Dr. Gilbert on the Success Hotline says that greatness is hiding in plain sight. Well, this happens often on my podcast when a guest says something extraordinary. It slaps me in the face, like being hit with a cold bucket of water.. It wakes me up and invigorates me. What they’ve said is like an infusion of energy and inspiration into my mind, body, and heart.
This happened recently when I interviewed Jeff Rodman, the executive Director of NELMS: The New England League of Middle Schools. At the end of my interview, I asked him if he had a quote to share. He did, and it’s personal to him, which he created.
He shared that we hear all the time about improving achievement and producing numbers and things like that. However, “it’s not just about improving student achievement, but it’s about achieving student improvement.”
He shared a powerful story about his brother joining him at Dakota State University and really thriving on his journey when that wasn’t his experience before. It was an emotionally powerful story for Jeff, and it was beautiful to hear.
Here is the full podcast. Well done, Jeff Rodman.
We can all find areas of student growth and improvement in the work we do in schools when we look for it. Ultimately, it’s not all about the test scores but the positive impact we can have on another young person or a professional colleague. Who can be improved just a little bit? Maybe a student went from failing to passing. Maybe they were absent 40 days the year before and now only 15 this year. Perhaps they were not involved in any clubs or activities before and now enjoy going to the art club. It’s about small, achievable improvements.
Thank you for the inspiration, Jeff, and keep rolling friends.
