There was a special guest yesterday!

Colleagues,

On Monday evenings, Pam teaches a class of teacher-interns. These are college students in their final semester doing student teaching. This past week Pam had a special guest – me! I was there to work with them on establishing classroom procedures, but that’s not today’s topic.  
 
As I worked with these wonderful people, I was struck by how little they know and how enthusiastic they are. Please, don’t think I am disrespecting them by saying they know only a little. Teaching is incredibly complex, and a beginner knows very little compared to a 30-year veteran. On the flip side, the passion and optimism of these soon-to-be teachers was amazing!
 
So, here’s what we need to think about as leaders:

• How do we help new people to understand that they don’t know what they don’t know?
• How do we help them to learn what they don’t know?
• How do we help them maintain that passion and optimism?

 
If you can do all three of those things, the future is bright. However, for today, try focusing on the third bullet. 
 
Do this today: Intentionally seek to increase someone’s passion and optimism. Try it!
 
Then tell me what happened. Good luck!
 
Cheers!
 
Frederick