Our Teachers and Staff Need to Feel Seen and Know Their Work Matters

I attended last night’s Anderson School District Five Board meeting, where Chairwoman Leverette opened with an invocation that stayed with me. She prayed that even when there are differences, “let’s get our differences together and we still do Your Work.”

What I heard was simple: We are going to have differences. Let’s get ourselves together and get about doing the work.

Then something happened as I walked outside after the 2.5 hour meeting.

A lady I recognized was waiting for me. I’ve watched her speak at Board meetings for the past two years. She brings incredible enthusiasm for STEM education, often using her three minutes of public input to actually demonstrate what students are learning.

She reminded me that we had spoken a few times in the school board chamber and once bumped into each other in downtown Anderson. I remembered that day vividly…. I told her that I had felt like I was meeting a World Superstar (I mean… totally star struck) because I admired her passion so much.

Last night, she told me how much those simple moments of acknowledgment had meant to her.

She felt seen.

That stopped me!!!

Dale Carnegie wrote in How to Win Friends and Influence People, about our deep human desire to feel important, recognized and appreciated. We can become so focused on the task at hand that we forget to look up and recognize the people making the work possible.

And now I should tell you who was waiting outside.

Mrs. Cindy Wanser is an Anderson School District Five teacher. She can been seen at about 19:00 in the linked school board meeting below.

She is One of the 12,000 people in the arena every day doing remarkable work for our kids in ASD5.

Mrs. Wanser thought she was thanking me. Instead, she reminded me of another reason I’m running: Our teachers and staff need to know we see them, appreciate them and believe their work matters.

My Momma (Patricia Ramsey) spent 40 years as a public school teacher. Before I decided to run, she reminded me of something important: “Tim, you have to listen to the teachers.” I said… “Yes, Ma’am!”

I will listen to the people doing the work because they know what they need for our children to achieve their full God-given potential.

What helps you succeed? What gets in your way? And how can the rest of us show up for you?

Because supporting the people who serve our children is one more way we Put Kids First.