So as the Principal of the Donadoni Academy watches the 2 students and 1 teacher on staff do their virtual best to virtually learn and teach I have learned a thing or two. EYE have noticed that maintaining connections is the essential ingredient to get things cooking.

I mean real human connection with one another, and with/through the virtual world. How many times do the articles, sites, videos not load? How many times does the teacher’s face freeze in an amazing expression? Always in the weirdest expression too. Have you ever paused a video and not laughed at the expression that is frozen awkwardly on the person’s face? How many times is the connection lost when the audio fails just because someone’s microphone is muted? Wicked lots… And I pay top dollar for the best WiFi I can possibly afford to keep my streaming and screaming screenager and his heir apparent as connected as humanly possible.

Listen, connecting an Angel to the top of a Christmas tree is dangerous with one eye and a disturbingly unbalanced wobbly leg…on top of a wobbly legged chair. Not recommended. Good thing Wally was there on the couch connected to the pillow. And no, I didn’t fall.

I remember clearly telling my Freshmen Team of teachers and students that maintaining connections during the pandemic would be critical to success. Forget the curriculum, can the Canvas, screw the School Brains, and just connect with one another. If we don’t stay connected we lose our ability to regulate how we are doing, thinking, feeling and existing in the vast universe. I wish every student could feel as connected as my L5 vertebrae is to some evil nerve in my buttocks making walking painful. If that connection grows any stronger I am going to have to seriously consider Accupuncture. Or maybe I will just persevere until the magical chiropractor crunches me back into shape. Either way…We should all stay connected.

Connect with your past. Heck, the universe is so crazy I reconnected to a pain in “da But” who used his skills to drive me crazy as a new teacher 25 years ago… As for Wally and his connection to kitchen trash…that is still a strong connection. I know not too many people read this but, please tell my mom that my back will be fine soon enough and – NO! I did not really fall off the chair. Even if someone says I did. Just sayin’.