An Extraordinary Moment in My Life and for the Secret Kindness Agents

Once in a while, I experience something extraordinary. Usually, it's even heartwarming, inspiring, and brings tears to my eyes. On the morning of August 7th, 2014, because of some phenomenal people in Ralston Public Schools, that happened. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on a keynote speaker from some other state, they chose to focus on their own teachers, administrators, and students. Instead of opening the school year by focusing on test scores and data, they spoke of the importance of kindness and compassion, and of treating students as though they are their own children. Instead of extolling the virtues of strangers, they celebrated the kind deeds of their own teachers. The wonderful superintendent, Mark Adler, spoke movingly about how much the kindness of his staff in supporting his struggle with cancer has meant to him. The school board president Linda-Jason Richards made us cry with her story of the kindness of her elementary school principal when she was a little girl and how it affected her entire life. Jane Leadabrand listed all the things teachers do on a regular basis for their students behind the scenes. I was honored to be asked to speak by Dan Boster, who organized the event, along with two of The Secret Kindness Agents S.K.A. "Chi" Maribel Navarrete-Hernandez and S.K.A. "Scrappy Doo" Lance Otto and their talent advisor Amy Rector. School board member Dee Huff shone from the front row with kind smiles and nods of encouragement. The district bought 500 copies of our book and gave one to all of their teachers, the idea of Dr. Kristi Gibbs, the assistant superintendent. I'm so glad my children are being taught by these wonderful educators. I got hugs, kind words, and wonderful notes fromKristin Hassett Walsh, Jennifer Ludes, Maria Torres Weaver, Christine Morris Adair, Shelley 'Kropp' Sheets, Kelly Wood Honz, Ryan Pivonka,Michelle Kenyon Krum, Doug Pierson, Judy Startzer, Emily Hoesly,Patricia Barker, and many others. Jenn Stark took pictures for me, as did Erin Reel, our editor... such big hearts. Wow. Just. Wow.