I am a huge…unbelievably huge…fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. I grew up in the days of the Steel Curtain, when Terry Bradshaw was a star quarterback and not a game day commentator, when the original immaculate reception occurred and the Terrible Towel  was first waved. There are those readers who may think less of me for my love of the Steeler Nation and those who may join me. All I know is that for my family, friends, school and town the Steelers were, and continue to be, all important.

When I find myself in situations in which football is the center of the conversation, I am proud of my home team and eager to say I support them. Even when things aren’t going as well as I would like (and after I’ve yelled at them from the safety of my home) or when a new player comes on board who just isn’t doing his job, I continue to be their fan and want them to do the best they can to win the game, the playoff, the Super Bowl. And I might add that they’ve won the most Super Bowls of any team in history. But I digress.

What does this have to do with education? With WMS? With children? What does it mean to be a part of our team? Who is our team?

We are team WMS. We are proud to be a part of such a wonderful school doing such remarkable things. This past week students and parents were invited into our Elementary Maker Studio for a Maker Morning. Those who visited learned about circuits and programming and drawing and creating. Parents were happy to be a part of their child’s school experience, and their children were delighted to share their world. At the same time, parents work hard to support the school through the parent co-op, baking for and running  our events, making copies, working in our gardens, helping out in the classrooms, and cheerfully asking what is needed and how they might help. Parents ask thoughtful questions that serve to make us better.

We are a team and are all a critical part of WMS. Each and every one of us is important. Without each other we cannot do what we do best – support children in their growth and learning. We don’t need a Steel Curtain or a star quarterback because each one of us is the glue that keeps our team together and helps our school thrive.

Thank you for being a part of WMS.