I’ve been reading “The Leader in Me,” by Steven Covey today as I sit in a boat rocking gently on the shores of Lake Murray in steamy South Carolina. It’s been quite a year and just prior to the ISTE Conference I went on retreat. Retreats are restorative. Prior to the retreat I had been burned out. In fact I was so singed I was considering staying home and just giving up. Well, I’m glad I went on retreat. I got the catharsis I needed and then I went to the conference. I prayed that I would keep a beginners mind at the conference and remain open to the spirit. On Monday morning the spirit began to move in me as I listened to the words of Dr. Covey and students from A. B. Combs Elementary School speak of how they applied the principles of the book, “The Leader in Me.”
I’m a person who lives from my heart. In the past two years I’ve taught and worked with children whom I love and for whom I’ve taken some responsibility. Earlier this year I worked directly with our superintendent, studied data and demographics and looked for ways to change the school culture while uplifting students and teachers. Now, thanks to Dr. Covey’s book and the leading of the spirit I have some answers and more importantly a direction in which to move. I already wrote our superintendent who could hear the change in my “voice.” I’m grateful the spirit didn’t give up on me even though I had given up on it. I’m grateful to all who pray for me each day including the wonderful people at Gratefulness.org. I’m grateful to for all the people who sustain me each day with their thoughts and prayers. Namaste!
Hi, Don. Saw that you are a Navy vet. So was my dad. Am reading The Leader in Me now and just emailed to have the Covey folks contact me so we could see what it would cost in my school. I teach 7th (first year at it after 20 years teaching 6th) in Stockton, CA, proudly known as Forbes Magazine’s “Most Miserable City in America.” So not true . . . but we’ve got our issues. One is that we aren’t teaching the whole child. Daniel Goleman of Emotional IQ fame is a Stockton boy. Since I read his book, I’ve been certain we were on a distorted path. I hope Leader in Me isn’t cost prohibitive! I hope it’s a slice of the silver bullet we’re needing here in “Misery Central.” 😉 Here’s to both of us, our renewed spirit of expectation, and the hope that all our kids can find their inner leaders . . .