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~ J Clay Norton, Ed.D.

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Category Archives: Legacy

The Value of a Mentor and a Tribute to Dr. Gerald Hasselman…

10 Wednesday Aug 2022

Posted by The Book Chamber in Appreciation, Education, Educational Leadership, Friendship, Heroes, Influence, Inspiration, Leader, Leadership, Legacy, Relationships, Thankful, Value

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The opening week of school for many of us… Let’s talk about the value of mentors and influence, along with a tribute. Regardless of age, we all need them. I made a list the other night and wrote down fourteen names of people who have influenced and mentored me outside my family. I have been very fortunate to have such people in my life. I would also like to add that along with Dr. Hasselman, who recently passed away, two others also have. Of the fourteen remaining, some go way back to high school, college, the beginning of my career, and also currently; all at some time or another in the areas of coaching, teaching, and leadership. While some of the fourteen are recent over the past few years on my list, I will say that along with the others, the mentor and influence team that I have has rock star status. Each one, mentoring and influencing in different areas completing the whole.

I met G (Dr. Hasselman) in 2006 when I started my specialist degree at Mississippi College. I had spoken with him on the phone a few days before about the program, and G told me to stop by. I stopped a few days later and went to his office on the second floor of Lowery Hall. He was not in there, so I walked down the hall. I saw Dr. Tom Williams in the conference room and spoke to him. I did not know Dr. Hasselman was in the room also… I asked Dr. Williams if he knew where I could find Dr. Hasselman. The next voice I heard was, “That’s me, son.” I replied, “Dr. Hasselman, I’m Clay Norton.” Dr. Hasselman’s next words were, “I know who you are, son; go sit in my office, and I’ll be down there in a few minutes.” And that was my introduction to Dr. Gerald Hasselman in 2006.

Screen Shot 2022-08-09 at 9.57.25 PM

Throughout my specialist program and doctorate, I do not know what I did to befriend Dr. Hassleman beyond the student-professor relationship. I do not understand why he took an interest in me. I did not know, at the time, how much of a mentor he would become and how much of his influence I would develop into my leadership style. Looking back, I still do not know, but I am and will forever be thankful. Even as an adult, 34 years old in 2006 and 16 years later, I value the influence and mentoring Dr. Hasselman provided me.

One special moment for me was that Dr. Hasselman was the keynote speaker during our doctoral commencement ceremony at MC. His speech was actually about the power of influence. In the speech, Dr. Hasselman made this comment, “If you ever see a turtle sitting on a fence post, know that it did not get up there on its own.” I realize it is a well-known thought, but for me to hear him say it took on a whole new level of worth. I realized that in many instances, I was the turtle. Along with Dr. Hasselman and others who have influenced and mentored my life, I can sit on that fence post.

Since G’s passing on July 30, a few weeks ago, memories of our relationship have flooded my mind and heart. Memories that I have teared up on and laughed out loud. One day we were playing golf together, and I called him Dr. Hasselman (I had already graduated, and that is what I still called him). He looked at me and said, “Clay, we are colleagues now; G will work just fine.” It took me awhile…

So, here is my tribute to G…

I’m writing today, to tell of a person who modeled leadership to its finest degree. Dr. Gerald Hasselman passed away on July 30, 2022. I only knew G as a college professor at Mississippi College and as a friend for a total of 16 years. Looking at his resume would make you dizzy with all he had done in education, almost every possible role. I would like to tell you about Dr. Hasselman as one of my mentors and his influence on my life. On this front, I can say, without a doubt, that he is one of the best I have ever seen. In and outside of the classroom, he treated everyone with the same high expectations and values. His heart for education transcends into many lives he touched. As an educator, he valued education and serving others, and he did just that. You never had to guess where you stood with G; it was evident. Affording everyone he interacted with, with brutal honesty, respect to difference of opinions, open to dialogue, and fairness; precious and rare characteristics of leaders today. As a lifelong educator, G helped the future by influencing so many, which we need to remember to do and value as well. Education needs more educators like Gerald Hasselman because people like Gerald Hasselman are extraordinary educational leaders. Sitting in his classroom was like being in an educational think-tank with him.

