What Has The Fourth Of July Taught Us?

Happy Holiday to you wherever you are and whatever you are doing! Always falling outside of the school calendar, this isn’t a holiday we need to “teach”, so maybe it hasn’t been on your radar for years. Not a history buff at all, I was thinking about how the events surrounding July 4, 1776 could translate into building a strong and successful classroom and CTSO. So let’s talk about the lessons of the 4th of July.

Never Stop Working

“When in the course of human events it becomes necessary…”

~The Declaration of Independence

These events in history have absolutely taught us that we need to keep working through the good times and the bad, focusing always on the outcome desired.

That’s why I just returned from the FBLA National Leadership Conference! Because, even in the heat and relaxation of the summer, our student leaders need us. While it won’t always be the bell-to-bell type of work we do during the school year, it is important that we continue to learn and grow as Advisers so we can better serve our students. From one of the lessons of 4th of July, all of these things are important.

Maybe working for you consists of reading periodicals, or the latest textbook. Sometimes working might include getting yourself some rest and in better shape this summer, so you can be stronger and more capable when school starts again. It doesn’t really matter what “work” looks like for you this summer—the point is that you are consistently and regularly thinking about how to improve your product and your program so that you can impact more students more thoroughly. That doesn’t only happen within the walls of your school. 

Live Your Conviction

“…we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”

~The Declaration of Independence

We have learned that you need to believe with your entire soul, and demonstrate your commitment and conviction at all times. 

We can’t encourage our students to “dress professionally” if we are showing up at school or a conference in our gardening clothes. There. I said it; I know that in the current environment it is completely normal—and almost expected—for educators to be more casual; I freely support their right to follow their school dress code as they see fit. Just not for me. I can’t preach professional dress from the stage wearing jeans and sneakers—it just doesn’t compute.

I apply the same conviction to professional development, training and conferences. This past week, I didn’t encourage kids to go to workshops from the comfort of my hotel room—I was in an adviser-driven workshop myself! 

Be Courageous

“We hold these truths to be self evident…”

~The Declaration of Independence

The “rebels” during the 1776 time period were faced repeatedly with dangerous and potentially life-threatening decisions. 

While sometimes we may feel the simple act of showing up to school might be courageous, it simply isn’t enough. We are constantly asking our students to step out of their comfort zones and try new things—presentations without using notes, joining a new organization, applying for a job—and we need to demonstrate our courage in the same ways.

For example, I applied for an award last year for the program we do through my Accounting 3 class, and I asked the students to help me write the application and film the corresponding video. While I won the first round, becoming the state champion, I did not succeed in winning the western region. The kids were with me through the entire process, and I was able to model for them humble victory and proud failure.

What they need us to model is resiliency. That’s why this is one of my favorite lessons from the 4th of July. So many of our young leaders are ready to quit after one small setback or failure. It’s important that they recognize the importance of the process itself, and find joy and pride in completing the task, even if they fail to achieve their overall goal. 

Communicate Well

“…a decent respect to the opinions of mankind require that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

~The Declaration of Independence

The Founding Fathers did not have the technological advances that we did, yet they were able to unite the colonies, and stand up to their entire mother country. 

That kind of makes forgetting to write a simple thank you email pretty lame, doesn’t it? It’s important that we model strong and positive communication skills with our students, so they can emulate how we respond to people using positivity and timeliness. I refuse to hang any sign in my classroom that is written from a negative position: “Do not… Stop…” which is a subtle way for my students to pick up on the positivity in our room. 

While communicating from a position of positivity is extremely important, and should be something you work with your students to do on a regular basis, we can’t forget the importance of timeliness as well. Examples of how I model appropriate and respectful timeliness exist in how quickly I return submitted work, giving myself just 48-hours to return assignments. For longer projects, I have the exact amount of time to grade that they had to prepare the project. Another important (and mostly forgotten!!!) skill I cultivate in my organization is the use of handwritten thank you notes. Getting into the habit of expressing gratitude is extremely important, not to mention quite valuable in the business setting.

Never Give Up

“In every stage of these Oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury…a tyrant is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.”

~The Declaration of Independence

Where would we be if the Founding Fathers had given up? We’d be the opposite of independent, that’s where!

Can you imagine your student leaders never developing their independence? That would be torture for us as parents, educators, bosses, Advisers. Even Sweet Husband’s kindergarten students are learning about independence on a daily basis. I’ve often told people the concept of children “growing up” isn’t like turning on a light switch. Becoming an adult is something you work towards daily for years before they actually are independent. 

Our students need to see our tenacity whenever possible, too, as this is an important role to model to them. Whether it is the discussions around selling new products in our student store, traveling across the country for a conference, or earning additional certifications on our license, it is extremely important that we share these journeys with our student leaders.

It’s All About Legacy

“…that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

~The Declaration of Independence

We continue to celebrate The Fourth of July as the birth of the United States of America, and have commemorated many of the original signers on money and in statues. Their ideals and accomplishments live on long after they are gone.

I’ve mentioned this in other blogs about starting and maintaining strong chapters in your student organizations. It’s all about legacy.

BUT…it’s not about MY legacy. It isn’t about what Patti Buono accomplished, or how many winners she coached or state officers she had. It’s about the overall success and dedication the students continue to show through the years that defines the legacy of our school FBLA team. If I produce one really great year with tons of community service and winners, but fail to meet or exceed those accomplishments in the future, what have I truly done? I’ve impacted a small group of students, but my goal is continued impact on generations of students. 

I hear from former athletes and students quite often, and I love it. They will never know how much I love it. 

But I don’t take it personally.

It was never—is never—about Patti Buono. It’s always about what I helped them find and deepen and enrich within themselves. Maybe they remember my name, my classroom, a catch phrase, but it’s the feeling of accomplishment, of belonging, of being appreciated, that they truly remember.

That’s my legacy. 

Have a great holiday~

THANK YOU FOR READING THIS FAR

Wow, thank you for reading about the lessons from the 4th of July!

Hey, since you’re here! You may as well check out how to start a CTSO, here, and self-care for educators, here! Check out our other topics here! Either way, I appreciate you!

What are YOUR lessons from the 4th of July??? Let me know!

Please leave a COMMENT about any tips you may have!! Or comment what your favorite lesson of mine was! How’s your student organization operating? Let me know.

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