Powered by Each Other

Each year as we head into the holiday season, I find myself reflecting nostalgically on all that I am grateful for in my current stage of life. My wonderful family, a job I love at a remarkable school, and the privilege of working with smart, committed educators who transform the lives of children every day are always at the top of that list. This year, I find myself brimming with gratitude for other reasons, too; in particular, for the power that comes from working with others and how each of us is strengthened by working together toward common goals. 

My appreciation for collaboration—for lifting others up and appreciating shared accomplishments—has been a focal point in my life. When I was 9 years old, the Percy Walker Pool opened in my hometown. I was so excited because, while my mother would not allow me to join the swim team when the team swam in a pond (too disease-ridden, in my mother’s view—true story!), she allowed my brothers and me to swim in the chlorine-filled town pool. I was thrilled! 

The three of us joined the team, and from the moment we first hit that pool, I was in love! I enjoyed every aspect of being on the swim team: the long, arduous practices where I felt like I was magically flying through the water, playing Uno in huge groups between races at swim meets, cheering on my teammates in both victory and defeat, and listening with anticipation to see who won (the Duxbury Aqua-Dux mostly lost in those early years). 

I was never a fast swimmer, but Coach Donna always put me on the team. Honestly, I’m not sure my times always earned me a spot, but I think she understood how much I adored it. I never missed a practice or a meet. I never complained. I loved helping other swimmers with their technique—butterfly was my stroke, and I performed it beautifully, even if my times were never fast—and I was first to volunteer in any way I was needed. Being part of something bigger than myself—being part of a team that eventually became a powerhouse on the South Shore—was an incredible gift. In my experience on the swim team, I learned that every person has a role to play, and that my contribution was valuable. I learned that hard work can be satisfying in and of itself. All those miles I logged in the pool never led to ribbons and medals as they did for so many of my teammates, but they did teach me perseverance, patience, and drive. Those qualities served me well when I began teaching swim lessons, which then led to an incredible career in independent school teaching, for which I am grateful to this day.

Reflecting on my time on the swim team and the authentic sense of belonging it gave me reminds me of one of the most important aspects of Marlborough: the degree to which we are all powered by each other. At any time during the day, one can walk around campus and see examples of this power. You could step into a history or English classroom to experience a roundtable, in which scholars are building on one another’s contributions, making their arguments stronger, or considering viewpoints that conflict with their own, trying to deepen their own understanding or convictions in agreement or in disagreement. You could stand on the sidelines at a soccer or basketball game, witnessing athletes as they compete fiercely against their opponents, executing the plays they have honed during lengthy practices, cheering when they win a point, hyping each other up when they lose one. You could witness the extraordinary, multilayered strategy employed by our robotics teams as they prepare for local, national, and international competition; problem-solving in real time; iterating on their robot; finding ways to help others develop a love of robotics. 

These are just a few of the myriad ways that Marlborough students inspire one another to greater accomplishments and deeper layers of meaning. Because I experienced the swim team from my self-ascribed supporting role rather than as a team superstar, I make special note of the many Marlborough students who contribute to our community in vital—but not always blatantly visible—ways. The scholar who listens more than she speaks, but who, perhaps, sends an email of appreciation to a classmate who inspired her thinking in their class. The athlete who does not get as much playing time, but who is the loudest cheerleader on the sidelines. Or the new member of the robotics team who is still figuring out how she can be most useful to the team. 

At Marlborough, these supporting roles are crucial to the overall success of any endeavor. Each member of our community plays their part, ensuring our collective success. Nowhere is the appreciation for our collective success more palpable than in an All-School Meeting. When a member of our community takes the stage, the audience roars with appreciation and support. That approbation feels wonderful to those who are, literally, in the spotlight, and it is felt deeply by those offering the raucous support, as well. 

When our students, and really our entire community, experience this power of true collaboration and support, when they feel valued for exactly who they are and what they bring, that is when we are able to be powered forward by the sheer force of one another.

And that power grows exponentially when we name it. When we tell someone, “Your idea in class today shifted my thinking,” or “The way you showed up for our family today made all the difference,” or “I’ve been inspired watching you tackle this challenge,” that’s when we strengthen the connections that make our community extraordinary.

As we enter this season of gratitude, I am going to issue all of us a challenge: notice the moments when someone energizes you, and then tell them. This will look different for each of us, but I hope that taking a moment to slow down with intention to acknowledge the support from the people around us will help us curate communities in which everyone knows they play an important role. 

Thank you for being part of the Marlborough community and for all the ways, both visible and invisible, that you power each other every single day.