(Reflection of Christopher Russo, Assistant Superintendent in Portland and Reynolds and currently the Director of the American School of Asuncion, Paraguay.)
This project is the 4th large project or build I've done to date, though of them all the this is the smallest and most fulfilling. Three years ago I was hired to lead the school's vision of STEAM education (fundamentally smith the Board's ideas regarding and breathe life into it). To my surprise, I was given 3 months to gather opinion and thought in order to bring it to reality. I remember it all as a blur, convening teacher thought groups, consulting Board workgroups--even pulling my admin team together at odd times all with the intent to get on paper, whether in word or drawing, every idea and thought to the possibilities of this building. Now almost 2.5 years later, we're done! A true collective effort!
Doing construction in the US is difficult enough but doing it in another country in another language under a set of rules and constructs a North American could never completely understand is another--but oh what a ride it was!
One of my teachers, a very sweet art teacher from Colombia who long ago immigrated to Paraguay, shared this with me the other day--a moment when the stress and challenge of getting it all done was weighing on me a bit.
It's always those little things that count the most and make all the difference. I loved that she shared this in English...
Dear Mr. Russo:
Still, I am amazed at the move to the new art room.
This move has made me reflect a lot on the work done by you to coordinate and accomplish this goal that was proposed since your arrival at school.
My thanks for having renewed the facilities of the ASA and my admiration for having made your dreams a reality at the time that was proposed.
The rooms are spacious, full of light and surrounded by green. Furniture and facilities clean and according to the entire design.
Children and us will enjoy so much the clean space and the pleasant atmosphere.
Congratulations, congratulations for being such a good administrator.
Sincerely,
Mabel Avila
P.D. I believe, without a doubt, that you will be an excellent candidate to direct the metro-bus works of Asunción.
The finished product!! Rain water collection and recycling, full-spectrum light, alter-abled accessible, lots of natural light... They let us build to the best, most progressive standards we could come up with!
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