Being A Pandemic Student

I’m writing more these recent days, maybe more inspiration I suppose (I hope?).  I’m fighting more these days too, maybe more coronavirus I suppose.  I’m a science guy by nature with an above average appreciation for the arts so I will just say keep being smart folks.

I want to share with you an idea that just seems so needed and timely.  A famed photographer with all the chops of any made a major pivot in honor of his own child and all of her classmates.  As I understand the read, Matt Mendelsohn is a very special someone, and he decided to take portraits of all and equally special classmates of his senior daughter on his dime.  Under normal times you would hold your breath for more than the lap of a pool to see if he would take on your special occasion.

On the off chance questions of “yeah right” puddle up, let me redirect.  As the story goes, this father aches like many, many others and had a natural atonement.  And he has a gift like none other; people generally pay him handsome sums for his artistic uniqueness.  Regardless, he put on his imposter educator/humanizer cap and did some things.  School folks are feeling it because they are real folks – one of my son’s 8^th grade teachers just this morning sent a note to the class to cry over.  She’s a warm demander and her kids aim to please and while she didn’t give them the green light to slack off she paved a mile of empty highway to her doorstep should anyone need to reach out (for anything).  And I’m not talking about the passive “call if you need something” but rather “we’re family and if I have to hunt you down get ready.”

So back to Mr. Matt – he decided to go pro bono and mobile – with curbside service no less.  I’m not sure what moved him to action other than a fatherly heart but he decided to stage senior (12^th graders) portraits in their own driveways (so they had one).  You can read the article here and check out the pics here.

I personally was consumed by the stories as they were told through the article.  The intent was not to photoshop the circumstance but present it as visual testimony.  Not a reminder either but simply an acknowledgement, a mild second-hand empathetic gesture.  It’s 8:30 am as I write this entry and my first of two has just woken up (only to get his phone and go back to bed) – things are different.  And it reminded me of why I shared with my staff just this past Friday this clip by Rita Pierson – I did so not as some spare gesture but as someone who had personally benefited from her mentorship.

And despite everything and without taking away anything we have a decision to make.  By my estimates, Mr. Matt and Ms. Rita are special people but they are not that rare – walk the mile to my son’s English teacher and while she’s not common, she’s got company.  And I’m certain her door will be unlocked…