Dear Colleagues and Friends,
To celebrate my husband Rich’s retirement, earlier this month we splurged and took a long-awaited trip to London. While there, we indulged in some of our favorite things—wandering through museums, enjoying live music and theater, savoring delicious meals, and soaking in the beauty of a city and culture different from our own.
I have always loved London, but during this trip, a few things struck me as signs of the city’s intentional efforts to promote an authentic “culture of caring.” In the Tube stations, signs and a recorded voice reminds travelers to “Mind the Gap” between the train and the platform, acknowledging the structural quirkiness that could cause people to trip on their way in or out of the trains. At one museum, a sign by the elevators reads: “Please give priority. Not all disabilities are visible,” a public reminder that everyone has a story and that we should not make assumptions about the behavior or needs of others. Even at Royal Albert Hall, a majestic space that seems reserved for royalty, the center of the hall is left open for inexpensive, standing-room-only tickets, creating a more communal experience and honoring Prince Albert’s vision of making art accessible to all.
Signs of this culture of caring is evident throughout London, as it is in other cities around the world, including right here in Massachusetts. We see it in the tending of our parks and public spaces, in efforts to address challenges in accessibility, and in our schools as we develop and refine programs to more intentionally meet the needs of ALL students, particularly students who face social stigmas. In this era of extreme polarization, it is important to notice – and do more of – what is working to honor the dignity of everyone around us.
This is easier said than done, and I write this as a reminder to myself and to all of us: Sometimes we just need to take a beat outside of the frenzy of our daily lives to pause and notice the things we might otherwise miss. Traveling overseas was a profound privilege, but there are countless other ways to pause: spend time outdoors, immerse ourselves in art, play music or sports, exercise, read, or simply sit still and reflect.
Educators rarely find the time or space to do any of this. Too often they forget that caring for ourselves – and each other – is essential, and just as vital is nurturing, together, a culture of care that our students can feel, experience, and carry forward.
At Power of Place, our core values include making space for everyone, committing to reflection, and continually challenging our assumptions. Building a culture of caring is at the heart of what we do with and for our community, particularly those whose needs are both immediately visible, and harder to identify.
As the season turns, we encourage you to take a moment to pause and reflect on what’s going on around you, and to create the mental space that allows you to notice things in a new way. Let us know how we can support you along the way.
In connection,
Jane
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