Category Archives: Relationships

A “Teacher Gram” for Sherri Ottis…

26 Friday Apr 2024

Posted by in Appreciation, Classroom Leadership, Compassion, Craft, Education, Educational Leadership, Empathy, Empower, Encouragement, Expectations, Inspiration, Leader, Leadership, Purpose, Relationships, Resilience, Respect, Students, Teacher Appreciation, Teachers, Value, Wisdom

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Hi, my name is Dave… I’m a Sock Baby and belong to one of Sherri Ottis’ former students. I live in a golf bag and I want to give a shout out to…IMG_3116

After devoting all 25 teaching years at Clinton High, Mrs. Ottis is retiring. She has taught almost everything under the “Social Studies” platform, including psychology, sociology, and a bunch of other classes. Her room is the last on the East End side. Either you are going to her class or leaving the building. Anyway…

IMG_6358The two things that set Mrs. Ottis apart are her pursuit of helping teachers feel valued with Teacher Grams, overseeing this project since 2002, and her sociology class, where students model parenting skills with Sock Babies. That’s where I, Dave, came into the world. So, today, I want to give Sherri Ottis a Teacher Gram tribute, whose dedication to teaching transcends the ordinary and resonates for many other teachers to model.

In the long hallways of Clinton High School, Mrs. Ottis’ impact echoes through the years, leaving an enduring mark on students and colleagues. Sherri Ottis is the epitome of excellence, compassion, and unwavering commitment. She personifies the essence of a dedicated educator. With a nurturing demeanor and an infectious passion for learning (she is also a published author of the book Silent Heroes: Downed Airmen and the French Underground), every day, her classroom is transformed into a sanctuary of knowledge, fostering an environment where students feel empowered to explore, inquire, and thrive. Walking into her classroom, one would think they were entering an “Educational Emporium.” Beyond textbooks and lesson plans, Mrs. Ottis cultivates a sense of belonging, instilling values of empathy, resilience, and integrity in her students’ hearts, a lost commodity, it seems, in the education world today.

Mrs. Ottis shines as an educational inspiration. Her unwavering dedication to her craft and genuine care for her students’ well-being exemplify the essence of educational excellence. Through her innovative teaching methods, boundless enthusiasm, and unwavering support, she ignites a spark that has lighted many a flame for her students, propelling them towards success and self-discovery. But don’t play her; it doesn’t take long for anyone to figure out where you stand. Her value of what education should be and the wisdom she offers, stands at the pinnacle of what educational success is lacking today.

Personally, I will miss Sherri’s subtle wit and common thinking ground. I will even miss her “Pope Leo X’s” Bible she used in our Monday morning Bible study group, and her great “one word, one liner” (those who know, know). We have had many talks and solved most of life’s problems, as if the world would listen to us. 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. Education needs more educators like Sherri Ottis because people like Sherri Ottis are extraordinary educators. Sherri is my teaching colleague and, in many ways, a mentor and a confidant. Most importantly, Sherri is my friend, and I will miss seeing her at the end of the hallways of Clinton High.

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 Boys in the Boat” Leadership Movie Review

12 Friday Jan 2024

Posted by in Circumstances, Leader, Leadership, Relationships, Team, Trust, Unity, Value, Vision

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Christmas Day evening, we went to the movies to see The Boys in the Boat, and I am glad we did. It was an absolutely great movie. Outside of reading the book or being an Olympic Trivia person, the story is somewhat new for many…

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First, a little history… The Boys in the Boat is a book by Daniel James Brown in 2013 that tells the true story of the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew team and their quest for gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. The focus is on Joe Rantz, one of the rowers, and his background, who becomes a key crew member. Also, the team’s coach, Al Ulbrickson, shows the crew members the importance of teamwork and determination. While a “David vs Goliath” sports movie, it is much more than that. It’s a historical event that exposes the impact of the Great Depression and what drives people to achieve and find value. Overcoming odds from all directions, the end result of the story is the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, where the University of Washington’s crew faces competition from other countries, including Nazi Germany’s rowing team, with Hitler watching.

As I sat there watching, I was consumed and fascinated with the leadership that takes place throughout the entire movie. Many movies will have leadership spots here and there, but Boys in the Boat, for me, had it from the beginning to the end. I highly recommend the watch.

So, here are a few takeaways that I found…

  1. Teamwork and Trust – Rowing is a sport that requires exceptional teamwork and trust among team members. There is much focus on this… Each rower must synchronize their movements perfectly with the others to achieve success. This highlights the significance of building trusting relationships and instilling a sense of unity within a team. Suppose our leadership environment does not carry this mindset. In that case, team members only trust and rely on themselves to achieve common objectives.
  2. Vision and Goal Setting – Al Ulbrickson, the coach, had key leadership qualities in his ability to understand and manage team dynamics. This is crucial in our leadership world. He had to navigate the different personalities and backgrounds of the rowers, fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie among them. He also allowed them to believe in something beyond themselves, a common goal for future accomplishments.
  3. Behind-the-scenes Leaders (I believe there are two)
    • George Pocock, who was the team’s boatbuilder. He reminded me of an old sage, providing more than just technical expertise in building crew shells. He had a deep understanding of rowing, a commitment to perfection, and an ability to inspire and motivate the rowers, tapping into the emotional components of each rower.
    • Bobby Moch, the coxswain (the guy who shouts instructions from the front of the boat). A key figure for the team, he was responsible for steering the boat, coordinating the rowers’ movements, and providing motivation and strategy during races. Moch also had a deep understanding of the personalities and capabilities of each rower. His ability to motivate and unify the team and his strategic insights during races contributed significantly to the crew’s achievements. He was a cheerleader that we all need.

