It was an honor to testify before the @councilofdc & @ChmnMendelson on behalf of Stoddert Elementary. Since the start of the school year, our school has been without a legally mandated Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). These professionals provide essential support to children who struggle to communicate. As PTO President, I’ve seen the impact of this gap firsthand. Watching some of our most vulnerable young students regress in their speech and language development has been heartbreaking. We’re calling on our city’s leaders and @dcpublicschools to take immediate action and give our children the services they deserve. They are our future. Our students deserve better. Their families deserve better. And our community deserves better.

Last week, we gathered in Washington as the Families of Monticello. This group was made up largely of descendants of Thomas Jefferson and descendants of Sally Hemings, who was enslaved by Jefferson at @TJMonticello. Our family histories have been intertwined for more than two centuries. At the @smithsonian, Richard Kurin launched his new book, History by a Hair, culminating 15 years of work by scientists, scholars and descendants. Researchers presented extraordinary new genetic evidence supporting the conclusion that Jefferson fathered children with Hemings. The study is still undergoing peer review. For me, this was deeply personal and, even after a week, emotionally heavy and difficult to put into words. I have spent my life as a direct descendant of Thomas Jefferson. While his relationship with Hemings, and whether he fathered her children, was understood to be likely and supported by substantial historical evidence, without definitive scientific evidence it has been difficult for many in our extended family to accept as fact. In that room, it became evident that we were descended from the same complicated American story. We are family. And my children will grow up knowing us as family. Our ancestors experienced Monticello in profoundly different ways. Some inherited a celebrated family name and acknowledged place in its history. Others spent generations having their connection to that history questioned or denied. I recognize that for many Hemings descendants, that journey has been long, difficult and hurtful. I cannot speak for the @MonticelloAssn or any other Jefferson descendant. I can only speak for myself when I say, from the bottom of my heart, I’m sorry. There were hugs, tears, difficult conversations and laughter. Something more than 200 years in the making was happening in that room. None of us can rewrite the past, and becoming family does not erase the different histories that brought us here. But we can write what comes next. I look forward to getting to know many new cousins and moving forward together as family.

Great to see (presumptive) incoming DC Mayor @Janeese4DC! Thanks Janeese for listening to the people and preparing for the work ahead.

Thank you @dcfireems Chief Donnelly and @gloverpark DC’s Friends of Guy Mason for a heartfelt ceremony commemorating 25 years since the tragic attacks of September 11, 2001. 🇺🇸

Thanks @tweetelissa for visiting @StoddertPTO for the meeting of @GPCADC in @gloverpark. We appreciate you taking the time to engage in discussions and hope to see you again soon!

20 summers ago, @mjohnstonedc and I met during what would become one of the most profound experiences of our lives. In a flat with four guys and four girl, we spent the summer living and studying in London. Neither of us were looking for a girlfriend or boyfriend at the time. So instead, we spent the summer somewhat unknowingly becoming best friends. When we returned home from studying abroad, we met for coffee and had “the talk” to decide if this was actually worth pursuing. I’ll never forget saying, “I don’t want a girlfriend right now,” and Michelle responding, “I don’t want a boyfriend.” And then I said, “But I’ll regret this decision for the rest of my life if we don’t give it a try.” And so we did. 20 years later, from that exact day, we’ve built a life together, traveled the world, had three precious boys of our own, and experienced just about every high and low you can imagine. And we wouldn’t trade any of it for a second.

Nantucket 🐋 – at Nantucket, MA

The final leg of our trip was Positano! 🇮🇹 A private boat tour exploring the Amalfi Coast was truly one of the best experiences of our lives. Our day trip to Capri was delightful. We’ll never forget the views from the terrace of our villa. Michelle put our culinary lessons to the test and cooked for us on our last night. Buonissimo 🤌🏼 On our way out, we spent a day in Naples and dined at the birthplace of pizza. We wrapped up the trip with an evening at a historic villa in the Roman countryside. As the sun set, we reflected so fondly on such a beautiful experience. And what was most likely the last time we’ll travel like this without kids for many years. Love you so much Michelle. Ciao, Italia. Grazie mille! 🇮🇹 – at Positano, Campania

Next on our Italian journey was Venice! 🇮🇹 We adored meandering through the charming canals and the complex maze of walkways. We were endlessly entertained sitting on the balcony of our palazzo watching the boats and soaking it all in. We gained a deep appreciation for Italian cuisine spending a day exploring the Rialto Market and learning to cook with a local Venetian chef. Dinner at the palatial Aman was unreal! A late night gondola ride gave us the canals to ourselves and a welcome reprieve from the heat and crowds. An unexpected highlight was the sunrise boat transfer to the airport as we said farewell to Venice for now. – at Venice, Veneto

Michelle and I celebrated my 40th with a magical trip to Italy! 🇮🇹 Our journey began in Rome as we explored the eternal city and visited as many sights as we could. What a treat to experience aperitivo with sweeping sunset views each evening. As we continued on to our next destination, we spent a day in Florence taking in the Statue of David, Ponte Vecchio, and the Tuscan culture. – at Rome, Lazio

Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸 Hope you enjoy celebrating America’s 250th with your loved ones. #America #America250

Today marks the close of @StoddertPTO’s fiscal year. What a year it has been! Feeling incredibly grateful for everything our community accomplished together. Thank you to every volunteer, teacher, staff member, committee chair, donor, and family who helped make this such a successful year. Whether you gave your time, talents, or support, you made a big difference. Marian, it’s been such a pleasure to serve alongside you. Couldn’t ask for a better partner! Thank you all for making this year so special. We can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish together in the year ahead. Enjoy your summer and Go Wolves! 🐺

Congrats @repoyedc! Looking forward to working with you as DC Councilmember At-Large. – at Washington, DC

My wife @mjohnstonedc and I were proud to host the inaugural Stoddert Summer Soirée! As part of this year’s @stoddertpto fundraiser, we donated an evening at our home as an auction item. We had an absolute blast hosting, making memories with friends, and celebrating our community together for a great cause. The perfect weather didn’t hurt either. Thank you to everyone who donated, attended, and helped make the evening such a success. We’re already looking forward to next year! – at Washington, DC

Congratulations to DC’s presumptive Mayor-Elect Janeese Lewis George. I look forward to working with you and your administration through @StoddertPTO and beyond. Wishing you success as you prepare for the work ahead for our city @janeese4dc. – at Washington, DC