Why Do You Get Out Of Bed?
Source/Author: Mike Murphy, Headmaster
March 27, 2015
Recently I had a businessman say to me, “I wouldn’t get out of bed in the morning if I didn’t think I would make at least $250,000 a year.” As much as I like the person, we clearly live on different planets and certainly are motivated by very different drivers. He is entitled to his belief but he certainly has a very limited view on what motivates people to get out of bed.
Most of us were fortunate enough that as babies we had mothers and fathers who would get out of bed and address our very basic nurturing needs. No one was giving them a penny for getting out of bed. They got out because they loved us, cared about us, felt a responsibility and maybe preferred getting out of bed rather than to hear a child cry. The teachers and administrators I know do their jobs for those same reasons. They love their work, they care about what they do and they feel a sense of responsibility.
Choice is an important concept at Shorecrest, and I trust it is for many of our students and their families. We want our students, teachers and families to make good choices. We want them to have a variety of opportunities as they move through school, select a university, a career and a healthy lifestyle. In order to provide choice there needs to be more than love, caring and responsibility. For children and adults alike, planning, challenge and support become critical actions in order for the broad range of choices to materialize.
At school we have been working on curriculum development and coordination. This planning is essential for a child’s education to be both broad and deep. As we develop curriculum we seek ways to challenge individuals so they can grow and discover their strengths and passions. Curriculum development also keeps us mindful of the kinds of support we need to put in place to help students and teachers be successful.
I realize that we are fortunate to be in a community where our teachers and our parents get out of bed and support our children because they love what they do. Being a great teacher, like being a great parent, is hard work. We can all wish that the monetary rewards for teaching were comparable to the businessman I mentioned. However, knowing that the work of a parent and the work of a teacher is purposeful, valued and life-changing makes getting out of bed in the morning something we look forward to doing.
Cheers!
Mike
