On August 8th at 1:00pm, I set out with several friends to compete in the running of a 200-mile ultra-marathon running relay. Our 12-man team, the Iron Horses, were prepared to run through the night. As my first leg of the race began, we were already in second place. I was thrilled at the opportunity to help my team. I was, however, perhaps a little too excited. I started my 6.6 mile run with practically a sprint. I went out way too fast. It was a silly thing to do, especially in the 80 degree heat and gravel and uphill terrain. I realized my mistake and eventually slowed down, but not until about 5 minutes into the run. I was already exhausted and hadn't even covered a single mile. But that was just the beginning of my struggles. Soon, a blister formed on my heel. A mile later, it burst and then it began to bleed. The pain from that as well as the fatigue in my legs grew with every step. I also had a stabbing cramp in my side that was getting stronger and stronger with every mile. I encountered a tree blocking the path, which I had to find a way around. Then a car drove into my path causing me to slow down and change course. Finally, with just a mile remaining, I got a second wind, and I was able to creep back to a respectable pace. This took me stumbling up to where my team was waiting for me, so my teammate could take off. During my run, I did not catch our opponent. Instead, their lead increased. The gap widened. We lost some ground. I experienced failure. I fell to the ground in exhaustion, pain, and disappointment. My next run, which I was projected to begin in 5 hours at 1:30am, seemed absolutely impossible.
Does any of this sound a little familiar? Perhaps this can be compared to the ebb and flow of a typical school year as a school staff member or parent: excited at the start, go out too fast, slow WAY down, experience unexpected setbacks, feelings of inadequacy, perhaps defeat. Even when you are finished, you're not actually finished (you're never finished), and you think there's no way you'll ever be able to do it again. Unfortunately, these feelings are all too familiar to most professionals generally involved in working with other people, and school-aged children in particular.
I was mostly disappointed that I let my team down. However, if any of them were disappointed, I couldn't tell. All I heard were a lot of encouraging words as I caught my breath and as I cleaned and covered my blister. There were no criticisms. By 1:30am, I had mostly recovered. My energy had returned, and I ran much smarter than I had in my first leg. I was faster in the coolness of the night. Later Saturday morning at 10:52am, after 21 hours and 52 minutes, the Iron Horses crossed the finish line, setting a new course record en route to winning the race. We celebrated our collective success.
The team at Platte River operates in much the same way. In the coming school year, cramps, blisters, and exhaustion are inevitable. We will all make mistakes. However, we seek to replace judgement and criticism with support and encouragement. The team of teachers, secretaries, para-pros, custodians, social workers, therapists, consultants, administrators, volunteers, and parents at Platte River Elementary is STRONG. There exists a culture of teamwork at Platte River. We will work hard for each other at all times.
I'm proud to be a member of the Platte River team this year, and I'm glad you're here as well. We will rely on each other in the midst of all that will come our way this year, and throughout it all, we will be each other's inspiration and strength. It's the only way and what being on a team is all about.
Articles to Read Today
May I Speak to You Privately? -Pernille Ripp
Who Paid Off This Teacher's Loan Debt?- Business Insider
20 Bad Excuses Holding Good People Back - Marc and Angel
Videos to Watch Today
This Commercial Completely Nails It
7 Words To Live By
