There are moments in life in which it is hard to decide whether one is overwhelmed with happiness or mourning a loss…

This is one of those times…

Last week I met with David Redfield, LILA’s college counselor since 2008-2009 who told me that he would be leaving LILA at the end of the year to further his education.  He had applied to many graduate schools and wanted me to be the first to know.

And there you are… conflicting emotions… which would take the lead?:

1)      The extremely selfish thought of head of school that this was sad news for LILA and me.   For those of you who do not know David, he has been with us since 2004 as a highly-respected English and IB teacher. In 2008 he took over our high school counseling program and helped students apply and get into very celebrated universities.

2)      The pride at thinking that somehow LILA had changed David’s life and brought him into this world of education and that he wanted to extend his knowledge and go further on this path…

3)      The absolute joy (mild jealousy?) for someone I consider a friend to hear about this exciting adventure and next leg on his journey

I would like to publicly congratulate David on being accepted to the Harvard Graduate School of Education: Master of Education program in Learning and Teaching (Instructional Leadership: ELA).

A general note to parents who, like me, are so very sad when a teacher or administrator announces they are leaving:

I spend a lot of time and energy recruiting the best educators I can possibly find.  I put in place an extensive continuing education program to help them continue to grow and to keep them curious.  For many, LILA is not their final destination.  We are an important step, we are a part of their lives for a few years.  I think we have to celebrate the time we have with them rather than mourn their loss.  Yes it is easier said than done, and yes my pedagogical team will cry every time one of their “chickens” says they are leaving the coop… But we are richer for the time they have spent with us and I hope that the feeling is mutual. 

David will have set the firm foundation for a real counseling program at LILA.  Because he is a professional, he will work with his successor to ensure that what he has started continues smoothly next year… I have no doubt at all.

Congratulations David!

Frankly, recording for Gainsbourg in September and later in the year flying to France for 10 days ... this is indeed going to be a year to remember for our 5th grade Lions!

Thanks to the creative talents of 5th grade teacher Isabelle Guitton and Pedagogical Coordinator Batiste Genestin we even have a video to give you a sneak peak of the magical moment.