Setting Sail: Lessons From Gilligan's Island

Setting Sail On A New Adventure
The 2017-18 School Year
A Lesson From Gilligan's Island
"The more you do, the more you fail. The more you fail, the more you learn. The more you learn, the better you get." - John C. Maxwell. 

The 2017-18 School Year for many is here. There is a great deal of hope and optimism for the start of a new school year. It's a new beginning, a fresh start, a new adventure. As a Chicago Cubs fan we always were looking forward to "next year". As you return to your school building or your position at a central office in the coming days and weeks or if you are already there --- take a moment to capture the excitement, the enthusiasm, the hope, and the passion that you and your colleagues have. 

The school year in a lot of ways reminds me as a boxing fan of a 12-round championship fight. Many schools and districts come out blazing like Mike Tyson back in the day and as the calendar year turns, the grind becomes real. Be there for one another, push each other to go that extra round, take this fight to the distance for your team, your staff, your students, your families, and your communities. This is a fight worth winning!!!

A guilty pleasure for me growing up was watching Gilligan's Island. The story of a two-man charter boat and five passengers on a three-hour tour that end up shipwrecked on island. As this school year started I begin to think about Gilligan's Island and find some lessons to inspire me for year ahead. 

The skipper, gilligan, the millionare, his wife, the professor, the movie star, and mary ann all were very resourceful. They fashioned a lot of objects from bamboo and other materials. Truly, the castaways made the most out of what they had available to them. We do that as well in education. Budgets are shrinking and the demands are high. During my time in education I've seen countless innovative lessons where teachers used their imagination to create a special learning experience for their students with the resources they had available to them. This year, be resourceful. Use your imagination to create something special kids will always remember. They will thank you and remember you for it. 

Gilligan especially drew me into the show. He was always trying. He was a doer and a trier. The guy was always willing to put himself out there, to take a risk in attempt to make a situation better for his people. Do that this year in your school or district level position. Take a risk. Be a doer. Try something new. Have a can do attitude. And if your a leader, look out for your people like the Skipper did his "Little Buddy". Care about your team. Respect and value them.

The essence of Gilligan was his imperfection. Know that you're going to make mistakes. Failure is simply a price we pay to achieve success. Failure is a momentary event, not a lifelong epidemic. Remember that. You are not a failure, you just failed at something. FAIL = First Attempt In Learning.  Never say die. Never be satisfied. Be persistent. Fulfilling your mission in education is worth every attempt you make to get better.

It will take all of us working together on whatever island we inhabit within education to make amazing happen and have the lasting impact Gilligan's Island had on people of all ages. 

Here's to a great 2017-18 school year. Set sail on a new adventure. Cherish the journey and those you share it with.

C.J.

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