Coordinated Connections
Dear Teacher,
Hannah White was sitting on a Delta flight in Dallas, desperate to get to her North Dakota home after doctors said her mom didn't have much time left to live. She was supposed to connect in Minneapolis, but a mechanical issue kept the plane at the gate. Minutes turned into an hour of anxious waiting. Finally, a flight attendant knelt by her seat and gently explained that she'd been rebooked for the next day. In learning the news, Hannah began sobbing, realizing that she might miss the only chance to say goodbye to her mom. The flight attendant apologized and cried with her as Hannah said, "I might not see get to see my parent!"
That's when everyone banded together in a series of domino-actions:
The Delta pilot, Captain Keith Napolitano, called and asked for a short hold on the connecting flight.
Operations and gate teams approved the captain's request and coordinated details.
The crew moved Hannah to a First Class seat so she could get off the the plane as soon as they parked, and the captain made an announcement asking everyone to let one passenger deplane first because she was trying to reach a loved one.
The man seated next to Hannah pulled up a map of the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport on his phone, showing her the fastest way to the next gate, and telling her to run the moment the door opened.
When she finally reached her connecting flight, she was met by smiling Delta crew members and passengers who already knew what she was going through and were eager to help her get settled and on her way.
Hannah landed in North Dakota that night and made it to the hospital in time. Her mom passed away the next day, but the delay, the captain's decision, the flight attendant's compassion, a stranger's help, and a second crew on the lookout had gotten her to her parent on time!
And you, Teacher, there in your classroom, band together with a series of domino-actions:
You partner with your Finance Officer to get a furnace into a student's Michigan home.
You contact local pediatricians to get proper ADHD assessment.
You work with your Home and School leader to cover a student's class trip monies.
You consult with your Superintendent to a student the care they need for at-risk behaviors.
You work with your co-teacher to change a discipline-centered school culture into one with positive warmth and engagement.
With all your coordinated connections, your work on behalf of students gets them connected to their heavenly Parent on time!
Connecting with you,
Mindy
Christian Educator & School Counselor