Tip #2 — What Mother Teresa taught me — more about WHY

Here’s another vignette –a short, very short story, gathered from my many years of teaching, being a hearing officer, school attorney, writer, speaker, and reformer. Hopefully, you’ll find it fun. And that it’ll even bring some wisdom, a smile, common sense reality, a path forward — in our challenging public education and special education worlds. Wisdom and humor are everywhere — often in surprising places. I hope that these Tips help create a path forward for better learning by all students, which is — dear friends and colleagues — always the goal, the WHY.

Last week’s Tip #1 focused on WHY we have schooling and why, special education. The vignette told the story of how the nurse at the Army base taught young Daniel Inouye, who went on to become the Senator from Hawaii for many years, to light his own matches, cut his own meat, etc., after he lost his arm in World War II. That nurse was a super teacher!

Here are two more vignettes about WHY schooling, etc.

Ted was one of my favorite* clients when he was a special education director in a Boston suburban district and I was the district’s attorney. We worked well together. As the district’s attorney, I kept him informed about new requirements, regulations, laws, court decisions, etc.

Ted always listened carefully. Often, we had a robust discussion — back and forth — and more than once I heard him say, “Miriam, I hear you, but I’m not going to do it!”

And that was that. His statement has stayed with me all these years.

Why did he say that? Why was he so daring? Knowing how well he and his district focused on the WHY, the big picture — teaching and learning for all students — I believe it was because he did not want to divert his focus from that vital goal. And, he was willing to risk any consequences.

Am I suggesting that administrators evade requirements? Of course not. But let’s be real –when administrators focus on the ultimate goal of teaching and learning for all, they may also need to face the cost/benefit of their choices — risks and rewards.

The second vignette is about Mother Teresa. Reportedly, she refused invitations to attend anti-war rallies. Don’t invite me there, she would say. When you have a peace rally, please invite me to that! I’ll be there.

Again, what does this mean? As I see it, Mother Teresa focused on what she wanted — peace — not what she didn’t want — war. She believed that ANTI-war rallies didn’t work; PRO-peace rallies did! Ted focused on what he wanted — teaching and learning — not what he didn’t want — more hoops to jump through — especially those that sidelined his goals.

It’s all about going for that WHY.

*His name has been altered. I had many favorites, some of whom you’ll meet in these vignettes.

CAVEAT: These Tips are intended to be used for general information only. They are not provided as legal or other professional advice or as a legal service. In the event that legal advice is required, the services of an attorneyt should be sought.