Category Archives: Courage

Consider the Ant, You Sluggard…

03 Friday Oct 2025

Posted by in Christian Worldview, Commitment, Courage, Decisions, Desire, Educational Leadership, Growth, Know Your Why, Leader, Leadership, Purpose, Resilience, Value

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The other day, while playing tennis with Heather, we paused during a side switch. As we sat, I noticed a single ant on the ground. It was moving steadily but with no obvious direction, as if searching for something. I asked Heather, “I wonder what it’s looking for? Water? Food? Maybe other ants?”

And then it hit me: aren’t we all a little like that ant? Moving, striving, searching, sometimes without even knowing what we’re after. I immediately thought of the movie A Bug’s Life and its main character, Flik… His mission was straightforward: survival, nourishment, connection to the colony. For us as leaders, the search is less obvious but no less essential. We’re not just looking for tasks to complete or goals to check off; we’re looking for something deeper.

I believe that “something” can be summed up in three pursuits: purpose, growth, and belonging.

1. Purpose

The ant isn’t wandering for wandering’s sake; it’s on a mission. Likewise, leaders must define why we do what we do. Without purpose, our calendars may be full, but our impact will feel empty. Purpose is the compass that keeps us aligned, even when circumstances shift. When leaders connect daily work to a greater mission… improving lives, shaping culture, building people… teams gain not just direction, but meaning.

2. Growth

That ant was exploring, adjusting, and learning its environment… it was headed somewhere. Leaders, too, need that posture of curiosity. Growth comes when we ask better questions, seek feedback, and stay open to the unknown. It requires humility, but it also keeps us sharp. A leader who is always learning creates a culture where others feel safe to stretch, innovate, and grow.

3. Belonging

No ant thrives alone; they need their colony. Leadership is no different. We’re wired for connection, and belonging fuels both resilience and performance. Leaders who foster trust, inclusion, and genuine care build communities where people not only work, but also want to work.

From a Christian worldview perspective, this search ultimately points us back to God. Scripture reminds us that “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18), true purpose begins with His calling. Our deepest growth comes not from striving, but from being “transformed by the renewing of [our] mind” (Romans 12:2). And real belonging is found in the body of Christ, where “though many, we form one body” (Romans 12:4–5). When our leadership is anchored in Him, our search is no longer restless; it becomes rooted, life-giving, and eternal.

So, what are we really looking for? The answer may be simple: clarity of purpose, commitment to growth, and a sense of connection and belonging.

The next time you find yourself in a reflective pause (I was just flat out tired and getting beat), whether on a tennis court, in a meeting room, or during a quiet walk, why don’t you ask yourself: What am I truly searching for right now? The way we answer that question shapes not only our own journey but also the path we light for those we lead.

As you step into your role today, remember that you are not just an educator and leader but a shaper of the future. Your actions and decisions profoundly impact the lives of those you guide. Go, be the great educator and leader that our future needs.

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2025 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… X @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

Yes, Public Schools Should Be Able To Advocate For Themselves…

17 Friday Jan 2025

Posted by in Accountability, Actions, Advocate, Agenda, Choice, Communication, Context, Conversations, Courage, Decisions, Education, Educational Leadership, Effective, Expertise, Knowledge, Leader, Leadership, Legislators, Public Schools, Reality, School Choice, Teachers

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The 2025 Mississippi Legislative is happening, and educational issues are always on the table.

Let’s go back a week or so and look at a school district in Mississippi that distributed a flyer outlining their stance on various legislative matters, sparking a wave of online discussion. While they received some negative comments, there was also online support, proving their voice was heard.

What was on the flyer, you ask? In summary, they were for… Teacher pay raise, revision of the Mississippi Student Funding Formula, and increased emphasis on Career and Technical Education. As a district, they were against… Open enrollment/school choice, educational vouchers for private school tuition, and any decrease in retirement benefits of PERS employees.

As a public school educator, I agree with everything they stated. I’m not writing to debate their points with anyone. However, for what general reason do I agree? While public schools have many advocates, and I’m thankful for every one of them, who better to be an advocate than themselves? Which is what I would like to discuss…

Public schools are not just educational institutions; many are the cornerstones of our communities. They shape the educational experiences of our children, who form the future of our society. While other educational options exist, public schools play a unique and vital role. It’s crucial for them to engage in advocacy to ensure that proposed legislation aligns with the needs and aspirations of the students, educators, and families they serve.

