“Everybody
is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it
will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
--
Albert Einstein
By
Tommie Saylor
Kennedy
High School Principal
I
have a friend that is rather talented in mathematics. So talented he
resigned his long-time high school teaching position and returned to the university
to obtain his Doctorate in mathematics.
He
has been at it for several years now, and without a doubt, he is one of the
smartest guys I know, especially when it comes to the art of theoretical
mathematics. Often when we get together, he takes the opportunity to talk
about higher-level math, stuff that is so far above my level I have no idea
what he is saying.
I’m
sure he can see this in my eyes as I politely listen while he “flexes his
intellectual muscles.” It is usually at this point where he arrogantly
announces that the advanced degree I received, a Master’s in Educational
Leadership with and emphasis in Secondary Administration, is by far inferior to
the degree he is seeking.
In
his mind, a degree in administration is child’s play: weak, simple, and
unworthy as compared to an advanced degree in mathematics. True genius is
measured by one’s level and/or knowledge in mathematics, perhaps even by
physics (the practical application of mathematics), and by nothing else. In his
mind, all humankind can neatly and categorically be measured, weighed and
placed into little intellectual boxes based on no other measure than a person’s
mastery of mathematics.
Though
I admire his aptitude in mathematics, I disagree with his conclusions. As human
beings we are far from one dimensional. It is our diversity that makes us
strong, our ability to independently become proficient in a multitude of skills
that makes each and every one of us a genius in our own right. Though I
hold a degree in Biomedical Science with a minor in Chemistry, Physics, and
Geology, when my car will not start, my lights don’t work or my plumbing goes
bad, I’m clueless as what to do. Simply, it is a multitude of
intelligences that makes our world possible, and as such, we should celebrate
our individual talents as opposed to measuring each other by that which we
cannot do.
As
educators, our mission in life is to draw a student’s talent out from within
them, and place this talent on display for the individual to see. Through
the lessons that we teach, we must allow our students to explore themselves, to
stretch their abilities and to find their genius.
Our
success is not measured in how many classes they pass or fail, in scores posted
on college readiness tests (ACT, SAT) or in their GPA. Our success is
measured in how many students leave our halls prepared for life after finding
their hidden talents, their passion in life, their genius.
How
and where will you lead them. Making Kennedy the school of choice. Excellence
by design.
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