-Phillip Phillips, Home
As is the theme lately, last night was yet another "last."
My last staff meeting with my staff. My amazing, wonderful, talented, awesome staff.
When I was moved to Stopher/Johnson at the end of last year, I knew that I was in for a completely different environment and experience than I had in my old building. I had learned in my first year how to be a good supervisor...and now I was ready to expand on that and be better.
My staff makes me better. They bring out the best in me. We've laughed, we've sat in the office and talked, and we've put together some AMAZING programs this year. It's been a fast year. It feels like it was just yesterday when we had the departmental opening picnic and we all spread out on our picnic blankets and started to talk to one another. It seems like it was just yesterday that we were cooking our first (of many) staff dinners together in the kitchen and enjoying our food in the bridge lounge while we powered through our in-hall schedule.
It seems like it was just yesterday that I came for my meet and greet with the staff and I introduced myself as the first time as the Assistant Residence Hall Director for Stopher and Johnson halls.At the end of our meeting last night, we went to paint the rock as a staff.
On the front part of Kent's campus, facing main street, there is a giant rock. Student groups will paint it with their organization name and then all of campus gets to see it. Last night we as a staff made the trek out to the rock to paint it with our Sto/Jo pride (or #stojoswag as I've been saying on Twitter all year). We joked on the way there about seeing the possible meteor shower that was supposed to happen (we didn't see it) and a relaxed, but fun tone settled amongst the group. Some ran ahead, excited, others walked and enjoyed the night chill in the air.
And as the staff painted the rock, I stood back and reflected.
The paint on the rock doesn't describe who we are as a staff. But the experience of putting the words there, of covering the rock with paint and making it ours for the night does, and that's what truly mattered.
Words cannot describe how much this year has meant to me. I've grown so much from being able to supervise this staff and they've truly let me share something special with them. I'm going to miss them so much.
I'm excited to graduate. But when I think of things like this, I wonder if we could maybe postpone it just a bit longer so I can spend more time.I will look back on this year and my time with this staff with fond memories. It's been an amazing year, and I couldn't have asked for anything better.
They've made me a better person. I will always be grateful and thankful for them and the opportunity they have given me.
Leaving them in 3 weeks will be one of the hardest things I'll ever do.
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