When I first left the classroom for an administrative role at Harbor, everyone I told, from colleagues to friends, asked me, “But aren’t you going to miss the classroom?!” They had become accustomed to me sharing stories about my students- the discoveries they made during a science lesson, the connections they made while reading a book, or just the hilarious things they would say at the lunch table. No matter how exhausting teaching can be, it is incredibly rewarding and there is never a dull moment.

So, yes, I’ll admit that I do miss the classroom, but this week, I’ve had the luxury of visiting ALL of the classrooms. My favorite time to do this is during Morning Meeting. From preschool 3’s to 2nd grade, I saw children shaking hands, giving high fives, telling each other about their favorite animals, sharing summer highlights, singing, and of course, dancing. This is one of the most important times of day, where students get a chance to share about themselves and learn about their friends. This is where community building really begins and students and teachers set the tone for the day.

While observing these meetings, I was inspired by the smiling faces on the children, impressed by our talented teachers, and reminded of the first line of our mission: “The Harbor School embraces the uniqueness of each young child, and we teach our students to celebrate it in themselves and each other.” I am so proud to see that we are living up to our mission, from the moment the children walk in the door.