Teacher & Leader Mentors

“A man of his word will be a more effective leader than a man who derives his power from fear, empty promises, or inconsistent policies.” ~John Wooden 

  

With Teacher Appreciation Week drawing to a close I wanted to express my gratitude for those that have shaped my perspective of teaching and leading.  While many educators and colleagues have helped me become the educator I am today, two have had the greatest impact on my development as a teacher and aspiring leader.  Without there guidance I firmly believe that my perspective of teaching and leading would be much different and I may not be where I am today without their guidance.   

This quote is something that I have always had in my room as a daily reminder.  I know that my students could care much less about my instruction but more so about how I made them feel.  Most will certainly not remember much from my 3rd grade lessons, but they will remember how I made them feel.  I know this because I had these same feelings years earlier as I sat in their same seats.

I was allowed to do the bare minimum.  I didn’t get in trouble, I didn’t excel, but I did figure out how to fly under the radar.  Year after year, class after class, I mastered the incognito plan, I never disliked my teachers, but I never really liked them either.  They didn’t get to know me and I didn’t get to know them.  It’s sad to say, but at the time, I felt like that was the norm.  This all remained routine until Mrs. Sexton walked in the door of my Algebra course. 

I can’t honestly tell you what I learned, it’s been to many years, but I can tell you she made me feel, I mattered.  Mrs. Sexton took the time to invest in her students, it was something I had never truly experienced before.  She cared about my development, which needed a substantial amount of work because I was terrible at Algebra.  She spent countless hours with me outside of the classroom, worked with me one-on-one in class to meet my needs and applauded my efforts though at times I am sure I was as stubborn as a mule and wanted to give up.

She had cultivated a relationship with me, relationships I am certain she developed with many others.  Time after time I returned and she would always smile, laugh, and help me work through my struggles.  Mrs. Sexton was consistent, honest, and led by example.  She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself and for that, I will be forever grateful.    

The ability to captivate an audience is a quality that only a select few possess.  The moment that figure enters the room, their presence alone can transform an audience and create a sense of engagement unlike any other.  Dr. Henry Russell presence alone can be mesmerizing, but given the opportunity to listen to him speak, his conviction is transformational.  Dr. Russell is a man of principle and operates by a moral and ethical code that is evident in his actions and words.  As the Assistant Superintendent of ISD, we were fortunate to hear The Starfish Story each year at our ISD Convocation. Each year the story never changed, but his ability to captivate ISD made the story seem new and uplifting. 

I was fortunate to learn from Dr. Russell as I worked toward my Education Specialist in School Administration through the University of Central Missouri.  Usually a 7:30 to 10:00 class on a Thursday evening would lead most to think it would be the longest 2 and half hours of your life.  On the contrary, we walked out of his class nightly thinking that we could transform the world when most of the city was already fast asleep.  Dr. Russell always began with a short video that included quotes and messages that spoke to cultivating servant leadership.  Today, I still begin each morning with quotes and or videos that are uplifting because I remember how I felt when I sat in class and watched them.  If you walk through my house or office, you will find quotes hung throughout as a reminder of the power of words.        

In “A Game Plan for Life” by John Wooden, he describes his former coach and principal, “I believe he was keenly aware of the young eyes watching him; and even when he was out on the field instead of in the schoolhouse, he was committed to teaching us how to live.  He felt it was his responsibility.” This same statements can be said when describing Dr. Russell.  I believe that if you read this statement to anyone that knows Dr. Russell, they would say that statement was written about him.  Dr. Russell is led by his ethical and moral code, it never wavers.  He was consistent in his principles, and it created trust and an influence to walk with the same tenacity that he demonstrated weekly.  My perspective of leadership and cultivating a culture of learning has transformed, I am thankful that I was able to be apart of the CPPP and learn from the amazing leaders, it was truly a blessing. 

“Legacy is not leaving something for people, but rather leaving something in people.” ~ Peter Strople