…my second favorite memory from my time as an educator.

Jeffrey T.

The only debate in my mind was if I would choose my colleague and our time creating havoc (aka amazing things) together as my second favorite or my top. I hope he’ll understand why he was second when he reads my next post.

Brother. Colleague. Co-instigator. Critical Friend. Boss. Work Bestie. All these words describe my relationship with the one and only Jeffrey “I Wasn’t a Pitcher for the Mariners” Nelson. It’s hard to even put into words, but I do know that my time as part of the Fife Public Schools family wouldn’t have been anything close to what it has been if it weren’t for Jeff.

Whether it was when one of us had to share hard truths with the other, or when we were dreaming together of building the TLI (Teaching Learning & Innovation) Department from the ground up, or designing an experience for our leadership team – the list goes on and on and on – we did it with a combined passion and we did it together. I can’t begin to imagine doing this work without him and I’m so glad I didn’t have to .

As long as I’ve known Fife, Jeff has been a part of that experience. First as teachers across the parking lot from one another. I was teaching kindergarten and he middle school (which is basically the same job minus the hormones!). We came together to work on some tech initiatives with a small group across the district. His wicked sense of humor and his belief that all kids deserve the best we can give let me know immediately that we would become fast friends.

I so admire his hunger to learn, read, reflect, support, think outside of the box, champion, dream, scheme, and literally do almost anything to make things happen. While we have different gifts and skill sets, our beliefs are always in alignment. When I think of the phrase “iron sharpens iron” I immediately think of our relationship.

I’ll so miss our daily check-ins, laughing until I cry, getting excited when a new dream or idea floats our way, and mostly just hanging with my dear friend Jeff.

One of a kind. Blessed to know ya, buddy!!