Nurturing Nurturing

Dear Parents,

I attended Western Washington University in the late 80's with the aspiration of becoming an elementary school teacher. My decision to go back to school was based on my realization that I thoroughly love working with children. As a summer camp counselor, camp director, and Boy Scout leader I had discovered that helping kids grow is not only fun, but quite satisfying. Getting the money together for the two years of college I would need to get a teaching certificate was my family's first challenge. But with a combination of selling things we could live without, taking out a few student loans, and trimming our budget to an "I don't believe we can possibly survive on that!" level, I was able to start Western's education program as a post-baccalaureate student. Boy was I excited, and the longer I was in the program the surer I was that this was the right path for me. You can probably imagine my disbelief and later anger when, about two-thirds of the way through the program, I happened to overhear one of the education professors talking about the "fact" that men shouldn't become teachers at the elementary level because they weren't nurturing enough. I don't know where she got that idea or how she was able to live with the hypocrisy of that belief given the fact that she was charged with nurturing new teachers, both male and female. I do know however that it helped me think about education more holistically.

In essence, nurturing means watching out for each other and helping one another grow. I see this happen every single day at Swan School; in the classroom, on the playground, in music, during PE, and even after school. During our fall campout I watched a 10 year old girl make sure that a 4 year old boy made it home during a kickball game. In my classroom an older student encouraged a younger classmate as they learned how to write cursive. When a child fell down during a soccer game, several boys stopped what they were doing and immediately checked to be sure the other child was okay. Parents often comment to me on this, especially those visiting our school for the first time. As staff members we purposefully include "nurturing" as an integrated part of the curriculum. It is modeled, discussed, practiced, and observed throughout the day. Our Core Values of Compassion, Community, and Leadership all encompass the nurturing of one another. Of course, it is also a huge part of what you do every day and all day as parents. Following similar paths and working together really does make a difference with all of our children. As has been said so often, "It takes a village to raise a child."

Thinking back to that college professor, I wonder how she would view me now. If I saw her again I would tell her that I am proud to be a part of a school, of a community that sees children as much more than test scores and F.T.E.'s. That I am proud to be an educator that can also be a nurturer, just like you.

Russ