Seventeen years in, living in the old city of Panamá, I was burned out and had just stepped away from ever working in a school again. I escaped for three beautiful months in Spain. They weren’t all blissful and carefree as I could have you believe. In fact, I spent 31 days of that time walking the hills and flatlands of the fabled Camino de Santiago in August’s heat and learned what shin splints really are. I discovered a creative core I didn’t know I possessed – as well as the grey-to-dark space that falls in between “disconnect to reconnect.” This is a story for another day, but I share this small bit because I credit this time with opening my mind to possibilities I’d never before considered.

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On a visit to my parents post-Spain, I accompanied my younger brother one morning to drop his kids off at Weems Creek Nursery School in Annapolis, MD. I was instantly drawn in. The school program was rooted in play. The joy people felt being there (young and old) was palpable. I learned it was for sale and spent a day observing, talking, and playing. A 4-year-old named Lane* took my hand at recess and pulled me to the slide. I learned later that Lane was autistic and didn’t typically engage in cooperative play – his teacher was amazed at his connection with me; I felt more welcome than ever. What I’ve come to know as the “magic of Weems” was silently at work. 

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I accidentally bought a preschool, and it changed my life.

I’ve long thought that our role as educators is NOT to teach reading and science and math, etc. Our responsibility is to nurture children’s innate curiosity - to facilitate learning opportunities to build resilient problem-solvers, equipped with creativity, strong communication skills, and confidence so they’re prepared to innovate the solutions of tomorrow.

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Let’s do this.

 

xoxo,

Mary

 

*name altered to protect the child’s identity