Public schools are uniquely knowledgeable in providing valuable insights into the practical implications of proposed policies by articulating their positions on legislative matters, for they are the ones who know what public school education is and is about. The need for public schools to be part of the proactive engagement of self-advocacy should hopefully help legislators make informed decisions that support effective educational practices and promote student success in our public schools. It would seem that legislators would want to give an ear to those who know education.

School leaders who freely open lines of communication with their thoughts on legislative priorities foster transparency and encourage community involvement. That’s why many communities’ strength lies in the fact that they have a strong public school presence. Self-advocacy not only empowers stakeholders, parents, teachers, and community members to participate actively in the democratic process but also ensures that the community’s collective voice is heard in policy discussions, which should make them an integral part of the process. But, as we all know, you have to be willing to listen. Hearing is one thing; listening is altogether another.

It is also worth noting that many elected state officials have outlined their own legislative priorities for the upcoming session. Is there any difference when our elected officials have their own priorities and agendas? Some are valid and good, while some, I do not believe, represent the best for the overall good of public school education and the teachers. In this context, it is pertinent and reasonable for public schools to advocate for their positions on these and other legislative matters that directly impact their operations and the well-being of the public school institution.

But I need to digress. You might be tired of reading, so I’ll close with this…  

“Courage favors the bold,” and it is not only acceptable but also essential for public schools to advocate for themselves in legislative matters. Such advocacy helps pave the way for what should ensure that educational policies are shaped by those who are most intimately involved in the day-to-day realities of teaching and learning, ultimately leading to a more responsive and effective education system. As I have often stated, when we have non-educators making educational decisions and not listening to those who actually know education, education becomes the victim of __________ (you can fill in the blank).

This action underscores the importance of public schools advocating for themselves within the legislative process. It’s a call to action and to advocate, a reminder of the power and influence public schools have in shaping their future. I’m glad this school district took an educational stand and would hope more districts will also. 

If you are interested in other blog posts relating to educational advocacy, click the links…

Are You, As A Teacher, An Advocate For Our Profession?

If Teachers Are Not An Advocate For Teaching, Then Who Will?

As you step into your role today, remember that you are not just an educator and leader but a shaper of the future. Your actions and decisions profoundly impact the lives of those you guide. Go, be the great educator and leader that our future needs.

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2025 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… X @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

We Need Future Teachers Who Will Run Toward Education… A David and Goliath Analogy

19 Friday Apr 2024

Posted by in Advocate, Appreciation, Courage, Decisions, Education, Educational Leadership, Embrace, Encouragement, Importance, Influence, Inspiration, Leader, Leadership, Respect, Sacrifice, Servant, Teacher Appreciation, Teachers, Value

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The other night, in my Test & Measurements class, in order to leave for the night, each student must give their “take-a-way” of the night’s discussion. It’s a fun activity, and while I just want to hear what they gleaned from the night, it also takes on a lesson within itself. Now, these are undergraduate students who are within a semester or a year away of being an actual teacher for the first time. And yes, I am trying my best to “positively corrupt” them in the way education actually is, and it is going pretty well. Anyway… A student told us that the other day, someone asked her what she was going to do, and she replied that she was going into education and being a special education teacher. The lady replied, “Has someone told you to run?” I knew then I had my blog for this week…

For what it’s worth, I immediately thought about David and Goliath… what better way to have an analogy for education? I Samuel 17:48 reads, “When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.”

Yes, like Goliath, education can be and is viewed as a giant. But how many of us, as educators, are Davids running toward the battle that education is and meet it head-on?

As a career choice, education is a beacon of both challenge and fulfillment. Yes, there are complexities and demands of teaching, and some aspiring educators might hesitate, trying to figure out whether to run toward or away from the field. However, since we live in an ever-changing world, I believe there is a compelling case for people who want to become educators to run toward education with open arms and embrace it.

