Quick background on how this came about: I am a member of the USA Film Festival and receive invitations to numerous events. It was through this organization I was able to meet Dave Goelz (The Great Gonzo), saw a preview of The Help that included a Q & A with Tate Taylor and Octavia Spencer, and am able to screen films before their nationwide release. Every year they hold a Kids Festival that focuses on...well...children. This past weekend one of their events included a collection of films based on Peter Reynolds' books and a book signing following with the man himself. Of course I called immediately to reserve seats for my husband and son (I had other plans and couldn't go but refused to allow my 3-year-old to miss such an opportunity). Moments after I hung up the phone; the lovely, young lady working the festival called me back. She remembered I was a teacher and wondered if I would like to join the other ladies running the festival for dinner with Mr. Reynolds. What fool would say "no thank you?"
Saturday arrived and my son and husband had a blast at the event. William even received his first autographed book!
(Naturally, I am infinitely more excited about this than my son is for now. He was thrilled about his book and put it in the bedtime story rotation, but I have a feeling it will take on more meaning for him as he gets older.)
Dinner quickly approached and I had to remind myself NOT to turn into a 13-year-old fangirl when I finally met Peter Reynolds. Besides, I tried to convince myself, he would be sitting with all the board members who were joining us. I probably would introduce myself, get a picture, and that would be it. My nerves weren't buyin' it, so I ordered a Maracas margarita when we arrived at the restaurant (a decision I'm pretty sure I'm STILL recovering from). Then the craziest thing happened: the film festival ladies allowed me to sit DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM PETER REYNOLDS. I had no choice BUT to speak with him all evening! Talk about pressure. I would have to be clever while slightly intoxicated. (Fortunately, my loving husband is great under that kind of pressure and helped a lot with the conversation.)
Taking pride in my loquacity (a real word-I promise) makes it difficult for me to admit that I cannot properly explain how meeting Peter Reynolds impacted my outlook on the rest of this school year and my career. Everyone needs to get a hold of his books. The three that tend to trend together are: The Dot, Ish, and The North Star. Peter Reynolds is the very person you expect to be the author of these true treasures. He reminded me that I don't teach for kids to pass a test nor do I have to listen to those whose minds are too narrow to appreciate the potential in my students. Did I already know these things? Sure. Have I let them slip away a bit? Yes. Something about the encouragement from someone not tied up in the political gunk of education helped shake off the dust of apathy that can really skew my optimism. It also reminded me that my students aren't the only ones who depend on me. So many adults had teachers who refused to let a broken system dictate success, and I must remain one of those teachers. And as crazy as it sounds, Peter Reynolds' absolute faith that I do right by my students simply based on how I presented myself at dinner caused me to realize if I quit doing what I know is best for my students, and if I lowered my standards to appease the politicians, then I would lose my true self and the passion for what I do.
As if aiding in the realization of one of my New Year's resolutions (#3 I believe) wasn't enough, Peter Reynolds began following me on Twitter AND wants to keep in touch! He will return in March for Arts and Letters Live at the DMA, and I will be there.
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