Tying It All Together

The school year started with a story about a pig and a chicken and closed with a muse about scouting and leaving it better than you found it.  In between, there were stories of deer crossing signs, peanut butter sticking in various places, air traffic controllers during 9-11, turning the ignition on, cairns from the Plains Indians, and playing music.  In October, I wrote about the oldest tree in Lake County, Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “Late for Your Life”, Wayne Gretsky skating to where the puck is going to be, and carving pumpkins with my oldest daughter.  November brought stories about lions hunting near water, honoring our veterans, my hatred of marshmallows, and the real meaning of Thanksgiving.  In the cold of December, I wrote about another day at the beach, great coaches, and It’s A Wonderful Life.  January brought Walter Cronkite, NFL reviews, and transistor radios.  February’s stories recalled a man with a special wooden gift, putting a little glass in your nest, expecting big things, and to “quit acting like you’re from Cleveland!” March brought us what 90 stood for, junk drawers, March Madness, and the constant chasing of kids.  After Spring Break, I finished the final quarter with life in the “Way Back”, referencing the future, paying tribute to our “Roadies”, hang gliding, public servants, keeping your powder dry, and finally, leaving it better than you found it.   I hope that you found a personal favorite.

The common thread among all of these writings was this:  we get to do something special every single day.  No matter where you are at in your career, know that what you have a chance to do is special.  Not everyone gets this chance.  We get a chance to make things stick.  We get a chance to make a difference.  Yep, that all sounds real gooey and you make think this belongs on a poster – but it is the truth.  The opportunities that we get are not afforded to all. Make the most of every opportunity.  Focus on what is good and right for kids.  Be fruitful.  Know where you want to take them.  Have a vision and don’t let logistics get in the way of that.  Create a memory every day.  Be purposeful.  Be intentional.  Make a difference.  Adjust your strategies along the way.  Lead by example.  Make the most of every opportunity.  Leave a legacy.  Pour yourself out, and let someone fill you back up.  Tell them what you want them to get smarter about.  Make a difference.  Make intentional classroom decisions.  Be tuned in as to where kids are.  Put a little glass in your nest.  Make the most of every opportunity.  Expect great things from your kids and tell them about it.  Realize that kids often have a lot in their personal junk drawers.  Be prepared in and out of season. Chase after the right things.  Use a variety of strategies.  Make a difference.  Reference the future.  Trust that you have prepared your students for the summative assessments and the standardized tests.  Be a public servant.  Make the most of every opportunity.  Define your aiming points. Leave them better than you found them. Make a difference.