The Sleeper Must Awaken

Those who know me well, understand that I am a Sci-Fi geek.  I'm very comfortable with my nerdiness:)  One of my favorite books (and movies) is Dune.  There is a particular scene where a father tells his son how much he will miss the sea when they move to the dessert world that will be there new home.  He follows that up by saying without change, something sleeps inside us and seldom awakens.  Throughout the film, the hero is reminded of his father's words that "The sleeper must awaken". It's essential for his growth, self-discovery, and ultimately in fulfilling his destiny that he accept change and learn to adapt and even succeed in the face of constant change.  Constant change and various challenges...sound like the world of education?

One of my "go to" books is Leading in a Culture of Change by Michael Fullan.  I was lucky enough to hear him speak at last year's MEMSPA conference and I use his book as a resource when I teach online courses for the University of Phoenix for aspiring administrators.  It's a constant reminder to me that good leaders and good educators don't try to avoid change, they embrace it and even thrive in it.  Our students often must deal with change that is beyond their control...changing family dynamics, moving houses, which may lead to attending a new school.  I'm certain that all of you have experienced the frustration of working diligently with a student only to find out at the last moment that they are leaving.  Or worse yet, finding out after they have gone. It's frustrating, because we know that with a little more time, a little more effort, and a little more stability, that child could have been successful at our school.

Educators live in a world of changing legislation, changing assessments, and changing student populations.  Our students live in that same world of ever-changing environments.  The wisest people I know, understand this and embrace the change with an unchanging attitude of "I can do this and I can help my students do this too".  I don't have to read Dune to see someone learning that change helps us grow and shows us what we can become, I can see that in our school each and every day.  Teachers, students, and parents, we all need to keep on growing and embracing the change.  Otherwise, something may sleep within us and seldom awaken...and that something is passion.  Let your passion for helping students shine even in the midst of constant change and together we can all grow as professionals and as a team.

"The sleeper must awaken"

Click on this link to see the very short video clip from Dune

PEARLS OF WISDOM

"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." - John F. Kennedy

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

"Very often a change of self is needed more than a change of scene." - A.C. Benson

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tuesday, November 11: Picture Retakes in the afternoon.

Wednesday, November 12: IEP (Casucci) at 8:15 in Shannon's room

                                            Parent-Teacher Conferences 5:00-8:00 pm

                                            Dinner will be provided in Room 18:)

Thursday, November 13: No Students

                                         Parent-Teacher Conferences day and evening

Friday, November 14: No School (Enjoy the well-deserved long weekend)

Tuesday, November 18: PBS Committee 8:05 am

                                        District PBS Meeting 1:15 pm (Jon and Denise)

Wednesday, November 19: IEP (Bartnick) 8:15 am

Thursday, November 20: Staff Meeting 8:00 am

                                         Elementary Principals' Meeting 1:00-4:30 pm

                                         Rosedale Skate Night 6:00-8:00 pm Riverside Arena

Friday, November 21: All Principals to Churchill High School for Data Analysis 9:00-11:00

                                    Hearing Testing in afternoon (K,1,2,&4)