So, I am sad that I lost someone I adored, admired, respected, appreciated, loved, etc. However, I can also be glad knowing that I believe I am a better educational leader because of him. Personally, I will miss G’s subtle wit and small talk about golf and the St. Louis Cardinals. G also became our family’s travel agent/guide; he had traveled almost everywhere and always knew of a good place to eat. Many a conversation we had and solved most of life’s problems. I am grateful for the time I have had being his student and colleague, as I am sure many of you are as well who had him as a professor and worked with him. His impact on our lives leaves a legacy that will ripple through education for years to come. Dr. Gerald Hasselman was my professor, my colleague, an inspiration, one of my leadership heroes and my mentor. Most importantly, G was my friend, and I will miss him…

I hope you have a mentor in your life like the ones I have had and currently do. It will make you better, regardless of your age. Allow someone to invest in you so you can invest in others. The value of a mentor is needed in all areas of life, including education.

I hope everyone has a great school year.

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

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2022 J Clay Norton

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

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A Tribute for Teacher Appreciation… Mina Darnell

06 Friday May 2022

Posted by The Book Chamber in Education, Friendship, Leadership, Legacy, Relationships, Teacher Appreciation, Teachers, Value

≈ 2 Comments

Many times in life, you can tell someone specifically how you feel. But to allow others to see and read your feelings, maybe not so much. So, for Teacher Appreciation Week, a tribute…

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I’m writing today, possibly for many of us, in our different ways, to say goodbye to Mina Darnell, who is retiring after 33.5 years of teaching, all at Clinton. I’m not here to talk about her as a leader, or a math teacher, or a long-time coach, or the sponsor of National Honor Society, or the many other things she did or does presently. Today, I’m talking about Mina Darnell as an educator. On this front, I can say, without a doubt, that she is one of the best I have ever seen. In and outside of the classroom, she treated everyone with the same high expectations and value. As an educator, her place was to educate, and she did just that, evident that you knew exactly where you stood. Affording everyone she interacted with, with honesty, respect, and fairness; precious and rare characteristics. As educators, as those who teach the future, it’s something that we need to remember to value. Education needs more educators like Mina Darnell because people like Mina Darnell are extraordinary educators. So, it can be sad that we are losing someone we adore, admire, respect, appreciate, etc. However, we can also be glad that she starts a new chapter and enjoys retirement. Personally, I will miss Mina’s subtle wit and common thinking ground across the hallway. Many a talk we have had and solved most of life’s problems. I am also grateful for the time I have had being an educator with her, as I am sure many of you are as well, and for the impact she has had on students’ lives and on all our lives, for that matter. A legacy she leaves. Mina Darnell is my teaching colleague, in many ways a mentor and a confidant. Most importantly, Mina Darnell is my friend, and I will miss her.

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

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2022 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… Twitter @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…

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“A Great Teacher” is what I want to be…

14 Friday May 2021

Posted by The Book Chamber in Actions, Authentic, Character, Culture, Education, Educational Leadership, Effective, Encouragement, Engagement, Heart, Inspiration, Leader, Leadership, Legacy, Memories, Passion, Purpose, Reality, Reflection, Servant, Sincerity, Teacher Appreciation, Teachers, Value

≈ 5 Comments

Do you ever wonder if you make a connection with your students? What will they remember about you? With teaching being as much about classroom psychology as it is knowing your subject matter, how students remember us lasts forever in their minds. In a previous blog Memories so thick…, I mentioned the idea of how educators/leaders can create an atmosphere where students make memories, but today, I wanted to take a different look at the same idea.

