My Super Bowl

My Super Bowl

At my age, it’s safe to say that the window of opportunity to play professional sports has expired. I did, however, have a meeting today with a student that will forever equate to winning the Super Bowl. Although this particular student has by no means yet reached her potential, she certainly will someday.

When she finished the seventh grade in 2006, she moved from our school district. It was unfortunate for us that she had to finish her middle school career in another state since she brought so many tears of joy to us during her three years here. Everyone who knew her grew fond of her personality and her will to succeed.

Everything did not come easy to her. She was born with a birth defect, cerebral palsy. Over the years, she had many barriers but she also had successes because of her determination to achieve. Because of her physical obstacles, she periodically needed surgery to correct some of her ailments.

As building principal, each year I set a goal of teaching at least one leadership lesson to every student in our school. When this particular student was in seventh grade, I can remember exactly where she sat in her language arts class and exactly what the lesson was about. As a matter of fact, we talked about it today.

One common connector to every leadership lesson I teach is goal setting. At the time, she had just finished a major surgery. After that lesson, she became a goal setter and a leader. Because of her surgery, her early goals were simple: smile, tie her shoes, and walk across the room. Most of us take those types of things for granted.

Over the years, we’ve kept in touch as she progressed through high school, applied to college then got accepted to a college as an education major. She is now in her sophomore year at Queens University. Since the seventh grade, she continued to set goals and move forward no matter what the obstacle. Her best is yet to come.

Because she was in town for Thanksgiving, she came to visit. I told one of the classes I would bring her in when she came to our school. Today, she spoke to a sixth grade class about goal setting. She reiterated the stories I told them about her. She also told the students about the value of service.

When we were walking back to the front of the building, she said, “I don’t know if I ever told you Dr. R. but you really made a difference in my life.” That statement is my Super Bowl, World Series, Nobel Prize, Stanley Cup, and Principal of the Year.  Thank you, Julie!

As an educator, that has always been my goal, to make a difference in the life of a student. And as Julie told me those words, I thought of all the other educators in our building that continue to make a positive difference and touch those kids that will allow us to have a positive future. For all those times you hear those words, keep in mind that there are thousands of times you never hear those words but those words are said about you.  If you are an educator, thank you for entering the noblest profession on earth (and beyond). If you are a person, thank a teacher!!