Vision, yet again...

Acts 26:19 - "I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision."  The only way to be obedient to the heavenly vision is to give our utmost for God's highest, and this can only be done by continually and resolutely recalling the vision.  "Though it tarry, wait for it."  We cannot attain to a vision, we must live in the inspiration of it until it accomplishes itself.  I never want to get to the point of getting so practical that I forget the vision and become so distant from the taste of it from the very beginning of when it was born.  Missing the fulfillment of my vision is a disloyalty to God.  So, it is essential to practice the walk of the feet in the light of the vision.  Every footstep.  Every sixty minutes in each hour.  Every sixty seconds in each minute. 

Will you choose to be GREAT?

‎"Leaving a great legacy is not a skill-set, it is a mindset. The mindset of CHOOSING TO BE GREAT!  When you choose to be GREAT you think less about the reason why not and and you think more about the plan for HOW.  When you truly believe that you'll be GREAT you'll think less about what you don't have and you'll think more about what you must create.  When you truly believe that you will NOT FAIL then you think less about your weaknesses and you think more about what skills you need to learn and develop. When you choose to be GREAT you concern yourself less with your successes and you think more about what you can do to help others succeed." 
- Jeremy Beard '95 LA

What Role Will You Play?

In May of 2007, during my BC (Before Corps) days I would have answered the questions something like this: "I plan to become the best teacher I can be and close the achievement gap for two years and then earn my Master's in Business."

Now, February 18th, 2011 I inspirationally respond to the question from a very different point of view.  "I am the role I will play, and the role is who I am.  My life as I know it, first and foremost, is dedicated to God.  So, now I have a vision for what the rest of my life will consist of and the passion that drives me is not just my role, but it's who I am.  I can't wake up one morning and convince myself I don't want to do this anymore because then I'm not true to myself.  It's ultimately why I am designed the way I am... therefore, I don't have a choice, but again I don't need one.  I have a purpose in this life to be an educational leader and the achievement gap is my antagonist.  I am inspired and at the same time I truly replicate Geoffrey Canada's perspective when he says, 'I thought we would go down fighting for the cause.  But now I'm thinking that we could really win!  Right?!  Because this is like... this is like a new thing!' Jesus is the author and finisher of my faith and the faith He's given me is the ability to realize that, "One day every child will have his or her own right to attain an excellence education," and I'm just a soldier on the battle field living in this war and fighting for the cause!" 

If I could create a Venn Diagram it would have adjectives such as selfish, self-centered and resume-booster on one side.  On the contrary, I would have passionate, visionary and faith contrasting.  In the center, ONLY BY PURPOSEFUL CHANCE, I would have "leader."  See, what I realize is that our purpose will one day see itself through in our lives as long as we are true to ourselves and to God.  So, I propose to you all... what role will you play and how have you defined that role?

Next Level

This transcends all sectors and includes any type of career you're in: as a leader each "next level" you attain requires more COMMITMENT, DEDICATION, and TENACITY.

The more you develop as a leader and go to the next level, the fewer the leaders will be in that new level you're at.  The reason is because commitment, dedication, and tenacity MUST increase as you go up.  Are you willing to rise up with more commitment, with more dedication, and with more tenacity than you have now?  The answer to this question will reflect your success as a leader.

Everyone Needs Someone

I think one of the most effective ways that costs absolutely nothing, but is extremely invaluable, is to believe in someone 100% of the time no matter the circumstance, the odds stacked against them, or what critics may say.  This released hope is one of the best ways to EMPOWER someone else when they receive that genuine belief.  Sometimes even family isn't the one to give you that hope or belief that you can make it... so, moving forward I'm making a commitment from now on to be that individual who unconditionally believes in others especially when no one else does.  That's true empowerment!

Alarming Gap in Wisconsin Education

A staggering fact about Racine Unified School District... With over 21,000 students (6 high schools consuming about 1/3 of those students), only 20 African Americans took the ACT exam with only 1 scoring over a 22.  Contrary to that, the state of Wisconsin contributes to the second highest ACT scores in the nation next to only Minnesota.  That's apartheid!

Vision

In order to be a leader, a great leader at that, one must have a vision.  Without a vision how will you guide and lead your students towards high expectations and academic achievement?  What is your definition of a vision?  When I think about a vision I want to get an exemplar example or the perfect model... just like I would in the classroom, provide an exemplar model.  So, automatically what comes to my mind when I ponder the meaning of leadership and a vision I am immediately drawn to Jesus.  Jesus had a vision, in this sense not a supernatural appearance, but rather an ultimate goal and foundation for His purpose in life.  His vision was given by God.  How did He lead people?  Did He ever deter from His vision?  Did Jesus ever comprise his character, integrity, and supernatural ability to please someone else?  Did Jesus hold true to His vision and bring many from out of darkness and into the light?  I've had only two postings... one from LaToya (thanks!) and one from myself :(.  I need more intelligent minds to come together and share their thoughts, ideas, opinions in order to create a successful discussion and conversation.