I know we have all been inundated with COVID-19 news these past few weeks, and I think it’s safe to assume we are all looking forward to resuming our normal lives and getting back to school at Colorado Academy. This abrupt interruption of my regular life and work schedule has enabled me to prioritize a few things. Instead of focusing on what might have been, I’m taking time to think about the positive things in my life.
Leadership
I am extremely grateful for the outstanding leadership exhibited at Colorado Academy during this period in our school’s history. I feel lucky to work with our leadership team; Dr. Mike Davis, Dr. Jon Vogels, Bill Wolf-Tinsman, Angie Crabtree, and Katy Hills have been top-notch and exemplary.
Dr. Davis had us thinking about the potential of serving our students and families via Zoom and online learning long before other schools. This foresight allowed CA to plan, practice, and get comfortable with this platform well before we needed to halt regular school. I believe our faculty has shown creativity and collaboration in their ability to adapt and produce quality instruction for all of our students.
Family time
With the mandatory Stay at Home order issued by Gov. Polis, I have spent an enormous amount of time with my wife and four children. With two Upper School students, one Middle School student, and one Lower School student, my house is full, and the educational challenges fill the spectrum. However, I revel in the fact that I have played more board and card games, done more puzzles, and eaten more family dinners together in the past month than I have in the past five years.
We have had terrific philosophical family discussions on a variety of topics from herd immunity theories, to the stock market, to which James Bond movie is the best—the current frontrunner is Goldeneye. At some point in the not-too-distant future, I can imagine my children will all be off leading their own adult lives; so for now, I cherish this time we have together and think of it as a gift.
Movement
I have used some of my new schedule to get out of the house and walk and run. My pace isn’t fast, but that doesn’t bother me. I’m out on my own, and I’m able to collect my thoughts. With my previous typical day consumed by hundreds of students involved in Upper School and Middle School competitive athletic contests, the instruction that goes into a Pre-K through Grade 5 Physical Education curriculum, and as Dr. Davis describes it, “keeping the athletic train running on time,” I don’t have much time to devote to a daily three-mile run.
These days are different, and I have committed to a regular regimen of two days of running and one day of rest. My older three children have taken to this exercise regime as well, and I have challenged them to think how they would like to be, both mentally and physically, when the Stay at Home order is lifted.
Stay optimistic
Finally, I choose to remain optimistic. I follow the motivational speaker Jon Gordon, whom I coached in Lacrosse during my time at Cornell. Recently Jon suggested that during these days, we try to stay positive, be thankful, and use this time to learn, improve, and grow. I know it may be difficult, but I am choosing to heed Jon’s advice and stay in control of those things I can control.
I hope you all remain healthy and happy during this time, and I look forward to seeing you all, at some point, back on campus, cheering on our Mustangs.