SEAHO Report - Spring 2020 - 4

SEAHO EDITOR

Dear SEAHO,
Since we last met in Louisville, we have experienced a historical
event leaving our housing departments at the front lines of
protecting our students. We have made decisions we could have
never dreamed possible and we have had some of the most
difficult conversations of our careers with parents, students, and
colleagues. We have released our student staffs quickly, and for
some, without the ability to say goodbye. It is in this trying time
that we have seen the strength of our individual departments and
of ourselves.
Working as Essential Personnel, we literally hit the ground
running with absolutely no time to process what has happened and is still happening in our world. In a
matter of days, our homes became our offices as we scrambled to provide students with resources and
information. It wasn't until several weeks in that I was able to leave work before dark. I grabbed an iced
coffee, called a dear friend, and drove to the closest mountain I could get to. I got out of the car and just
started jogging. (Note: I have not revisited my running days for quite some time. Definitely should have
stretched.)
Anxiety and adrenaline carried me for quite some time, until I suddenly realized I was at the top of the
mountain. I had nowhere else to go. I climbed over a rock, sat down, listened to the wind blow through the
trees as I let out my first deep breath in weeks. My eyes welled up, my stomach flipped, and then I took
another deep breath. And another. And another.
I have no idea what the coming weeks will look like. I could have never imagined, since that moment two
weeks ago, the national parks and mountains would close to the public. But what I do know is that our hope
is not in this week or next. I do know that I have seen incredible co-workers step up in a time of crisis to
care for students, even as they risk their own health. I know that during this time I have seen colleagues
throughout the region reach out to brainstorm ideas with one another and share resources to neighboring
schools in need. I know that I am so grateful to have a job and this opportunity to lead by example, even
when it's scary to serve, and I know that I am REALLY grateful for iced coffee. I'm grateful to have the
continual encouragement and check-ins of #RELI18, as I'm sure many RELI, MMI, and NHTI cohorts agree.
I'm thankful for little notes from student staff and mentees, for sunsets, and most of all to be apart SEAHO
during this time. We couldn't do what we do without the strength, positivity, and sometimes comedic relief
of our colleagues.
So, here's to deep breaths and the beauty we choose to find in brokenness. Ultimately, we are going to be
alright, but it's also important to find moments when it is safe to not be alright. Lean on your people, ask
for help, be vulnerable.
As you take a minute to breathe and center yourself during this COVID-19 pandemic, the SEAHO Feature
Article Editor, Michael Dobrin, and I invite you to check out this edition of the SEAHO Report. As usual, our
mix of scholarly research and opinion pieces offer something for everyone. Once you have read through
this edition of the SEAHO Report, please take the time to visit seaho.org to submit your ideas for our next
installment. The submission deadline for the summer edition of the Report is July 1st, so go ahead and add
time to your calendar to sit down and share your thoughts with your SEAHO colleagues!
Stay Safe,

Briana Creswell
SEAHO Report Editor
seahoreport@seaho.org
#SEAHOAllYear

http://www.seaho.org

SEAHO Report - Spring 2020

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