A former colleague of mine is going to be a first-time grandfather. While he definitely seems too young, there really is not a timetable for such an event. He posted on Facebook, “I’m not sure which is more difficult for me to fathom: - that the boy who made me a father is becoming a dad, or - that he is making me a grandfather.” My timetable has not brought such an event to me just yet – I am fine with that, by the way – but it did get me thinking about how important it is to me that I am seen for my efforts. For the majority of my life I have believed that these efforts have had me “looking up” to those I serve more than “looking down.” These thoughts orginated from the perspective of a son: Was I making my parents proud? But my friend's post got me thinking.
If you have read some of my previous posts, you know that while I was a teacher, I also was a high school coach. Looking back on those years, I wanted my athletic directors to be proud of the job I was doing. I knew that my players might not always see my efforts or the greater picture of growing through competition (more than just the wins and losses), but I hoped that most of the parents were able to see this. I wanted them to be proud of their child along with the team.
Over the years I have also worked for many bosses, and while they were all unique men and women in different positions (principal, Department Chair, superintendent, assistant superintendent, Director of Teaching and Learning, and Executive Director), again, I always did my best and wanted them to be proud of me. This Acts of Service, I have come to learn, is my love language, and I now realize that it is not just for my own parents, for my bosses, or for the parents I have served. I believe it also has been for my students – former and current – and now includes my colleagues and my staff. Does everyone feel like this and want to make others proud of them?
My friend’s announcement on becoming a grandfather has helped me acknowledge how important this is to me personally and professionally. I have been given the opportunity to make others proud of me and the opportunity to help others be proud of themselves. Just like when I coached, parents can be proud of their child as well the "team" (Spectrum Middle School). This year's district theme is about connection. There could not be a better way to connect, to make others proud, than by working together as a learning community.
The novelist Toni Morrison said, “It's interesting to see, when a kid walks in the room, your child or anyone else's child... does your face light up? That's what they're looking for.” It is the end of September and the challenges of this year's growth have begun. I hope our faces light up when kids walk in the room and they feel that we are proud of them with all of their challenges!
Weeks at a Glance
- September 25 - 29: Homecoming Week
- September 29: Pep Fest
- October 3: Sixth Grade Field Trip to Heritage Lab
- October 4: Student-athlete Eligibility Suspensions