Month: May 2024

Balancing Self Discipline with Voice and Choice

Developing Self Discipline to Success in Life

It became known as the “green moth” question.  For me and my eighth-grade classmates, it was the first sign that Mrs. Goldstein wasn’t like any teacher we’d had before.  It was an ominous indication of the year ahead.

“What color was the moth on the wall?” This is a simple question on a five-question reading quiz.

Really?  That wasn’t in the Cliff Notes!  She wanted us to notice the details.

Mrs. Goldstein’s class was a struggle for me – the entire year.  I wasn’t alone; it was a challenge for all of us.  From reading Shakespeare (Julius Caesar) to Uncle Tom’s Cabin, our reading comprehension was pushed to new limits.  Each writing assignment was reviewed, edited in red pen, and rewritten until it was to her satisfaction – and this was all done in ink, on college-ruled paper.

I didn’t enjoy reading before and long after Mrs. Goldstein’s eighth-grade English class.  I would work hard to avoid it.  Nevertheless, I developed as a reader because talented, passionate, and patient teachers pushed me to improve.  

There is undoubtedly a place for voice and choice in educational reading options.  For many students, a book that interests them will be more motivational than an unfamiliar topic.  For some reading assignments, giving students options makes sense.

Classes like Mrs. Goldstein’s English class are just one example – schools are more than a compilation of individual classes.  Our public schools also teach values, interconnectedness, and personal skills.  The skills learned through reading a classic work of literature are more than the simple act of reading comprehension.  Studying historical periods, perspectives, and culture instills a deeper understanding of the world we live in today.  

Moreover, the discipline required to read Emily Bronte or F. Scott Fitzgerald developed skills that served me well in every other class after that.  It wasn’t my choice to read those books, but rather my choice to do the work.  As students, when pushed outside our comfort zones, we learn how to learn.  

I’m not advocating abandoning all student voices in today’s learning environments.  I believe it’s essential for students to understand their likes and dislikes, skills and challenges.  As with all things, balance is critical.  As educators, we can’t abandon the responsibility of teaching discipline and skills to our students.  We can’t forgo the classics, reading about our past, no matter how difficult it may be.  At the same time, we can give students some voice and choice in their learning. 

Our teachers are trained experts who know their craft and have experience in the field.  We entrust these dedicated professionals to focus on the subject they teach and develop critical skills in each student.  Teachers must be allowed to find that balance for their students.  Some assignments, at any grade level, may involve options for students, while other assignments may be for the entire class.  

I don’t remember many specifics from the books we read in Mrs. Goldstein’s eighth-grade English class (although I remember The Moth was Green, and I don’t particularly appreciate reading Shakespeare). Still, the skills and discipline I learned in her class built a foundation that has stayed with me.  Attention to detail matters – taking the time to do things well matters.  It wasn’t my choice what we did in class, but it was my choice to apply what I learned long past my experience at Gideon Wells Junior High School.

Impromptu Meetings Rock – Virtual Meetings Don’t

I’m done with virtual meetings.

Just the other day, a civic leader from the Columbus Community reached out to schedule a meeting. When we agreed on a time and date, I received a calendar invite; I was disappointed to see it was a Microsoft Teams meeting. I responded to the email, saying, “I don’t do virtual meetings with local leaders. Please let me know the nearest Panera to your location, and I will meet you there at our agreed-upon date and time.”

We are now meeting in person for coffee.

Humans are social beings. We function best in families, teams, and groups. We thrive in authentic relationships with skilled colleagues who bring divergent approaches.

Our district has scheduled meetings—with planned agendas—to conduct the organization’s business. Our Cabinet meetings are on Mondays, the academic team on Wednesdays, and the Student Services team on Thursdays. These meetings are valued because they provide clarity, support, and accountability. Scheduled meetings are necessary for consistent operations.

In my extensive nineteen-year tenure as a superintendent, I’ve come to cherish the most unexpected and valuable meetings- the impromptu conversations leaning against the threshold of a doorway. These meetings, sparked by a simple question about a colleague’s children, often lead to gaining invaluable perspectives about ongoing district issues. The magic happens when these conversations pull in another colleague just walking past or when an intentional text message requests another leader to join the discussion. The real solutions are found in these meetings, characterized by high trust and problem-solving.

The pre-and post-meeting conversations about your weekend or family event are not just small talk-they are the building blocks of connections and trust. These connections, forged in the real world, not on Zoom or Meets, are the strong foundation for authentic trust. Our ability to absorb non-verbal cues and respond with feeling is a unique aspect of in-person interactions that cannot be replicated virtually.

Lean into each other, build real relationships, and improve culture and behavior. When we trust each other and know each other as people, we push each other to improve. When we are safe to share our own fears and faults, we lift each other up as a team. The real conversations, the impromptu meetings, are where the magic happens. We aren’t virtual beings—we are the real deal.

Leaving the World a Better Place

Paying it Forward for Tim Kight

Character is the cornerstone of trust. Before you can lead others, you must first manage yourself.  Nothing can happen through you until it first happens in you. The culture of the organization begins with the character of the leaders. – Tim Kight

My dear friend and mentor, Tim Kight, was recently called home to God after a valiant battle with cancer. Tim’s life was a testament to his unwavering dedication as he coached and uplifted others until his last days. While he is renowned for his work on R-Factor, teaching E+R=O to adults and children alike, his true legacy lies in those he trained to prioritize love and leadership.  

In the decade that I was blessed to have Tim as a friend and mentor, he shaped me into a better husband, father, son, brother, and, most importantly, a better man. Tim taught me to understand my mindset, how I responded to the events in my world, and to act with purpose. I learned to understand the impact an emotional rather than intentional response has on the outcome of each situation.  Our frequent conversations challenged me to push my skills to the edge – and to look inward when the outcome didn’t meet expectations.  Tim taught not only self-awareness but also how to build self-awareness in others.  

Tim and I often discussed that the most important message you communicate is your daily attitude and behavior.  I am intentional in my desire to lead with faith, hope, and love. Tim’s coaching of me and many other leaders is a legacy that leaves the world a better place.  While the systems and Focus 3 will continue to engage organizations, schools, and communities, those of us who have Tim’s message happening through us will continue his work.

I already miss my dear friend and mentor.  While I won’t have him to call when I need wisdom or advice, and while I’ll still think about sending him a text when a student shares a press pause moment, I will reach out to others in collaboration.  My goal is to serve others as Tim has served us.  Years ago, Tim wrote in an email to me, “Exceptional leaders create their own energy, and they focus their energy on things that matter. They love their work, and the team they work with, and people can feel it.”  We all felt Tim’s love – now let’s continue his legacy and live with that same love ourselves.