serve

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Matt Sanders’ Day!

StuCoSBMEach January, we pause to express our appreciation for a very special group of volunteers: the Midlothian ISD School Board of Trustees. The 2014-2015 Board members are Todd Hemphill (president), Keith Hitt (vice-president), Matt Sanders (secretary), Duke Burge, Jim Mentzel, Tom Moore, and Carl Smith (trustees).  We were especially proud to honor Matt Sanders this morning during our weekly Miller Rally to recognize and celebrate his work!

Usually, we don’t think of school board members as school volunteers, but they do, in fact, volunteer to serve.  School board members give their time, energy, and counsel to the school district without pay.  They take on the job of governing the district – making the best decisions they can for our children – with the full understanding they will receive only the satisfaction of their contribution.

Their contributions, however, should not be understated.  The volunteer efforts of the school board members have the potential for tremendous benefit to the community as a whole and to the lives of the students individually.  By serving the district in this important governance role, school board members lay the foundation for the future.

The men and women who make the time to generously provide this important public service do so because they care.  One StuCo member noted, “They care about their our education, they care about the schools being the best they can be, and they care about the next generation–ME– and my future in this community!”  Yes, it is the selfless act of accepting SBRM-2015responsibility for the educational process that helps our children grow into successful, productive citizens.  Board service is truly “a work of heart.”

Thank you, MISD Board Members!  Here’s hoping you join us in celebrating School Board Recognition Month in January, and take a moment to express your appreciation for the volunteer efforts of our MISD School Board Members!

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Perception and Reality

It’s true; I’m known for saying:  “Your perception is your reality.”  Think about it; as adults we know this to be true!  It was true today when I said it too!  🙂

So…the question was asked by a classroom leader this morning:  “Who do you serve?”  You can imagine the answers shared:  “you, me, each other, our parents, the office ladies (they wish!)”…and the list grew.question-mark2

As these learners pondered the possibilities for who they serve, you could visibly see the connections being made between how they view their role as a learner AND as a classroom leader or teacher.  They realized they truly serve multiple roles in their classroom, thus serving in many capacities (depending on the situation) changes who they serve when.  The real heart and soul of this reality today though was each child’s eagerness and willingness to SERVE!  🙂

In his powerful book, One Word, Jon Gordon writes about finding that one word each year to live by fully each day.  As back in August, my word this year is SERVE.  I do my personal best to SERVE.  Some days I’m highly successful; some days I need to do better.  The word came to me in a whisper last summer…one of those moments where chills and a calling literally walk along the path with you unexpectedly.

It’s truly remarkable to listen to learner perspective on any given topic because you never know the angle each child brings to the processing table.  Learners engage in the experience based on multiple factors, the least of which is their own understanding or unique perception of a given situation.  It is their personal experience helping to create their own personal reality, thus, their perception is their reality.

This particular class has chosen the word SERVE this spring as a special focus for the next few weeks.  I’m excited to see and hear about their progress…their perception and their reality!  🙂

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Who do we serve?

On almost a daily basis, I’m known for saying:  “Your perception is your reality.”  Think about it; as adults we know this to be true!

So…the question was asked by a classroom leader this morning:  “Who do we serve?”  You can imagine the answers shared:  “you, me, each other, our parents, the office ladies (they wish!)”…and the list grew.

As these learners pondered the possibilities for who they serve, SONY DSCyou could visibly see the connections being made between how they view their role as a learner AND as a classroom leader or teacher.  They realized they truly serve multiple roles in their classroom, thus serving in many capacities (depending on the situation) changes who they serve when.  The real heart and soul of this reality today though was each child’s eagerness and willingness to SERVE!  🙂

It’s truly remarkable to listen to learner perspective on any given topic because you never know the angle each child brings to the processing table.  Learners engage in the experience based on multiple factors, the least of which is their own understanding or unique perception of a given situation.  It is their personal experience helping to create their own personal reality.

This particular class has chosen the word SERVE this spring as a focus for the next few weeks.  I’m excited to see and hear about their progress…which begs the question today:  Who do you serve?  🙂