Why What We Do Is So Important

(Each month I have the good fortune to write an article for the Marion City Schools Community Newspaper sharing the great things happening at Rushmore Academy. This is April's article which I am sharing.)

In August of 2009 Rushmore Academy opened with 53 students, three and a half teachers, a half-time director, and a full time secretary/data entry/and all the other things Linda takes care of. In so many ways we were literally “flying by the seat of our pants”. We had some guidelines and models to follow from similar Community Schools, but other than that our sole foundation and belief was based totally on doing what is best and right for each student.

We had the great fortune to have Jim Oyster work with us some that first year. If you know Jim, you know what a caring educator he is. He would say to me almost daily, “If you are going to make a mistake, make one doing the best for kids.” He was also repeating over and over, “You are saving a kid one at a time.” Wow! What great advice, insight, and inspiration. I would like to think that even in our first year it could be seen that we had a belief in every student.

So many individuals and groups have believed in Rushmore Academy from the very beginning. The Marion City Schools and the Board of Education, Dr. Barney, Sandy Borland, Carol Bebout, the Rushmore Academy Board of Directors, and so many businesses and community leaders stepped up and showed us that they too believed that every kid is worth giving a second, third, fourth, and even tenth chance.

We are now within 8 weeks or so from concluding our third year, and we have seen so many inspiring successes. I would like to share one in particular with you.

Recently Steve Vanderhoff and I along with Holly Middleton and Angie Haas sat down with one of our students to finalize her IEP. This young lady, a Mom of a beautiful two year old boy, living on her own sat patiently as Steve went through the proceedings. She knew this would be the last time for having to do this.

As we concluded the process with all the required signatures, suddenly this young lady let out a sigh and began to fight back tears. After a minute or so she was able to compose herself, and so much in the way she has grown and matured, she apologized for breaking down as she did. With our consoling her and affirming all was fine, she then allowed her real, true, genuine emotions to surface.

She said fighting back tears of joy, “I never thought I would see myself earning my diploma. This all seems so hard to believe,” And then with the gentleness and humbleness she has so beautifully developed she said, “This is because of all of you!”

I sat in utter amazement at how thankful and appreciative this beautiful young girl was. It did not matter how many times we all tried to affirm with her, “No! This is because of you!” wanting her to realize she is the one who came back, having stared adversity down, refusing to make excuses, and working so hard that this achievement will now be fully attained on Tuesday, May 29th as she walks across the stage receiving her diploma.

She finally composed herself and left the room reminding us she had some school work to complete. Steve, Holly, Angie, and I just sat quietly absorbing what had just happened. Following a short time of reflecting we could only share with each other what a tremendous job this student has done and reminding ourselves that this is why what we do is so important.

As we near the end of another school year may we take a few quiet moments to reflect on what an honor it is to have so many opportunities to impact lives in so many positive ways. I always find this to be so refreshing. It helps me reconnect with the understanding and belief that what we do is so important. It is also at this time that I realize more than ever that it is our kids who have touched and impacted my life in so many positive ways. Yes, what we do is that important and how fortunate we are!