This week's post is based on lessons learned through math and chemistry.  Now, now, don't stop reading if you are turned off by these subjects as I am hoping you'll like what I learned through the course of my week this past week.  By the way, I too never loved math or science, although I definitely recognize the relevance in our daily lives unlike the students who say, "Why do we need to know this?"  As early as our early primary school years we begin to learn addition and subtraction.  The most basic is 1 + 1 = 2.  Correct?  Well, this past week I was introduced to the idea that sometimes 1 + 1 = 3.  This thought was presented to me by one of our students when he was describing the impact of two people working together.  The point was, if individuals can put aside their own egos and focus on a common cause and mission, then their combined efforts can be 1 + 1 = 3.  On the other hand, when two people are unable to put their own self interests aside and focus on the larger goal then 1 + 1 doesn't even equal 1.  He put it another way.  If two people are rowing in a boat and they're not rowing together then they just spin in circles.  How about that from a lesson taught to the school President from a student. 

I think this also says a little about chemistry.  The chemistry of a team is so important.  The next lesson I learned came from observing one of our sports teams.  People working together with a common cause and mission who are unselfish, team oriented, and place their own goals and needs aside, can achieve greatness.  We've seen it on championship teams.  There is usually a catalyst, or more than one catalyst, that creates the spark...that brings out the best in others...the rising tide that raises all ships.  On the other hand, there can also be those selfish individuals who also create a spark, but this time a negative reaction that drains the energy and focus of the team and might even create an explosive environment.  Lesson learned...be the positive spark, the catalyst, the unselfish team player who puts the mission of the whole ahead of him or her self.  Recognize that we are all interdependent on one another and that our actions create a ripple effect that we may never know.  Bethe rising tide that raises all ships.

Speaking of being a rising tide, I also learned a great lesson in math and chemistry this week from an encounter I had with one of the most inspirational people I have ever met, a true hero, Mr. Ted Schwab.  Mr. Schwab is the co-founder of an organization in DC called Capital Partners for Education.  From their website we learn that since 1993, CPE has provided nearly 400 students with viable alternatives to low-performing public schools. Seventy-six percent of CPE students graduate from high school in four years and enroll in college — compared to 29 percent of Washington’s public school students. Of CPE graduates, 99 percent have enrolled in college. Most are the first in their families to attend college. A recent study of the educational outcomes of CPE alumni found that 73% of CPE students graduate college within six years.  In the 2011-2012 school year, CPE serves 113 students in 21 partner high schools.  I first met Mr. Schwab in 1999 when we were working together with a student at McNamara sponsored by Capital Partners.  Not only was Mr. Schwab the founder of the organization but he also was personally supporting this young man's education financially and served as his mentor, a role he took very seriously.  This young man was clearly on the way out of our school.  Poor behavior, failing grades and an equally bad attitude.  Six teachers, a counselor, his coach, Mr. Schwab and his mother pulled together an action plan and gave this young man another chance.  That intervention proved to be all that he needed.  This young man went on to be a leader in the school, captain of his team, a Peer Minister and later went to college on a full scholarship.  So here's some math and chemistry for you again:  2 people with a dream to help low income youth in the Washington area gain better access to the high-quality education that would make a real difference in their lives, 19 years later has grown exponentially to now having served more than 400 students with 113 more on the way in 2012-2013.  How about that for exponential growth?  How about that for making a difference!

My final math and chemistry lesson of the week came this past Friday at the 27th annual Mustang Cup Golf Tournament in Memory of Phil Terry.  Check out these numbers and see if you can find the pattern:  6, 43, 350, 152, 20, 55000.  In 1986 there were 6 McNamara graduates who came up with the dream to start a golf tournament to support financial aid for students and their families.  That first year there were 43 golfers and the tournament lost $350 (the tournament actually broke even in the books but we know it was the generosity of one of the six that brought it to zero).  So much for success.  But they plowed ahead and today there are literally thousands of students who have benefited from the generosity of the golfers, sponsors and advertisers of this annual tournament.  This past Friday the tournament fielded its largest turnout ever, 152 golfers whose combined efforts along with the generosity of more than 20 sponsors helped to raise $55,000--all for the cause of helping students in need.  One Board member was quoted as saying after the event, "What a great way to have fun, make money and make a difference!" 

So there it is, just a few math and chemistry examples to get us thinking as we prepare for the week ahead.  The common thread in each of these is, of course, people.  People with a dream and vision to make a difference in this world.  People who have the ability to set aside egos and selfish needs to focus on others and a larger mission and cause.  People who are willing to share their gifts and are willing to sacrifice for others so that they too can receive a quality education and have a chance to be leaders in life and society.  People who "pay it forward" so that others can fulfill their God-given potential.  My goal for our McNamara students is that they too will grow to be like these people.  Leaders in life who add and multiply instead of subtract and divide.  The catalyst that starts a revolution for change...change based on the Gospels with a focus on bringing hope to a world that so desperately needs it.

