More than your Role, and the Power of Yet

Last week we had an assembly to introduce our teachers and staff to the new students and reintroduce them to our returning students.  The teachers all got into a line at the front of the cafeteria and I expected a quick recitation of “I am Mrs./Mr. SoandSo and I teach this and that.”, but instead we heard stories about what the teachers liked, where they have visited, interesting facts and proud moments.  Yes, they shared their names and teaching areas, but more importantly, they shared a little bit about who they are, not just their name and position.  I was thrilled that they did more than just introduce themselves, they connected with the students.

This past summer I had the pleasure of hearing Brian LaDuca (@B_LA_D) speak and among many other things that he talked about I was struck by the idea of not being defined, and limited, by what we do and approaching our life with our purpose, not our profession.  So started my talk a little differently:

“I’m Mr. Showers, and I want to be so much more than a principal.  My hope is that this year you will find out all the many things you can be if you choose to explore your interests.”

Speaking with the students, we talked about my summer learning to be a researcher, animal behaviorist, and landscaper as I fought a losing battle with my dog and her desire to dig down to the molten core of the earth.  I shared that I found out that there are many reasons for dogs to dig, but one of the major ones is boredom.  So I built a sandbox with my rudimentary carpentry skills, filled it with toys, and sat back as…the dog dug holes in both the sandbox AND the yard.  I explained that although it was technically a failure, I learned that my dog loves her sandbox and that I can at least square up a few boards to build something.  It wasn't a defeat, it was learning, so, back to the drawing board. The newest strategy is trying to grow grass over the layer of chicken wire laid down as a barrier to the dogs excavating skills.  We shall see...

We finished with the idea of the power of Yet, and of being bigger than your current role.  I have not solved my hole problem…Yet.  I am not the best carpenter or landscaper, yet. None of the students in the room have not mastered the 6^th grade content, or learned how to play their instrument, or draw or play soccer… yet. All they have to make their life being as rich and as big as they want it to be is to try, and know that failure is not the end; it is just the beginning of yet.