Post Messenger Recorder -

Nikos Kazantzakis, a famous Greek writer, is noted for acknowledging the art of teaching and the impact those that possess such a love for the profession make for their students: "True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create their own." In Belleville, teaching and learning does not stop when the last bell rings as summer break begins - it instead echoes Kazantzakis' words. The metaphor of teachers "as bridges" is wonderful as it offers students the understanding that through their mentors' efforts, they too can make a new skill or develop a passion of their own!

Summer learning opportunities have been abundant during June and July in the School District of Belleville, and have provided support for young children to be prepared to begin their educational journey this next year through 4K programs, as well as every age in between through such things as arts and craft sessions, literacy opportunities, or even by a travel abroad study exploration, as teacher Meredith Smith took seven of her students to Puerto Rico to learn about the ecosystems on the island!

Teachers have also modeled their own passion for learning through spotlights on the district's social media platforms to demonstrate that one is never too young or too old to take up a new hobby, or dive in and develop a new passion to learn anew as teachers. Melissa Whitmore shared her lifelong love for crocheting that began as a young child through combined teaching from her family and 4-H, noting that the handmade blankets her family made "were always the best and warmest blankets to snuggle up under!"

Stephanie Meir used her experiences during COVID to start a new hobby - beginning running at the age of 44, and was excited to do her first marathon this summer, running a 5K in mid-June virtually through WPR! She says, "It has been fun to get the necessary gear (especially shoes) for this [activity] depending on the weather. Most times I run with music but sometimes I just like to listen to the birds chirping in the morning light."

In addition to the Puerto Rico trip teacher Meredith Smith takes annually with interested students, she notes her life-long hobby has been wilderness camping - acknowledging it as a family passion that started when she was young. Her father got her into it and she never stopped. Now Meredith extends her passion for the outdoors into her teaching: "I also take high school kids to the Boundary Waters for a week of canoeing and camping in the wilderness." In this way Meredith, like her teaching peers, provides another "bridge" of sorts, connecting a passion she developed growing up to a new generation of high school students who have a thirst for adventure. In this way, she creates a pathway forward for her students to get a chance to sample something that peaks their interest and, if they like it, gather the skills necessary to make it a passion of their own.

We are lucky that teachers do not stop their work like a shut-off valve as students exit our school buildings in early June, but continue to offer a conduit of knowledge and opportunity to learn and grow for those that sign-up for the experience. When one loves what they do, they easily inspire others to take a step, and before long they have crossed a bridge to another world - one that just might inspire them to cross another, and another! Learning can and should be a lifelong process if we just dare to accept the invitation from a teacher!