Vince Lombardi

Vince Lombardi was born in 1913 and passed away in 1970. The hyphen separating those two dates contains an impressive coaching resume.  After coaching football at the high school level, he moved to the collegiate level and then ascended to the NFL, culminating in being named the Head Coach of the Green Bay Packers in 1959.  Coach Lombardi took a fairly  mediocre team and transformed them into a powerhouse in the league.  The first two Super Bowls in 1965 and 1966 were won by the Lombardi-coached Packers.  He was known for his tenacity and a play that revolutionized “smash-mouth” football – the power sweep.  He knew his X’s and O’s perhaps better than anyone in his time, but knew his “Jimmies and Joes” as well.  His practice sessions were brutal and his expectations were high.  Those not cutting the mustard were sent packing in a timely manner.  Probably the most famous quote that people recall from Vince Lombardi was this, “Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all -time thing.”  Vince Lombardi knew that perfection was not possible.  Perfection still isn’t possible.  However, he did realize that in the quest for perfection, excellence was most certainly attainable.  “Relentlessly chase perfection; along the way you’ll find excellence.”  Love that quote and that’s my connection to the message in the next paragraph.

Let’s get this on the table – you will NEVER reach perfection.  Yes, I know the quote “Practice does not make perfect…perfect practice makes perfect.”  Not so fast.  There has only been one who is perfect and we’re not Him.  Don’t misread this message.  It is perfectly fine to seek perfection. It’s perfectly fine to chase perfection.  It’s perfectly okay to run after perfection.  Perfection is just not possible, but excellence is.  Strive to be excellent as a teacher.  “Relentlessly chase perfection; along the way you’ll fine excellence.” What does it mean to be excellent as a teacher?  There has to be that perfect measuring stick, right?  Wrong.  Remember that nothing under the sun is perfect.  So, what attributes do excellent teachers exhibit?  First, they are great relationship builders.  They understand that without the establishment of great student relationships, their chances of being excellent are seriously diminished.  Excellent teachers set learning goals and then find ways to surpass them.  Excellent teachers reassess their teaching daily based upon what students are producing.  Excellent teachers challenge kids in a variety of ways – academically, morally, and socially.  Excellent teachers set high expectations for their students. Excellent teachers are prepared and organized; they are always ready to go.  Excellent teachers engage students once students enter the classroom and keep them engaged.  Excellent teachers communicate with parents on a regular basis because they understand that relationship is a key component of a student’s education.  Excellent teachers do whatever it takes for their students to succeed. Be excellent.