Last night I had the sincere
privilege of meeting President Bush and Mrs. Bush at a private event they
hosted for the Dallas Teach for America Corps. It was an absolutely incredible
experience, one that I will relish for the remainder of my life. We were able
to explore the George W. Bush Presidential Center at SMU, which is relatively
new. It had a structure salvaged from the 911 twin towers that you were
encouraged to touch. There was a situation room in which you could listen to
the opinions of different law officials and policemen to decide what to do in a
national emergency and compare it to what Bush did. We got to visit a replica
oval office; that President’s chair seemed quite comfy. ;)
After we toured the
museum, we shook the President’s hand and headed out to the patio. It was a
pleasant surprise however, when Mrs. Bush pulled up a chair at our table for
dinner! We talked about our teaching experiences and how she enjoyed being a
teacher herself back in the day. President Bush was good humored and down to
earth in his speech. He thanked all the Corps members for teaching and for
persisting despite the challenges we have all already faced. The most amazing
part was when he brought up his immense support for KIPP and mentioned that he
was in Texas when the first KIPP School opened in Houston 20 years ago. He gave
a shout out to one of our KIPP Advisors and thanked him for his work with KIPP
in the Dallas area. It was truly moving to hear President Bush’s support for both
the Teach for America and KIPP mission and our work. He said something that I
will never forget. Possibly the best transition into motivation Monday that I
will ever have in my life again. “If it wasn’t hard, you wouldn’t be here. You
took the risk when many did not. And that shows me what kind of people you are,
and the character you have. Thank you for what you do.” -President George W.
Bush
