For some time now, I had been hoping that a member of the faculty may have a thought or two that they might want to share with the community - allowing me to share this space with them. Today, I am pleased to share “The Head’s Desk” with the Director of the Outdoor Program, Judith Marklin, who has just completed her first year of teaching at The Beech Hill School. The following are Ms. Marklin’s thoughts:
The Seasons of a Teacher’s First Year
Judith Marklin
It is crazy to believe that this school year is already over! It felt like just yesterday I was introducing the Field Notebooks to the students in Outdoors - which was met with many groans. I knew that this would be a challenging addition to the curriculum, since it was so different from how things were done before. It was rocky at first, but I am so proud of our students for being open-minded and keeping a (mostly!) good attitude. Two weeks ago we spent the last Outdoors period sitting with our triangles and writing a poem to them or about them. I was blown away with what was created and wanted to share three poems with you here. I am mostly struck by the themes of decay, death, and life - in other words, the changing seasons.
This past Friday was my first time witnessing a Closing Ceremony at The Beech Hill School. And, similarly to the Field Notebooks, I did not know quite what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. It was a poignant amalgamation of celebration, reminiscing, and closure. The weather seemed to reflect the emotions of the day - rain and sunshine - as I both laughed and cried. It was, in a word, bittersweet. Which is often how I feel as summer becomes fall and fall becomes winter, which eventually becomes spring. I find myself not quite ready to let go of the barefoot days of August while simultaneously yearning for a crispness to the air. Yet nature keeps her rhythm, knowing that change is hard, but necessary - and ultimately, good. It is this cycle that helps us stretch and grow. It teaches us how to say goodbye sincerely, how to give gratitude fully, and how to welcome change graciously.
May the (now former!) 8th graders carry with them the lessons from their triangles and experience personally the new life and adventures that comes after the changing of a season.
