I recently attended the National Title 1 Conference. It was four days filled with informative and inspiring speakers and sessions. I found myself feeling like I really could achieve anything. And then…I had to return to the real world.…
How do we maintain the momentum and inspiration that we gain from events like this? I found myself going over this question in my head. Then, I happened to read an article in the Seattle Times about a Seattle University basketball player who was suspended by the NCAA. She was the team’s best player in the 2008-2009 school year, but was subsequently declared permanently ineligible. She is still holding onto her dream of playing professional women’s basketball. But that is not the inspiring part of this story. This person, in spite of not being allowed to play in a single game during the past two years, has shown up for every early morning practice and even stays late working on her skills. This level of dedication is quite rare and very inspiring. I think this is an example that all of us can use. Our jobs are challenging. Budget crisis and federal requirements add to the pressure of our workload. But here is my thinking- if that girl showed up every single morning for two years, without anything other than a goal and her dedication- all of us can persevere and succeed in the jobs that we do every day!
Coming up: The plans for the 2011 School Improvement Superstar Summit have come together and I am very much looking forward to this powerful day of learning and collaboration!
