From: Brett Findley
Columbus
A young man and his mother moved to town this past summer, and he enrolled at CSA Lincoln Elementary.
He came to us with a list of behavior concerns as long as your arm. His mother couldn’t recall a time that her son felt successful in school.
After just six weeks, he told me that his current teacher was the best teacher he had ever had. To date, he has had zero discipline referrals. For the first time in many years, he says he has friends.
I’ve spent some time with him, but that’s only when he is volunteering as a peer mentor in the primary grades or getting recognized for positive behavior. Academically, he’s now at or above grade level in all content areas.
As the principal, I get a frontrow seat every day to watch our teachers change lives. For seven hours a day, they pour their heart into ensuring our children feel loved and are successful. I see it in their eyes, and I hear it in their voices.
You don’t need to know who this student is to get behind the referendum. You don’t need to know a child who goes to school with him. You don’t even need to know who his teacher is (although she deserves all the credit).
The only thing you need to know is that because of this teacher, this student is trending up. He’s going to be a productive citizen of our community. He may one day work with you or for you. He might one day be your neighbor or sit next to you on Sunday morning.
When considering whether to support the referendum, ask yourself this question, “If not for this teacher, where might this child be in 10 years?” Keeping great educators in BCSC is good for everyone.
