Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Podcast: Download
This match represents the small flame burning inside the mind of your students. It’s the flame of dreams, ambitions and hopes.
Their aspirations are like this match – short and burning fast. Adults tend to influence the burn rate more than anybody. As an educator, a teacher, that includes YOU.
What if you view part of your role in a student’s life as keeping the flame burning – the flame of possibility?
Recently, Brett Favre‘s agent publicly made an offer to tutor the NFL’s number one draft pick, quarterback Cam Newton. Favre has about 20 years of professional football experience. His biography is impressive. What do you suppose Cam Newton could learn from him? The term “priceless” comes to mind.
Expertise is more readily available than ever. Social media and Internet technology shrink the world in meaningful ways. We can all reach out to people who were not previously approachable. That’s an important vehicle for helping slow down the burn rate on our students’ passions and dreams. We can easily show kids what is possible by connecting them with people who are doing what they dream of doing one day. No dream is too far fetched. Too weird. Somebody somewhere is doing it. And it’s highly likely they’re willing to share their story and passion with your students.
I loved drawing cartoons when I was young. I drew a lot. I loved to write, too. I wrote a lot. Over time both passions died out, giving way to pragmatism. Besides, I didn’t know anybody who lived as a cartoonist or a writer. Somebody did those things. I just didn’t know any of them – so the burn rate on my dreams accelerated. Nobody tried to slow it down. Not even me.
Ballard Street is a long-time favorite cartoon of mine. The Yellow Studio contains the artwork of Jerry Van Amerongen, the creator of Ballard Street. The irony of Ballard Street is that it began as The Neighborhood when Jerry was 40 years old. He had spent 17 years in the corporate world in sales, marketing and product management. Thankfully, Jerry was able to re-light the match of his gift and passion. Most don’t.
This is one of his greeting cards. After a hundred views, I still laugh like I did when I first saw it. Jerry is that good. Man, am I ever glad he re-lit that match after 17 years in the business world. But I’m sad that both he and the world were robbed of 17 years of his gift. I wonder if the adults in his life – maybe a teacher or two – could have influenced the burn rate on his dream. I’m betting they could have.
Just last week I connected with him on Facebook. I had no idea he was on Facebook, but on a lark I searched his name. Presto! There he was. I clicked to Friend him and wrote him a brief note. He approved my request AND he answered my note. I was giddy.
The world will be robbed of the gifts of your students unless you keep their dreams alive. It’s not your place to coerce, manipulate or even influence the kids to chase one thing or give up something else. It’s your job to keep the flame alive so they have time to figure it out for themselves. Keep the flame burning so you give them a chance to deliver their gift to the world.
Do that for the kids you teach. Let me share with you some ideas in how.
Would you like my help to make this happen for your students? Just say the word. It’s that easy! And it’s free. That’s how the world works today. Isn’t it great?
Follow @RandyCantrell
