Last week a member of our school community was taken abruptly from those who loved him. His passing created a tidal wave of emotion that included not only mourning, but also joy and gratitude as family, friends, colleagues, and students recounted stories and discussed his impact on their lives. I was reminded this week of the legacy each of us leaves behind when we travel from this life to the next. For Paul, the legacy people spoke of were his genuine kindness, his commitment to his students --not only their learning but their development as people--and his fierce connectedness to those he loved.
Having only known Paul for two years, I did not have the privilege of knowing him as deeply as my school colleagues; however, as a building leader I witnessed his kind spirit and observed his commitment to our students and our school community daily. He epitomized one of our big rocks by “fostering a sense of community that enriched the experience of middle school students by building relationships among the students, staff, families, and the community.” As a member of our Wellness Committee he was determined to provide opportunities for our staff to get together outside of school to increase our connections. Every staff member I spoke to talked about his openness, warm smile, and fierce commitment to friendship. Paul also cultivated excellent relationships with his students. One small example, among the hundreds, was during a classroom visit where students were wrapping up a unit and preparing for an essay. When I asked a group of students how they felt about the upcoming claim paper, one student responded: "With a teacher like Mr. Duquette it will be okay. We'll get there." He created an environment where students wanted to thrive because they knew he believed they could. In his 28 years as a teacher in our district, his legacy has touched thousands.
Amidst the grieving process, we have an opportunity to consider the impact of a person on our own lives, and we have a choice to decide how we will pass that impact on to others. As I think about Paul, I'm choosing to pass on kindness in action, to focus on the whole child, and to remember that investing in relationships is at the heart of what we do to and in the end, it is all that matters. Thank you Paul for leaving a legacy that makes me strive to be better.
