Wonderful to Run Into a Teacher Collaborator, Donna Delbassi, at Last Night's Women's Stags Win Over Quinnipiac

It was 2013 when I met Donna Delbassi, a literacy interventionist at Hill Central. The school had a turn-around grant, I received a similar one, and Principal Glen Worthy, Donna, and Nicole Pruitt Brown and I set out with a mission. Two years of professional development, beginning with Kwame Alexander's Acoustic Rooster and debuting his new novel, The Crossover, which went on to win a Newbery and then, through being made into a tv series on Disney, an Emmy. Those were great years and, the literacy intervention did, indeed, turn the school around. We wrote about it for Study & Scrutiny, an article the journal is reprinting in celebration of its 10th year in existence. It was great work. 

Donna's daughter, Casey, who will be marrying a year from now to the man she met while doing her undergraduate degree at Fairfield University, works in television in NYC, and still does promotional work during Fairfield University games. She was on the mic running games, getting the crowd and Lucas the Stag going, and bringing her bubbly personality all the way. For years, Donna has wondered why she never runs into me at the games. Last night, it finally happened.

I was also thrilled to have dinner with Dan and Beth in Fairfield before the game and to see so many of the English Department there to cheer for inclusivity, equity, diversity, and the Lady Stags who continue a 2nd season of wins.

I told Donna, "the last time you saw me, I wasn't so gray." Phew. 14 years later, I can see how the job has taken its toll. Academia will do that to us. 

I'm feeling a little end-of-January with my allergies, head, and throat, hoping this can be taken care of with a little more rest. I only planned to stay for 1/2 the game, but it was tied, so I chose to finish it out, especially when running into an ol' friend. We have to find joy where we can, while we can, especially with the insanity falling upon us in full force. Here's hoping that such occurrences will be able to continue in the future. Only time will tell.