Today was a rough day. It is no secret to anyone who knows me that I would support the Harris Walz ticket this election. So yeah, today was a rough one. But I had a bright spot waiting for me once I arrived at school, my friend Mr. Schu was presenting for our students and staff today.
I met John Schu online in a group of educators almost twenty years ago. We first met in person at the NCTE in Chicago in the picture on the left in 2011. Today, pictured right, I got to hug him and celebrate the amazing author he is.
What I loved today whether it was in watching him with kids or with the staff, I felt such pride in John and what he has accomplished. The young librarian I knew was amazing. He and his capacious heart lifted the spirits of everyone around him. John Schu, the author, does that all and more. I was struck when watching him connect with child after child today that this is what John was born to do. He spoke to so many middle school kids today, and teachers, and yet each one walked away feeling like he was there only for them. They got something special out of it and, I think, it was that John really sees the kids in front of him. They can feel that.
So yeah, today started out rough. And my capacious heart is feeling a little tender. But I also was reminded of why I'm here and how awesome my friends are. John's super power today was the power to heal, even if he didn't know it.