One of many joys I have as an educator is being able to adjunct teach at the college level. One of my running statements is that I try to “positively corrupt” future educators on how the educational world actually is. It’s harder than you think, by the way. And then there are those current teachers who are working on an advanced degree in education… more than anything else, I try to convey to them the much-needed characteristic of being a servant-leader.

With saying all of that, I have to be minded of the educator I am as well. In my own mind, I think I know what type of educator I am. However, the students throughout my career are the ones who can testify as to what type of educator I actually was.

I love how movie snippets that can say exactly what you are wanting to say, and I have one for us. I highly encourage you to watch the Emperor’s Club with Kevin Kline, if you have never seen it. I believe it should be required of all educators. There is one scene near the end of the movie that sends a message for the type of educator I hope I am and the type of educator I want to be. The message sent is what I wish all teachers/leaders in education would strive to become and be. Not only for themselves but for their students as well. I believe this one clip to be so powerful; I show it at the end of each semester to the class of future educators in hopes they will understand the passion I have for teaching and educational leadership.

Please take 2 minutes and 4 seconds to watch what I am talking about… Maybe get a tissue ready?

Emperors Club – “A Great Teacher” Clip

Here it is in print…

“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.” 

This is about as good as it gets for me. This is the type of teacher I hope I am. This is the type of teacher I want to be. I have been very fortunate to have some teachers and mentors like this and they have had an ever lasting influence in one way or another on my life. This is the type of teacher education needs, now more than ever. As we begin to wrap of this school year, make an effort to be this type of teacher. 

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

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2021 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on…

Twitter @thebookchamber

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Memory Moments

09 Friday Feb 2018

Posted by The Book Chamber in Actions, Communication, Deciding, Decisions, Family, Inspiration, Leader, Leadership, Legacy, Purpose, Servant, Understanding

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The older I get, the more I have “memory moments.”

Grade 6_HATCH_Lesson 19_Varughese (6)

Photo Credit: LearnZillion.com

This past weekend my wife and I, along with our daughter attended an Academic Insight Day at Mississippi State University. Our daughter is a senior this year and will be attending MSU next fall. As my daughter was driving up to Starkville (and back), I begin to think about our first driving experience in the visitor’s gravel parking lot across from Clinton High School. She was 14, and I was a nervous wreck. Fast-forward to today, and all I have are memories of that moment.

My brother and his family live in another state and we keep up regularly. Many times we will call each other to have a conversation on nothing more than, “You remember when?” Usually, it is some funny experience regarding our family growing up. Then we will call our parents and ask the same thing to make sure they remember as well. Even though we are both grown with our own families, we are still making “memory moments.”

I give you this background to say this… “memory moments” have a way of shaping who we are. “Memory moments” come in all areas of our lives, from family, friends, jobs, etc. What is most important is what we do with those “memory moments.”

So… How does this relate to leadership or does it even at all?

Our leadership if full of “memory moments.” Those moments we have made for ourselves, and those that we have been apart of with others. With each, there are good and bad “memory moments.” We only like to think about or bring up the good, but oh how does the bad make us mad or tugs at our hearts. We recall what we want to and try to forget the things we wish we could.

Every leadership decision you have ever made falls into one of these two categories. “Memory moments” have a way of shaping our leadership style and how it affects our whole world as it pertains to you and everyone around. What is crucial to understand and often we do not, is when we make decisions, our “memory moments” should serve as a guide that helps us understand we are dealing with real things and real people. Too often we fail (or do not want to) acknowledge this.

How many times do we make decisions just to be making them? As to say, going through the motions? We can chase a lot of rabbits with this idea. The critical concept to realize is there are no “flippant” decisions when it comes to leadership. Everything means something to someone. Like it or not, they leave a lasting impression.

As you think about your own “memory moments,” let them be what they are. If good, then enjoy the time and the rewards. If bad, then learn from it and make sure you do not repeat. Either way, the next leadership moment you have will leave a memory for you and someone else.

Remember… THINK LEADERSHIP!

©2018 J Clay Norton

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