Minnetonka District Kick Off Speech - Joe Cossette - 2022
As I thought about this moment and how to be effective,
I kept on coming back to the importance of perspective.
In science, a common strategy to help us understand
Is to reframe abstract concepts as something we know first-hand
For example, if the age of our universe was smashed down into a year
11 pm on New Year’s Eve is when humans first appear
The modern history of 500 years compressed into an instant
Making things that once seemed long ago become a bit less distant
We often remind our students that they should focus on the path
Their journey means much more than a bad test in math,
Or an issue with a classmate, or struggles with a book.
The farther out you zoom, the smaller these things look.
But what if an event‘s so big that it’s harder to ignore?
When things that once seemed normal feel different than before?
I’ve tried to share with my non-teacher friends the ‘21-’22 vibe
But, last year was really hard in ways that I still can’t describe.
We know that in time our perspective will change
And things WILL make sense when they once felt so strange
But until that time comes, I choose to look for the good
To use this event to appreciate things that I should
I’m grateful for our grade school, and the passion that you spark
For the patience you show, and the paths you embark
This year, my kid starts preschool and while I feel ok with two,
The thought of dozens of her puts me in awe of all you do
Teaching 9th grade last year had me feeling less than skilled
It felt like COVID left them with something to rebuild
Without that social learning it felt like herding lizards
In that moment I understood, middle school teachers are wizards
Finally, the high school, with the size of most small towns
And a range of expertise that’s a thrill to be around
You all help students dream of their futures ahead
And if they should apply to 2 dozen schools or 3 dozen instead
So, that is why I’m nervous, because I’m in front of superstars
And why I’m the one that’s speaking seems a little bit bizarre
The work that you all do is meaningful and true
Students may forget some content but they WILL remember you.
When the seniors walk in my class next week, it’s their “11th hour”
And while it seems that this final step has a special sort of power
It’s important to acknowledge the history they’ve gathered
The love and care from ALL of you is what has truly mattered
I don’t need to mention niche.com to show the value of this place
But I also know some students struggle to find their own safe space
We can celebrate our excellence AND notice when we’ve missed
These two ideas, while different, can surely coexist.
I have learned a lot while teaching, and I have a ways to go
To make my class inclusive for ALL students to learn and grow.
This job’s beautifully impossible and while I may not find perfection,
Our kids are too important for us to bypass introspection
“Superhero” is often used to describe the work we do
But that can sometimes hide the fact that we are people too
And people need to take some time to look after themselves
It’s ok to prioritize reading from the fun books off your shelves
Or focus on YOUR children, or make exercise your goal
Protect time for things you need, so you can fulfill your role
So, as we peer over the edge of some unknown ahead
And our dreams fill with anxious excitement (or maybe even dread)
I want to share the thing that helps me as I enter each new year
Because again, for some strange reason, they chose to put ME here
The blessing and curse of this imperfect little art
Is that every fall we come to school and we get a brand new start
We get a chance to reinvent a lesson that we’ve made
And enact a cell phone policy that will DEFINITELY persuade
With every reinvention, we get a little stronger,
Our super hearing sharper, our wait time even longer.
We are challenged by our students and inspired by our peers
We get to make an impact that can last for many years
I hope you find the strength you need on days when things feel hard
And you catch a glimpse of gratitude in a thank you or a card.
I for one am humbled to be a part of this one team
That makes this school a place where we all can learn and dream
Have a great school year Minnetonka!
I kept on coming back to the importance of perspective.
In science, a common strategy to help us understand
Is to reframe abstract concepts as something we know first-hand
For example, if the age of our universe was smashed down into a year
11 pm on New Year’s Eve is when humans first appear
The modern history of 500 years compressed into an instant
Making things that once seemed long ago become a bit less distant
We often remind our students that they should focus on the path
Their journey means much more than a bad test in math,
Or an issue with a classmate, or struggles with a book.
The farther out you zoom, the smaller these things look.
But what if an event‘s so big that it’s harder to ignore?
When things that once seemed normal feel different than before?
I’ve tried to share with my non-teacher friends the ‘21-’22 vibe
But, last year was really hard in ways that I still can’t describe.
We know that in time our perspective will change
And things WILL make sense when they once felt so strange
But until that time comes, I choose to look for the good
To use this event to appreciate things that I should
I’m grateful for our grade school, and the passion that you spark
For the patience you show, and the paths you embark
This year, my kid starts preschool and while I feel ok with two,
The thought of dozens of her puts me in awe of all you do
Teaching 9th grade last year had me feeling less than skilled
It felt like COVID left them with something to rebuild
Without that social learning it felt like herding lizards
In that moment I understood, middle school teachers are wizards
Finally, the high school, with the size of most small towns
And a range of expertise that’s a thrill to be around
You all help students dream of their futures ahead
And if they should apply to 2 dozen schools or 3 dozen instead
So, that is why I’m nervous, because I’m in front of superstars
And why I’m the one that’s speaking seems a little bit bizarre
The work that you all do is meaningful and true
Students may forget some content but they WILL remember you.
When the seniors walk in my class next week, it’s their “11th hour”
And while it seems that this final step has a special sort of power
It’s important to acknowledge the history they’ve gathered
The love and care from ALL of you is what has truly mattered
I don’t need to mention niche.com to show the value of this place
But I also know some students struggle to find their own safe space
We can celebrate our excellence AND notice when we’ve missed
These two ideas, while different, can surely coexist.
I have learned a lot while teaching, and I have a ways to go
To make my class inclusive for ALL students to learn and grow.
This job’s beautifully impossible and while I may not find perfection,
Our kids are too important for us to bypass introspection
“Superhero” is often used to describe the work we do
But that can sometimes hide the fact that we are people too
And people need to take some time to look after themselves
It’s ok to prioritize reading from the fun books off your shelves
Or focus on YOUR children, or make exercise your goal
Protect time for things you need, so you can fulfill your role
So, as we peer over the edge of some unknown ahead
And our dreams fill with anxious excitement (or maybe even dread)
I want to share the thing that helps me as I enter each new year
Because again, for some strange reason, they chose to put ME here
The blessing and curse of this imperfect little art
Is that every fall we come to school and we get a brand new start
We get a chance to reinvent a lesson that we’ve made
And enact a cell phone policy that will DEFINITELY persuade
With every reinvention, we get a little stronger,
Our super hearing sharper, our wait time even longer.
We are challenged by our students and inspired by our peers
We get to make an impact that can last for many years
I hope you find the strength you need on days when things feel hard
And you catch a glimpse of gratitude in a thank you or a card.
I for one am humbled to be a part of this one team
That makes this school a place where we all can learn and dream
Have a great school year Minnetonka!