Photo by Lester Smith
Teacher of the Year Cynthia Pfaff is shown as she speaks about education using the metaphor of raising good crops in the fields of Suffield. Next to the lectern she had arranged an autumn harvest exhibit along with a child’s tractor.
Many teachers enjoyed the breakfast buffet in the Suffield High School Commons. And then essentially the entire educational staff of the Suffield Public School System settled down in the big auditorium for the start of a full morning’s “Welcome Back” program on August 26, the Friday before students were to arrive on Wednesday.
After silver-voiced SHS student Caelie Flanagan sang the Star-Spangled Banner, a cappella, Superintendent Karen Berasi opened the program with the official “Welcome Back.” She set a positive opening tone by thanking the Suffield Board of Education for making it possible for the schools to move forward. Then she introduced Board Vice-Chairman George Beiter, “an educator at heart,” who thanked the teachers for their work. Next came math teacher Mark Janick, president of the Suffield Education Association (the teacher’s union). He was happy to describe Suffield as a great place to work, and when he assured his audience that their new “Key Tabs,” with photo ID, did not carry a chip for tracking, the audience understood the reference to the expensive new school security installation.
New teachers were introduced, along with a number of administrators. All four principals spoke briefly. SMS Principal Damon Pearce introduced Megan McCoy, the new Paraeducator of the Year (who evoked a long, standing ovation!). Then Stephanie Holland, the 2015 Teacher of the Year, introduced this year’s holder of that title, Cynthia Pfaff, saying, “Her students are her explorers; she is their compass.”
Mrs. Pfaff, who teaches Grade 6 Social Studies, used a different metaphor in her ten-minute lecture, which opened with a brief video showing the fields of Suffield she drives through on her way to work each day. She described the schools as her fertile fields, to be prepared for the growing season as a teacher must prepare for each topic and each day’s lessons. The students are the crop, to be nurtured and fed and brought to fulfillment. It was a remarkable presentation and likely an effective encouragement.
Superintendent Karen Berasi followed, with her good exhortations. She claimed, “This is an exciting time for the Suffield schools,” with more opportunities for training and more helpful technology. She said, “You make the difference in every child’s education success” and promised to provide the required tools and administrative environment.
Everyone then dispersed into a dozen small break-out groups, each with someone from Central Staff, to meet for about an hour discussing an assigned topic: either Curriculum Development, Teacher Growth, or Organizational Health. The groups were to return with possible questions.
Which they did. There were many questions, on many things, too many for this reporter to properly report. One theme seemed particularly significant, however: the issue of top-down management versus collaborative planning. It would appear that sessions such as this “Welcome Back” event provide good opportunities for exploring this common problem in all organizations.