January 2006

Growing Tall

I heard a story on NPR recently that bares some thought. There is a giant sequoia here in California that used to be one of the world’s tallest trees. It has been alive for over 2000 years and in 1999 stood 254 feet tall. Out of the hundreds of sequoia’s growing in Kings Canyon National Park, this tree stood out. It was so distinguished that it was named, “The Washington Tree”. The Washington Tree has changed in the past few years. It is now about 115 feet tall with most of its upper canopy fallen and its truck hollow. 

What really caught my attention with this story, and seemed sad to me initially, was the concluding statement of one of the park naturalists. With a kind of poetic insight, the naturalist remarked that although the tree had been stunning, the loss of its crown has allowed a new generation of giant sequoias to grow in its shadow.

For our work in building exemplary transition programs, there are two salient points. The first is the notion of growing so tall that you are named. We see over and over that the very best programs are the result of a professional determined to be tall on their campus. In order for your program to thrive and become sustainable, it requires a champion, someone who understands the impact of a powerful program. 

The same can be said for all great achievements. Being a great teacher, counselor, administrator, parent, or educational innovator requires that you stand tall enough to create a name for yourself and the work that you become associated with. This is part of what we were talking about at Basic Training with the theory of “Go Big”!

We have all seen someone, though, who grew so tall that they eventually started to block out the sun for others to grow. It is an inevitable part of the cycle; sometimes we need to trim ourselves back so that others can grow tall in the same way that we have. We must make room for other educators or even Link and WEB Leaders to grow to their own height. This is required in order that the whole community (forest) can grow. 

I was speaking recently with Denise, a WEB coordinator in San Diego. Denise has spent the last few years building a strong WEB program at Bear Valley Middle School. She has grown tall at her school, not only through her work with WEB, but also as the student council advisor and AVID teacher. With three exceptional programs under her watch, the workload became overwhelming. When we talked, Denise had mixed emotions.

She was excited because another member of her staff was going to take on WEB and go through the Basic Training. On the other hand, she was sad to be leaving WEB, a program she had started and nurtured. The transition is always hard when we have built something meaningful. If Denise had not become attached to WEB, it could not have grown into a significant program on their campus. 

Although the letting go is hard, it is also necessary. What will the newly trained person bring to the program? With someone who has a ‘beginners mind’ for WEB, the program is likely to grow and change in ways that will hopefully make Denise proud.

So the question becomes, where are you in the growth process? ? Are you still in the first few years? Then make this your time to grow tall and create a name for yourself and for your program. Perhaps you are just starting to see the fruits of your labors; then take this time to look around and ask yourself, what’s next, what seeds can I cultivate now? Or is it time for you to let the sun shine down on the next generation of educators who will continue the work you started in making yours a campus where everyone can succeed? Only you know the answer. Whatever you decide, remember that there is a world of support for you and some of it (us!) is only a phone call away.

Here is to a growth-filled, prosperous New Year.

Just for You

Announcements

Many of you have had the pleasure of talking to or meeting our office manager Becky. We are pleased to let you know that her daughter Quinn Rebecca Emmons was born on Nov. 23^rd and both are in great health (as well as proud papa). Feel free to send congrats notes to Becky at becky@boomerangproject.com.

Upcoming Trainings

The Basic Trainings -  FEBRUARY  DEADLINE APPROACHING!

For those of you who are planning to train new folks from your campus, please remember to register them early. Last year almost every training sold out. Also, please note that we have changed the deadline for getting the early registration discount. You must have your deposit paid or have given us a PO number by Feb. 1 to qualify for the $1895 price. After Feb. 1 it is $1995 to train each staff member.

Call 1-800-688-7578 or register online at www.boomerangproject.com

*All participants are asked to check into the hotel the evening before the first date of the conference listed above for a brief evening meeting at 8:30 PM.

The Refresher

We are excited to be offering 6 Refresher courses this year with our first ever CHICAGO Refresher. We are looking forward to seeing you in the Midwest. The Refresher promises to be the best ever this year. We are laser focused on providing you a two day experience that will catapult your program to the next level. Give us a call if you have any questions.

Call 800-688-7578 or register online at www.boomerangproject.com

Book Recommendations

The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman

Have you looked around and felt like we are moving into a new world? What kind of world are we preparing students to enter? Thomas Friedman travels around the world to provide a compelling account of this new world. He details the 10 forces that are helping to reshape, in his words, ‘flatten’ the globe into a new era. It is not that your students will be competing for jobs just with people from different states, now they will compete on a truly global scale with even accounting available for outsourcing. Reading this book is a good start toward preparing for a flat world.