Salvete, Omnes!

Having survived week one of another new school year, I’m starting to think this whole teaching thing might just work out yet again. Despite the trepidation we might feel as we see the last sands dropping from the top of the hour glass of summer vacation, once the students walk through the door, we remember why we keep coming back. I had an *old* (probably younger than I am now!) professor back in the day who would have us recite what he called the philologist’s prayer: “Oh, Apollo, let us never forget what it is all about.” We each did this, of course, duplices tendens ad sidera palmas. That prof never did tell us directly what he thought it isreallyallabout. However,whenthedoorsswingopeneachnewschoolyear,andourcharges, both new and returning, stream, straggle, or strut into our classrooms, I think we all well understand for ourselves what it is really all about. And, off we go once more….

Part of the ritual of the academic year for us in the CAV is gathering in Charlottesville for our Fall Meeting. I look forward to catching up with folks about their summer doings and how their new year is shaping up. I hope there are many familiar faces there, as well as newer friends and colleagues from around the state. So many of you are perennial stalwarts who keep CAV moving along. Many of you are newer to the profession and newer to CAV, re-invigorating this organization, as well as colleagues at your various schools, with your energy and innovation. It was so great to experience the panel of newer educators at our Spring Meeting. It was so great to have all our student and teacher prizes awarded – professional development grants, as well. It was so great to see the sharing of materials and ideas in our silent auction in May. (Such a delight to see students eagerly pore over and gather up old books!) We will be hearing three first time presenters in September. All these things add, I am sure, to the ‘what it is all about’ that we strive to keep foremost in our minds.

I hope we will all look to keep The Classical Association of Virginia as an anchoring part of our lives as teachers — resolving to attend meetings, bringing along colleagues new and old; committing to participate in all the academic and professional programming that CAV offers;

striving to find new ways to fulfill old goals. I hope that on September 27th, you’ll enjoy seeing new faces and hearing new voices within the familiar and sustaining structure of our Fall Meeting.

Let’s make the “Introduction of New Members, First-Timers, and Guests” portion of the Business Meeting the lengthiest part! Let’s see more schools and more students participating in our competitions this year. Let’s leave no award money on the table. And let’s enjoy the fellowship of friends, new and old, as we start yet another year of teaching (my 32nd!) on the beautiful and sustaining Grounds of the University of Virginia.

Spero me vos omnes illic visurum esse!

Patrick Bradley