School board invocation July 11, 2023
Just a week ago, we celebrated the birthday of our nation. While we declared independence on July 4, 1776, it was years before the revolutionary war was won. We tried to unify with the Articles of Confederation before realizing we needed a true Constitution. Written in 1787, it wasn’t ratified until 1789. There it opens
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
That Constitution wasn’t perfect. It needed to be amended almost immediately with the Bill of Rights, and continues to be recontextualized and reunderstood from generation to generation.
I learned that in Gwinnett county public schools in Norcross, GA. Participating in the IB program, I earned a year of credit at an elite private university. There I had amazing teachers, just like my children have at the Midtown Academy. We also have an amazing principal, with Keisha victor, who has truly transformed the school for the better.
Every day our Pinellas county faculty and staff work to Educate and Prepare Each Student for College, Career and Life
As a parent I am grateful to them every single day. I am grateful to you for your support of their work, ensuring that every student in our district is welcomed and educated, not prioritizing one faith or perspective, but demonstrating, truly living, the multiplicity and diversity of our community. I am blessed to see the diversity of our community, with students of all races and creeds, of all sexualities and backgrounds. I am proud of this board, of each and every one of you that live your values AND set aside your own individual desires so that you may work for the well-being of every single student in this county.
Let me share a prayer:
May the One who we call by many names watch over you. May the Holy One support you in your worthy endeavors. May They help you in times of trouble and in times of blessing. May the Holy One help you support the students, teachers, administrators, learn and grow, educate and be educated. May we all learn from our students and our teachers to live in a world where all voices are heard, where all are able to share peacefully and compassionately, kindly and lovingly. May we all learn to speak respectfully, without anger or frustration, but understanding that all are trying to serve the needs of the next generation, putting their needs above our own. Amen
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