“Whatever you are… Be a Great One!”

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The educator that I am today is not the same one I was when I first started teaching. I am not the same as I was a year ago, a month ago, or even a day ago. I strive to ensure that I am a better educator than I was the day before, and do whatever it takes to accomplish this. Many things in life have instilled this ideal in my head including a quote from another, better known leader, which helps guide the way that I live. Abraham Lincoln once said, “Whatever you are… Be a good one.” I love this quote because it is so applicable to all facets of life, and especially in schools, but I’d take it a step farther.

 

I rather use the quote, “Whatever you are… Be a Great One.” Greatness is not something that comes easy, but to have that mindset and to exert yourself to accomplish greatness takes you farther in all you do. In the book Good to Great, Jim Collins states:

           

“Good is the enemy of great. And that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great…Few people attain great lives, in large part because it is just so easy to settle for a good life.”

 

Because of this, I strive to be great at whatever I do. I want to be a great father, husband, son, brother, instructional leader, friend, colleague, and so on, and do not want to settle or be complacent with good. I want the same for my staff, students, and community. Settling for good scores and being a good school may be easier to do, but that only teach our students to settle. Jim Collins also says:

 

“When (what you are deeply passionate about, what you can be best in the world at, and what drives your economic engine) come together, not only does you work move toward greatness, but so does your life.”

 

I entered into the field of education to help teach, nurture, and guide the young minds of our future towards greatness so that they in-turn have great and successful lives in the many facets that they will enter in to.

 

To take this mindset and make it real and attainable for all stakeholders, I have established an entry plan with goals to be my guide and compass in the trek to becoming a great leader and leading a great school.

 

Entry Plan Goals:

1. Building relationships that foster a great school through a culture of collaboration and trust

2. Establish a system for clear communication with all stakeholders

3. Develop an understanding of the many and varied experiences, beliefs, and perceptions regarding the strengths, challenges, goals, and expectations of our staff and school.

4. To clarify the priorities of our school that emerge through the process to establish a culture of greatness that never deviates from doing what is best for kids.

 

Possible Activities and Timeline:

​

​