[Learning and Teaching HOW TO Walk the Talk]
Drafted by Clement E. Glenn, PhD
INTRODUCTION
Life in the 21st century promises to be the best and worst times in the history of America. It’s been stated that vision without action is just a dream. Time, which is the second most precious commodity of all—behind wisdom, affords us the opportunity to develop proactive strategies and approaches to deal with and effectively address what our eyes have yet to see, or refuse to see. Make no mistake, America will have to face the future together—the good, bad, and ugly if we are to survive and succeed.
A NEED FOR CATALYSTS AND CHANGE AGENTS
[Insert Name of School District/University] must step out of the shadows into the light for the purpose of taking the leadership role in producing what will be needed to address the uncertainty of the future—a pluralistic society—one that allows for full participation without losing one’s ethnic identity. For this to happen, [Insert Name of School District/University], as a public institution for quality learning, must begin to see itself as the root that serves as an anchor to all of the lives that are connected to it—students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, and the rest of the community’s stakeholders. Our campuses must begin to see themselves as the vines that are connected to the root. Our departments and classrooms must begin to see themselves as the branches connected to the vines. And, our human resources (people) must see themselves as the leaves connected to the branches. We must come to see these connections (relationships) as the key ingredients to creating and sustaining quality life.
AN EDUCATIONAL MESSAGE FOR PRACTITIONERS AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS
It is with sincerest hope that the following MESSAGE will be adopted by [Insert Name of School District/University] and our Community Family as we initiate a movement that will supremely impact our campuses, cities, counties, regions, states, nation, and world.
Note: This is not about the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.
THE MESSAGE: Creating Ambassadors
[The Big Six (6) For Producing Cultural Change and Diversity]
1] PEACE – freedom from conflict
- Internal calm; restfulness; pathway to joy
- External calm; harmony; civil obedience (lawfulness)
2] RECONCILIATION – to make friendly again; bring into agreement
- Friendships (unconditional love)
- Partnerships (united we stand)
- Mutual Trust (dependability)
- Mutual Support (encouragement)
- Mutual Benefit (overall satisfaction)
3] DIALOGUE – interchange of ideas by open discussion
- Opportunity to speak
- Opportunity to listen
- Opportunity to express emotions
- Opportunity to walk in the other fellow’s shoes
4] SELF-EXAMINATION – inspection of one’s self; a self test
- Who am I?
- What do I stand for (convictions)?
- Do I have the heart of a victor (over-comer)?
- What is my mission?
- What is my purpose?
- What is my goal?
- What is my motto (guiding principle)?
- What is my platform?
5] FORGIVENESS – the password that unlocks the door to your heart
- Let go of resentment
- Let go of past mistakes
- Let go of hurtful emotional scars
- A decision that allows for personal movement to a higher plain.
6] HUMILITY – a quality of excellence; attribute of a true champion
- Respect for higher authority
- Understated importance of self
- Meekness—having strength under control
- Self-discipline—maintaining focus and direction
- Willingness to model a lifestyle of righteousness
