Not so Rare After All

Aug 29, 2017

Written by Ms. Guillory, Upper Team Teacher

The opportunity to witness the solar eclipse last week allowed me to reflect for a moment on awe (a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder). It isn’t often that we get to experience something sublime in nature, but it is even less often that we get to share such an experience with people we love. [caption id="attachment_4541" align="alignright" width="393"]

Horizon Academy students take in the solar eclipse.[/caption] Being surrounded by my high school students as well as the younger, more excitable students warmed my heart in a way I didn’t expect. For me, it was on par with witnessing a marriage or a Bar Mitzvah - getting to share in something once-in-a-lifetime and glorious that stands out from the everyday humdrum. Then I saw the pictures taken, where all the students and teachers could be seen from a bird’s eye view, and I felt so lucky to have the extended Horizon family that I do. That felt sublime. Any of my students would be thrilled to tell you that I’m a total sap. I teared up a little the other day when a student asked a question that linked our pre-algebra concept to a much more advanced math concept. “You just did calculus, you guys!!” I yelled with glossy eyes. That being said, it is important to recognize the sublime moments in the every day: getting to witness Josh make a math connection with the help of the right tools, or listen as Mason ponders a little more deeply about the plight of modern-day Native Americans in English, or see Mollie excitedly ask Julia to help her pick the sunflower seeds in the garden. There is so much beauty for the marveling in the day-to-day at Horizon. These magical mini-moments are beautiful, bite-sized eclipses not to be taken for granted (and you don’t even need shade 14 Welder’s glasses to see them safely). Truly awesome.