Embedded Files
A Summary: Dr. Russell has received heartfelt farewells from colleagues, students, and parents from St. Michael's School. He's commended for his strong leadership, commitment to inclusivity, motivational influence, and exceptional professional conduct. Despite language barriers, his genuine kindness and warmth were universally recognized. Many admired his focus on character as well as his spotlight on mental health. His dedication to the school's music and arts program, including funding a sound technician and advocating for a rock band development, was deeply appreciated. His willingness to listen, his hands-on approach, and his dedication to community building were praised. His efforts to advance overlooked programs have left an indelible mark on the school community. He is remembered as a beacon of light and positivity. While his departure brings sadness, the community wishes him well in his future endeavors. Feel free to read them all below. :)
Mr Russell,
Thanks for taking the school to another level. For being a great listener, for always greeting the kids and young adults with a cheerful morning start, but must of all for taking the time to explore our beautiful country and take a little piece with it in your heart.
Your bow tie will be missed!
Glennys Anglada, Parent of Mauricio
Mr. Russell
Oh my God. I was reading your letter and tears cannot stop. You are unique. My english is not very good, I hope someone can translate my words for you. I want to let you know that you are an exceptional person, who gives himself to love and to highlight in his work that I feel that I have been treating and admiring him for years.
That close treatment, always so attentive to everything. The way he always got involved even playing the guitar in the Talent show. We enjoyed it very much. Sometimes you take my son to the car you always greeted me with great enthusiasm and sometimes I did not respond because of the embarrassment of speaking English. Despite this language difference it is clear you are a genuinely kind person through your actions and deeds.
Bendiciones, Atentamente,
Michel Vargas, Parent of Angelo, grade two
Dear Mr. Russell,
We have been very fortunate to have you in our school . Your kindness and humbleness say a lot of the type of person you are and your great values. We will miss you!!
Best ,
Parent of Ellis and Junior
Mr. Russell,
Your honesty and dedication to self-care resonate deeply with me and, I believe, many others. The focus on mental health is particularly significant, a topic often overlooked, yet quietly wrestled with by many. I suspect a considerable percentage of SMS teachers grapple with it, and regrettably, perhaps only half of them tend to it, due to the pervasive belief that mental health is of lesser importance than physical health. I want to express my gratitude to you for bringing the critical issue of mental health into focus for us staff members. This initiative is a small yet impactful step that nudges us closer towards a transformation of not only our school’s but our country's perspective on mental health.
Though I know you have a few more months here, and our in-person interactions have been minimal, I want to seize this opportunity to express my appreciation for all you've done for our school. I haven't relished attending school as much as I do now since a few years ago. Your contributions range from simple acts like greeting each of us with a warm smile and a "good morning" every day, to the inclusive attitude you have shown, considering me and other substitutes for activities we were commonly overlooked for.
Paola Anabel Lee Bera (Full Time Sub)
Greetings Mr. Russell,
I've just read your newsletter for parents this week and felt the need to tell you how moved I am by its beautiful and heartfelt content. It's made me genuinely happy and I can't express enough how thankful I am, particularly for the significance you assign to character and religious education in shaping our students, and indeed, every human being.
A little while ago, I arrived at school and came across your email. Your words are beautiful but more importantly, they demonstrate your immense generosity. I must confess, I don't feel I fully deserve such commendation. I have always seen you as a true gentleman, dedicated to your work, and uniquely close and caring towards the children. Please know that, truly and from the bottom of my heart, I am saddened by your departure. Your kind words and admirable dedication have provided a wonderfully emotional start to my day.
May God bless you, Mr. Russell. Wishing you a wonderful day ahead.
Warm regards,
Yvonne Ripol, Head of Religion Department
Hello Mr. Russell,
I just wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to you for taking the time to address my student Matias's concerns regarding sports. Your attentiveness and thoughtfulness had a profound impact, far beyond what you may realize.
This morning, Matias came into our room, a certain glow in his eyes and excitement in his voice that was palpable. He eagerly shared with all of us the joy he felt from receiving a reply to his message from you. It was clear that your response resonated deeply with him, granting him a sense of validation and importance that was heartwarming to witness.
