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It’s the day before Thanksgiving, and all is quiet around the KIT offices. Email and phone calls from the outside world have all but stopped, and those of us working (and not battling the opt-out campaign at airports today) are doing a combination of catching-up and getting ahead. It’s nice to have a quiet day after months and months of hustle and bustle around here. What am I doing, you ask? Mostly sitting with a soft smile on my face as I consider all that I am grateful for here at KIT. In honor of Thanksgiving, I’ve made a short list that I share with you today. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!
· The amazing group of women who I get to work with at KIT. From Jan’s incredibly visionary leadership, to Sara, Cheryl and Amanda keeping all of our processes in place, to Alicia’s work in re-branding and making our materials and website more hip and modern, to the passionate and dedicated group of NTCI staff (Wendi, Nili, Julie, Kara, Suzanne and Selena) who are constantly on the phone and in the field showing people the beauty and power of inclusion. And, I can’t leave Mary and Alissa off of the list, as I am supremely grateful to both of them for how they have, and continue to, help move KIT forward. Everyday I am grateful to get to spend my days with such a talented, fun and creative group of women.
· Our KIT affiliates who open themselves up to trying new ways of teaching, new ways of learning and new ways of relating to children and their families. They have been incredibly game, and I am both impressed with and very proud of their efforts. I know that everyday they make the world a better place for children.
· Our own KIT board of directors. When I arrived at the office this morning our Board President (Dr. Jane McAuliffe)’s 17 year-old son was sitting at a computer volunteering his time on a day off of school by helping enter training data (a very tedious job!). Making my way to my own office I bumped into board member Rahul Dangui who said he came by this morning just to “hang out” for a bit. Our board members are committed, supportive and enthusiastic about our mission.
· The US Military’s commitment to inclusion and their willingness to allow KIT to come in and, in the words of one of their staff, “shake things up.”
· Everyone of our partners, supporters, friends and collaborators who have helped spread the word about inclusion this past year.
· All of our learners, who teach us something every day.
· The Youth Inclusion Voices who have created an amazing message campaign called I Am Norm.
I think I’ll have to continue this list into next week and the week after, as I can think of so many more things and people that I am grateful for at KIT.
Peace!
