Gratitude Part 14 - Year 15 and/or 16- When people know you care, authentic relationships emerge.

Year 15 and/or 16- When people know you care, authentic relationships emerge.

Good Morning Dr. Rudnesky,

I had the pleasure of attending your presentation at the middle school conference. I loved every minute. I met with a colleague to try and implement some of your ideas. . We are very excited. Thank you for your help.

LM (7th grade teacher)

Dear Dr. Rudnesky,

I enjoyed your session Saturday morning- great information. Thank you for you valuable insight and inspiration.

AMG (asst. principal)

Hi Dr. Rudnesky,

I cannot thank you enough for such an inspiring and much needed talk that my students loved. You are definitely a leader and educator that we, as a faculty, can learn from.

Again, many thanks!

With best wishes,

Suniti ( SJU professor)

Dear Frank,

It is with myriad of emotions and a little bit of fear that I inform you of my intention to retire this year.

To say the last few years have changed education is moot. However, my personal life has been so richly crafted by the wonderful (and some not so wonderful) students, but the most amazing staff-team-professionals that we call “staffulty” at Belhaven. It is incredible that in this tiny geographical district that there be so much magnetic collection of creativity, inspiration, leadership, spirit, and visions in so many dynamic individuals.

To say I have been enriched is just so lame, but I am missing the words in this emotional god-bye.

There would never be an easy way to share this with you, who have been our ‘fearless leader, friend, and colleague” at Belhaven, and me personally because you care so vastly and deeply for Belhaven’s Mission.

May God continue to grow your passion, and its light of leadership where you take it and generously shine on those who will continue on the path with you.

Thank you for soooooooooooooo very much.

Sandi (retiring teacher)

Note-

To Dr. R.,

YOU INSPIRE ME!

Because you are always so happy and upbeat you make me smile every day.

And helped me by making me fell like I’m not in school because you always have fun.

Thanks again for always making me laugh and making sure that every kid here enjoys this school.

JJ- student

You inspire me!
because you smile at me , I smile at someone else, and maybe that person has never got a smile that day! “:what goes around, comes around. You helped me by giving me a boost every day and actually make me want to go to school. Thanks again for always making every day a great day!

EK-student

Dr. R.,

Thank you so much for the assembly this afternoon. My husband was Cooke’s lacrosse coach. Her death hit our household very hard. I had no words for my daughter this morning. I just couldn’t think straight. After arriving at school, her tears faded. Every speaker said the right thing. And instead of leaving directly afterward, the kids were able to make a banner and sign some cards. My daughter NEEDED to do something. I cannot thank you (and everyone else) enough for providing a supportive atmosphere. We truly are blessed to live in this community.

With warm regards,

(a parent)

Hello Frank,

Thank you for getting back to me yesterday. Your support is truly is appreciated. You’ve always given so much- I knew from Aisling’s first experience at Belhaven that we were all lucky to have someone like you in our children’s lives. Thank you!

D.

Dear Dr. R.,

Thank you for the outstanding Belhaven experience. The past four years have provided Ava with a strong foundation for her future. Over the past year she especially enjoyed being part of the Bowling Club. Having you as a principal makes the greatest difference in the lives of the Belhaven children.

Again, thank you for the leadership and the structure you rubbed off on Ava. She will never forget her experience at Belhaven!

Tours truly,

TS, parent

Hi Frank,

Thank you for contributing to our institute in such a fantastic way! Our participants continued to fell inspired by your words, images, and enthusiasm over the next two days. This was evident in the feedback we received. I overheard a few of the teachers commenting on how surprised they were that you were so willing to give your time. I replied that everyone they met cared deeply about education, students, teachers, the profession--them. So many were moved by their experience.

We all appreciate what you gave to our guests- and wish you a wonderful summer.

Shannon (TCNJ professor)

Note:

Thank you for all that you do to make the school as wonderful as it is. We couldn’t ask for anything more out of a school! we hope you have an excellent holiday!
The Ts

Frank ,

I really was impressed with many aspects of your school. Your leadership is something that many should aspire to develop in themselves. I will write more soon. Thanks for the article and taking time to give me a tour. I am excited to work with you all on the STEAM fair.

Parent

Dear Dr. Rudnesky,

Thank you so much for your inspiring LeaderShip presentation last Friday at the JRMAC Conference.

CC (Teacher)

If your ears were ringing it was because so many people today said great things about Belhaven and their tremendous leader. You inspire every day to be a better person. Thank you,

J

Email subject: a thank you

Good morning, 

  Before I begin, let me give you a small background of myself. My name is Elizabeth and I am currently in my 8th year as a Special Education teacher at a high school. I am not from the area, I grew up in "Central" Jersey, and relocated here after college not knowing anything about the  community. I currently live in EHT, but steps from Linwood, so I am ALWAYS on the bike path. Last year I completed my Masters in Administration through Rowan at night in Belhaven. You had stopped into our class a couple times and were always pleasant and welcoming. We often discussed your energy, leadership, and the positive school climate within your building.  

