About one week ago, my wife and I rushed our 14 month-old daughter to Nationwide Children's Hospital. She had pulled down a cup of hot tea on herself and sustained second degree burns on her abdomen. It was one of the most terrifying and horrific moments as a parent.
When we arrived at the ER check in, we were the fourth family in line waiting to be checked in by the security guard. I made my voice heard and security quickly ushered us to the front. We were expedited through registration, a triage room, and escorted to room ten in the ER within minutes. The burn unit surgeon on-call assessed the wounds, consulted with a fellow, and explained the plan of action.
We spent three days and two nights in the burn unit at Nationwide Children's Hospital. During this time we interacted with approximately 40 employees (nurses, doctors, therapists, housekeeping, security guards, pharmacist, clerical staff, etc.). It was emotionally painful for my wife and I to watch our baby go through such a harrowing experience. However, it was significantly lessened first and foremost by the prayers of our loved ones, but also by the sincere care that was displayed to us by these employees. Every single employee of Children's that we encountered was caring.
From the security guard who ushered us to the front, to the nurse who was constantly reassuring, to the lady who brought the lunch and whispered so as to not wake my daughter and wife, to the nurse who blew bubbles to distract my baby when her bandages were being changed, to the guy who played his guitar for my daughter in the play room - we knew we were cared for. We were strangers to these people, but they loved us as if we were family.
It is not enough to be competent in your job - especially in education. It is not enough to have the knowledge to be good at what you do and the wherewithal to solve problems.
Sure you might know the content of your subject and the standards of your course inside and out. Maybe as an instructional leader you keep up on the latest technology tools and instructional practices to improve learning. Quite possibly, you are so awesome that you've mastered the elusive challenge of using assessment data to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all learners. But more than anything - do you love and care for those in your building? How do your actions reflect this?
If you really want to make a difference - if you really want to make a lasting, powerful impact - you have to be driven with a sincere care for others.
