And just like that … A new adventure

Some years ago, (a number that I prefer not to mention or even remember), I was a bad little snot?in elementary school. From kindergarten through the start of 6th grade I may have spent just as much time in the principal's office as I did in the classroom. My grades were great.?Perhaps the?only reason I never got kicked out of school was because, despite my antics, I was a straight-A student. Yet, laced between every exam I aced were ridiculously bad behaviors. I recall throwing my backpack at a teacher, calling people terrible names, shooting?spitballs?and doing various other obnoxious things that kids, who are typically labeled as “troubled”,?usually do. My parents were called to the school so much that many of the students and teachers knew them by name. Despite this, my report cards had loads of perfect grades in black ink alongside the one big red F I always received for conduct.??

Then came 6th?grade and Mrs. Davis. I still vividly remember her calling me to her desk after hearing me call one of my classmates the “b” word. She told me sternly, "Adam Stanley.?I’ve?heard about you and just want to make sure you know that this behavior problem stops with me. I will not have it.”??

She assigned me to draft an essay on why I called the student that word. You should know that for many of my childhood years, I loved to argue so much that?I was sure I wanted to become a lawyer.?So, in true kid-who-wants-to-be-a-lawyer form, my ten-year-old- self explained the definition of said word, presenting a detailed argument and rationale for why that word was?an accurate?description. I?won’t?get into the full argument, but it involved explaining that a particular animal in a particular season can be extremely difficult, objectionable, or unpleasant and that my fellow classmate had similar tendencies and traits. (I warned you I was a little?snot,?didn’t I?)?

Mrs. Davis was not impressed. Well, she was, but she certainly was not going to let me know it! She did not let me get away with that, nor did she give up on me. Rather, she challenged me daily. She helped me to channel the energy I obviously had, and she pushed me to use my passion for good. She realized that I was bored by the curriculum and class work being assigned to me and recognized that I needed?added?stimulation. Yet, she never let me get away with the bad behaviors. Somehow, by the end of the school year, Mrs. Davis helped me to transform into a different person. My parents wrote Mrs. Davis such a remarkable thank-you letter that it made it into the school’s trophy case. (Come on! Was I really that bad?!?) To this day, despite that fact that it has been decades since I have seen Mrs. Davis, I give her much of the credit for who I am today.??

Teachers. They have the power to do what I have described here and so much more. We live in a world where many children do not have the luxury of growing up in a fully functioning household with parents who have the time, energy, or ability to take part in their education. Teachers become?in loco parentis: they stand in the gap and often must substitute. When a child is not performing to their potential, teachers can see that?green shoot of greatness?and nurture it to growth. Therefore, a teacher’s impact is tremendous, especially in America, where the social support network is not as strong as in other regions of the world. The gap between the wealthiest and the poorest among us is pronounced and continues to spread for generations beyond when it began.??

For many years, I have shared the story of Mrs. Davis with family, friends, and colleagues to acknowledge the impact of a teacher and other key people on my life. I have applauded the efforts and achievements of my mother and sister- both lifelong educators; my father - a police officer, all my uncles, aunts, and cousins who have served the country through?military, waste management, transportation, postal work, or other national service.

Through these years, I have always?been known?as the corporate guy.?I have been blessed beyond measure in my career, having held multiple CXO titles, served on various non-profit boards and even joined the board of a publicly listed company. Today, I want to share that I have agreed to move from the sidelines and join the fight for equity in education directly, working with an incredible, storied organization at the heart of educational change: Teach For America (TFA). TFA has existed for over 30 years to enhance outcomes in education and is “working to realize the day when every child has an equal opportunity to learn, grow, influence, and lead.”?

Education is clearly not a challenge that can be solved by one solution. In fact, TFA openly acknowledges this on their website “No single solution will bring an equitable and excellent education to every child.”?I've?read many of the blogs, both positive and negative, about the role TFA plays in this ongoing quest for solutions.?To some extent, every?societal problem ties back to how children are raised, nurtured, and educated. Climate change. Healthcare. Crime and violence. Hunger and homelessness.??

The one thing those who are seeking solutions can agree on is?that providing all children with access to a quality education is a crucial piece of the puzzle.?Only once we improve outcomes for children, can we really begin to change the country and the world. This is my chance to contribute?to?a solution to a problem that has the potential to reach across culture, language,?socioeconomic status?and generation. I acknowledge and offer a sincere thank you to those of you who have been doing this work for some time. I encourage the rest of you to consider joining me in this effort. Please stay tuned for more!?

The first part of living a successful life is knowing what you want to get out of it. For me, that means doing work that leverages my skills and interests, allows me to make an impact and contributes to the greater good. It is obviously up to you to decide what ideals you want to live your life by. Do what works for you, but please always try to do for the greater good. I would love to hear from you.

Be well.?Lead on.

Adam

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Overcoming Obstacles to Change