I have a pretty random and diverse blog this week....where else can you combine topics like the failed superintendent search at OPS and Brett Favre?
THE OPS FIASCO
I’m saddened by the botched superintendent search for Omaha Public Schools. Lots of people are piling on, pointing fingers, and making jokes about OPS and that’s too bad. As someone who loves Nebraska, I realize we need OPS to be amazing. Right around 20% of the state’s public school students attend OPS. We need them to excel for the sake of our state, not just themselves.
The things that make Norris, Millard, Gothenburg, York, and many other places amazing school districts are our attention to detail, community and staff pride, and team-like atmosphere. OPS can take note and learn from some of their smaller counterparts. OPS is not too big to succeed. They can be the most amazing urban school district in the nation.
OPS needs to use “The Nebraska” in them to become elite. Grit. Relentlessness. Common sense. Unselfishness. No excuses. Reciprocal Accountability. Follow-through. Communication. Difficult and Awkward Conversations. They can’t be too proud to make some changes. They need to take this time to re-focus, re-connect with their students, staff, parents, and patrons, and earn back trust.
Omaha Public Schools is a good district. It is full of lots of talented and dedicated people. They need to come together and forge ahead committed to becoming the best they’ve ever been. This is their opportunity to turn adversity into improvement.
Back in 2000, when I had just become the principal at West Point Elementary in West Point, Nebraska; I visited OPS to learn about their ELL programs. They were doing amazing things and they still are today. Don’t bash OPS as a system. There are many award-winning programs and processes in place.
Nobody that loves Nebraska should root for OPS to fail. There's 53,000 students in that district. They can be the shining light for the rest of us and I hope they do so.
“Tough times don’t last, tough people do.” I’m rooting for OPS to right the ship.
BRETT FAVRE
Over the weekend, I watched “A Football Life” about Brett Favre on the NFL Network. I’ve always loved #4 and the way he played so hard and gave so much. This 60-minute documentary talked about his love for his family, how he treated everyone from the garbage man to the trainer to the coaches to the owners to the food staff the same way, and how he is the same, simple southern boy that just likes to be outside and at home with his loved ones, despite being worth millions of dollars.
He was always very friendly and a prankster with all. That says more to me about what kind of man he is….that’s way more important than touchdown passes and MVP awards. His daughters told stories of how he would embarrass them when he dropped them off at school by rolling down the windows, blaring loud music, and tossing tennis balls at them as they walked away.
Brett Favre has never taken himself too seriously and I love that about him. He’s the same dude no matter where he goes. There’s nothing fake about him. He played hurt because he loved the game and he didn’t want to let his teammates down. He had fun and he made those around him laugh and feel good about themselves. Wherever Brett Favre goes, he takes Brett Favre with him.
Cheers to Brett Favre from Kiln, Mississippi…even though he helped upset my beloved Seminoles in the opening game of the 1989 season when he was slinging the pigskin for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.
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