It was July, 1995 and I walked out of the newspaper office I loved and into a new job as Communication/Information Officer for the Lower Camden County Regional High School District #1. I'd been hired just weeks earlier to work with the administration to attempt to ward off an impending dissolution vote by the seven sending districts. We felt knowing about the educationally sound things happening in the four schools would reinforce the good opinion of the voters and keep the district intact.
When we lost the vote, no one was more devastated than our superintendent, Michael Schreiner. He'd begun his career teaching in the district, rose through the ranks and was as much a part of the district, its faculty and students, as anyone could be.
And he cared for each of us who worked with him. He recommended me for a position in another school district, where I worked for ten years before retirement. But on my first day at Lower Camden County, Michael had already shown me who he was and I will never forget his kindness.
I'd been a founding member of the Voorhees Township Business Association and been active in the group since its inception. Once I no longer owned or was affiliated with a business in that township, I had to step out. It was difficult, but the rest of the members were dedicated and, to this day, would keep the organization strong.
I had attended my first administrative team meeting in my new "home" that morning. When it concluded, Mike suggested we celebrate my first day by going to lunch. I gladly accepted, seeing a chance to get to know my new "boss" a bit better. The longer he drove and the further we traveled, the more perplexed I became. Where was lunch, I finally asked. He explained that he thought I might enjoy The Mansion in Voorhees, a lovely place to visit and dine.
When we walked into the building, I saw several familiar faces. Everyone scurried into the dining room. And it was then I discovered the luncheon was a farewell the Association had arranged for me...and, with Michael's complicity, I was able to attend on a significant day in my new career.
It was simple kindness. Mike could easily have expressed regret when approached about helping get me to the luncheon. He could have put more value on the work to be done in the district than on my personal pleasure. But that wasn't who Michael Schreiner was. He wore his heart on his sleeve for many of us with whom he entrusted it. He wasn't just a superior, a boss, the head honcho. Mike was deeply committed to the students he loved, the district he helped shepherd through difficult times and the faculty among whom he considered himself an equal.
Mike passed away on Feb. 6. I saw his obituary on Facebook, courtesy of a member of the Board of Education who had hired me way back then. We'd kept in touch, Mike and I, every birthday through all the years, and I had no idea he had been ill. Reading the obit through a haze of tears, I said a silent thank you to the man who taught me a lot about kindness and caring. May he rest in peace.