Matias felt heard. In the bustling environment of a school, where numerous voices compete for attention, this is no small feat. He experienced a sense of pride, not just because you replied, but because he sensed the respect and consideration you accorded him. The way his face lit up, the boost in his confidence, and the motivation it ignited, it was something quite special.
Your action reaffirmed the belief that each individual voice matters and has value. It taught Matias that his opinions and concerns are important, and that they can be heard and addressed by someone in a position of authority, such as yourself. This is an invaluable lesson and one that I trust will continue to inspire Matias for years to come.
In making him feel appreciated, you've done more than just resolve a concern; you've fostered a sense of self-esteem and worth in a young person. Your engagement has positively influenced not only his perception of sports but also his view of his place within our school community.
Thank you for your empathy and for the respect you have shown towards Matias's voice. It is actions like these that truly build strong, confident, and engaged young individuals.
Kind regards,
Ms. Bobadilla, Grade 5 Teacher
Mr. Russell,
I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere thanks for the conversation we shared the other day. It's difficult to articulate how much your unwavering support regarding my journey in music means to me. Whether it's a note of encouragement or a word of advice, you've always been there, serving as a beacon of support and inspiration throughout my musical career. Your commitment to nurturing my talents has had an enormous impact on my life.
Your graciousness didn't stop there, however. The time and effort you took to write a recommendation letter for my doctorate program, a highly competitive one at that, is something I will never forget. I can't help but feel a sense of deep gratitude, knowing that I owe so much to you.
Additionally, I want to convey just how much your enduring support of the music program is cherished. Your ceaseless advocacy for the high school rock band development brought together five students across grades 9-12. These are students who, under ordinary circumstances, wouldn't have crossed paths, let alone sat together for lunch. Yet, under your encouragement, they united to create not just music, but something genuinely extraordinary.
The end-of-the-year show was nothing short of spectacular. It was a testament to your influence and the immense effect you've had on these students. The fact that you personally funded the sound technician made an enormous difference - the quality of the sound took the performance to a whole new level, and helped to showcase the talent of our students in a truly remarkable way.
Moreover, your initiative to spotlight the elementary guitar club during assembly transformed these young musicians into veritable rock stars. The thrill and sense of accomplishment they felt will undoubtedly motivate them to continue to learn and create.
Your leadership has been both inspiring and transformational. You've made an indelible mark on St. Michael's School, particularly in your tireless efforts to advance the arts programs that often found themselves overshadowed by other academic areas. Your personal involvement and commitment have made an incalculable difference.
I know that I speak on behalf of all the teachers and students when I say that your presence will be deeply missed. The imprint you've left on this school, and on all of us who were fortunate enough to cross paths with you, will continue to be valued and remembered for years to come. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Warm regards,
Alfredo Alquzar, Music Teacher
Dear Mr. Russell,
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to express my gratitude for your recent comments regarding my completion of a little professional development. Your positive feedback means a lot to me and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow in these important areas. I also wanted to let you know that I fully support the use of the Owning Up curriculum and believe it would be an excellent addition to our school's core curriculum. I appreciate the consideration you have given to this curriculum, and I wish that it was my decision to make.
Thank you for your support and leadership.
Sincerely,
Laura (School Councilor)
Dear Mr. Russell,
I am sorry for my lack of english and hope the Deepl.com will translate this letter to you well
There are certain individuals whose sheer presence is like a beacon, illuminating the environment around them with their light, their smiles, and their infectious energy. And you, Mr. Russell, without a doubt, belong to this exceptional group.
Even though our paths didn't cross regularly, it was unnecessary for me to maintain a close association with you to appreciate the caliber of person that you truly are. Your spirit resonates beyond the constraints of physical proximity; your positive energy and warm personality effortlessly reverberating throughout our community.
You are like the sun – even when we aren't directly basking in its glow, we're aware of its warmth, its life-giving energy, and the sheer vibrance it infuses into our world. You possess that ability to spark joy and inspire goodness, not just through your words, but simply by being yourself.
