What Matters to Pier Kooistra and Why

Grayson Miller ‘21

On December 17, Lawrenceville’s Religious Life Council hosted Pier Kooistra as a part of the “What Matters to Me and Why” speaker series. “What Matters to Me and Why” highlights faculty voices on campus, an outlet for teachers to share a side of themselves that students might not see in the classroom. For Kooistra, an English teacher and Second Form Level Director, it is the little things that have been keeping him going for the past months.

Kooistra opened with his optimistic spirit by offering a response to the question posed by the series’ name: “Everything. It all matters to me.” In a year so fraught with bad news, Kooistra’s ability to appreciate everything that surrounds him has proven crucial—he credits his unmatched energy, in and out of the classroom, to this. Oftentimes, Kooistra takes a step back to remember that we humans can breathe, eat, or see, “miracles” that are oftentimes taken for granted.

After his initial talk concluded, students were able to ask Kooistra questions, taking it as an opportunity to absorb some of Kooistra’s seemingly endless advice. Whether it be Shake Shack orders, favorite books and music, or the best piece of advice he ever heard, Kooistra balanced his lighthearted humor with his wisdom, keeping the audience engaged through computer screens!

While the entire Lawrenceville community shares in the disappointment that we are unable to be on campus this winter, Kooistra’s “What Matters to Me and Why” reminds us that it is possible to find positives out of any situation. So take some time today to follow Kooistra’s advice: try to find something as small as a breath to appreciate.

For additional information, please contact Lisa M. Gillard Hanson, director of Public Relations, at lgillard@lawrenceville.org.