The luckiest, most fortunate people
on the face of the earth are those of us who work in the schools.
We see the shine of enthusiasm in the eyes
of our little ones. We see the spirit of hope in the faces of blooming
adolescence. We see the challenge and optimism of our young ladies
and gentlemen who will graduate in coming years.
There can be no finer occupation than working
with youngsters, observing their triumphs and defeats, praising
their success and helping to lead youngsters down the path of discovery.
That is why we are the most fortunate people and indeed that answers
the question, what is a school?
Each school is its people, working to lead,
to teach, to feed and to bus and to clean rooms.
We are public employees, to be sure, but
we are also human, subject to human frailties. When we come to work
and deal with children, we forget our problems; we learn and continue
to learn lessons from the experiences of our children. We, who work
in your school, are continually renewed by the innocence of youth.
Where else can a person help another person
to grow and in doing so help our society to grow and expand?
We are fortunate, indeed. Thank you for allowing
us to work with your children. We appreciate your trust and hope
you realize, as I do, that a school is its people.
We couldn’t be luckier.
*****
Our schools are beginning the fall activity
season. Over 50,000 students are involved in the fall activity programs
for the A and B Squad, sophomore and junior varsity levels in volleyball,
tennis, cross country, soccer, swimming and football. Cheerleader
squads and the bands in each of the member schools support these
student athletes. Great things are happening.
Research studies tell us that in
Minnesota’s high schools those students who participate in
League activity programs do better in their academic programs and
have better daily attendance at school than an average of the school
population. The Great Thing about our activity and academic programs
is that they contribute to our primary mission: to lead our students
to build a better world.
“How to build a better world?
Not by chart or plan. But teach the boy how to be a better man.”
(Ralph Abernathy, Southern Christian Leadership Conference).
Be good, wave to a neighbor and cherish your children.
‘Teachers and Our Mission' is the copyrighted © property
of Marty Duncan - Omagadh Media, 2004.
Contact him at Marty.Duncan@omagadh.com
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