8/30/2022

Thank you for the many warm welcomes I have received since arriving at Syracuse Arts Academy. As an educator with 37 years of experience, I am excited for the opportunity to join this amazing staff at a school where students are our highest priority. I look forward to interacting with our students, ensuring they have a positive experience as they grow in knowledge, skills and confidence. A few years ago, my first-grade granddaughter came home from school with a powerful message shared with her class by an inspired teacher. She told me, "Grandpa, you've gotta' dream big!" When I asked her what that meant; she told me that we can do great things, if we dream big. I asked her what great things she would like to accomplish, and she shared with me several occupations she wanted to pursue and a dream to one day compete in the Olympics. I loved the sparkle in her eyes as she envisioned a future from the perspective of a six-year-old. Although it is likely that her dreams will change over time, I was encouraged that a person whom she respected encouraged her to think about what her future may hold, that the sky's the limit, and that she will have the chance to explore opportunities to discover her talents. It is my hope that every one of us can remember those in our lives who have encouraged us to try something we never would have dared attempt without their encouraging words -- the confidence they showed in us that enabled us to accomplish something we wouldn't have otherwise tried or dreamed we could do. That is why I love the education profession. It is filled with caring adults who want to give back and make a difference in the lives of their students. They all have a story of why they chose education as their career path. Most of those stories involve an influential teacher or staff member who had an impact on their lives. We have multiple opportunities every day to recognize the good in children, to plant seeds that encourage the exploration of knowledge and opportunities that will guide their future. The words we use around all children are powerful…both for the positive or the negative. Let's work to sow the seeds of encouragement by sharing confidence-building messages. By helping our children develop skills and talents and by recognizing and reinforcing positive behaviors, every adult has the power to make a difference in the life of a child.

Sincerely,

Art Hansen