In 2011 @richnovack Introduced @fairfieldu Zen Garden to a Cohort or Teachers (and Me). Yesterday, I Paid That Forward. #Writeout

I arrived to Fairfield University in 2011 as an all-but-dissertation doctoral student with a year to get the #@$@ project done (obviously I did). 

I fell in love with the region north of the Long Island Sound, the beauty of campus, our National Writing Project work, and the potential for promoting inclusivity, diversity, and equity in the community work we do. I've always had #NWP at my side. 

I was young. I had data collected, years of K-12 teaching in diverse, equitable settings, and a vision (responsibility) to speak out with representation for the young people and teachers who invested their lived experiences with me. That first summer, I had a cohort of teacher-leaders who signed on to a summer institute. I remember telling the previous director that I was willing to pay the charge if there was one and she said, "Charge? There's isn't a charge. You're IN CHARGE." 

Phew. The reigns were handed over, and to culminate that summer we brought teacher-genius, Kelly Gallagher, to Connecticut. Not a bad way to start.

Here's the funny thing about that time. I had no house. My life belongings were on a Pod, and although I was ABD, I had a huge mountain to climb. I lived in my office...practically slept there as I edited, revised, reworked, and rethought my research. It eventually paid off. I finished and won a doctoral prize from Syracuse University for the work.

That summer, though teacher-scholars Richard Novack and Sean Mitchell were in the Writing Project cohort when I was introduced to the University. I am proud to say that they, like all the others, have moved on to incredible, inspirational work in their own professions. In fact, woot woot, Richard Novack is now Dr. Richard Novack through Columbia University, Teachers College, Ph.D. - how can we not be proud?

I mention this, however, because when I was an all but ABD professor of the practice, Rich was a gung-ho teacher at a local school. From his National Writing Project connection, he went on to further his own degree and, well, he did it with a critical ecological perspective. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

When Rich was in the teacher-leadership institute, he did his summer's demonstration on environmental writing and I remember as part of his work, he introduced us to the Zen Garden at Fairfield University - at the time the small ponds were dried up, but still beautiful. We did outdoor writing and connecting with the ways the environment brings us peace. 

Fast forward. 

This summer, I learned that the water ways of the Zen Garden were restored, and it truly is a spectacular part of the Fairfield University experience. Ten years later, the space still invites us to stop, think, reflect, notice, and regroup.

Yesterday, I took a team of new hires at Fairfield University to the Zen Garden to talk, plan, and wonder about their future careers. It was wonderful. 

Upon returning to University life, however, I was stopped by colleagues across campus to see how I was doing. When I told them I was returning from these beautiful parts they responded, "Wait. We have this on our campus?" and I said "yes." I gave them directions and wished them a wonderful, meditative adventure (and these were faculty who have been here many more years than I have). 

All this is to say, I'm thankful to the National Writing Project network, because it attracts stellar teacher-leaders like Rich Novack. He has his ears and toes entrenched in the local enviromental-scene. Not only that, but his dissertation was defended, he's nationally connected, and tomorrow, Saturday, we host the 3rd day of the 5th year of ecological literacy work in collaboration/partnership of Weir Farm National Historical Park. 

I'm amazed to think where 10 years have gone, and what is possible with community-engagement, teacher-activism, and the power of listening to local voices.

If it wasn't for Rich Novack, I would have never known about the Zen Garden at Fairfield University - a treasure on a gorgeous campus. All these years later, wola! a #WriteOut teacher-leader. I hope there will be many, many more to follow.