The impact of educators extends far beyond the classroom walls. As I stated in a previous blog,  “A Great Teacher” is what I want to be…, a few years ago, a scene from the The Emperor’s Club says what teachers are better than I could ever state myself…

“A great teacher has little external history to record. His life goes over into other lives. These men are pillars in the intimate structure of our schools. They are more essential than its stones or beams, and they will continue to be a kindling force and a revealing power in our lives.”

Educators hold the keys to shaping minds, fostering critical thinking, and lead the leaders of tomorrow. Our future is driven by innovation and progress. Educators serve as that “spark plug,” igniting curiosity and inspiring students to reach their fullest potential. Our role as educators and our ability to influence underscores the significance of how we can help shape the future.

Becoming an educator is marked by a commitment to lifelong learning and dealing with so much college does not teach you. Teachers navigate the waters of diversity, fight the current of educational bureaucracy, and simply just have to tread water when there is a lack of support. Yet through this journey, educators continue to refine their craft and cultivate resilience, empathy, and a deep sense of purpose.

The bottom line is that the decision to pursue a career in education is not merely a professional choice but a profound commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. So, the next time you see someone wanting to make a career in education, tell them that you are glad they are running toward it. They are the ones who will shape future generations’ minds. Education needs more Davids; encourage them to run towards and slay the giant.

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2024 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… “X” @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

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The Leadership in “Masters of the Air”

12 Friday Apr 2024

Posted by in Adaptability, Adversity, Communication, Courage, Educational Leadership, Empathy, Encouragement, Integrity, Leader, Leadership, Loyalty, Pressure, Resilience, Respect, Team

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We have just finished watching Apple TV’s Masters of the Air series. For those of you who have not watched it, I highly recommend it. The leadership in the show transcends time and different levels of the overall capacity of leadership. As I watched each episode, I thought how much can be used in the education world.

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Let me say here that the show is very touching, especially seeing the lives of those who sacrificed and what they went through. Also, it is very humbling. Masters of the Air is a series that dives deep into the essence of leadership; invaluable insights are provided far beyond the battlefield and the arena where it takes place. As educational leaders strive to mold future educators, inspiration and guidance can be found in the characters and narratives of this remarkable show.

Masters of the Air is set during World War II and follows the journey of American bomber crews stationed in England, tasked with executing perilous daylight bombing raids over Nazi-occupied Europe. At its core, the series portrays the essence of effective leadership amidst adversity, showcasing traits such as courage, integrity, empathy, and strategic thinking.

One of the most compelling aspects of leadership highlighted in the series is the importance of leading by example. As we like to say, leadership does not work unless you “Inspect what you expect.” The commanding officers, portrayed with depth and authenticity, demonstrate unwavering resolve and sacrifice, earning the respect and loyalty of their teams through their actions rather than mere words. In education, this translates into educational leaders at all levels embodying the values they seek to instill, fostering a culture of integrity and excellence. It is very difficult for others to model what you are not.

Masters of the Air underscores the significance of clear communication and teamwork in achieving common goals. Each member of the bomber crew plays a crucial role, and success hinges upon their ability to collaborate effectively under pressure. Even more notable is acknowledging the success of communication and teamwork between the Tuskegee Airmen, who brought demographical and cultural differences, and the bomber crews. This alone is a leadership trait that needs to be found more. Success means putting aside self and serving others. Likewise, cultivating a sense of belonging and collaboration among administration, teachers, and students in educational settings is paramount for fostering a conducive learning environment.

Additionally, the series emphasizes the importance of adaptability and resilience in the face of challenges. This might be needed more than ever as education continues to change. As the characters in the show confront adversity, they demonstrate the ability to learn from failures, adjust their strategies, and persevere against all odds. This concept is needed at all levels of education. Too often, we see educational leaders never garnish these first two characteristics. Only the respected, great leaders make it to the third characteristic. This resilience is a vital trait for both leaders and learners alike, enabling them to navigate uncertainty and emerge stronger from setbacks.

Masters of the Air offers a compelling narrative of leadership. By drawing inspiration from the characters and themes of the series, educational leaders can cultivate the future and equip themselves and others with the skills, values, and mindset to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2024 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… “X” @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

Want to share this leadership thought with others? Click on one of the social media sharing buttons below and help spread the good…