When
I was asked to remember an amusing incident or story involving
Barbara Shea at Lincoln School I started smiling to myself. How
could I screen such a flood of memories about a woman who has
been my professional supervisor for more than two decades and
whose friendship I've claimed since our 28 year old daughters
carpooled together when they were just three years old?
To
say that I have been professionally supervised by Barbara Shea
for more than twenty years is to explain why I am one of the staff
members who is speaking this evening. It also sheds light on why
I am sharing the stories of colleagues rather than telling of
my own personal experiences that I often find nostalgic. I, like
so many of my co-workers at Lincoln was recruited, encouraged
and supported by Mrs. Shea to become the best educator possible.
She served as a paragon for us with her tireless inspiration and
sincere empathy. Due to her modeling we have a staff and students
who are always striving to achieve.
The
stories I am sharing return to the evening fourteen years ago
when Dr. Walsh presented Mrs. Shea to the school committee in
front of a standing room only crowd at Town Hall. Needless to
say within the crowd were members of the Lincoln staff who were
extremely curious as they anxiously awaited the first glimpse
of their new principal. First impressions may be important but
in this case they revealed a great deal about the newest member
of the Lincoln community. Some senior teachers were standing along
the back wall behind the crowd attempting to see Mrs. Shea without
much success. When they glimpsed this small young woman in her
yellow suit they immediately questioned how such a "peanut who
couldn't be more than twelve years old could handle Lincoln School.
" As they commiserated doubtfully a gentleman standing near them
and overhearing their concerns told them that they would be pleasantly
surprised. He assured them that Barbara would not only manage
Lincoln School just fine but also that they would come to love
her. Of course these words were spoken by her greatest fan, Mr.
Bill Shea, who has proven to be a true prophet. I want to thank
Bill and the entire Shea family for sharing Barbara with us for
the past fourteen years. We in the Lincoln community are only
too well aware of how demanding we are of Barbara's time and gifts.
Another
audience member at that school committee meeting was our school
secretary, Eileen Jennings. At the end of the evening Dr. Walsh
asked Mrs. Jennings what she thought of the new principal after
telling her that the secretary in her past school just loved her.
Eileen withheld judgement until he answered her question, "Do
I still have a job?"
The
doubts and concerns of that evening have all evaporated. The tribute
we pay to Mrs. Shea this evening is a small measure of Bill's
prophecy. Be assured, Barbara, that you manage Lincoln very well
and we all have come to love you. |
