Finish the Race

Questions. Man, do I have a lot of them, especially right now. This Corona thing has me a bit confused, a little scared, and a lot excited. Not excited in that “butterflies in the belly” excited. Excited to be stretched, challenged, and to grow. 

Nothing like a quarantine, and mass school shut down to speed up every teacher’s entry into the 21st century teenage life. Our school, like almost every other school in the nation, received word last week that we would be going on a three week spring break and that every teacher would be required to put together a digital lesson that would encompass both new and review material.

We were told to put this two week lesson together but to anticipate being off longer. Rumor has it three weeks could easily turn into eight weeks, if not more. That makes it difficult. We are so accustomed to teaching in front of our students, seeing their smiling faces, making sure that we put in their hands everything that they need. Now we are all being challenged. How do we enter this new digital era of online learning for our students?

How do we put together lessons that are rigorous but not too rigorous? How do we assess learning when the kids are at home? How do we make sure that they are gaining the information they need to be successful in the future? Above all how do we make sure that our students know that we are thinking about them. That we love them. That we support them. And that we are just as nervous as they are but want to see this through with them and beside them? Ah, my head is spinning. What am I going to do?

One of my daily habits is to read one chapter out of the book of Proverbs a day. There are 31 chapters so in most months I get all the way through the book. It has become part of my “Win the Morning” routine. That reading of one chapter is just as essential to my morning routine as my coffee, a podcast or two, and a good book. If I don’t read it, I don’t feel complete. Everyday there is at least one verse that really stands out to me. The verse that jumped out at me for chapter 18 is verse 15.  It speaks very clearly about the process of becoming the best version of yourself.

“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”

I read that and knew instantly that it was now my second theme verse for this “Corona Era.” 

It’s time to acquire knowledge. It’s time to seek knowledge. This time off is going to be a time to grow and model life-long learning for family here at home, and for my family at school…students and fellow teachers. No stopping, BUT pushing even harder.

Everybody knows I am a huge Justin Sua fan. Today’s episode (episode 1112: Finish the Race) coincides perfectly with our current situation. We need to “finish the race.” Listen to the podcast. These messages don’t align themselves on accident. There is a message here. A message of perseverance. A message of “seeing it through.” During these times of the unknown, seek knowledge, and listen. Our end goal changes, no matter what it is we set out to do. Adjust your goal, adjust your method and finish the race. 

Your teachers are. We are adjusting every second of the day. We are changing by the second.

Here is the amazing thing…all of the teachers I have spoken to, online, but especially in our schools feel the same way. They have attacked this paradigm shift with enthusiasm and energy. They are doing the best they can to make sure that our students are okay. They are embracing change and envisioning the future. They are in the race, and they are going to finish the race, and we are finishing it side by side with each other and with our students. Why? Our students deserve our best, and we are committed to our calling.

I recently read a quote in Mark Batterson’s book, The Circle Maker, that really resonated with me, especially now. It is a quote from Daniel Bunham, the chief architect of the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. That fair began with a vision and ended up “wowing” the world with things unimaginable. His quote, and goal encompass what our mindset should be during this time: “Make no little plans, they have no magic to stir men’s blood.”

Do not make little plans…make huge plans. Set BIG goals. In the words of Jim Collins, put together your Big Hairy Audacious Goal! BHAG! Take this time to reinvent yourself. Grow, stretch, embrace. We have been gifted time. Let’s take advantage of it.

I am not naive, I am nervous. I do not know what the future holds. I am concerned about the health of my family, I am concerned about the health of my students, and I am concerned about the health of this nation. But…there is a silver lining. I am home. I am connected.

Stay strong. Stay together. Stay motivated. This too shall pass.