Category: Career lessons

My first day as superintendent of Britton-Macon was November 4, 1991.  I had been hired at the October 14th Board of Education meeting, but November 4th was my first day on the job. My appointment was on the October agenda so Ruth and I attended the meeting. I had been in the district for my …

  I first learned of Doc Kelly during my initial interview for the job as elementary school principal in Addison.  That was 1977.  Everyone I met spoke of him.  He was a veterinarian with an office just outside of town. The more people talked, the clearer my vision of the man developed.  I knew that …

When you are a part of the leadership team for a pair of organizations for over thirty years, you have the opportunity to meet and hire a lot of people.  Some work out and others don’t.  If you do a good job during screening most of your moves are positive. I met Stacie and her …

  This is the first week back to school for tens of thousands of students.  For others its just “back” after a long week-end.  Schools in Michigan have been having “first days back” for the past couple of weeks.  It’s another one of those location – location deals. I started my career in education fifty …

I received tons of advice when I first became an elementary school principal.  One of my favorite observations was from an older cousin who knew nothing about what I had done or was about to do.  He offered up, “If you work hard, someday you’ll become a high school principal.”  Becoming a high school principal …

  Ruth took Brady and Eva out for lunch last Saturday.  They spent their mid-day sharing time and conversation.  We’re lucky that our two grandchildren think enough of us to share theirs. Part of the visit was a discussion of making money.  As they drove to lunch the kids pointed out some nice homes and …

I work with 40 – 50 high school students each summer.   They work on projects at local businesses for two weeks in July.  Students who want to become involved  in the program must complete an application and write a two-hundred word essay on why they wish to participate.  After they complete their paperwork, I …

I met Bob Brower when we were young.  He started teaching in Plainwell in 1966 and I joined the staff in 1969.  He passed away last week and his funeral is today. Bob and his then wife, Pauline, invited me into their home early in my career.   They set me up on a blind …

When I was growing up in Royal Oak, I don’t recall ever having a snow day.  I probably would have liked one, but we were a tough breed back then.   The first snow day that I can recall took place my second year of college.   I was a student at Western Michigan University …

I recently decided upon a new career path.  It was a spontaneous inspiration fueled by a challenge that most of us face each day.  Unbalanced tables.  I have decided to invest in a fleet of commercial vans that will be:   1) Nimble.  2) Provide for the greatest impact and thus increased income.  3) Employ …