We have this one life. It is an overused but incredibly powerful statement. I was telling one of my kids not to worry about what other people think of them. I said, “Just follow Jesus and live your life boldly. You can’t worry about what others think about you. Some day, all of what you see will pass away. Your relationship with God is all that matters. Follow Him.”
As I write this, my mind turns to Billy Graham. I got to know a little about the Graham family when I worked hurricane relief while I was in college. Samaritan’s Purse was in a couple of the places that I spent time. Anyway, I was watching Billy Graham one night on Larry King Live. Billy Graham said this, “We need to invest in people – not money.” Invest in people. Hold that thought….
Some news I have had to sit on….but I can finally talk today as the news in now out in the community. When we mismanage, mistreat, and misunderstand people….they will seek to leave. I have said for months(and this was not by accident) that the cost of inaction (by KCS leadership) was possibly losing the best administrator in Kingsport. This person is just really, really good at their job. Their door is always open to anyone who needs help – always. This person has been a constant “spiritual anchor in the storm” for our school system. It is a shame that other systems value our employees more than we do. KCS all to often seeks to humble and humiliate its best educators. This has been going on for longer than I can remember. I don’t understand it. I have seen Harvard graduates pushed out the door. I have seen a former starter from the women’s basketball team of the University of Kentucky sent packing(and a D-B alumni). We are somehow unable to recognize great educator talent and retain those folks. And nothing gets done about this – nothing. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
Our school system is full of people who mock the very people who are working diligently to be the professionals we need them to be. Meanwhile, our current leaders think we are showing courage by blocking a homeschool kid from being on the D-B wall of distinction. We are withholding good from a student who deserves it when it is in our power to help.
We desperately need to get our house in order, or I think that we will lose more and more talented, current and future teachers and admin. Worse, the very students who we educate won’t want to come back and work in the community which raised them. Who wants to come to a place which suppresses innovation and creativity? I have seen this cycle too many times to count in KCS – I know how this story ends. We retain people who love themselves and love numbers. We lose the people who care for our families and treat their employees with respect, professionalism, and dignity. We are potentially losing someone who invests in people – not in test scores and not money but people.
While many will be at the Chamber Dinner tonight, this person will most assuredly be returning a phone call to the parent nobody else will give the time of day. This person will be handling a behavior issue so it will be put to rest on a Friday evening and won’t fester to Monday morning. This person will take a phone call when someone needs wise advice.
Who is willing to step in and break the cycle of KCS losing its best people to other systems? If we lose a great administrator, this will negatively impact nearly a thousand students and their families. It will negatively impact nearly 150 employees. Do you really want to be on the side of the lazy bums celebrating this decision?
Invest in people, not money. Be bold.
In closing, I am reminded of Proverbs 3. I will post a portion of it here. Honestly, this gets to the heart of the matter. I could have posted this, and it would have gotten the point across.
Proverbs 3
For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
and her wages are better than gold.
15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 She offers you long life in her right hand,
and riches and honor in her left.
17 She will guide you down delightful paths;
all her ways are satisfying.
18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
happy are those who hold her tightly.
19 By wisdom the Lord founded the earth;
by understanding he created the heavens.
20 By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth,
and the dew settles beneath the night sky.
21 My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
Hang on to them,
22 for they will refresh your soul.
They are like jewels on a necklace.
23 They keep you safe on your way,
and your feet will not stumble.
24 You can go to bed without fear;
you will lie down and sleep soundly.
25 You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
26 for the Lord is your security.
He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it
when it’s in your power to help them.
28 If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,
“Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”
29 Don’t plot harm against your neighbor,
for those who live nearby trust you.
30 Don’t pick a fight without reason,
when no one has done you harm.
31 Don’t envy violent people
or copy their ways.
32 Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord,
but he offers his friendship to the godly.
33 The Lord curses the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the upright.
34 The Lord mocks the mockers
but is gracious to the humble.[c]
35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools are put to shame!
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