"Who You Are" Makes a Difference

Do you like your job? I really like mine but others do not feel the same; I often hear people complain about their own work or how much they hate going to work or how much they hate their boss or how much they hate with whom they work... I am usually surprised by this but something that equally surprises me has been going on at my son's middle school.

Joanne Culverhouse, Ed.D first introduced herself to me back in August. I had moved to a new area and was registering my son for 8th grade at a brand new school. Given his apprehension at moving to a new area, going to a new school, leaving the friends he'd had since kindergarten and having to make new friends, I really wanted to take the necessary time to make sure he would do well in school. No, he is not a momma's boy, but I am a boy's momma. Dr. Culverhouse is the Principal at Thurston Middle School, where my son is completing his middle school career.

And she loves her job. It oozes out of her like a delightful, infectious perfume. She can be seen every single morning, greeting the tweeners and young teenagers as they arrive. The other day, we pulled into the drop-off area in my newly-fixed Honda and she opened the car door for my son, shook his hand, asked how his Thanksgiving was and then declared how happy she was to be back at work. Her love of her job is evident in every handshake, in every step, in every word.

Does this make a difference? Does it really matter to my thirteen year old son? He would never say, but you bet it does. And it makes a difference to every other student in that school and every employee that is lucky enough to work with her. She is a hard-as-nails, no nonsense woman that knows her business and her business is running a business, a co-op, so to speak. A co-op between students and teachers, between students and parents, between teachers and parents.

I feel very fortunate to be a part of her co-op. Of which co-op are you a part? Does your smile or good nature make a difference to anyone? Would a poor attitude and terrible disposition make a difference to anyone? Your world does revolve around you, just as mine revolves around me. When you are the axis, when you are the center, "who you are" makes a difference. It's ok to tilt every once in a while, but try and remember those that reside and depend upon your input to the co-op/world to which you belong... You have an affect. Will it be good or bad?

by rayannethorn

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Permalink Reply by Soapboxholland on December 1, 2010 at 4:22pm

I couldn't agree more! We have complete control over our attitude, we can touch so many in our co-op. Excellence is…Caring more than others think is wise, Risking more than others think is safe, Dreaming more than others think is practical, Expecting more than others think is possible!