Editor’s Note: At the end of every school year, EdNC holds our board, strategic council, and team meeting to reflect and iterate our scope of work. It’s our Thanksgiving.
This is the blessing Hannah offered last night at dinner.
It is our privilege to do this work, and we are thankful you choose to be part of our story.
Blessings and gratitude for each of you, for the light and spark that guides you in this work, and for the stories that motivate you, along with the stories that keep you going.
Blessings and gratitude for the tasty food we will eat, and for the people who grew, harvested, and prepared it. Blessings and gratitude for the efforts to ensure such workers are valued, compensated, and protected in ways that reflect the measure of their importance.
Blessings and gratitude for the students and employees in our schools who are hungry, and for all that they accomplish even without enough. Blessings and gratitude for the people and organizations working toward a world where everyone has enough to eat.
Blessings and gratitude for the many people working to make our stay here and our sessions comfortable and clean, and for giving us the space and ability to truly hone in on our work.
Blessings and gratitude for the bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers, and many other people in our schools working to make them comfortable, clean, and safe so that our students can focus on learning.
Blessings and gratitude for the educators across the education continuum who care for, teach, and learn from our students, and for their commitment to showing up, and showing up, and showing up again.
Blessings and gratitude for the leaders here and throughout our state working in different capacities to increase pay within our schools, improve student outcomes, and offer resources that address all facets of a student’s identity. Blessings and gratitude for the times in which we can brainstorm, listen, and dream together for public education.
Blessings and gratitude for our students, who come from many different backgrounds and places to our schools to learn, to be seen, to reach their potential, to find help, to make friends, to be affirmed, and to be believed in. Blessings and gratitude for the people working tirelessly to make such a reality true for more students.
Blessings and gratitude for each of you.
