Reflections from Christa's trip to Boston and DC

Feb. 5

I’ve been back in the States for just over two weeks now- spending time in Boston at an international educator recruiting fair I tagged on additional days with Aleah and loved my time with her as well as the time with Sierra when she flew in from Chicago. We filled our bellies with amazing food, braved the cold weather, and visited our favorite coffee shops. I always feel whole with my girls and I’m beyond grateful for the love from our family unit. I also saw my cherished friends- Erin and Laura, always so easy picking up where we left off. 

From Boston, I hopped on a plane to DC and attended a leadership conference for international schools- AAIE. I must say, the last six days have been mind-blowing. I spent the weekend in a “Think Tank” with about 35 brilliant educators worldwide. I felt like an underachiever among the podcasters and TED talkers. Essentially, we were tasked with generating pitches for what needs to change as we move forward with education- determining the what, why, and how. Much of this included the integration of AI. 

Needless to say, a lot of internal dissonance with the ideas and considerations about our future. Some schools are moving towards AI replacing teachers, and much of our conversations rested on using AI in the co-creation of learning. My firm stance in these conversations was taking a human-centered approach. What human beings do we want to raise for our future, not chatbots, but humans?

I’ve learned over the years, that when I have a lot of input coming at me, I need to process it by walking, writing, or sleeping. So I headed out early Monday morning from my hotel down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Washington Monument and on toward the Lincoln Memorial, reflecting not only on the shifts in education but the geopolitical mess we’re surrounded by. I literally stopped and hugged a tree on the walk thinking about machines taking over man and the spiral of apocalyptic considerations that we’re currently faced with. While an eternal optimist, I am seriously concerned about our planet, the human race, and our future. 

Letting myself wander, I ended up walking past one building with a camera crew gathered out front and a photographer behind me. Looking up, I saw the USAID flag waving proudly, but felt an unsettling energy amidst the few gathered in front of the camera crew. From there, I walked to CVS to grab a paper (yes, still my preferred way to read the news), and on the front page of the Washington Post was a photo of the same building indicating all USAID had been cut as well as top positions. 

Interesting to be at the source of where history is unfolding before your eyes. To be honest, it’s been a bit emotional as I consider the dismantling of our government. Upon returning to the hotel, I joined a meeting with the Head of Overseas Schools who is part of the State Department. He reiterated that yes, USAID and grants have all been cut to international schools, but grants via the State Department have not. He also mentioned that D,E,I departments all have to be dismantled. While delivering his directive, he also couched it with trusting us and the work we’re doing in our schools to stay the course with meeting our kids' needs as well as our communities. 

While I’ve been immersed in deep learning about the origins of AI, listened to a GenZer convince us “digital analogs” on the importance of embracing our digital natives, and considered the “monsters” we’re creating with Chatbots, I continue to return to the importance of being a human first. It is our moral imperative to raise our kids by modeling kindness, dignity, respect, integrity, and civility. Our moral core is being tested. 

My last reflection is on my solo time….Mike and I have become very dependent on one another since we moved to Morocco and have grown quite accustomed to spending every minute of our existence together. It’s been good for our relationship as empty-nesters, and I appreciate him, us, and our family unit more than ever from this trip. 

While I’ve missed his companionship, it’s also offered an opportunity to strike up different conversations and new opportunities to learn. Many of these conversations have transpired while eating dinner at the communal bars- that might sound weird, but there are a lot of people out there seeking community and conversation. I’ve met the most interesting people who have shared their lives and stories with me. The first night I met an original Brooklyn New Yorker now a professional photographer who was visiting and photographing the recent plane crash in the Potomac. He enlightened me about the new “fake” New York and how so many people can no longer live there as foreign investors have bought all the properties. He proudly showed me his subway token tattoo on his arm to remind him of the old New York that once existed. 

The night before, the woman who sat next to me was from Longmont, Colorado- got a bit homesick from that one. Then tonight, I sat next to a woman who works for the State Department and is 287 days away from retirement. Tonight’s conversation was especially raw and real. 

She’s a brilliant woman, who was hesitant to speak at first, but slowly disclosed the complete chaos that’s happening internally within the White House. Basically, she shared how Trump and Elon Musk are dismantling the US government. The scary thing is that nobody is aware of what is happening. Apparently, Musk is somehow giving Department of Treasury clearance to young outside workers and she suspects that all social security is currently being diverted and will be wiped clean. She also shared all the corruption that is also happening- essentially everyone has been asked to resign, herself included. She said there’s no legal recourse and that she signed an oath as a State Department official that she’s holding onto, as that’s why she joined the State Department in the first place. Basically, our government is crumbling before our eyes, and nobody is aware of the extent. She pleaded for me to reach out to my friend and family groups asking all to write to their congressman. The distractions that Trump and Musk are currently creating are intentional to numb all of us from the real issues taking place within the dismantling of our government. 

It’s odd thinking that in a few hours I’ll be boarding a plane to return to Morocco. In many ways, I’m feeling guilty and pulled to want to do more. I’ve been thinking about the Fireside community and all of our schools and districts. So many are in need and how important it will be to rise and support each other during this time. 

Well my friends, not sure if anyone’s reading this lengthy reflection, but I needed to capture this moment in time. The last 6 days have felt like years in many ways. 

May love live in your hearts and connect you to those around you. May we lift and support others in need, and most of all, take care of your family units and communities. 

Christa