So I finish this blog with two simple but meaningful words for all those who set the example for us and have made a difference in at least one other person's life, THANK YOU! 

Since the first of the year of my Presidency at McNamara I have had the opportunity to travel to several cities to meet with alumni and alumnae from both Bishop McNamara and La Reine.  My visits this year have included New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Austin and Dallas, TX.  We have also hosted several happy hours at locations in the Maryland/DC/Virginia area and even held a reception for young alums attending the University of Maryland at College Park.  I always return from these trips inspired and invigorated by the life and careers that our alums are leading.  From reminiscing about the past to talking about the present and future of Bishop McNamara, it is clear to me that graduates from McNamara and La Reine are grateful for the impact the school has had on them and are excited about the future opportunities available to our students today.  I am so inspired by how many of our alums have taken the valuable lessons they learned during their years in school and have made it their life's passion to carry those lessons forward.  From running a private academy with a focus on social justice to teaching college students ethical responses to today's challenges, from aiding third world nations in their economic development efforts to counseling at-risk youth, and from running successful businesses to becoming a world renowned author/creator/movie producer, our graduates are truly making a difference in this world!

During my most recent trip to Dallas and Austin, TX, I had the opportunity to meet with Tim Byrne '75 President & CEO of U.S. Lime & Minerals, Inc. as well as Greg Schaub '78, Executive Vice President with CHASE Paymentech.  In Austin, I met up with George Glaser from our first graduating class, '67, who is a noted psychotherapist in the Austin area as well as Dr. Patricia Shields LR '69 who is a a Professor of Political Science and Director of the Master of Public Administration Program at Texas State University.  She is also the current editor of the journal Armed Forces & Society. Dr. Shields is notable for her publications focusing on research methods, civil-military relations, gender issues, and the importance of classical pragmatism in public administration.

On my recent trip to Boston, MA, I had the opportunity to meet up with Father Kevin Spicer, '83 C.S.C. who is the history department chair at Stonehill College, also founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross.  Wow, Fr. Kevin Spicer is quite an impressive individual.  He is a committed Catholic educator who is a living testimony to Holy Cross education which emphasizes that the mind must not be cultivated at the expense of the heart.  I also had the chance to meet with Father Larry Jerge, C.S.C. who served as the Campus Minister at McNamara from 1981-1985.  That was an awesome visit!  Fr. Larry had such an enormous impact on my life when I was a student at McNamara.  

I also traveled to Nashua, New Hampshire to meet with Kathy Hoffman Nelson LR '69, founder and executive director of The World Academy, an award winning private school which educates students from six-weeks through eighth grade.  I found this visit to be extremely inspirational!  Kathy is doing such wonderful work in preparing her students to be leaders in the 21st century.  She also pointed out that much of the philosophy that the school is based on traces to her roots with the Bernadine Sisters at La Reine with a special emphasis on social justice, diversity, globalization, inquiry-based learning and progressive education.  

Later in the week I had the opportunity to meet with Jeff Kinney '89, author and executive producer of The Diary of a Wimpy Kid book and movie series.  Remaining ever humble, Jeff credits his teachers for allowing him to develop his creative abilities and the opportunities presented to him at Bishop McNamara.  A world-renowned author and movie producer, Jeff's humble and gracious approach to his success is vintage Holy Cross.  Jeff is truly a great tribute to his family, his teachers and to the Brothers of Holy Cross.  Finally, I closed out my evening with a happy hour in Boston in which he met with Bob Korycansky '71, John Baer '89, Kathy Shaughnessy LR '85, former Religion teacher from 2006-2008 "Cappy" Russell, and former Campus Minister from 2007-2010 Jodi Dean.

I am putting together my travel schedule for next year and am currently planning return trips to Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Austin and Dallas and has added a trip to Houston, TX.  If you'd like for me to visit a city near you and would love to network with other La Reine and McNamara alums in your area please send us an email.


Meeting with alums provides me with so many teachable moments...not the least of which how important it is to always remember where we come from and to pursue life with a passion!

Welcome to my new blog site.  I call this site "teachable moments" because throughout my adult life working in education I have learned a variety of very valuable life lessons not only from my colleagues, teachers and coaches, but equally importantly from our students, their families, our alumni and from our faithful and loyal supporters.  I awake each day and recognize that the day will be filled with teachable moments.  Sometimes these moments come with good humor, others that are seemingly simple in our everyday dealings, and others yet from hardships.  It's the latter that I learn the most from but find the most difficult.  Working at a Holy Cross school which teaches us that the "Cross is our Only Hope" gives me reason for celebration in even those difficult teachable moments.

Throughout the course of this blog I hope to make you laugh and smile, bring warmth to your heart, and give you some things to think about which might also be teachable moments for you too.  I am so blessed to work in a Catholic school in the Holy Cross tradition and I couldn't be more grateful for the people that God has placed in my life and for the many teachable moments He provides for me in my daily walk.

So enjoy the blog...or disregard it, whatever you choose.  And thank you for being a blessing in my life!