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Sometimes it is easy to overlook the heroics that take place every day in schools across America. I get to witness heroism firsthand every day at Beaufort Elementary. Let me tell you what it looks like…
Imagine driving to work every day with over 50 children sitting behind you…think about it…when my children were young I sometimes found it hard to drive with just two of them sitting in the back seat. Yet every day our bus drivers transport several hundred young children safely to school…and they manage to keep their cool and still let those kids off the bus with encouraging words and reminders. “Go get some 100s for me…learn a lot today…” I hear one driver call out to each child exiting her bus at school. She is a hero to me…all of those drivers are heroes to me…
Imagine cooking breakfast at 6:30 every morning…for about 400 hungry children. When my children were young I felt like I had accomplished a lot if I managed to get cold cereal or a pop tart in them by 7:30 in the morning. Yet every day our cafeteria staff manages to get two hot meals in all of those hungry little bellies…and they manage to keep their cool and send the kids off to class with caring smiles and lots of encouragement. “Get to class now, baby…learn a lot today.” I hear the cafeteria ladies call out to our students and I feel good. Those ladies are heroes to me…
Imagine cleaning up after 504 children AND 60 other adults every day. When my children were growing up, I felt like I was supermom if the kitchen was mopped every once in a while and the dishes got washed once a day. Yet every day our custodial staff manages to polish our building from top to bottom…and still they keep their cool. “Here, sweetie, I’ll help you with that mess…” I watch the custodians work with the little ones and I rejoice! Those folks are heroes to me…
Imagine doing homework with 22 boys and girls at once for about 6 hours a day. Not only do you have to encourage and prod to get those kids to do their work…you also have to create it, grade it, and keep 44 parents up to speed about how they are doing. When my sons were in school, I dreaded homework…even just one hour of it. I felt like I had accomplished a miracle if I got my boys through the homework hour and only fussed at them a few times! Yet every day our teachers and instructional assistants manage to motivate 504 young people to accomplish multiple tasks and to learn more than anyone could imagine…and they do it with dignity and humor and compassion. They do it because teaching is a calling for them like medicine is for doctors. They do it because they want to help shape the futures of these young people…and they do it with very little recognition or financial reward. Those men and women are heroes to me!
The word “hero” came from the Greek word ‘heros’. It meant “a person of superhuman strength or courage“. Another meaning is “champion“. If you would like to see what I see…if you wonder what superhuman strength or courage looks like…if you want to meet a real life hero…come spend a day with me at Beaufort Elementary School. I can show you about 74 of them. They are my staff…and it is my honor and my privilege to work with them.
Vicki
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Vicki,
Comment by Angie Pittman September 17, 2009 @ 9:50 pmWe are honored and privileged to work with you and to call you our leader.Thank you for bringing out the best in us all!
“The best leader brings out the best in those he has stewardship over.”
J.Richard Clarke
That was amazingly well-said. Thank you.
Comment by Brooke Thompson September 18, 2009 @ 7:17 amWow! Starting my Friday with this and some good music in the background. Pretty inspirational. I’m so blessed to get to be here!
Comment by Terese September 18, 2009 @ 7:43 amVicki
Comment by Debbie Springle September 18, 2009 @ 8:28 amIt is so refreshing to work with someone that seems to really want to know what five year olds need. Thanks so much for your support.
Debbie
It is an honor and a privilege to work among so many heros each and every day. Way to go BES staff!
Comment by Jenny Pilcher September 18, 2009 @ 9:07 amI feel very blessed to be under your leadership!
Comment by June Vann September 18, 2009 @ 9:10 amWOW! Vicki, that was GOOD! I know “I” needed it an I feel certain many, many others will need to read it, too! GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THOSE FINE FOLKS, including YOU, my dear! Have an AWESOME day!
Comment by Deborrah Gillikin September 18, 2009 @ 9:57 amWow! I have tears in my eyes. You are so right. Teachers, instructional assistants, custodians, cafeteria workers…. they are all heroes. And, the heroes at BES are lucky to have you as their hero. Thank you for supporting and taking care of my co-workers, my friends, and the teachers of my children! You are my hero!
Comment by Lisa Kittrell September 18, 2009 @ 10:44 amYOU are the real hero here. I feel so lucky just to have known you; you are awesome.I know I have learned so much from you and will be a better teacher because of you. Thank-you!!!
Comment by Laura Leegins September 18, 2009 @ 2:33 pmWhat a privilege it is for my 1st grader to attend a school with so many great heros! We are blessed to have such hard-working, caring leaders at BES!! Thanks to you all!
Comment by Carol September 18, 2009 @ 3:47 pmAs a parent of one of the 504 children at BES. I am privileged to have met many of those hereoes and witnessed them teach and shape my child in ways I could not. I send a great big Thank You to all of the staff at BES: administrative staff, office staff, teachers and assistants, cafeteria staff, bus drivers, library staff, counselors, social workers and many more. Way to go…hope you have a very succesful year. Thanks for all you do!
Comment by Brenda Bridgers September 19, 2009 @ 6:20 pmThank you, Mrs. Fritz, for giving us inspiration, motivation, and guidance. It is an honor to work for a person who truly cares for the people she works with!
Comment by Beth McCreary October 1, 2009 @ 12:17 pm