Nothing to do with teaching, but a story of hope.

I've been glued to cnn.com watching the Chilean miners being rescued.  The fourth miner has just been brought to the surface--about a 15 minute ride twisting and turning as he is pulled up to the surface after being trapped underground since August 5th for 69 days!!!  I used this real life lesson to teach my 3 and 4 year old some important words--hero, miracle, never give up.  My three year old was especially happy when the first miner was pulled up and the little boy began crying tears of happiness to see his daddy.

I've been following this story since the mine collapsed. When the story first unfolded I felt sadness; expecting to read of the deaths of the workers.  After contact was finally made via a small drilled hole 17 days later we learned that they had all miraculously escaped to a safe zone and survived on a small amount of rations and air.  Incredible, unbelievable!!!  The unbelievable news was followed with the story that a rescue attempt would be made but that the Miners would  have to stay alive underground for as long as four months while a tunnel was drilled through half a mile of rock to free them..."No way!"  I thought, "Not possible, impossible, crazy!"  But here we are today, 3 courageous rescuers lowered to help the miners and so far, four men lifted to safety.

As I reflect, I think about my own last 69 days.  I got a new job, moved into a new office, began working with 3 new co-workers, learned so many new things, and at times struggled with the steep learning curve.  It's been a long and tiring quarter for me and I know that it's been tough for some of the teachers I work with as well.  But when I compare life in first quarter to life underground in Chile I know that I've had it easy.  However, more importantly I've learned that no matter what adversity you are faced with that you should never give up because sometimes in life miracles can certainly occur.

So, with that, let's take a deep breath, get ready for the second quarter, learn to adapt, be flexible, be strong, trust in our selves and coworkers, and never give up...no matter how bleak the situation, when we work together as a team anything is possible!!!!  A perfect rally cry as we mentors and new teachers work together for the best of our students!!!