The Value of Parents

September 9, 2016

Welcome Back To School!

I really enjoyed the opportunity to host Back-To-School Night this week! Our express goal was to connect parents and teachers.  I hope that was accomplished -- if it was not, please let me know ways in which you think I could do a better job to accomplish that goal.

While I have tremendous pride in our teaching staff and know that my staff are the best advocates in educating your children, I often find myself admiring the power of parents on Back-To-School Night.  Your/Our influence on our children is undeniable.

If you haven't noticed, please take a moment and look at the bulletin boards that are in our upstairs hallway.  Each staff member in our building took some time to write about their formative experiences as children in elementary school and posted a childhood picture. I have found myself stopping to read these stories and I have noticed that many of us cite our parents as teachers.

My own parents have been in my thoughts lately as a result of this staff project. At this point in my life, I admire their "retirement energy" and enjoy watching them be grandparents to four grandchildren.  My parents spend a great deal of time leading efforts to help military veterans and their families in the Denver Metro Area.   They also travel a bunch -- they have recently spent time in Scandinavia and Northern Europe. I am finding myself reflecting on my years when I walk by my kindergarten picture. I find myself easily remembering my childhood and the lessons Mom and Dad instilled along the way...  it doesn't seem that long ago, even though four decades have passed since I was in Mrs. Barton's kindergarten class.

But, what did I learn from Mom and Dad in preparation for my role as a school leader?

• I learned the ethic of hard work and dedication.  My father worked long hours in his career.  Nonetheless, he would often wake me up early in the morning to help me with homework or take me to basketball practice when I was a teenager.  My mother, a teacher in her early career, made sure my brother and I were always reading. I recall being enrolled in three summer reading programs as a 4th grader. Their dedication to my success sent a clear message-- "learning is important, you will work hard in your learning, and you will find success in your learning by working hard."  I hope my students will learn this message by the end of 5th grade and see me model it in my work.  I hope they know that I'm joyfully tired at the end of my work day and that they alone make my efforts worth it.  I hope that my staff knows that it's a personal privilege to work hard and serve the students and families of this community together.
• I learned that showing compassion and care for all stands above our own goals and success. If we’re not willing to put others first, then any glory we achieve individually is meaningless.  As a high school student, I was nationally recognized for my community service.  That honor was not about me -- it was a direct result of my parents expectations for me and their values. As a school leader, I know that anything we achieve as a school community is because we have high expectations for one another, support one another, and we seek out common values that hold us together.
• Be accountable. Both of my parents made mistakes.  However, they also made sure to learn from them or admitted the mistake and fixed it.  I remember dad getting a speeding ticket when I was a kid.  Do you think he deceived the traffic officer with a made-up story? No way.  The words from his mouth were truthful and direct. Dad knew that choices always determined outcomes and in this case, his choice led to a traffic ticket. Mom and Dad always expected that we finished what we started and tasked my brother and I with daily and weekly routines.  As a principal and as a father, I make mistakes -- my wife and my staff know this too well!  I hope I learn from mistakes and make a better school and a better family through such experiences.  

If you’re a new parent, don’t underestimate the power you have to mold your little ones. Your influence in their school lives has potency. It may be so potent that your son or daughter ends up being a principal one day.