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“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” – William Arthur Ward
For me, it would have been best had I heard this quote prior to March 13th, 2020. Since then, I have assumed I was meeting challenges of this pandemic either in a manner full of optimism or one wrought with pessimism. In reality, I have been operating as a realist the entire time.
Many years ago, in the final meeting with my teacher-training mentor, I asked her to leave me with the best advice possible. I implored her to give me words I would never forget, something so important that without having received it, I could never achieve success. Her answer was brief, yet priceless.
“Always be adaptable,” she said.
She ended the meeting on that note; it was the last time we ever spoke.
The ebb and flow of teaching and learning requires adaptability, patience, persistence and endurance. Moreover, it demands appropriate celebration, and the propensity to engage in realistic thought and action.
We have been very deliberate in our response to the pandemic, and I am proud of what we have accomplished thus far. I am also impressed with the requisite characteristics of success that our teachers, students and parents have displayed. To be sure, there have been challenges and missteps. Yet, through it all, we have never lost sight of who we are, nor of our community purpose.
This week, for the first time in 318 days, children came to campus for in-seat instruction. Though, we are only authorized by the county to serve up to 10% of our students in-person, nonetheless, it is a remarkable new beginning.
Over the course of the next few weeks, with the reopening of the after school sports camp and the anticipation of the county granting broader permission for in-person learning, we will move even further along. Our success is directly correlated to our adaptability. We must operate not in optimistic, nor pessimistic fashion. Rather, only by embracing reality, can we adjust the sails and continue to navigate in the right direction.
Regards to all.
Jay
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North Hollywood Interfaith 
Peanut Butter - NOT FAMILY SIZED
