement - until one day, there it is: A delicate green shoot peeking out from beneath the dark earth, the proof of our past efforts.
It’s so easy to become discouraged, frustrated by our lack of forward motion. But in the history of things that now work, it’s important to remember there was a time when they did not.
Our own personal journeys may languish for weeks, months or even years without much progress until suddenly, we jolt forward and, looking back, wonder how we ever doubted ourselves.
And while there are no true shortcuts to progress, there’s no denying the invaluable role teachers play in helping students consider new perspectives, master new skills and appreciate the value of becoming lifelong learners.
Teachers help shape not only their students’ academic knowledge but also their character and outlook on life. Beyond the classroom, they serve as mentors, guides and champions for their students' growth and success.
Through their passion for teaching and genuine care for their students, teachers inspire a love for learning, instill curiosity and thirst for knowledge that can extend far beyond the confines of a textbook or the walls of a school.
We’re lucky here at Attica to have teachers and staff that give so much of themselves to their students and students who are receptive to their efforts.
As we leave winter behind and look forward to spring, I’m excited at the prospect of growth - in our students, teachers and school community and won’t be surprised in the slightest if, on my way into work one morning, I pass by a cluster of purple crocuses that have decided the time is ripe to push up through the earth and take their place in the sun.
As ever, thank you for your ongoing commitment and dedication to our district.
Sincerely,
Kiel Illg, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools