A Testament to Strength and Resilience

My father hailed from Green Bay, Wisconsin. The son of a traveling salesman and a nurse, he was the only one of his four brothers who moved away after college, returning only sporadically for family visits. My most vivid memories of Green Bay are of running endzone to endzone at Lambeau Field—my grandfather’s persuasive sales skills convinced the security guard to sneak us in—and an excursion to find Bart Starr’s unassuming home. We would fill our suitcases with cheese curds, cans of “Chili John’s” chili, and Packer memorabilia. My dad also loved to visit his beloved Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. We would hear stories of his less-than-stellar track career and the professors who challenged him. As I got older, it became apparent that his teachers' compassionate and candid voices of encouragement helped him see a life beyond the comforting solitude of lab work.  

Poly’s vision statement speaks to transformative teachers and their essential role in our students' lives. Definitions are varied, but I suspect most would converge on the theme of someone who inspires us, who challenges us to think beyond what we thought was possible in how we see ourselves in school or the broader community. These heroic souls find ways, some obvious and some decidedly subversive, to raise our gaze beyond our own self-imposed horizons. 

At times, accepting this encouragement can feel like a betrayal as we leave behind an image of ourselves that we and others have come to count on. Our students, particularly seniors, grapple with the tension of personal growth, and they should. Growing up involves confronting and sometimes breaking away from the expectations others have imagined for us. It is also a challenging progression for parents as we grapple with our children’s growing independence. It's crucial to remember, though, that our children gather touchstones that remind them where they are from, who believed in them, and their remarkable life ahead. This journey of self-discovery and independence is a testament to their strength and resilience. 

I wrote this piece in Madison, Wisconsin, while celebrating my stepmother’s 90th birthday. On Sunday, while watching the Packers game on TV, I quietly raised a toast to my father and those who helped him see who he could become. And I wore his Packers hat, a symbol of the influence of his mentors and the gratitude I feel for their role in shaping his life and mine.

Be well.

John