Every dad is obligated to teach Integrity

Dads we have an obligation. We have an obligation to our children, family and society to make sure we are examples of integrity.  This is in no way a small or easy task.  We are constantly competing against poor examples, and many cases from people our society deem as successful or important. The stories from the likes of Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, Anthony Weiner, Ryan Braun, Lindsay Lohan, and Alex Rodriguez  to name a few,  in the last several weeks and years have exposed our society to numerous leaders, athletes and celebrities that quite simply do not get it.  In far too many cases, these examples are or have been glorified.  Dads we have to compete and win with our children.  We have to be the example of honesty and integrity our children need to see.  We need to understand that not only must we serve our society, but we are creating it.   Men of integrity are secure, not only because they tell the truth, but because they live the truth of whom they are.  To quote Tony Dungy, “Integrity is what you do when no one is watching; it's doing the right thing all the time, even when it may work to your disadvantage.”

Unfortunately you need to look no further than the latest scandals consuming our press and social media outlets to realize we must do better.  These unfortunate reports involving deceit and lies, cheating and denial, investigations and reported results boldly demonstrate that we must do better.  We cannot take this responsibility lightly; we cannot cut corners as dads while teaching our children what integrity is all about.  As dads, we have the responsibility to teach our children the importance of integrity.  

A great illustration of integrity speaks of a master carpenter that is set to retire.  Even though he is ready to retire, as a favor to his boss, he commits to building one more house.  As the project continues, it becomes very evident that the carpenter’s heart is really not into building this one last house.  Because his work was unsupervised, it was easy for him to cut corners and resort to shoddy workmanship. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.  As the day arrives for his boss to inspect the home, he states that there would be no need for that, as he knows of his quality of work through the years and turns and hands him the keys to the home as a retirement gift.   Imagine the carpenter’s surprise, and his shame.   If only he had known that all along he was building his own house.  He would have done a much better job.  But, now he was stuck with his own shoddy workmanship. Although only a story, how often have we experienced or have we witnessed similar cutting of corners.

We must take every opportunity to instill integrity into our children.  We have to be the examples that we want our children to see.  As Rodney Atkins sings in his 2006 #1 hit song “Watching You”, our children listen and see everything we do.  Inspired by his sons actions of singing one of his dads songs to his teacher which included a swear word, the song basically explains that in life, sometimes we do not make the right choice, sometimes we do not say or do the right thing.  As the song continues, when asked where he learned such a word, the boy then responds with, "I've been watching you, dad, ain't that cool.  I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you". This is why it is even more reason to own up and do the right thing. As dads, we cannot make excuses, we must act with integrity.

Integrity is what we do when no one is watching. The life we are building is our house, that our children will live in and learn from over time. We are the carpenters.  Each and every day that we pound a nail, put up a beam, or paint a room, integrity is displayed. We have an obligation to build wisely, even when we think no one is watching. That’s integrity, and as a father, you are helping to build the future that will carry on your good name.   

Monthly Quote:  “Your reputation may or may not be accurate. Others determine your reputation, but only you determine your integrity.” - Tony Dungy

Monthly Challenge:  Take the time to watch the music video by Rodney Atkins and listen to the words of “Watching You” intently.  Sit down with your children and discuss a time that you have said or done something that you may not be proud of, but by being immediately honest things worked out.  This activity will emphasize that even when we make mistakes, the most important thing we must do is to be honest take responsibility and live a life of integrity.  

coshoctontribune.com

Ohio Teacher Evaluation System 5 Key C's to Success

While school districts all across the state work to establish their new teacher evaluation system, I thought I would share 5 Cs to Success.  Today's teachers and students  are going through the greatest change in educational history.  Through piloting the OTES system the past two school years, listed below  is what I believe to keys paramount to your success.  

1. Committee

• Representative of all buildings
• Mix of admin and teachers
• Contract language designates
• Recommend plan for Superintendent, Board Approval

2. Communication

• Ongoing and up to date
• Use website, emails etc.  
• Use of common message/voice
• People are down on what they are not up on

3. Consistency

• Reason for a strong point #2
• Concerns arise when having more than one evaluator at a building level
• Feel that one evaluator may be easier
• Teacher/Evaluator assignment : Departments to Principal/Asst. Principal
• Teachers will compare

4. Collection

• Subjectivity with evidence
• Etpes document entry

5. Conversation

• Most important beginning part of process
• Pre and Post conferencing
• Listen more than talk - 2 ears only 1 mouth -- hear twice as much as say
• Serving the teachers, and creating teachers-- serving and creating the future