Proud To Be A Winchendonian

People often ask me what I value most about The Winchendon School and it is never hard to come up with an answer. There are several things that come quickly to mind, but nothing is perhaps more important than being a member of a faculty that is so committed to learning and being the best teachers that we can be.

Starting Monday, we return to a program that represents the very best of this core commitment. While many of our teachers have attended various workshops, continue to work on their masters, or are taking specific courses within their fields of expertise, Winch U is a very special opportunity and differentiates Winchendon from most if not all other secondary schools. The fact that our teachers give up a week of their summer to learn together, to collaborate on best practices and to immerse ourselves on the newest methodologies is evidence of our commitment to ensure that we are providing each Winchendon student with an exceptional education.

Figuring out what a great 21st century education is a constant challenge and requires perpetual innovation in teaching just to ensure that our students will be well equipped when they graduate. If you haven't watched one recently, the start of a new school year always seems to be a great time to watch one of the "Did You Know? - Shift Happens" videos. We challenge ourselves with these questions, we look for guidance to the answers in our work together and by reading such books as "The Global Achievement Gap", and we pursue teaching excellence by committing to constant self improvement.

This passion for and commitment to teaching excellence makes me very proud to be a Winchendonian.

Have a good weekend

Pakistan and China On My Mind

While it is easy to get caught up with getting ready for the coming year or even just enjoying a few days of summer, I am finding it very hard to get the people of Pakistan and northern China off of my mind these days. While domestic media continues to focus on the apparent good news coming out of the Gulf of Mexico, what seems like the really important news is the devastation and horrors facing millions of people in both China and Pakistan. Both regions are seeing record rains which have resulted in the thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions.

In China, first the north eastern potion of the country was hit with record rains last week, and then even heavier floods deluged the north western region in the Gansu province in recent days, resulting in some horrific mudslides with devastating results. If there is any good news, it is that the Chinese government has mustered a significant response and has the resources to assist the victims. China Daily provides regular updates.

The devastation is likely more tragic in Pakistan where the worst rains in over eighty years have forced rivers way over their banks in several regions including Punjab. Already there have been over 1600 confirmed deaths with many more missing and millions of people displaced by flood waters. But the complications are greater than that. First, Pakistan has been providing support to as many as two million refugees displaced by the violence in Afghanistan. This catastrophe will likely compromise their ability to continue to do that. Furthermore, there is great frustration with the way that the Pakistani government has responded to the crisis, with fears that this could eventually lead to a further destabilization of that government. This would only result in greater challenges in the region. For more perspective, both the BBC and the International Herald Tribune are good resources.

It is hard to find a bright spot in events like this, but one might be China's rapid response to the devastated regions within its country. The same can't be said in Pakistan, and the potential implications are unnerving. Those of us at The Winchendon School will have a good chance to better understand the challenges and responses as Global Dynamics will be focused on southern/southwestern Asia in the first semester before shifting east to China and its neighbors for the second semester. There is no doubt that there will be much to be learned in our GD studies - we can only hope that there is some good news that comes out of these crisis.

A Legend Moves On

On Friday evening, I stopped by the Byrnes' home to say goodbye to Mike Byrnes and his family. It was certainly a bittersweet moment, especially as I reflected on The Winchendon School moving forward without Mike's presence. He has engaged so many students in remarkable ways over the last fourteen years. And while Mike is best known for his role in building a basketball program that is highly regarded in this and many other countries, this is not where his most masterful work was done. I can't tell you how many alumni and parents have mentioned how Mike Byrnes had such and incredible impact on their lives and defined their Winchendon experience.

One of the more memorable moments of this past year was when a beaming Mike Byrnes pulled up one afternoon with a van full of boisterous students from all over the world. They were off to a rodeo, and for many of them it would be the first such event that they had ever been to. Mike could have been supervising the gym or some other easier duty, but he was having a blast creating an adventure for a group of kids. When I talked to the students afterward, they were so appreciative that Coach Byrnes had provided them with this memorable experience. Over the last several years, many parents have told me how wonderful Coach Byrnes had been to their kids. When traveling through Asia, alumni and their parents are always asking about Mr. Byrnes. And, when Coach joined the Facebook crowd, he quickly built a vast friend list. Whether teaching early second language learners, taking any one of the many of the kids under his wing that he has over the years, or prepping a young hot shot for the big leagues, Coach Byrnes has connected with so many Winchendon students over the last 14 years in ways that the rest of us can aspire to. We will miss Mike Byrnes, Brunelda and the girls.
But it is also time for Mike to take the next step in his career, just like graduation time comes for our seniors each spring. The move to a coaching spot at Robert Morris University is the next step in his education. It wouldn't surprise me at all that by the time this year's incoming freshmen graduate in 2014, Mike will have taken the helm of his own program. His new players will be lucky to have him in their lives just as so many Winchendon students and adults have been.
So now we move on. There is room for the next Winchendon legend to be built. It will take me a while of getting used to Mr. Byrnes not being at morning meeting, or on the sideline at basketball games, or knowing that he has carefully recruited some specific student to be his basketball manager because he wants that student to have a special experience. But is also gives me confidence that Mike has set standards for all of us. He has set the bar for hard work and integrity, for looking for that student who needs a little extra support, for be willing to invest in becoming a better a teacher, for playing to win, for modesty even in the face of significant accomplishments, and for knowing when and how to take a break and have a bit of fun. It is really exciting to stop and reflect that there are a lot of potential and probable legends on the Winchendon faculty, and Mike has set some great precedents for us.

Thanks Mike. Come back and visit your Winchendon School often and stay in touch with your legions of fans on Facebook. Best wishes to you and your family.