Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln is considered by many to be the greatest President in the history of the United States.  There is good reason for such thinking.  Lincoln “saved” the union through his efforts during the Civil War citing that “A house divided cannot stand.”  He endured military leaders who weren’t up to the task, threats on his own life, a cabinet that argued almost daily, the loss of one son to disease, much public opposition to the war itself and great loss of life. He wrote the Emancipation Proclamation “Four score and seven years ago…” that was the forerunner to the 13^th amendment which provided freedom to slaves. He had many famous quotes, but he was much more than words – he was a man of action.  He was the driving force behind the Homestead Act, which allowed poor people in the East to claim land in the West for a chance at a better life. He signed legislation that began agricultural and mechanical colleges (A&M) in each state. He established a network of national banks.  He started the first transcontinental railroad. His speech at Gettysburg is considered one of the greatest speeches of all time in which he calls on Americans to not simply remember those who lost their lives on that battlefield, but to carry on and finish the task.  The purpose was to save a nation.  He did that.  Of all of the famous Lincoln quotes, this one hits home – “At every step, we must be true to the main purpose.” (1859) He exemplified this through his actions.  We, as a nation, are forever in debt to him.

At every step, we must be true to the main purpose.  Just what is the main purpose of what we do in schools?  It is easy to cite things like getting the kids ready for the state test as the main purpose.  That would be the wrong answer.  Maybe you believe that the main purpose is to get kids ready for the next grade level.  Maybe you believe that the main purpose is to get high scores on the quarterly exams or the big summative assessments.  Maybe some think it is all about the ACT sequence or the attainment of high grades.  Maybe it’s all about mastering standards.  None of these are the main purpose!  These measures are all RESULTS of staying true to the main purpose.  Our main purpose, as educators, is to make a difference is the lives of kids every day.  Does that sound ridiculous? To some people, it is ridiculous in this “data point society” that so many embrace as the gospel truth without ever looking at the vast number of variables that need to be factored in.  Look at it this way – can you point to one single thing that makes the overall difference in why, in broad terms, we are a really good school.  Sure you want to teach well using the most effective techniques you can muster. You also want to use formative assessments to inform your instruction. You want to engage kids in their lessons and a hundred other things about the “science” of teaching.  Often, it is the affective side of this student/teacher relationship that causes the biggest change.  Are you a cheerleader for your students?  Do they know that you have their best interests in mind?  Do they know that you care?  Do you talk with them?  Did you ever ask them how things are going?  Did you ever get that shovel out and dig a little bit into what they are going through. Were you an encourager this week, last week, last semester, the whole year?  These things all go into this huge equation that many on the outside call “success.”  I know this – when I hang it up, I will not spend much time sticking my chest out about high state test scores.  Nope, I will be remembering those “silent victories” that caused great results in areas that may not be included in a newspaper article.  Most will never know about these, but I will.  Be true to the main purpose – making a difference in the life of every kid that comes your way.