A Superintendent Shares... The Problem is Us.

A LYS Superintendent shares the following:

LYS Nation,

I recently moved to a new district, to serve as the new Superintentent.  It was soon brought to my attention by coaching staff that my son was not going along with the athletic program.  Of course I spoke with my son, told him it was important for him to be compliant and to set an example for other athletes.  I was really pretty hard on him for pulling such a stunt in the first place.  So, the next afternoon after arriving at home I asked how the workout went.  He said he didn't workout.  I was furious.  I was very disappointed in my son and I wanted answers.  My son quickly explained that since it was game day the coaches were busy so the non-varsity athletes simply played dodge ball.

Ok, so the coaches expect kids to toe the line, and I expect my son to be a role model, but the adults decide to take a day off and let the athletes play dodge ball? 

My new district is considered (by both the state and myself) low performing. We have to set an example of hard work, every day, every minute.  There can be no free time, loafing, not showing up to class on time, ice cream socials at central office, when we are not adequately educating the students in our charge. This district has a culture that does not instill consistent values of hard work in students.  But how can it, when we the adults do not model hard work?  The result is our climate is suffering, and of course both academic and athletic success is considerably lower than the full potential of our students.  We have work to do, and it starts with modeling expectations and work ethic.

As Cain famously says, “Adult Practice Drives Student Performance.”  I can promise you until we start to live up to this in my new district the engrained habit of blaming kids is now officially over.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: LYS / TASSP Advanced Leadership Academy (Keynote); The 4^th Annual Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote) 
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