Perhaps you read the obituary for Brainerd High School teacher, David Devine, in the Brainerd
Dispatch, January 10th. Maybe you have visited the website announcing his funeral. That
website contains a tremendous number of tributes from former students and parents who were
blessed by Mr. Devine’s heart for teaching and for the wellbeing of his students for the past 30
years. He was noted as loving to be at school, as being especially good at helping his students
to feel safe, personally important to him, and ready to learn. I wish Mr. Devine could have read
some of those expressions of appreciation. In his dying days, he heard some of them in person.
Mr. Devine didn’t fully realize how much he was appreciated by so many. I join many others in
being thankful that Mr. Devine taught our students here in the Brainerd Lakes Area.
I also personally know dozens of other amazing, dedicated teachers in the Brainerd #181
School District. Add in all the other staff members, administrators, school board members, bus
drivers, cooks, custodians, etc., who truly care and are working hard to make a positive
difference in our kids’ lives. If you have had a student in the district, or been one yourself, I bet
you can think of some wonderful people who have contributed to our students, families, and this
community we call home—perhaps, also, to you personally.
Here is a chance, right now when they are here to appreciate it, for us to let them know
that they are appreciated. The Public Education Team of the Brainerd Lakes Area Justice
Table, the Brainerd Dispatch, and School District #181 are offering our annual “Why I
Love Our Schools” opportunity. This year parents and community members are invited
to write expressions of appreciation. These can be one page of prose, poetry, or art.
Email submissions to otherpeoplecount2@gmail.com.
The deadline is February 5th. Some or all submissions will be published in the Brainerd Dispatch in the February 14 weekend edition.
Before the final question, I would like to tell you a little about Lakes Area Justice Table (LAJT).
LAJT first gathered in 2023. It is a growing coalition of civic, faith-based, and cultural
organizations and includes individual members, as well, who are interested in its work. The
Table facilitates and enhances the shared work of nurturing a just and inclusive community
where all can thrive. That is the why. The how is, perhaps, best expressed by the acronym
ACCESS. The Table Amplifies and mobilizes by sharing information about member activities
and inviting participation as appropriate. The Table Communicates as each member is informed
about planned activities. The Table Collaborates in developing shared activities and programs. It
Educates by deepening members’ understanding of issues of injustice and shares that
understanding with the wider community through activities and programs. Together, members
Strategize as they think critically about overall priorities and methodologies. Lastly, members
Support and Sustain one another in the work. More information can be found here
https://sites.google.com/justice-table.org/home/
All of the above leads to the final question: Do you think now would be a good time to show
your appreciation and encouragement for the work of the Brainerd Public Schools?
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Thanks,
Darrell J. Pedersen and Patricia A. Dickson, Lakes Area Justice Table
