Tomorrow, I start a new job as Executive Director of the Open Education Network. Many of you have followed my journey through job/loss over the last few months, and the emotions that I am feeling about coming into this new position are truly too overwhelming for me to parse at the moment (elation, relief, disbelief, anxiety, a feeling that something has happened just as it was supposed to…). But I keep coming back to gratitude. Sure, some of that feels directed toward an amorphous universe that has been hurling a bunch of darkness at me and the people I love for years now; I feel thankful to experience this burst of light on my face for sure. But most of my gratitude is much more specific. It’s gratitude for the people who stuck by me through some dark times, who are out there at all hours of a dark night with little luminaries trying to bring back the light for a lot of people. I want to say a few thank yous. Lots of people are not on this list (like Phil and Roo, for two– so please know if you’re not here, it’s not because you haven’t sustained me); but these are a few specific gratitude notes as I start this new adventure.
Rajiv. You sent me this job. I hadn’t seen it and I wonder if I somehow might have missed it if you hadn’t sent it my way? And I called you and you told me about the integrity and kindness of the folks in this org, and that was all I needed to hear. I trust you so very much, my moral barometer in this work. You brought me to this role, and there is nothing I love more than you being the foundation for everywhere it takes me.
Angie. You sent me a card through the mail every day for a year. For a while, you were just having fun. After a while, you knew that those mail moments were sustaining me. The collection of cards is what it feels like to be cared for.
Liz. You are my other half in the love and the loss of my job at PSU. All the good work I did there, all the relationships I nurtured there, all the fights I engaged with there out of the deepest care– all of that was in partnership with you. I know I mattered deeply to/at (yah, whatever) that institution because you are a mirror, and I feel such pride to know that like you, I did good there.
Karen (and Reta and Jenny!). The USNH Open Ed team has been scattered to the wind, but we endured because we love each other. You all showed me that there are teams you are born into (or forced into) and then there are chosen teams. You all are my chosen team for life. ATI forever!
Pete. Thanks for keeping me afloat. You sent me money, you made spreadsheets for me showing me we would be ok, you invited me to DisneyWorld, you called me on the weekends to say hello. I think you are the kindest and smartest person I know, truly. How lucky I am that you’re my brother!
Dave. I’ve known of your good work in open for years, but now I see that Rajiv was right when he told me about your kindness and your integrity, and how it’s set a tone for the whole community. You and Cassie have made me feel so welcome already. Not to freak you out, but I think this is the beginning of lots of excellent conversations between us about the commons and all things OEN.
Martha. The one who will literally move mountains for the people she loves. Oh to be someone that Martha loves! The one who builds architectures of care for an educational future we all deserve. I’m in it with you for life, babe.
The Open Community. You taught me that the future is emergent, remixable. You taught me that my agency is mine to exercise even when the structures around me make that feel impossible. You taught me that holding tight to values can have real material costs, but these costs are often lower than the costs of abandoning those values. I will have words to share soon about my new role with the OEN, but for now, I just want to say that I am deeply honored to be working with the community that keeps teaching me so much about how to live–and learn– with solidarity, generosity, and care.
Thank you, too, to Cathie and your drawings, Matthew, Shelly and all the plants and the bread bag, Sharon, Lisa, Lamson and CoLab friends, PSU-AAUP, Campton-Thornton Fire & Rescue…
I told you, half jokingly, the other night, “Thanks for giving us something to celebrate!” But actually, there’s no joke there. The world feels heavy these days — and, for me, losing you as a colleague at PSU has been the darkest hole in a dark, dark year. Seeing you land this job, a perfect job for the perfect person, amidst that darkness, is truly sustaining me right now. You are the light, and you are going to do amazing things!!
So glad to be with you on this journey and so many memorable side quests. #QBU is wherever we can make it or find it, and certainly also #QBU is a state of mind. Love ya.
I heard this good news in a Signal group chat from a mutual friend and my cheering sound was seismic. Can’t wait to see you bring all your Robin-ness to OEN, as you are not only an open education super hero you even are willing to get silly and wear the costume https://flic.kr/p/NM4ypB
So so pleased for you Robin and it’s great news for the open community because I know you are going to do amazing things.
What a beautiful post by a beautiful person who definitely deserves all the love and support she’s had – and this new position, where I’m sure you will do wonderful things inshallah 🙂
For someone like me who listened and worked toward a greater open community, it just feels right you are in this position at this time. I am so happy for you. Here is to many more years of care, kindness, and love.