Thoughts on PBA International Night 2015

What an amazing night.  International Night is Place Bridge Academy at it's finest.  This is a night when our students and families can come to school at night and share their culture.  Working at my school has made me realize that I have taken so much for granted.

The students and their families are so excited, proud, and happy to share...

their culture here in the United States.  The families, though many are very poor refugees, bring enormous amounts of food to share. They come in the traditional dress of their country/culture and many perform traditional dances and teach basics of their native tongue.  The pride and excitement is palpable.  I can see that the American dream is very much alive. These immigrants have fled oppressive situations and come to the United States in search of a better life.  And yet it is such a touching thing to see that they still retain their beautiful and moving cultural traditions while learning to adapt and assimilate to the American culture.  I know what I am trying to say, but I am having a difficult time expressing my feelings on this subject.  I truly love working at PBA, not only because I feel I have something to offer my students, but because I have learned so much from them.  Everyday I see that love and respect is the universal language of what I would call the civilized world.  

If I may also say, in all sincerity, that my colleagues here are amazing people, too.  I see them spending enormous amounts of their own money and time on these children.  No matter what the evaluation and compensation system is for teachers, no matter what the political climate, you will find that they do what they do out of pure love.  I feel I can make this blanket statement.  As for myself, here at the close of my silver anniversary of teaching, I am thankful to be where I am and I will continue to serve this Place Bridge Academy community as long as they will have me.

Thank you,

Mr. Wilk