This week I attended the Buckeye Association of School Administrators fall conference. This conference gathers superintendents from all over Ohio and always features impressive speakers. The closing keynote speaker, John Draper with Educational Research Services, encouraged us to share our passion about what we do by expressing why we believe in what we do. This is particularly important at a time when public education is under heavy scrutiny.  He used a “TLC” formula:

• Think and talk about what you believe and why you believe it. (Why did you choose to work in education and why do you continue to do so?)
• Learn to use language that reframes the issues. (Talk in terms of successes and gains.)
• Connect your community to students using stories. (You all have many positive stories to tell about the impact your work has on real people’s lives!)

Great formula–let’s all put it to use to bring our programs and students the recognition they deserve.

Speaking of belief and passion, I had the pleasure if traveling to the Hocking College Energy Institute on Thursday with two of our staff (Robert Walker and Jeniffer Brubaker) to see their facility and discuss partnerships in the area of alternative energy programs. Jerry Hutton, Dean of the campus, and his staff gave us an overview of this amazing facility which has been over 30 years in the making, all under his leadership. Talk about believing in something and sticking with it! We happened to visit on the very day they were burying a time capsule to be dug up in 100 years. The capsule contained several items which represent the college’s current alternative energy initiatives as well as predictions about what our energy use might look like in the future. I’ve included some photos of the Energy Institute and the burying of the time capsule. (You can read more about this futuristic facility at www.hocking.edu.)

Dr. Huttons’ belief in his work was definitely contagious! Is yours?

Kim Davis serves as the Superintendent of the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center.