Strive To Be the Best in 2015

Often when I visit classrooms, students are engaged in activities, striving to be the best. Though their desire to achieve can stem from parent expectations and competition amongst peers, it can also be inspired or hindered by the learning environment.

Because teachers arguably play a major role in shaping students' lives, it is vital teachers be the very best at their craft.  And, logically, for teachers to be the best they should be supported by the best principals and the best staff.

I was reading a blog post written by a elementary school principal, Keith Peters, entitled, "Be the Best in the World".  Among many excellent points, he states that he wants all students in his school to get the kind of education the students in his best teachers' classrooms receive.  All teachers and staff should strive to be and give their best.  Sometimes people are uncomfortable thinking of themselves as being "the best".  They might feel others will view them as arrogant, or they might feel like they will offend colleagues or others working who may not think they achieve at the same level.  However, should being "the best" bother us?

Being the best is more than a final destination, and is not defined by overcoming others.  Being the best is a continual process with attributes of integrity, passion, and desire, with a willingness to help others achieve this status.  For students, being the best results in their wanting to come to school to see and learn from us.

Why be the best?  I guess I should ask, who wouldn't want to be the best?  Do parents send their children to school hoping their child's teacher is just average, or would they rather have the best teacher in the school?  Does a supervisor hope for employees who do the bare minimum, or would they prefer employees who strive to achieve with pride?

As educators, we have chosen this field of helping students become their best.  Why shouldn't they expect us to be the best?  If we do not strive to be the best in our profession, what business do we have working in education, or more broadly, why should any parent or community member want us working in their school?

A school district should be a community partnership supported by teams of the best educators and staff working to promote and provide the best learning opportunities for students.  I want to encourage all teachers, school staff, and principals to work toward being "the best" in 2015.  Be the best teacher, the best classroom worker, the best office staff...  The list can go on and on.

Are you committed to being the best?

If you are, show it in 2015.