Dear St. Elizabeth's Community,
Happy New Year! I hope you connected with loved ones over the winter break and found moments to reflect on your hopes and intentions for 2024. I visited my family in Maryland and Virginia, and soaked up as much time as I could with my 5-year-old nephew (Johnny) and 8-year-old niece (Olivia).
It’s amazing how naturally curious children are to know everything about a person and how active they are in their listening. With their mouths wide open and heads nodding, Johnny and Olivia oohed and aahed and asked questions about what life was like when their mom (my sister) and I were their age. They are what David Brooks calls in his latest book, How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Seen, “loud listeners”—people who visibly feel and respond to what a person is saying.
Brooks suggests that understanding someone deeply is not just about gathering a list of facts or observing their behavior. It's about comprehending the full spectrum of their experiences, emotions, and perspectives. He also emphasizes the importance of empathy, listening, and engagement in small ways that can make a difference. This can be checking in on someone to see how they are doing, being willing to participate in activities together, or face challenges side-by-side. It can also include exercising patience and willingness to see the world from another’s perspective because getting to know someone deeply takes time. These skills are particularly relevant in our school community, where myriad backgrounds and stories intertwine.
Brooks' insights are particularly relevant in our school setting. As educators and parents/caregivers, we are constantly striving to understand our students not just as learners, but as individuals with unique stories and experiences. This understanding is crucial in guiding them towards not only academic success but also personal growth and social consciousness.
Let's use these insights as a springboard for deeper conversations and connections within our community. I encourage you and your children to share your stories and to listen to those of others. My hope for 2024 is that together, we can build an even more empathetic, curious, and cohesive community, where every voice is heard and valued.
Best foot forward,
