Two Salespeople

Once upon a time, there was a shoe company that was looking at expanding their market. In an effort to collect information on potential sites, the manager sent two salespeople to a distant country to explore. After a week, a message was sent from the first salesperson back to the manager. The message read, “It’s hopeless! There is no chance for expansion. The people here don’t even wear shoes!“. Shortly after that, the manager received a message from the second salesperson. The message read, “It’s wonderful! There is a huge opportunity for expansion. The people here don’t even wear shoes…yet!”

This is an old story and it was shared with me by Debbie McFalone. The tale may not be new, but the message is as relevant today as when it was first told. It’s often not the situation we find ourselves in that determines our future, but rather how we choose to respond to our situation. The second salesperson demonstrated not only a positive attitude, but more importantly a Growth Mindset! I know if I were the manager, who I would be sending to future sites.

As educators, we face challenging situations each day. We also have a choice every day as to how we respond to those challenges. When I look at the world of education today it’s filled with budget shortfalls, near-sighted political agendas, unstable family structures, and increasing poverty rates across the nation. But it’s also filled with teachers that care, technology that can give the quietest students a voice, parent volunteers, and student and community partnerships to serve the underprivileged. It’s the best of times and the worst of times in education. I guess it’s all at how you look at it. I think you know how I choose to view things…and that’s what it all comes down to. A choice.  Do you see a hopeless situation or a wonderful opportunity?

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” – Milton Berle

“Everything negative – pressure, challenges – is all an opportunity for me to rise.” – Kobe Bryant

“The only place opportunity cannot be found is in a closed-minded person.” – Bo Bennett

• Monday, April 30: Student of the Month Assembly 9:05 AM, M-STEP Testing Begins, PTA Meeting 7:00 PM
• Tuesday, May 1: MET/IEP K.P. (Kurtjian) 8:15 AM, IEP for DT (Pisko) 2:35 PM
• Wednesday, May 2: Jon to District School Improvement 5:30-7:30 PM
• Thursday, May 3: Staff Meeting 8:05 AM (Led by Jen Medellin), Jon to ABC Negotiations 1:30 PM
• Monday, May 7: Celebrate Monday Assembly 9:05 AM
• Tuesday, May 8: Achievement Team A.M. (Gruenwald) 8:15 AM, Fire Drill 1:30 PM
• Wednesday, May 9: Elementary Principals Meeting 1:00-4:30 PM, PTA Board Meeting 2:30 PM in Conference Room
• Thursday, May 10: Collaborative Learning Time 7:50-8:50 AM
• Friday, May 11: Jon to Lansing for MEMSPA Board of Directors, PTA Spring Fling 6:00-8:00 PM
• Friday, May 18: Grade Level Planning Meetings (Rotating Subs), F&P Data due in Illuminate
• Monday, May 21: iReady Window 3 Opens 
• Friday, May 25: Staff & Students dismissed at 12:10 PM
• Monday, May 28: No School for Memorial Day
• Thursday, May 31: SHS Seniors Graduation Clap Out 11:20 AM
• Friday, June 1: Garden Dedication / Time Capsule Ceremony 2:00 PM
• Sunday, June 3: Family Tiger’s Game 1:00 PM
• Thursday, June 7: Building Based PD 7:50-8:50 AM
• Friday, June 8: Field Day
• Monday, June 11: Fourth Grade Celebration in PM
• Tuesday, June 12: Kindergarten Celebration/Concert 1:30 PM
• Thursday, June 14: All-School Assembly 10:00-11:00 AM
• Friday, June 15: 4th Grade Clap Out 11:30 AM