I recently had an experience where the support of others had a significant impact on me and led me to reflect on other similar instances of selflessness. Specifically, it made me think about the regular acts of camaraderie and support shared among my fellow staff members at Lang. These acts include big, deep commitments of support and a myriad of smaller, but no less impactful ones; they all represent instances where good will and teamwork have the power to transform both the receiver and the giver.
My moment:
At the end of October, I ran the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC. In the first 50 meters of the race, wedged between countless other marathoners who had just crossed the start line to embark on their journey, I attempted to remove the chain around my neck. My cold and clumsy fingers accidentally knocked my earphones out, and I watched helplessly as they tumbled into the path of the crowd of other runners. I was doomed, or so I thought. Several of those people running the 26.2 mile race around me, who had invested so much time and money in this pursuit, stopped on a dime and seemed to let out a big collective sigh, as if to say, "geez, I've been there." They stopped running, worked together to find my earbuds, and returned them to me saying, "You'll never get through 26.2 without these!" Instead of the earphones getting ruined and trampled on, strangers became teammates.
Connecting with Lang:
The support and relief that I received from those around me during the race, mirrors so much of what transpires each day at Lang. My colleagues stand up to help each other, whether it is convenient or not. Don't take my word for it, here is a sampling of what folks have reported to me about how their co-workers have supported them in critical moments:
Sophie Rose Anger, our Librarian extraordinaire, who has organized phenomenal book fairs at Lang School, reflected that she was similarly bowled over by her fellow Lang Staff who helped her in the immense clean up job in the gym after the book fair - even though it was an early dismissal day!
Staying close to the marathon theme, when Learning Specialist Tucker Anglmeyer was about to embark on the daunting feat of running his first marathon alone, he was floored by the offer of our OT leader, Mike Ryan, to run that marathon with Tucker. Mike said "I can't let my friend run his first marathon by himself!" So 2 weeks later they ran the marathon together. Unreal.
Student support members meet first thing in the morning to respond to student events from the day prior. French teacher Myriam Walker and Tucker share a morning duty, but there have been many days that Myriam has stepped up and handled it by herself so that Tucker can attend an important meeting. Upper School English teacher Greig Roselli also often supports during those mornings, even though he has to prepare for morning advisory.
One of our Lang staff had a beloved old four legged friend that got sick. Lower School teachers Jesse and Katy went above and beyond — Jesse brought in her crate to lend to her colleague and they both regularly checked in to see how their colleague was doing. Katy also met with them after school and regularly asked what they needed, even if it was just to keep them company.
These represent some of the bigger acts of support. Here is an abbreviated collection of some of the smaller, daily acts of support that help our peers be the best version of themselves:
coworkers leaving little notes on my desk
randomly bringing in brownies for me
offering to cover my duties when she knows I am stressed or have a lot on my plate
surprising me with fountain diet coke in the afternoon
lending a helping hand whenever I need some extra help.
being incredibly helpful, even though we don’t share students.
connecting my computer to the printer
always willing to assist without hesitation.
sharing their lavender and cinnamon sticks... a very kind gesture.
And what does this mean for learners at Lang?
At The Lang School, the foundation of our community is built on these acts of kindness, support, and collaboration between teachers and staff. This spirit of camaraderie doesn’t just create a positive workplace for adults—it directly impacts our twice-exceptional learners in transformative ways. When teachers care for one another, they create an environment of stability, empathy, and teamwork that extends to every aspect of the classroom. This culture of mutual support models for our students what it means to work together to overcome challenges, ask for help when needed, and build meaningful connections with others.
For twice-exceptional learners, who often face unique hurdles in both academic and emotional development, the ability to rely on a cohesive, energized, and compassionate team of educators makes all the difference. It ensures that every student's needs are met with patience, creativity, and collaboration, and it fosters a learning environment where students feel understood, valued, and encouraged to thrive. Just as those marathoners rallied around me in my moment of need, the Lang team rallies around one another—and, most importantly, around our students—every single day. This spirit of selflessness and teamwork is what makes Lang a truly extraordinary place for students and teachers alike.
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