Tuesday, December 19, 2017

The Importance of TRUST

The longer I live, the more I realize that “trust” is the #1 ingredient in any meaningful relationship. Simply put, human beings like to spend time around people they can trust. Don't you like to surround yourself with people you can count on? Unfortunately, we seem to live in an era where you can’t always trust those you encounter. A person’s “word” doesn’t always align with their actions.

Trust often takes a long time to develop. However, it can vanish in an instant. The only way I really know how to establish trust is to do what you say you’re going to do. If you tell someone you’re going to pick them up at 3:30, be there at 3:28. If you promise someone you’re going to pay them back on Tuesday, do it. If you say you’re going to bring a gallon of milk home after work, bring a gallon of milk home...no matter what.

Trust is too often taken for granted. We sometimes think we’re too busy to honor all of our commitments. Once trust is lost, it is impossible to earn back in full. Like so many things in life, trust is won/lost in the nitty gritty details. Trust is earned and lost in the day-to-day functions of individuals, teams, and organizations. Talk doesn't cook rice....your actions speak so much louder than your words...be reliable.

As we head into the 2018 legislative session, “trust” is going to be a huge factor. I believe a big part of the political and financial mess we have regarding school funding is lack of trust between state lawmakers and school leaders. Some state lawmakers don't understand how schools are funded and they don't trust schools to cut their local tax requests if/when they receive more money. Many school leaders don't trust that lawmakers will actually fund public schools like the school funding formula calls for and therefore won't cut local tax requests in a year they might be able to because they are so worried about next year because they have been burned so many times in the past. We lack viable sustainability. We lack long-term vision. We lack trust. We need to be able to look past the next 6-12 months. We can only do that if we vastly improve the level of trust.

I've lost trust in Republicans and Democrats. I want Nebraskans leading Nebraska and Americans leading America. I'm extremely disenchanted with Republicans and Democrats. Give me Nebraskans/Americans I can trust to serve their voters instead of their political parties.

I'm not a big "new year's resolution" kind of guy...way too much of that stuff is just talk. However, as we close in on 2018, I plan to emphasize trust more than ever with my family, my inner circle, and those I work with. I want to be known/remembered for someone that always did what he said he was going to do.

What does "trust" mean to you?






Tuesday, December 12, 2017

A Pep Talk for Educators

This is an open letter to any/all educators in the great state of Nebraska and beyond. Thanks for all you do!

YOU are more important today than you’ve ever been. HOW you do things, WHAT you say, WHEN you follow up, WHY you go to work each day defines your legacy. This year’s freshman class will retire in/around 2068….what they learn in your classrooms this semester will play a huge role in the next 50+ years of their lives….they may very well reference something you’ve said to them or taught them at their retirement reception….it is impossible to accurately measure the impact you make and will continue to make long after you retire….

This year’s incoming kindergarten class will retire in/around 2077….they will learn to read, write, critically think, problem-solve, and work with others over the next few years….skills they will take with them forever….don’t you think your jobs are important? Give it your best effort every minute of every day! I began kindergarten 40 years ago this past August….I still remember things Mrs. Thigpen said to me….how she made me feel….what you do and how you do it matters!

I grew up in a challenging environment with a single mama and needed all the “educational heroes” available to assist in my development. There were numerous times that my brothers and I needed a whole lot more from our teachers and school staff than spelling lists, math assignments, and reading homework.

I was lucky to have several educational heroes that helped me on my journey.

Mrs. Tanner in 1st grade at South Ocala Elementary in September 1978 could tell I needed a little extra attention from time to time and would often subtly check on me with a quick hug, a visit by the chalkboard eraser cleaning tree, etc. She helped give me confidence even though I couldn't tie my shoes and was much slower to learn letters and basic sight words than most of my classmates. I didn't really learn to read until 3rd grade.

Ms. Orlet in 10th grade math at Ocala Forest High School in February 1988 taught me that every day matters and that eyes were always upon you to do the "right thing." She helped me better deal with pressure and high expectations. She was a calming influence during a very non-calm part of my life.

Coach Wayne Yancey at Forest High School from 1986-1990 on a regular basis but the most memorable discussion was on the bus ride home from a baseball tournament in Miami in April 1989 while he had a big ol’ chew of Red Man in his mouth! He taught me to "control what I can control" and to not let all of the things going on around me distract me from my goals. He taught me how to relax a little and not blame myself for mistakes of others. When I came to York in 2009, the theme I spoke about with my staff on the first day of meetings that August was "control what you can control!"

Mrs. Olive Burns at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas in 1993-94. She taught me to grow up! She made me solidify my work ethic and passion for education as a way to make a better life for myself and my family. She made me do away with the excuses and focus on results. She taught me that "pretty good isn't good enough!"

I share these stories because YOU have the ability to have the same kind of impact on kids today, tomorrow, and EVERY DAY in your classrooms and programs. YOU can make the world a better place one person at a time!

NEBRASKA needs YOU – not just your classroom, school, district, or community!
o 318,000 students in our K-12 schools this year
o 45% living in poverty
o EDUCATION is the equalizer….YOU shape the future!

Do you give an A+ effort every day? Do you work the room and interact with ALL of your students? Do you only seem energetic and amazing during walk-throughs and observations? Are you all talk and no action? Are you a Negative Nellie or an Enthusiastic Emily? Do you inspire or intimidate kids?

How will YOU be REMEMBERED? By your students? By your colleagues?

Your jobs are tough....but don't give up. Stay focused on WHY you got into this wonderful profession in the first place. "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing" and in this profession, that is ALWAYS our students. Be better today than you've ever been....not for yourself but for your students. THANK YOU for what you do!



Monday, December 4, 2017

An Open Letter to Husker Football Fans

An Open Letter to Husker Football Fans:

I love Nebraska. This is a special place. The Huskers are my 2nd favorite team only because I was born in Tallahassee and grew up in Florida. You see, Florida State University will always be my #1 school but I do root for Nebraska as well.

It is from the perspective as a die-hard and life-long Seminoles fan that I offer the following thoughts on Coach Frost and the future of Nebraska Football.

Husker fans, you are lucky! You get to welcome home one of your own. Enjoy it. Be respectful of his family and their need for normalcy. Don’t bother his wife and child. Give his parents some space. Understand that even Husker legends need to be able to breathe a little bit on their own.

My “fanhood” has recently been kicked in the stomach. For the first time in over 40 years, Florida State is conducting a search for a head football coach. It’s a reminder of what a huge BUSINESS college football has become. Florida State’s former coach chose to take a job at Texas A&M, a place that pales mightily in comparison of tradition and accomplishments. However it turns out, he will make over $20,000 a day, every day, for the next 10 years in a guaranteed contract.

We live in a day and age when head coaches like Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, the guy who just left FSU for Texas A&M, and others are akin to hired assassins. They go to the highest bidder. Their agents hold universities and booster clubs hostage. It’s a big-time business.

But, now, Nebraska has a chance to avoid all of that. Coach Frost is back home in his dream job. He wants to be here and could end up being here for 12-18 years depending on how long he wants to coach. Give him support. Be patient. It’s highly unlikely, despite how good he is, that Nebraska will go 12-0 next year like his UCF team did this year. In fact, a 7-5 record in Lincoln in 2018 might be worthy of some “coach of the year” honors. It will take a few years but enjoy the journey. Embrace the process of going in the right direction.

When Nebraska gets “back” to where they’ve been, it will be that much sweeter for you. You won’t have to look over your shoulder when another big job opens up because you have your guy and your guy has you. This is meant to work. This is how it is supposed to be. A Nebraskan leading Nebraska. It worked out pretty well when a guy named Osborne from Hastings was at the helm!

Watch out how you handle yourself on social media. Don’t vent just to vent. Don’t attack this new coaching staff at the first sign of adversity. They’re going to get the train rolling again but first, they need to get it back on the track and that can sometimes be a little bumpy.

While most college football fans won’t admit it to you, you’re now the envy of many fan bases. You don’t have a hired gun as your coach. You have a Nebraska guy at the helm. Someone who understands the culture of this state. Someone who knows how we value work ethic, integrity, and pride. Someone who cares about you. Someone who appreciates Nebraska. Cornhusker wins will be so much sweeter in the coming seasons.

My guys in Tallahassee will be fine. They’ll hire a great coach that can recruit well. They will win lots of games. However, whoever the new coach is for my beloved Seminoles won’t be one of our own. He’ll be another hired gun. What I wouldn’t give for a Seminole legend like Warrick Dunn, Derrick Brooks, Charlie Ward, or Chris Weinke to be our head coach but that’s not in the cards.

This is going to be a tremendous ride Nebraska. Don’t forget the tough times you’ve endured over the last 15 years. They will hopefully make you appreciate the next 15 years a lot more. “Winning” is hard to do. The 1970’s, 1980’s, and 1990’s are over. They’re not coming back. No fan base is entitled to 11-win seasons and championships every year. It’s a grueling process.

I will be rooting loudly for Coach Frost, his staff, and the Husker Football Program. This is going to be so fun to watch a Nebraskan do things the “Nebraska way” that I have come to love and admire so much.

Go Big Red!