Saturday, February 27, 2016

TOMMIE SAYLOR: Embrace intelligent change and unify as one

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference.”
Serenity Prayer, authored by Reinhold Niebuhr

By Tommie Saylor
Kennedy High School Principal

In those quiet moments of reflection, I do not pray for wealth or health, I pray for wisdom.

Wisdom to make the best decisions that can be made in any situation, to give the best advice that one could possibly offer, to find the best course of action, or the most appropriate path in which to lead others. 

Knowing that each day others rely on me and my ability to make “the right” decision, is a burden that weighs heavy; and each decision is a lonely, mental struggle as it is filtered through years of experience, strict policies, ambiguous procedures, political ramifications and what is best for our students. 

In essence, each decision has the potential for greatness or ruin, and even if everything works out just fine, is a “land mine” waiting to go off sometime in the unforeseen future.

It is for this reason that when given the luxury of time, a great deal of forethought is placed into the decision-making process. It means reviewing data, past practices and best practices.  In short, when given the opportunity to conduct research to insure that we are doing the most good for the greatest number of people, this gift is accepted with reverence. It is not tarnished by personal agenda’s or hidden schemes.

Given the above, when change comes – and it is inevitable – let that decision come from wisdom, not from emotion. I understand that change is hard and that fear of the unknown is real, but resisting said change with illogical banter and ignorance serves no purpose.  Neither does closing one’s eyes in hopes that the conditions that are forcing a change will simply go away. This is a recipe for disaster. 

Unity is need when change begins. Divisiveness only serves the darkest of masters and makes the change that much more painful.  Only by coming together can the pains and fears of change be mitigated.  When we stand together, all manners of change can be absorbed, obstacles overcome and hardships weathered.  United, fear is but a drop in an ocean of confidence, and change nothing more than a path we have yet to traverse.

Before us lies a great change that we have seen coming for many years, a change that cannot be avoided.  Likewise, before us lies a choice: Either we can let wisdom prevail, or let fear consume us.

How and where will you lead them. Making Kennedy the school of choice. Excellence by design.


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