Summer Writing -- Faculty Edition

This summer the faculty at my school has been tasked with summer writing rather than summer reading.  I have decided that I'll be posting my ruminations on this blog for the world (or all 17 of my followers) to read.  This is a very brave step for me.  Some of my responses will be personal, and I tend to shy away from the personal when the world is watching -- or reading.  They will also likely expose my inner Pollyanna and nerdiness.  Something I usually keep hidden except to those closest to me.

I need to think a bit more before I start posting my responses to my headmaster's queries.  But as a preview, the questions I will be responding to are listed below.

1. In what ways does Boys' Latin stand for true excellence? Share an anecdote (or two) that captures this for you.

2. What does the following mean to you as a BL faculty member: A genuine joy of teaching. A genuine joy of learning. How have you seen this come alive at BL?

3. Share your favorite story (or two) of how you've seen a BL student arrive or come to your class with a unique set of distinctive talents, combined like no other, and how you've experienced this student's own redefining of his infinite possibilities.

4. Please take some time to reflect on yourself and your ‘faculty profile.’ What do you bring to the class? To your teaching? In addition to your academic credentials, what else adds the special dimensionality to what you do for our boys? As you think about these questions, it might be helpful to consider the short essays of the “This I Believe” series. What’s your belief statement about yourself and the important and noble work that we do?

5. And please list any accolades, recognitions, awards, and the like that you've received (whether it's school-specific, related to your outside community service, or volunteer work), or would like to receive.

I'll be answering these questions within the next few weeks, but before you read my replies, take some time and consider how you might answer the questions.  Substitute your school for mine, and add your replies in the comments section.