Hang Gliding and State Tests

Some people keep bucket lists.  On these lists are things that would like to do before they meet the One who gave them life.  You’ll read things on these lists  like visit every state, solo in a plane, play in a rock band, see the Browns win the Super Bowl (on my list), surf a big wave, the list goes on and on to match individual tastes.  The lists often include elements of danger.  Take, for example, hang gliding.  Here are the instructions for hang gliding:  run as fast as you can toward the cliff and when you reach the edge, keep on going.  This isn’t a daredevil moment.  This isn’t a “look how cool I am” moment.  This isn’t an “impress the chicks” moment (okay, maybe it is).  Hang gliding is a trust moment.  Trust being defined as knowing that you are as prepared as you can get. You understand that there are laws of physics to aid you.  You understand that you have the right equipment for those laws of physics to work in your favor.  You also understand that gravity is a real thing and terminal velocity isn’t real pretty when those things fail.  At that moment, you have to be invested at the highest level.  Then…well, you just jump.

You have been preparing kids for several months for ISTEP.  You have been in a daily sprint to the edge with the mindset of that when you reach the edge, well, you just keep on going.  In a way, you are sending those kids off that edge as well. Once that test starts, they will have to fly solo and that could be a scary thought.  That’s what makes this a trust moment. You have been making them work toward this moment.  You have given them the right equipment.  You have given them the understanding of what it is you have been wanting them to get smarter about.  You have been making sure that they understand the expectations.  This isn’t a daredevil moment.  This isn’t a danger moment.  This is a trust moment.  This is a “being prepared as much as you can get moment.” This is a time that while they are running full steam toward that edge and you know that when they get there they will have to keep going.  There isn’t a time out.  There isn’t a do-over.  Those two thoughts may cause you anxiety.  Don’t let that happen!  Be anxious for nothing!   If you invested properly, the results will be there (just like passbook savings used to be).  Trust in yourself that your kids are ready.  Let them know that they are ready.  Tell yourself that you are ready. Trust that they are ready to knock this thing out of the park.  As a school, we trusting that we are ready.  The kids have the right equipment.  The kids have received the right instruction. We have built this thing up.  Tell them that when they get to the edge to keep on running.  We can do this! 

The Load Out

Jackson Browne paid tribute to the members of his road crew in the song, The Load Out.  This song was on his 1977 multi-million selling album, Running on Empty.  He writes about how long after he has given his last encore at a concert, the seats are now empty and it is time for the roadies to begin their work of packing up all of the equipment,  getting  it on a truck, traveling through the night, and then setting it up all over again in another venue. These, of course, are the very same people who set it all up hours before the concert.  A very repetitive task, but essential for the show to go on. “Roll them cases out and lift the amps, haul the trusses down and get ‘em up the ramps, when it comes to moving me you know you guys are the champs.”  As he relaxes after the concert, he hears the sound of slamming doors and folding chairs and realizes those are sounds the roadies will never hear.  The song is a tribute to those who work behind the scenes and rarely get any credit for what they do and are noticed only when they mess up.  It is these same faceless people who make it all run smoothly and provide a great concert for the crowd.

The majority of what I write every Friday is geared toward teachers, their valuable contributions, and hopefully some ideas that you can latch onto to help in your career. Next Wednesday is “Administrative Professionals Day.” Typically, this is a day set to honor secretaries.  I want to do that, but I would like to expand that to include all of our “roadies”.  This is a tribute to those in our school family who work behind the scenes, but add so much to making us a whole, yet never get into the spot light. Without their contributions, our daily concert never happens.  I would like to pay tribute to Laura and Lynette, who work extremely hard and cover a multitude of tasks and serve as our first point of customer relations.  They always make our school look good.  To Sue, who makes our financial books balance, takes care of subs and does anything else we ask of her.  To Nurse Dana, who spends her entire day in an invisible sea of germs while maintaining great patient relationships and making sure everyone gets the correct dosage of medicine.  To Coleen, who manages intake of well over 900 kids, maintains new enrollment and withdrawls, packs ISTEP materials  and endures the registration period…yes, it is a test of endurance.  To Joe and his crew, who keep our building clean and maintained while still taking the time to greet kids at the front door or dress up as Santa Claus.  To Miss Jackie and the Lunch Ladies who make the food, serve the food, and clean the remnants of food while battling a loud line or taking yet another “special” order.  To Kim, who makes this multitude of wires, connections, and access points all work while tolerating a technology-challenged Principal.   These people help make our show go.  They work behind the scenes to set up this big stage where the teachers and administrators get to do what we do best.  While they may not often stand in the spotlight, they all contribute greatly to our successful concert that we call a school day. 

Referencing the Future

There is this concept in the business world, “Referencing the Future,” that drives much of what happens economically throughout the world. Representatives look at future markets and then speculate on the supply and demand cycles,  then the Wall Street price rears its ugly head.  That makes the price of gasoline what it is – speculation.   Businesses also speculate on what the future needs will be in the world and just how they can contribute; I mean how they can get a piece of the pie.  The vast majority of companies are in business for one reason – to make money.  They may paint a different picture through some nifty advertising and catchy slogans, but they’re not really fooling anyone – it comes down to the Almighty Dollar.  Come on, does anyone really think that pharmaceutical companies do all that advertising on television just to make us feel better? Heck, when you hear about all of the possible side effects, opting to play the odds may seem like the easier choice. One laxative product commercial touts that “it works while you sleep”.  I’m not sure that I want that. 

Education, in general, is also about “Referencing the Future” at different levels.  Globally, the push for a greater emphasis on technology-driven learning opportunities, such as “Anywhere, Anytime Learning” and blended learning come to mind.  It is important that we, as teachers, reference the future.  The future that we are preparing kids for is far different than what my teachers prepared me for…or is it?  It’s easy to look at this younger generation and offer a lamentation on how they can possibly take care of us in our later years.  Sometimes their actions do cause concern about how the world will be when they are in control.  That hasn’t changed over the generations.  Not only did my parents wonder if I could provide for the future, but I am pretty sure that Adam and Eve had some discussions about Cain and Abel.  Here it is – make it a point not to get caught up in that talk about this generation not being ready to take care of us later on.  Instead, let’s do something about it now.  Reference the goals you would like them to achieve.  Let them know just what it is that you want them to “get smarter about.”   Pour into the kids that you teach.  Infuse some practical knowledge along the way.  Show them how things tie together.  Teach them about the relevance of your subject.  Get excited about what you do.  Tell them how this affects future college and career readiness.  Make the most of every opportunity.  Ponder this for a moment – some student, under your direction today, may be a future President, the scientist who discovers a cure for cancer, or the writer of words that stir a nation.  The investment you make today in the lives of these kids will pay rich dividends.  Our future is determined by the influence we have on the present.  As we “reference the future”, remember that it is sitting right in front of us.