All in all, it is one of the better movies I have seen in a good while. It makes you feel good coming out and walking back to the vehicle. The Boys in the Boat gives you thoughts to reflect on and the ability to see leadership that can transcend into our lives today.

Let’s go fight the good fight of leadership. Someone has to…

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… Twitter @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

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I’ve got change in my pocket? More change than I realize…

28 Friday Jul 2023

Posted by in Actions, Change, Decisions, Education, Educational Leadership, Effective, Embrace, Encouragement, Leader, Leadership, Relationships, Servant, Teachers, Value

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The summer sun is still high in the sky, pouring down heat that makes thermometers sweat. Some of us have started the new school year with a new change that brings, well… change. Yet, regardless of the start time, many things remain the same.

For students, parents, and educators alike, this period marks a fresh beginning, a chance to set new goals, and an opportunity to make the most of the academic journey ahead, developing future success now.

The start of a new school year is set in motion by what was recently achieved or not the previous year, and that goes for everyone in the school business. What a teacher, administration, or students previously did or did not do carries an effect into the new year, but each has an opportunity to wipe clean the past year, per se, and start anew.

Every new year brings change; embracing the change is up to you. Your effective leaders are going to be the ones who can. Adapting is a key concept while remaining open-minded and having perspective is a mindset that fosters a positive attitude. Something that is much needed in schools today.

Change brings an opportunity to kindle a new curiosity for what will come our way. To see more clearly, to rediscover a passion for how things should be. That is what the new school year brings. All involved in education should have a new thirst for doing and being better than before. Improving our motivation for continued success, creating an even more sense of purpose and responsibility.

Leadership is not just about individual achievements; it’s also about fostering collaboration and teamwork. The more things that can be done for the good of all by serving sends the message that a oneness exists among faculty and staff. This alone helps others embrace change more than anything else.

Change can also bring about an opportunity to exhibit empathy and support. Mistakes might happen, but I have yet to meet an educator who was in education for the right reasons mess up on purpose. If leaders want everyone to feel valued and encouraged, they need to model kindness, show gratitude, and not lead with a “me” mentality.

The new school year has started and at different times for each of us. We have the capability to change more than we realize. If we can always be for others, then change can be the helping tool others might need. That is what education should be about.

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

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2023 J Clay Norton

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

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Do you help your students “Seize the day?”

03 Friday Mar 2023

Posted by in Achieve, Actions, Classroom Leadership, Classroom Management, Conversations, Education, Educational Leadership, Encouragement, Expectations, Inspiration, Intentional, Intentions, Kindness, Leader, Leadership, Purpose, Relationships, Teachers

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“Carpe diem… Seize the day.” For the younger readers out there, this was a classic movie, Dead Poet’s Society, 1989. For us older, distinguished veterans, we should remember it well.

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There is this one scene that I like where the teacher, Mr. Keating, played by Robin Williams, takes his class out to the commons on the first day of class and has them look at the former students who came before them. While there, Mr. Keating tries to awaken their spirits, per se, into making the most of the time they have. In the clip, these words are spoken by Mr. Keating, “… seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary.”

Watch the clip here: Carpe diem… Seize the day – Dead Poet’s Society

While watching and listening to the clip, I thought about this… The other day I stopped by the bank on the way home, and the teller asked me how my day at school was. I said, “fine,” and she said, “I don’t know how ya’ll do it.” I figured she was talking about teaching… So I said, “Well, I can either focus on who they are or who they can be.” She just looked at me like I had two heads and changed the subject. I wondered if she wanted to continue the direction of the conversation, but I was not going to speak negatively about education. Sure, we have problems, but so does every other occupation. Anyway…

How does this all tie in? Well, how many times as educators do we “seize the day” to make the lives of our students extraordinary? It’s easy to focus on what walks through the classroom door, but do we ever consider what they can be when they walk out the door? Do we focus so much on the negative aspects of students that we forget that they might not become who they can be without our help? This goes for all aspects of education… Teachers and students, administrators and teachers, School leaders, etc.

While I believe Mr. Keating wanted his students to understand that, ultimately, it is up to the individual to “seize the day.” Knowing or unknowingly, at the same time, he was helping them understand that. That’s where we make the most of who our students can be. Giving them belief, giving them hope for their future, and modeling an example that says, be different for the right reason.

Oh, to help a student to feel extraordinary, to help them “seize the day.” Most might not do that on their own. Let’s help them “seize the day” by us doing the same. Our lives might just feel extraordinary if we do.

Let’s go fight the good fight of leadership. Someone has to…

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

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2023 J Clay Norton

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