As we begin the 2025-26 school year, it reminds me of the ancient proverb, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with but a single step." The journey of a school year can sometimes come across as daunting, filled with uncertainty amidst seemingly endless terrain. It is human nature to fixate more on the destination, or end point, rather than the small steps we take each and every day that eventually add up and get us where we want to be. Such is life, such is a school year, and such is any journey that we embark on.
The mission of MSAD 51 begins with this phrase, "To guide all students..." The foundation of this guidance is rooted in this truism: That the real fruit comes not from the final destination, but in the journey that leads us there. Education is a journey and each step along the way is an opportunity for our students to grow in knowledge, skills, resilience, perseverance, and- most importantly- to grow as people. For a journey of a thousand miles begins with but a single step. Indeed, how critical each step really is.
This week marks the 24th observation of 9/11. During the busy beginning-of-school stretch, this annual somber reflection can be lost in the shuffle of activities and schedules. But it is incumbent upon all of us to help young people understand this turning point in our recent history and never forget the significance of so many lives lost and a nation devastated. It was in those bleak moments, and their aftermath, that our national character and resolve were tested. Those tests were passed, our nation continues to show strength and resilience, and we must keep 9/11 in our collective memory.