Teaching at Proctor is rewarding for reasons not always obvious. Over a few years, we witness extraordinary growth in a student, and experience much emotion at her graduation. But no reward can be greater than that experienced at a reunion, or at the most successful alumni/ae reception in history, which is what happened last night on the 50th floor of the Prudential Tower in Boston. 

 

Never have we attracted so many alumni/ae to an off-campus event, and never have we experienced more love from such a diverse group. For those of us who have spent decades at Proctor, witnessing the maturity, accomplishment and confidence of this crowd of 138 is the ultimate pay-back.

 

It seems that yesterday we were monitoring them in structured study hall, fretting over their restrictions and assuring parents that all would turn out well. Well, all has turned out well. The love and dedication of alumni/ae from the past three decades ensures our future. 

 



The Boston scene involves a huge number of alumni/ae from the past twenty years, and they're truly connecting to the school. I was amazed--last night--when Mike asked, "How many of you went on Ocean Classroom?" to see the number of hands indicating participation in this--our most transformational--program.

Pay no attention to Nick Sacca's moustache. It's going, he promises!

 

The experience of reconnecting with wonderful, accomplished young adults who--in some cases--were my advisees thirty years ago, reframes the way I see the students with whom I interact today. It was only yesterday that I was Gretchen's advisor, and Dana's teacher, after all....

 

And--only tomorrow--today's students will be on the 50th floor of the Prudential Tower at an alumni/ae event celebrating a new future. I hope to be there!