Mr. Ahaus, from Florida, called to tell me I had been selected to become the first teacher director of Third Grade Academy. This was an opportunity I could never have imagined. Everything happened with ease, almost like a dream. It was time to get serious about how my vision as an educator was transforming. I was about to step into an administration role. I was excited. I was terrified. I was ready to take on a challenge and lead.
I was thirsty.
This thirst to create curriculum, build assessments, collaborate with businesses around the city, build my staff, and literally paint on a blank canvas was unbelievable. I was handed the authority, responsibility, and accountability to lead a successful program, and I realized I had found my next passion.
I wanted the program to be successful. I needed the students to be successful. So my focus and dedication came to my staff. I passionately listened to them, worked alongside them, equipped them, and empowered them to make the instructional decisions they felt were best for their students. I wanted them to be successful, to feel the success, and to feel my thirst. Most importantly, I wanted them to feel this thirst and not stop there.
Winston Churchill said "Success is never final." We can't be happy with living in our comfort zones. Initiatives, visions, goals, and daily choices, both professionally and personally, must continually strive for success. I thirst to make those around me see their success, motivate them to work towards a shared vision, and empower them to get there. I find perseverance by serving those around me.
To lead is to serve. While I thirst for this opportunity to motivate others I also know it must be His will.
"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others" (Philippians 2:1-4)
When opportunities, such as TGA, present themselves, that is God smiling down. Dad's word, Just Love, are in my heart and mind everyday. I now try to fill the hearts and minds of those around me with His love. Serving others is the first step to being able to lead others.
Appreciate what God has given you in your daily moments. Live in the moment but understand you are not meant to stay in that moment. God fills us with Love for others. Find your way to serve and watch for the intentional opportunities that He puts in your pathway.
Above all: JUST LOVE.