I would be remiss not to mention that I'll genuinely miss having you around. Your absence will be felt, but your influence will unquestionably persist, a testament to the lasting impact you've made.
As you embark on your next journey, my sincerest wish is for you to be showered with the same kindness, warmth, and positivity that you've so generously shared with us all. May this new chapter of your life be filled with joy, satisfaction, and countless memorable moments.
Here's to you, Mr. Russell. Here's to your next great adventure!
With warmest regards,
Dulggimar Colmenarez, Spanish Language Arts
PD: Excuse my English.
Dear Mr. Russell,
We are truly saddened to see you depart. Despite not having the privilege of knowing you extensively, having you as part of our school community was a joy and a blessing. Your unique gift of connecting with people, your kindness, and your willingness to stand with everyone in unity has not gone unnoticed.
I hope your journey onwards is filled with success, and that any obstacles you face are swiftly overcome. My thoughts and well-wishes are with your father for a speedy recovery.
Please remember, your influence and the mark you've made on our institution will always be cherished. Your impact will continue to echo in our corridors, a testament to the positive difference you've made.
With deepest sincerity and affection,
Margarita,
School Registrar
Hello Mr Russell!
I wanted to take this moment to thank you! During these two years, working with you has been a true blessing! Thank you for showing me that even on the hard days we can keep going, we can stand up and give our best! Thank you for teaching me that we can make a difference by just smiling in the morning! Thank you so much for being so humble and caring for our school! Thank you for always being part of the routine, for letting us know that no matter what we are all in this together! And for being with all of us until the end as a team!! Thank you for the jokes!! You will be truly missed!
Regards,
Ms. Gaby, Grade 7 Language Arts Teacher
Good afternoon Mr. Russell,
Upon reading this email, many mixed emotions since in such a short time that I have been working with you, I have reconfirmed my passion for education and I told myself Cindy... all is not lost. In you I see a great leader, one of those positives who inspire to be better teachers, students etc. but also to be better people. I will always pray for you so that Mr. Russell continues his work of service, impacting lives on his journey along this path called education.
With respect and admiration
Sincerely,
Ms. Cindy, Head of Religion Department
Mr. Russell,
During my time as the Activities Coordinator at St. Michael's School, having worked hand in hand with Mr. Russell allowed me to verify that to be a leader it is not necessary to give up being solidary. He gives you a sense of belonging from day one and the trust he places in you doesn't even for an instant leave room for you to doubt your ability to get the best results. Always emphatic in connecting with everyone around him. Being part of his team is constantly being motivated and having the opportunity to be a leader too. When setbacks or questions arose, calm remained because we were sure his orientation and guidance were always the most accurate. Without a doubt, the team he leads is a team you will definitely want to belong to. It is an experience that you end without complaints, the only one is wishing it lasted longer. An excellent human being, whoever has the pleasure of working by his side will have the privilege of being able to learn from an exceptional professional.
Karla Herrera Henríquez
Activities Coordinator, SMS School
Dear Dr. Russell,
I want to thank you deeply for the opportunity you gave me to have worked with you, more than a boss, you are a leader and that comes from being, it is something so valuable that is scarce, I have rarely had the opportunity to work with people like you and I want to tell you that I am very grateful. Excellent professional and excellent person. I know that we did not have the opportunity to interact so much because of my lack of English (I hope someday I can achieve it), but it is not necessary to talk so much to see the actions, to see that you are always willing to help everyone and be aware of everyone, to give that word of encouragement and motivation in every complicated moment, to provide empathy above all things, to get your hands dirty with the operational work, to approach each child to interact, to go out every day to receive and dismiss everyone with a big smile, among many other things . . . says what an incredible person you are. I am very saddened by the news that you are leaving because few bosses act like you, and it is hard to find one. It has been an immense pleasure to have known you and worked with you. I know you will always do very well and succeed wherever you are, you are an extraordinary person.
Reileidys Pena,
Head of Operations and Maintenance, SMS School
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse