=====================================================================
by PAM
Eight years ago, I was working on getting 're-integrated' to the Philippine society. I just got back from the United States of America (USA) then, fresh from five years of stay previously in NY State. I watched the Americans eagerly as one of their major political parties, the Democratic Party, nominated the man to become the first black President of the USA, Barack Obama. He went on to win the election and took up the Presidency. It was a defining moment for the USA. They just broke through the racial discrimination barrier in such a powerful and meaningful manner.
Now, eight years have passed... amid all the stirring rhetoric, post-slavery discrimination is stronger and more divisive than ever, not just in the USA, but all around the world. The manifestation of meaningless hatred and discrimination these days have been violent and gruesome - an utter disrespect to human life. Therefore, it was wonderful to listen to the 'quiet force' beside President Obama - the First Lady, Michelle Obama - speaking eloquently in the Democratic National Convention (DNC) to rekindle the message of hope against discrimination... not just racial discrimination, but discrimination in all its many forms, such as gender, age, ethnicity, body size and shape, and religion. What struck me the most in her speech, however, was how she spoke beautifully on how leaders impact the lives and the future of children through education, health care, safety and security, and just being a good example as leaders.
"...when we go to the polls, that's what we're deciding... this election, and every election, is about who will have the power to shape our children for the next four or eight years of their lives."
Indeed, an incredible speech! Speeches like this one are some of the reasons why I thank God for technology, because now, it's easy to capture and preserve the moment; and in one's very own cyber space, too. At times when despair looms, our 'cyber repository' helps us too keep rekindling the message of hope... in just a press of a button and a few strokes on the keyboard. And it helps us to keep going... keep hoping, keep the inspiration to work towards a happy world where there are no discrimination, no inequality, and where children are loved and cared for, where children grow up to become very good people.
***
What it all means to us...
It's incredible how a speech of the First Lady of USA could mean something for someone in another country. I guess, we all do live in a moral world where certain truths are shared. Therefore, some messages issued in one place resonate in another.
I just hope that the message lasts... and appreciated, and put to practice and good use - in our daily lives. Even in our workplace, and especially in the Academia... when we "choose" the people to lead our organizations, our groups, our teams, we should think about how they will be shaping our Institution, and especially our students, for the next
years. Are they going to be good examples to our students... are they going to be models worth emulating? In the first place, would they be able to, at least, communicate effectively with our new generation of learners? Are they willing to learn 'the language' of our new generation of learners, and reach them in their 'own space' to understand how they thrive, and what makes them thrive in knowledge? Are they willing to persevere towards this end... learning new things, exploring possibilities? Are they willing to open their minds to understand the 'new style of learning' that this new generation adhere to and fight for rather than forcing upon them old and outdated methods that should have been long buried six feet below the hallowed ground of innovation in teaching-learning? Do they have the drive, energy, inspiration and the right motivation to persevere towards this end? After all, in this profession, isn't effective communication the key to successful teaching-learning; and that effective communication begins from the teacher's knowing and understanding the learner, and vice versa?
 |
| It's all about students' success, and just a little bit about our own. |
We often talk about commitment at work, and I believe that commitment is, indeed, very important to be effective in one's duties and responsibilities. And yet, in the teaching profession, one need not have a lofty leadership platform to illustrate commitment, in ways that are both effective and positively 'affective' to help our students, and even our colleagues, to discover the very best version of themselves. In fact, the 'quiet places' where one can concentrate deeply on one's mission as educator can be more conducive in creating avenues for student success in learning. Often, it is these creations that endure the test of time, more so than those created in the often 'busy and noisy' environment that surrounds the leadership 'perched seats'.
 |
| Leadership is an opportunity to serve, not an ascension to unbridled source of authority that shackles one to its enslaving allure. |
Therefore, the 'perched seat' must be treated as a golden opportunity to serve - with humility. And when serving, one must do so to the best of one's ability and with all of one's heart... but with a heart that's anchored on God. So that when the heart 'whispers' something, one knows that that is God's voice, and following one's heart is following God's will. One has to commit fully to accomplishing the task at hand at all times - joyfully and with love, always working like there is no tomorrow... so that when the time is up, when the time comes to pass on the baton to someone else, one moves on happily and freely with no feeling of dejection. Instead, there will be a joyful feeling of fulfillment and a deep sense of gratitude to God for an accomplished mission... no heartaches, no regrets... only a priceless peace of mind.
***
Video credit: Thanks, YouTube, for the video link.
***
