What Autographing Looks Like: Thank You, Trina Paulus #NWP #StagsMensBball #Hoops4HopeUSA

As I have learned from one of the greatest mentors ever, Sue McV, paying it forward is magical.

As I have learned from the Fairfield University's Men's Basketball Team, integrity is realized both on and off the court.

And as I have learned from Mark Crandall, Director of Hoops4Hope, UBUNTU matters.

I post this as a thank-you to friends, Hope For the Flowers, my relatives, members of the National Writing Project, colleagues, my administrative assistant, Lois, at the Connecticut Writing Project-Fairfield, and everyone else who helped make distributing 600 copies of Trina Paulus's book to educators, students, counselors, psychologists, and youth agencies in southern Connecticut a reality.

The photograph (above) is of Trina Paulus autographing the next batch of 100 books (correction: Agent of Hope commented below, "Actually, this is what 228 copies of Hope look like"). She continues to be a phenomenal human being who has vision, heart, and faith in doing good for others. In her words, may "love and collaboration transcend violence." I'm looking forward to spring so I can plant a few more butterfly bushes around town to welcome all her friends.

Yesterday, Carol Ann Davies, Fairfield University's resident poet,  reflected, "Isn't it strange that we are living in a time when emotions are so revolutionary?" Her words struck a chord with me. A community of love seems to contrast with what most teachers face across the United States in a time of assessment, teacher evaluations, top-down management and restrictive curriculum. The best classrooms are those that provide support, trust, community, and hope.  Perhaps that is why actions, such as what was shown by Victoria Soto, need to be remembered by us all. We all know teachers who would do anything for the young people in their worlds and this is impossible to measure in data teams.

So, once again, I want to thank you. Here's to Yellow. And Here's to Stripe.