I love you, Piedmont

I had to clean out my old email and I didn't want to get rid of this without reminding you I still think you are amazing. Happy Thanksgiving!

Subject: I love you, Piedmont.


 Have I told you lately how great you are?  I know people get used to each other and so greatness seems normal, or perhaps even becomes invisible as little irritants fill our days, but you are in NO WAY the norm. You are all gifted and you have found a way to show it.
 
I hear a lot of dysfunction voiced about other schools, NONE of which Piedmont has (and trust me whatever little quirks we have are downright charming after the stories I heard yesterday).
 
What is noticible to me is how we have each others backs when there seems to be a lot of others who just spend all day protecting theirs. I realized how lucky I am to be here, how great it is to be surrounded by brilliant capable people who take their jobs seriously and also have fun, and how rare we are. 
 
I also spoke at a conference recently and had them all wishing to be us and all I did was show them some of your websites and talk about what happens in your rooms as a norm, a norm you are probably all so used to now that you don't realize how many kids and coworkers out there have nothing like this.
 
At one point a participant spoke and said "Well, this is all good but all your students are motivated and above average and eager"  I assured them that test scores are not a measure of eagernes or motivation , that we have the same kids as everywhere. 
 
I think it is you who are gifted- Thank you for bringing your gifts everyday.