Summary
The March 2026 Issue of The Latest: Mentorship, Long-Term Collaboration, and Meaningful Connection.
Welcome to the March issue of The Latest! Where we’re reflecting on mentorship, meaningful collaboration, and the unexpected moments that shape how we lead and support others.
“You were my first patient.”
Today I sat in the dentist chair about to undergo some rather significant oral surgery. I was more nervous than for a routine cleaning. I usually have valium for something this big, but the prescription process got jumbled up. So there I was, just me and my own propensity to panic attacks.
No big. Just breathe. In. Out. In. Out.
As the team got prepped, I noticed the doctor giving very detailed directions to his new assistant:
“This is how you keep her mouth propped open to give us enough room to work.”
“When I’m in there and operating, you have one job, and one job only: suction.”
“When you’re in the back room here, keep your voice low. The patients are anxious enough without raised voices.”
“She’s gagging on blood, help her out.”
And so forth. How to lay out the instruments, keep everything clean, not to poke him in the eye…all with more detail than a patient really wants to know.
Yet throughout this whole experience, I kept thinking about mentorship and my own students, those I’ve trained throughout the years. Their first steps, questions, triumphs and do-overs. It’s never been easy — mentorship has joys AND it is also demanding — but it has always been worth that pouring in of love and care.
Even through the worst of the grinding and pressure-filled (not pain) moments, it helped me to know that someone was learning, growing, and becoming a better version of herself throughout this process. Giving her grace and room for learning helped me through my own anxiety and to keep me focused.
When we were done, the doctor thanked me.
He said — I knew you would be the right patient for her to start with. He was right. I’d been in his hands before, in worse condition, and today’s work was restoration after a long year of repair. It was time to heal.
Our mentoring moments come even when we least expect it, and even in times when we are at our weakest and most vulnerable. Perhaps especially then.
If you are a mentor (formal or not) for young people, especially those who have faced barriers to opportunities to grow, remember we can each be there for whatever “firsts” may come. And it’s important to celebrate each and every win!
Two women smiling at the camera. The one on the left has braces and a huge grin and is wearing black and pink scrubs. Stephanie is on the right with small smile (she has a mouth full of novocaine) and is wearing a bright green pullover. Both have tousled hair.
Some projects take 20 years to come to fruition.
When Katie Dawson walked into my office 20 years ago and invited me to be a part of their innovative arts integration project, Drama for Schools, I would never have dreamed that two decades later, we would still be connecting and building this amazing partnership.
The Drama for Schools Symposium at The University of Texas at Austin will gather local, national and international DFS research partners together, in person, for the first time. Through panels, keynote speakers and performances and interactive sessions, the Drama for Schools Symposium will provide a critical gathering space to reflect on past work, learn new methods and envision a better possible educational future.
Dates: May 15 and 16, 2026
Time: 9am-5pm each day
Where: In person at the F. Loren Winship Drama Building at the UT Austin campus.
A dark blue tab with a swirl of moving light in the background. Text says Drama For Schools Symposium, Celebrating 20 years of DFS and Beyond. The University of Texas at Austin. May 15 and 16, 2026.
Register for Drama for Schools Symposium!
And Finally…
My keynote speaking draws from my many years of experience with leading collaborative and interdisciplinary teams in research and in outreach to disabled communities.
Which means I’ve run a lot of meetings. So many meetings.
Time together is both our greatest opportunity and (often) the worst part of working on a team.
The “this could have been an email” feeling is one that I both dread and strive daily to prevent!
In this behind-the-scenes and in-the-rough video clip, I share my thoughts about how to use team time within meetings in a way to authentically connect people with mission and with each other.
I hope these insights provide some food for thought on how you (or your supervisor) can build stronger, more meaningful connections for your organization!
