Your Enduring Influence

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to life forever."

-Mahatma Gandhi

Through out my schooling (elementary through undergrad) I was very insecure about my learning and thinking ability. I never looked at myself as a synthesizer of data or intelligent. Along the same lines, I did not affirm my own ideas or validate them.

While working at Lafayette High School (after graduating with my B.A. in 2004) my security guard colleagues were talking about Artie McCoy, my former high school math teacher, who was returning to the district as the new Director of the VICC Program.

I had not seen him in nearly 6 years. Later, as I was leaving LHS for the day,  Art was driving into the school. There he was, in a gray suit, gray car, and black dress shoes. 

Recently, he had just finished his Ph.D. from USML. Wow! “He must be extremely smart to earn a doctorate by his late 20’s!”, I thought. Quickly, as I processed his success- my self doubt started. I told myself I could never accomplish such a      “tall-task.” At 23 years old, I was looking for guidance. 

Still intrigued, I started asking him questions that sunny afternoon about the dissertation process, the complexity of his course work, and the time spent studying and writing. He told me, “If you want a doctorate or anything, you can do it. It is hard work, but if you are willing to put in the time-you can make it happen.”

Regardless of my position, he took out the time to motivate, inspire, and show me what hard work and success looked like, sounded like, and felt like in our profession.

                     

As I continued to progress in my career, I remembered his encouragement. Once I arrived at Maryville University in pursuit of my doctorate, nearly six years later, I understood the power of his advice.

In this arena, we are models of success, social capital, professionalism, leadership, communication, validation, and conflict resolution.

Everyday our students are looking to you for guidance and leadership. When school has dismissed, I know you have provided these attributes in some manner. 

On Friday, for 45 minutes, I had a conversation with two 6th grade students. I could have spoken to them for several hours! They were full of life and energy; they had so much to say. I hope by talking very little and listening more, I modeled respect, kindness, and compassion. 

You know, maybe our assessments cannot share our enduring influence on our students. However, in five, ten, or fifteen years down the road, our students will remember your inspirational words, your positive interactions with them during their "ah-ha" moments, your after school good-byes, and your tough love. They will understand you truly care about them as a learner, a student, and most importantly, a person.

You are to our students what my former math teacher was to me-a model of leadership and guidance.


-Rodney S. Lewis, Ed.D.