Inspiration

"Unfortunately, I have realized that we cannot completely erase all the evil from the world, but we can change the way we deal with it, we can rise above it and stay strong and true to ourselves. And most important, we can inspire others - this is what makes us human beaings, this is what makes us immortal." --Zlata Filipovic, from the Forward of The Freedom Writers Diary.

The Children's Champion was asked by a public school board member last evening how he would propose to inspire a "tenured staff" and prevent them from going stagnant? This is indeed a challenge, not only for tenured staff, but all school staff members, and not only teaching staff. Our educational system takes quite a beating from the public media. A question one must ponder is why this apparent adveresarial relationship has developed over the years. Ask any trainer of domestic animals and s/he will tell you that if you break the spirit of the animal you are training the damage done is often irrevocable, and and the intended goal of training is difficult, or impossible to realize. It is not different for human beings; break their spirit and you can bid a successful outcome goodbye. Social forces would seem to have much more to gain by becoming a supporting element rather than an overly severe disciplinarian.

At the same time, educators cannot allow themselves to wither under the frequent attacks, but must recommit to their purpose and mission and keep on keeping on. As Anne Frank wrote in her diary on July 6, 1944:
"...we have the opportunity to get an education and make something of ourselves. We have many reasons for great happiness, but we have to earn it. And that is something you can't achieve by taking the easy ways out. Earning happiness means doing good and working, not speculating and being lazy."

Educators must see themselves as the eternal student; forever learning and readjusting their lives according to what they learn. They must become a student of life and learn how to deal with its many vagarities. If they are to be inspired they must commit to inspiring others, in this case their students. When they understand that inspiration comes from within, rather than from without, then they will realize that the greatest inspiration a teacher can experience is to become the inspirer of others; Mahatma Gandhi's idea of becoming the change you want to see in the world.
--George Linthicum