Out of My League

It’s the truth. I have to confess. I never thought I would be able to say it. My very first hourly job I made $3.00 per hour. It could never happen to me.

But today, today it did. I found out the truth. I am a millionaire.

I made my money in real estate. Commercial property.

Today… a kindergartner told his mother the truth about my life. “Look Mom, the guy in the hat, he is our principal… and he owns our school.”

Let that soak in… keep soaking… I can see the for sale sign now.

This little man gave me ownership of my own 62,000 square foot building. Nestled on five acres in the heart of Smithfield, America.

The appraised value of “my building” is 2.1 million dollars. $2,100,000.  A two with a whole bunch of zeros after it.

We spend our days looking for ways to make the dreams of our students come true. Today, that student made mine… I own a 50 year old school building.

I know… the taxes are almost due…

I am amazed about the things that occur in school. Amazed by what happens in the progression of the school year. Amazed at the changes that occur over that time. The changes in the students. Not the changes of maturety and age, those are a given, I am amazed at the changes in them as they learn.

They learn how to act in community. They learn how to work with others. They learn the proper way to do things. One of the most magical things that they learn… is how to read!

The ability to read takes kids places they could never go. They can find the magic in books. The year I was born produced the following books:

1964 Medal Winner: Where the Wild Things Areby Maurice Sendak (Harper)
Honor Books:

• Swimmyby Leo Lionni (Pantheon)
• All in the Morning Early, illustrated by Evaline Ness; text: Sorche Nic Leodhas, pseud. [Leclaire Alger] (Holt)
• Mother Goose and Nursery Rhymes, illustrated by Philip Reed (Atheneum)

I know… I’m old… but one of my most favorite children’s books was produced that year. I love reading “Where the Wild Things Are ” to my kids. The older two aren’t into having Dad read to them. However, Riley is right in the sweet spot for that.

As I go through classrooms I get to see adults teach students about the magic of reading. I am not an expert on reading instruction, but I know good instruction when I see it. I love watching a good teacher teach a good reading lesson. I am drawn in.

I have three sometimes four kindergarten teachers. They are the first line against illiteracy in our world. They teach kids how to read. I have the luck of having three sometimes four very very good teachers. They are extraordinary in many ways.

They take kids at the beginning of hte year and make readers out of them. I would venture to say that students never grow academically in a year as much as they do during the kindergarten year. I could be wrong, but not too wrong.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow. The routine of school starts… as does the magic of reading.

I know many of you have been waiting for my next great interview (many being the operational term for both of you who read and listen here).

I spent a little time yesterday with Dr. Robert Marzano. (click his name to listen)