No Excuses Leadership

The Neediest Among Us

I have a dear friend, Jenn, whose parents immigrated to America from Taiwan.  She's about as good a person as you'll find.  Her husband Gordon, who is an equally exceptional human being,  has a similar story as he himself came to the U.S. at the age of 14. They have two terrific kids, good jobs, and live in a nice neighborhood.  Yearly, the family takes several vacations as they build the kinds of memories we all hope to make with the ones we love.  It would be fair to say that their life is rich with hard earned rewards.  But, none of this makes them special.  What makes them special is that they have never forgotten their roots.

Jenn and Gordon do more than offer help when asked.  Instead they seek out the neediest among us and work to find solutions to their problems.  Embedded deep in their spirit, they are unafraid in expressing candor through their advocacy.  When they see the wrongs in their community, they act. They are polite but passionate, and patient yet unrelenting.  My friends know who they are, but more importantly, they know who they serve.  I'm lucky to have such models to look up to as an educator and a person.

TAKE ACTION

In the chaos of our day, we often forget why we do what we do.  We're here to serve our students and their families.  It's easy to serve the ones that know the system and how to navigate it.  It's harder to serve the ones who do not. The neediest among us require that we advocate for them with a spirit of candor and a heart of service.  Think of a family who is need of your BOLD leadership today.  Go help them.

BE BOLD

"Men and women who fight the suppression of the human voice, who fight disease, illiteracy, ignorance, poverty and hunger. Some are known, others are not. Those are the people who have inspired me."

- Nelson Mandela -