Many experienced gardeners follow a concept called companion planting: placing certain vegetables and plant near each other to improve growth for one or both plants. For example, rose growers plant garlic near their roses because it repels bugs and prevents fungal diseases. Among companion plants, the marigold is one of the best: It protects a wide variety of plants from pests and harmful weeds. If you plant a marigold beside most any garden vegetable, that vegetable will grow big and strong and healthy, protected and encouraged by its marigold. Marigolds exist in our lives as well – encouraging, supporting and nurturing growing children (and adults!) on their way to maturity. If you can find at least one marigold in your work and stay close to them, you will grow. Find more than one and you will positively thrive. Few people will be lucky enough to be planted close to a marigold. You will have to seek them out. You can identify them by the way they congratulate you on your achievements, or by the way their offers of help sound sincere. Or just by the way you feel when you’re with them—are you calmer, more hopeful? Excited to get started on a tough task? Comfortable asking questions? If you feel good around this person, chances are they have some marigold qualities. Once you’ve identified your marigolds, make an effort to spend time with them. Having a hard day? Go to your marigolds. Not understanding a task? Go to your marigolds. Find ways to connect with your marigolds! This work is not a one-person show. To become the best versions of ourselves, and to provide the absolute best learning environments for our children and families, educators, we must make leaning on one another a habit. We can't and shouldn't try to do "all the things" and be "all the people" all the time. Surround yourself with a group of colleagues who know the value of collaboration, cooperation, and sharing. Work to each of your strengths for the collective good. Avoid those walnut trees-the negativity is detrimental to your emotional resilience and your ability to be the support your families and colleagues need you to be. Marigolds are everywhere! In your programs. Within your social circles. Amongst your families. And right here in the Early Learning Department. You've got this....and we've got you! Let's go trailblaze our way through the 2023-24 program year together!