It is impossible to ignore the challenges that society and we as educators are facing on a daily basis.  When I heard of the devastating news like that recently from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, it prompted me to reflect on the importance of a strong community.

The Huff Post posted an article back in 2017 entitled “The 5 Benefits of Community”. The author Jonathan Chan identifies 5 benefits when individual entrepreneurs come together as a community.  These ideas apply to more than just entrepreneurs.  Three of these really stood out to me as an educator and parent in the PNA community.
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Knowledge: A chance to learn from one another.
When we take the time to learn from one another, to take in the wisdom and knowledge already attained, we become stronger as individuals and as a community. Age isn’t a factor, we can all learn from one another.

Inspiration: The opportunity to challenge yourself, to create and grow simply by being immersed in a diverse environment surrounded by the opinions, ideas and knowledge of those around you.

Support: Being held up by people who know the journey we are traveling.  While we might take different paths along the way, we are still trying to reach the same destination.   We are each striving to become the best version of ourselves that we can be.  In a strong community, we help others to do the same.

PNA’s community is something special.  It’s hard to explain but easy to feel.  Whether facing a personal, academic or physical challenge, someone is there.  With a warm hug, a friendly smile, an engaged brainstorming session, or a myriad of other interactions, someone is there. That’s one reason why I love PNA.  How about you?