Letter from the Superintendent - April 2014
As I progress through life and look for inspiration for teaching students and try to figure out how education needs to change to adapt to “today’s students,” I look to quotes from successful people and read their many ideas about a variety of topics. I look at how I can personally live my own life to do the right thing and set a good example for my own sons. As parents or caretakers we hope to be doing just that: being a POSITIVE, supportive and caring role model while not being an enabler, because we either don’t want to hurt our children’s feelings or damage their ego. It’s a fine line to walk. There are so many negatives our children are exposed to, so the most good examples we can expose our children to, the better.
I’m a fan of Zig Ziglar, a man who built an empire on training individuals to be successful. The other day I came across a free download of quotes from his website and gleaned this gem:
“The best way to raise positive children in a negative world is to have positive parents who love them unconditionally and serve as excellent role models.”
It’s an easy thing to say, but much, much harder to do. I struggle with it every day with my own children. It’s a tough job to continue to be supportive and positive when our kids do something we don’t like or aren’t achieving at the level we think they can achieve. I say embrace the positive, use the missteps as a learning tool, try to praise in public and punish in private. Most importantly, however, is to “Walk the talk,” (not just “talk the talk”). Children will repeat what they see and hear from us. We are all teachers in that way. As Zig Ziglar also says, “You must manage yourself before you can lead someone else.” I think I’m going to keep that in mind as I work day to day.
I would like to finally thank our patrons and students who made the best of our interesting weather for Prom night. It wasn’t the best weather in some ways, but the moisture certainly was a blessing. We embrace the positive when at all possible. Thanks for your continued support of our students.
Sincerely,
R. Todd Porter