President's Letter

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

MANTRAS

This surely is the toughest President’s letter to write that I have been faced with, maybe even the toughest one facing anyone preceding me as well. Likely that is why I am writing it, quite literally, the night before I must Grace Leavitt, submit it, hoping for some inspiration President so that I could have some inspiring words to share with members— educators who have all been dealing with the most daunting tasks, the most difficult months of their careers, all while knowing this disaster that has befallen us is not yet over, will get worse, recovery will take a long time, and even then, things won’t be as they were.

Not exactly uplifting so far, is it?

Last December, I received a gift--a ‘mantra bracelet’ that said “Nevertheless, she persisted.” I wore it when presenting testimony at legislative hearings, during interviews with reporters, and at meetings I knew would be challenging—like the many meetings when we worked with others and succeeded in reaching agreement on LD 1879, the “ed policy” bill (which MEA will continue to work to get passed, despite the disruption caused by the pandemic! We will persist!).

Recently, I was wearing the bracelet and stopped for take-out. Before getting out of the car, I put on my mask and took out my credit card so I would be in the store the shortest time possible, then dropped the card, and in searching for it, lost my bracelet. I didn’t notice until I got home, but when I did, I knew I had to replace it.

So online I went. Reading through at least twenty other mantra bracelets on the website, I knew I had to have two more besides the one I was replacing.

“Be stronger than the storm” and “Tough times don’t last; tough people do” now accompany “Nevertheless, she persisted”.

In solidarity, Grace Leavitt, President Maine Education Association 888-622-4418 x 2200 I suppose it would be prudent to get tattoos with these sayings and not risk losing more bracelets (also running the risk of ‘replacing’ them with even more!), but I’m not one for tattoos (nothing against them or people who have them, mind you!). So as we proceed through what lies ahead, I’ll just keep my bracelets near.

We all need to be stronger than the “storm” that continues to swirl around us, our state, our nation, the world. We all need to be tough—while also being kind and compassionate. We will get through this. But we must be strong enough to speak up to be sure the people making decisions that affect us, our students, and our communities are making safety the top priority. We have to be tough enough to be ready to face the challenges ahead—to be sure we not only continue to have a great public education system, but that it is even better, more equitable, more just, more welcoming and inclusive and supportive of all.

We have all been working harder than ever before, and we will have to keep doing so—not just to be sure we keep everyone safe, and that our students keep learning, but also to see better times ahead. This November could mean the opportunity for positive changes if we all do what it takes to elect friends of public education.

As I looked at my new mantra bracelets, I remembered something my mother so frequently said—what in essence was her mantra throughout her life, a life that had more than its share of tough times. When one of my sisters or I were troubled by something that had happened to us, Mom would say, “This too shall pass”.

This tough time we are in, it too shall pass. It is not forever! We will get through this. MEA is strong. Our members are strong. And together we are even stronger, stronger than any storm, even this pandemic.

Stay well, stay safe, and stay strong.