I can’t believe it.

• The symposium is over–already!
• It was in the 80s today- whaaaat?
• I have already packed for the airport tomorrow.
• A gelato place would have the nerve to close at 6pm.  I know, right?

Today was the final day of the STAND Austin Leader in Me Symposium.  Our conference has been held at the Hilton Austin this week and let me just tell you- they do not skimp on the food service.  Despite a few runs around the gorgeous downtown “lake” area, I’ve probably gained 10 pounds.  Maybe it was a good thing that gelato place was closed.

While we left the Hilton yesterday for school visits, today our entire day was spent on the sixth floor of the hotel in various general sessions and breakout sessions.  The morning was opened with student talent.  Elementary school students from a local school brought down the house with a Leader in Me lyrical re-write to Katy Perry’s “Roar.”  Fantastic way to start the day.  Following this, a young man in fourth or fifth grade gave the introduction to our keynote speaker- Mrs. Muriel Summers, Principal of A.B. Combs Elementary School and the first lady (if you will) of Leader in Me schools.  The introduction was impressive in itself, and it needed to be.  Wow.   Mission: reaffirmation of respect for Muriel Summers- accomplished.  Her main talking points (and the highlight of my day) today were:

1. Make every single second count.  “The value of time is the value of life.”  We have 23,400 seconds with our students each day to leave a “heart-print” on their lives.
2. Recognize your own greatness so you can help others to recognize theirs.  Tell them- “I see this in YOU.”
3. Teach with passion and LOVE.  You can teach someone how to teach others math. Or reading. Or test taking strategies.  You can’t teach someone how to teach with passion and love.
4. Relationships MATTER. We might not immediately or ever see the benefit of taking the time and effort of building relationships, but it is important. Muriel asked us to shout out the name of a favorite teacher.  We applauded those teachers.  Then she challenged us to be the kind of teacher who might have her name shouted out at a conference one day. Not because of a test score.  Because of a relationship.
5. Celebrate differences. “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.”

“Children are the living messages we send to a time we may never see.” ~Neil Postman

I wish you could have been with me to hear her speak- my notes don’t do it justice.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to be encouraged, reaffirmed, and motivated by such a leader.

The rest of the day was spent in three breakout sessions of our choosing.  It was tough to decide but I narrowed it down to the following three:

1.  “Keeping Things Fresh along the Journey”-This sounds like an odd choice for someone representing a school that isn’t officially in the process, BUT the speaker was a school counselor I had really enjoyed from the general session yesterday, and the description looked like something applicable to our specific situation. It was. I’m bringing lots back to discuss with my team from this one.
2. “Leadership Tools for Staff and Students”- Very practical guide to “leadership tools” (think: graphic organizers) that can be used to improve thinking and leading skills with students and staff. Loved it.
3. “How to get started with the Leader in Me”- ($$$$$$$$$)  #lifegoals “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. This was very helpful, and reviewed/explained the steps necessary and the order in which a school can begin the process of becoming a Leader in Me School.  If you are reading this and have a vast amount of funds you are looking to invest in a fantastic and worthwhile cause, call me.

The day ended with celebrations (a school received it’s “Lighthouse Milestone”) and closing thoughts.  Here’s one shared by Muriel Summers:

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” ― Mark Twain

Today might not have been the day I found out why, but it was a few days of reminders.  Reminders that my life’s work has importance.  Stripped from the bureaucracy, verbiage, state mandates, and current love affair with test data, at its core my chosen profession is the manifestation of what I believe in, and who I am.  I stand for academic excellence. I stand for each student. I stand for student potential.  I stand for empowerment. I stand for leadership. I stand for greatness. And I bet you do, too.

PS- My class is going to be THRILLED- my suitcase right now contains 25 Austin,TX pencils, and an email address of the principal of their new Texan pen pals.