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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Hi Everyone!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Thanks for yesterday. Your participation in the seminar were greatly appreciated. As I stated during your departure for the day, I find it to be an honor to have the opportunity
to interact with you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Someone asked me, during the session, if I provide advice to graduates of the program. Well, I have in the past. However, I am becoming more and more reluctant to engage
in such an endeavor. I find that my advice is only taken it is compatible with the perspective of the requester. As the famous author John Steinbeck once stated “No one wants advice: Only corroboration.”
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">I hope that you will ponder and learn from our discussion that that use of the notion of being “firm, fair, and consistent” is often challenging. As we discussed, being
consistent and being fair concurrently can be difficult to obtain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">That phenomenon relates well to the question that I asked Melissa Colyer, to which she responded in an insightful manner with an excellent example, regarding the difference
between addressing the needs of “the students” and addressing the needs of “a student.” They sadly are not always the same. Weighing the benefits of which approach to follow can keep an administrator awake all night, I know that they have for me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A principal once told me, as a relatively young superintendent, that he made all of his decisions based upon board policy and the student code of the school. I then asked
him the manner that he interpreted the policy and code to meet the needs of “a student” or the “students.” He told me that an interpretation was not needed, as he simply followed the policy and code. With sadness and resolution, the principal was non-renewed,
due his reaction, coupled with a few other even more egregious actions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">BTW, I think/hope/pray that I have mellowed in the interim. I now try to address such troublesome issues with finesse and genuine care. While, I am typically candid with
my reactions, I try diligently to exhibit authentic care about the individuals to whom my displeasure is being exhibited. After all, they are “their maker’s children.” For that matter, nearly all, if not all, of the major philosophies/religions decree that
we should forgive our enemies.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend. If you have questions or suggestions, please share them with me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Until then, Bill
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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