I recently took over the position of President of the Faculty Senate for my campus, the East Campus, of Valencia College. It’s a one-year volunteer position and as such I had a chance to address a small group of my peers about our work. Things at our College have been contentious at times, as we have struggled to do our work in a world of heightened tension.
I told my peers that I believe we in Academia are facing a perfect storm of crisis: a tidal wave of technology that has battered down everything in its path changing the landscape of the world; a hurricane of political and economic crisis with the wind of political crisis and the hail storm rain of economic distress have battered the attitude of so many; and an earthquake of cultural change at the deepest levels of our society reflecting everything from simple civility to perceptions about how much effort something should take.
This perfect storm is not, of course, only somehow limited to stressing the realm of education. It is swirling throughout all of our society and its impact is easily felt, whether in dealing with the frustrations of simple communication or wrestling with the poor quality of work done by those you pay to handle an issue for you. You can see this trauma of storm in how we have become an indulgent culture pursuing luxury (early retirement, excess wealth, more and more things) as the only evidence of life success.
Each semester, I find it increasingly challenging to help my students understand that learning is indeed a difficult challenge, especially at the “Higher Education” level. I believe quite firmly that the majority of what I perceive to be my student issues of work ethic, overall performance, desire and engagement are merely a reflection of society. These young adults have not created this world, they have merely been raised in it.
Can it be different?
I think it can be if we choose to reach for amazing.
Taking that position is the start of a life lived to the beat of a different drummer because amazing is not one of less work, but of more work. It is not a life diligently forcing everyone into a simple box of thinking, but encouraging creativity. It is not the decision to merely teach the semester the same old way you’ve done for the past years, but to become innovative at the risk that all innovators face. It is the willingness to follow Edison in the pursuit of multiple failures in order to experience the one success.
I was honored recently by several students saying a version of “you are amazing.” Realize that I understand that there could be just as many students who think I am a terrible or mean teacher, but who wouldn’t send that to me in an email. The deeper praise came from a long time friend who said I am a “consistent friend.”
You can be that too. You probably already are amazing to someone. Look to expand that circle. If you’ve been wonderful to your close friends, work to share that same amazing you with casual friends. If you’ve been amazing to those who are only friendly to you, take the next step by giving that first smile to the other person. If you are a professor who can be patient or caring with the student who shows great interest in your subject field, expand your effort to all the students who show up.
As Casey Kasem used to say, “reach for the stars.” Go! Be Amazing.