It would not be possible in a career as long as mine to recognize every individual who has made a significant impact on my journey as an educator. Some will find themselves among the pages of this blog while others will remain quietly ensconced in the private corners of my memory.
But in an endeavor such as this one, no one sojourns alone, and there are some without whom this project could not have come to completion. Therefore, I need to thank Carla Van Berkum, Debby Miran, Dan Lane, and my father, Stephen Brock, for reading early drafts of different chapters and providing concrete feedback for improvement; the final product is the stronger for your input. Next, I need to thank my friend, colleague, and former Head of School, Jean Brune, for seeing things in me when she hired me that I did not yet see in myself; much of what I have written comes from the many years of your guidance, wisdom, and support. And finally, a special thanks go to Ereni Malfa and Paige North for your numerous years of insight, challenge, and encouragement that have helped me stay true to my educational calling; again, many of the ideas shared here come from our hours of thoughtful dialogues.
On a more personal note, I am grateful to Lucy Wynn and Bill Fagan for mentoring me into the profession and to Amy Popp, Caroline Riina, Kristin Drake, and Elizabeth White for enabling me to pass it on to the next generation. I would also like to thank the decades of parents who entrusted their children to my care; I still feel honored by their faith in me. And I would be remiss not to acknowledge where the biggest recognition of all is due: the more than 2,000 students who passed through my door these past 30 years. Each one of them—even those where we were fingernails on each other’s respective chalkboards—caused me to grow, and for that, I am truly grateful for the time shared together.
I must, though, give a special “shout out” to two specific collections of students, the Class of 2003 and the Class of 2010. The years I taught them were very dark ones in my private life, and while I’m sure they never knew it, it was knowing I would get to teach and interact with them yet another day that gave me the motivation to get up each morning during those times. They saved me, and there are not enough thanks in the world for that.
Light a Candle 