 Now for the reason I am e-mailing you. No, I don't need anything from you (haha).. As a former  soccer coach (I am currently out on maternity leave and couldn't coach this year), I wanted to thank you for all the kind words and actions that you have shown throughout this difficult time. I am very close with the upperclassmen on the team, unfortunately, I didn't know Aisling, but the speeches you have made to the teachers and the community have been so genuine and thoughtful. A great administrator is one that lights the way in a time of darkness. My heart breaks for what you and your staff must have gone through that first week of school as I remember the accident with the four boys like it was yesterday. Your school has produced some of the most tremendous students I have ever met and I believe it is a direct reflections of you and your staff. 

 As I ran past Belhaven this morning with my newborn daughter, I shed a tear thinking that one day I have to send her off to school with the other kids, walking, riding their bikes with their friends, and getting dropped off in herds. They grow up too fast. However, as I watched the students going to Belhaven I felt a sign of relief; they all were HAPPY! The joy of going to school is still there. The sign out front to smile, and honk if you are happy are small gestures with a large impact. 

 I hope one day that my children get to experience a school environment much like the one you have created at Belhaven. And when that day comes that I am an administrator, I hope to make a positive impact that shows even to outsiders passing by. 

One community. One family.

Have a great school year, 

E.

Handwritten thank you card:

Dear Frank,

Thank you for coming to my mom’s funeral. It was so very nice of you! Enclosed please find a donation to Renaissance in memory of my mom. She loved the program and all the wonderful work you have done at Belhaven. She especially loved the way the school made her grand kids feel so welcomed when we moved down here. Keep inspiring!

Love,

Tracey

Dr. R.,

 I apologize for my computer troubles!

 We would love to have you visit! I could not help but tweet something from your book on the GLC account. Your passion about leadership and education is contagious and it is very easy to see that just by reading your book. You are the one who first brought leadership and its importance to my attention. Because of you, the Belhaven curriculum, and the opportunities it allowed for me to have I am where I am today. You empowered me to realize that my actions impact others and those impacts can either be good or bad. You challenged me at a young age to

 really strive to maximize potential and now I am reaping the benefits.

I absolutely love seeing in your e-mail signature that Belhaven is a  "2014 School to Watch". That fires me up! Your leadership there has  been remarkable and the I hope to one day bring that same fire and  passion that you bring to Belhaven every day. You are recreating  leaders every day in Belhaven, and as you know (and even written) the  chances of success increase exponentially by the amount of leaders you  have in your organization! When facilitating any workshop or group  work I often bring up you, Belhaven, and your philosophies. One reason

 is, I do enjoy bragging about how awesome my middle school was and all  the great work from 3D printing to Almost Anything Goes that they continue to do there.

I wish you and your team the best of luck this year.

Thank you for making the difference.

STAY FIRED UP!!!

Brent

Dear Frank,

Today's NJFEA Conference was a great success in large measure due to your keynote address. The students raved about your presentation and so many came away inspired and encouraged about becoming future teachers.

Thank you for sharing your time and expertise with our middle school students. You made today very special for them and for that, I am very grateful. It was an honor and privilege to have you with us at our NJFEA Middle School Conference TCNJ. It was also a pleasure meeting Franki.

All good wishes for a wonderful summer.

Best,

Larry Fieber

Executive Director

Center for Future Educators at The College of New Jersey

State Director of the New Jersey Future Educators Association

Dr. R,

It’s hard to believe that in just a few weeks I’ll be a college graduate.  These final weeks at Queens are filled with sentimental time of reflection and celebration.   For me, part of that reflection piece is passing on words of gratitude. 

Today was a beautiful day on our campus to celebrate learning with the scholarship donors who generously give to our university.  As these donors talk about why they’ve chosen to make an investment in our education, I couldn’t help but think of the investment you’ve made in my education.  It’s so neat that you’ve cared enough to watch me grow through college graduation!

At Queens our focus is living a noble life through community and character.  It’s our job to look at the world, as it “ought to be.”  I’d like to think I came to college with a basic understanding of what that meant.  It all started with you! Character traits and leadership began in those fifth grade leadership lessons.  When I share with professors, peers, and family about why I’ve been able to thrive here at Queens, It often begins with the phrase I had a middle school principal who encouraged me to write goals….  My middle school years are such a critical part of my story.

There are the moments when it gets difficult to sit in education classes knowing that the road to being a teacher has been anything but easy because my peers will be teachers sooner than me.   And then there’s moments like today’s class where we talk about classroom climate and school culture and my thoughts immediately turn to Belhaven!   Or the moment a few weeks ago when a group of students was sharing their experience about visiting the Ron Clark Academy and I told a friend that rather than going to visit that school they should go hear you speak about Belhaven…. It’s that brilliant!

 I leave Queens with a compassionate heart to serve the students in our city who need someone to believe they have a chance to succeed.   You’ve given me a tremendous amount of hope and inspiration.  It’s time for me to give that to other young people. You’ve made me a visionary!  Being an educator is still the passion that sits in my heart and it’s going to take us more time to accomplish that goal.   I haven’t given up! My bigger dream though is to serve young people.  So maybe I’ll work with a non- profit.   I’ve given deeper thought to why I want to teach and molding people of good character is a huge piece of that….  So, I wonder what it would be like to get a job promoting character education programs like Renaissance in more of our public schools.

  

 Anyway, here’s what I’ve learned in my time as a student… If Dr.  R. says he believes in you, he meant it and nearly anything is possible!  WE did it!!

 Congratulations to Franki as she finishes her freshman year and Danica for getting ready to start high school!

With Gratitude,

Julie