I’m sitting here in my office as we start the 2019-2020 school year. Students are in their classes, teachers are their rooms, and we are off and running. It has been quite a journey to get to this point. Over the course of the last 90 days, our school building has gone through a massive renovation, the cost of which has eclipsed $1 million.
I enjoy movies. Films which contain unnecessary and/or over the top explosions, a training montage where the protagonist prepares himself for his 6’6 Russian opponent, and perhaps most importantly, limited development of characters’ inner feelings are generally quite appealing to me in a movie.
Gene Bartow—John Wooden, Jay Leno—Johnny Carson, Tim Floyd—Phil Jackson, Harry S. Truman—Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Most likely, you have arrived at the significance of these pairs of names; they are legends in their respective worlds preceded by the people that followed them, the ones who were asked to “fill the shoes” of a legend.
Christian leaders have a good sense of timing. They know that time is a gift from God, that God’s timing is always perfect, and that the Bible talks a lot to say about time and timing. Indeed God tells us to make “the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). He also encourages us to make the most of our time because “you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life?
By JOEL LANDSKROENER
From 1967-80, one NBA point guard exhibited the essence of cool in everything he did. Number Ten. For the New York Knicks. Walt “Clyde” Frasier! When I was a kid, there was one number my teammates clamored for when the basketball coach handed out uniforms—Number Ten! Not because it was a number expressing perfection as in a “Perfect Ten.” No, it was the number denoting “cool.”
By CARY STELMACHOWICZ
I want to thank my colleagues who contribute to the ALSS Journal. Your words and thoughts serve as inspiration to many as we struggle through our days and ways as leaders. Thank you for reminding me to never give up and to surround myself with Christ-centered people who live for others.
As a leader, your surroundings are of the utmost importance. Over the years, I have learned that while some of what surrounds me is beyond my control, much of it is within my control with the help of God. Life as an administrator can be lonely at times, and having people that you can trust and count on is imperative.
“Giving up.” These two words alone can provide a very negative connotation. After all, so many messages that we hear, and rightfully so, are designed to motivate us to keep going! Often times, when we are faced with difficult situations and challenging decisions, we have an internal choice. We can do it, or we can give up.
Welcome back to a new school year! Hopefully it’s off to a good and Godly start.
As a leader in your school, are you trying new things this year? How about your teachers? How are you and they engaging and communicating with people—your parents, donors, volunteers, faculty, staff, and students?
The truth is that it is easy to fall back on the tried and true methods of sharing information, which generally results in passive learning and participation from your audience.
