Greetings from a lovely day in Kansas. Since I last posted I’ve been traveling just about non-stop, most recently a drive to San Francisco for a meeting (driving so I could visit my daughter who works for the Indian Public Health Service in Arizona and because of a canceled train reservation due to the incessant rain in California). Wow! The beauty of the varied landscapes through New Mexico, Arizona, and California is indescribable. Mountains, desert, amazing rock formations, miles of green hills and fruit orchards, … Beautiful!
Returning to Kansas for a bit of a hiatus from travel, I’m experiencing another transition. Last week marked the end of a two-year appointment with the American Association of Colleges and Universities, a special projects advisor assignment. I learned a great deal from and with wonderful colleagues and had the opportunity to interact with thought leaders across higher education. I’m looking forward to continuing to contribute to the mission of AAC&U to support equity and justice in education and society. I’m very grateful to everyone who supported by work there.
In the next phase of my career and life, I will continue working within higher education and increase my attention to the perK-12 sector. The best way to transform the student experience in colleges and universities is to address equity of access and opportunity beginning in early learning environments. What if the brain of every child, beginning in infancy, were nurtured and fed like it was the most valuable resource we have in our country and world – which it is! We neglect small children – millions of them every day due to economic and social inequality – and we pay for that neglect for the rest of their lives. Children enter preschool with depleted bandwidth because they’re hungry, fearful, tired, already experiencing childhood trauma, etc. Children in elementary school are unable to learn and thrive for these reasons and many others related to the resources (or lack of) of the school, the conditions of the neighborhood, and the social realities of society.
I try to maintain a sense of hope and want to contribute to solutions. There are many schools where students are nurtured, respected, and supported to learn well and thrive. In the next months and years, I want to help make those conditions a reality for more young students. I welcome any ideas about how we can work together for positive change.
To end on a joyful note…My 7-year-old grandson goes to an excellent elementary school in Ohio. They must be working on gratitude; his Dad sent me a picture he drew - a stick figure with a broom sweeping bits of dirt headed, “Dear custodians, Thanks for all your cleaning.” There is hope after all!