What I’ve come to realize through many years in education with many different experiences is that the ability to champion someone else starts with being our own champion.
This is where the theory and the practice get muddled. In theory, we can say, “I can be my own champion.” But in practice… it’s a rollercoaster.
Have you noticed that when you get ready to be a champion and begin to work at being a champion, you are faced with cynics, dreamstealers, and complacency?
Have you ever had someone to say to you,
“Are you sure that you’re the right person for that?”
Or what about… “I don’t think that’s going to work.”
I once had a teacher say to me: “I never trust a female in an authority position.”
In the case of Rita Pierson’s quote, “Every child deserves a champion…” maybe you’ve heard people say,
“It IS what it IS with THOSE kids.” or “If he doesn’t care, why should I care?”
This past year, 2020, has shown us all kinds of difficulties and challenges. It has caused us to pivot in ways we didn’t know we could, and it forced us to create a new dialogue and perspective about education, how we lead, and what we value.
As we approach the close of the calendar year, we begin to think about what the rest of the school year will look like and how we will be different in 2021. I challenge all of you to join me in this journey. Let’s be our own champions so that we can champion others. We are going to face negative people and those who think it can’t be done. Let’s change the narrative. Let’s not wait on someone else to do that; let’s take the lead on having hope, doing the work, and forging ahead.
The event I chose was when Roger Bannister broke the 4-minute mile record in 1956. Until Bannister did it, no one believed that the mile could be run in less than 4 minutes.
What a legacy that has been left by Roger Bannister and Rita Pierson! It has me asking the question of myself, What legacy will you leave?
Teach like a champion. Walk like a champion. Talk like a champion. Lead like a champion. Work like a champion. Love like a champion.
Bring it on, 2021!
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