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Inspire Me (March 2003)True stories, quotes and information on inspiration, leadership and kindness to provide hope and direction in your life.
Eagle or a Chicken? Once upon a time, there was a large mountainside, where an eagle's nest rested. The eagle's nest contained four large eagle eggs. One day an earthquake rocked the mountain causing one of the eggs to roll down the mountain, to a chicken farm, located in the valley below. The chickens knew that they must protect and care for the eagle's egg, so an old hen volunteered to nurture and raise the large egg. One day, the egg hatched and a beautiful eagle was born. Sadly, however, the eagle was raised to be a chicken. Soon, the eagle believed he was nothing more than a chicken. The eagle loved his home and family, but his spirit cried out for more. While playing a game on the farm one day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring in the skies. "Oh," the eagle cried, "I wish I could soar like those birds." The chickens roared with laughter, "You cannot soar with those birds. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar." The eagle continued staring, at his real family up above, dreaming that he could be with them. Each time the eagle would let his dreams be known, he was told it couldn't be done. That is what the eagle learned to believe. The eagle, after time, stopped dreaming and continued to live his life like a chicken. Finally, after a long life as a chicken, the eagle passed away. The moral of the story: You become what you believe you are; so if you ever dream to become an eagle follow your dreams, not the words of a chicken.
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teacher inspires top students Students know her as ''Mrs. Work.'' She could also be ``Mrs. Résumé.'' Her name is Jane Koszoru, and she is the Broward Teacher of the Year for 2004. Koszoru added the county's top honor Wednesday to a long list of accomplishments tallied during a 30-year teaching career. Praised for her energy and smarts, a beaming Koszoru accepted the award -- then returned to her class at the College Academy, a nontraditional high school on the Broward Community College campus in Davie. ''My expectations are very high,'' Koszoru told 1,000 of her peers at the Broward Convention Center. ``I like to challenge the kids, and I think they appreciate that.'' Koszoru, 52, is part of a family teaching legacy. Her mother and grandmother were teachers in Nebraska. Her two sisters are teachers. Her daughter is an education major at the University of Florida. Koszoru was the salutatorian at Nova High -- and at the college of education at the University of Florida. She is one of 15 teachers nationwide -- the only one from Florida -- to sit on a national committee that determines the requirements for English teachers to become board certified. ''I'm something of an academic,'' Koszoru said sheepishly. She taught for 24 years at Coral Springs High, and last year jumped to the College Academy, where she teaches English, American literature and creative writing to juniors and seniors. ''She seemed strict at the beginning, but she gets you involved right away,'' said Lynn Guery, 16, who transferred from Plantation High. ``She keeps you really focused.'' Koszoru said the only drawback is her new classroom -- too institutional. ''I can't plaster things on the walls because other professors must use the room,'' she said. Still, on Wednesday, the 5-foot-4 Koszuru made the space her own, wearing a large smile that warms her drab room like a space heater. At Coral Springs High, her students were required to study an author, then attend a dinner party as the author, with an appropriate dish. A favorite: William Faulkner's Southern dirt pudding. Koszoru believes her job is ''to create the magic, to create the excitement,'' said College Academy Principal Nell Sapp. One of the nation's most respected English teachers began on a different path in 1972, when she was hired to teach math at Driftwood Middle. ''I wrote creative word problems,'' she said. Her acceptance speech also struck a serious note: ``I really believe in public education. I want to restore faith in public education.'' Koszoru was honored over seven other finalists: Susan Allen of Deerfield Beach Elementary; Donna Cardwell of Pines Middle; Rebecca Ann Colgate of Plantation Middle; Deborah Etling of the Hallandale Adult Community Center; Celeste Everett of Country Hills Elementary; Gloria McIntosh of South Broward High; and Mary Singletary of Dillard High.
RUN TO WIN A monthly insert on Coaching and Leadership by Vince Lombardi
* Make every effort to build trust with your players so that your yelling will be taken in stride. * Ask the members of your team to believe in you. * It's more important to have the players' confidence and respect than their affection. * Never tell your team anything that you don't believe yourself. * Always tell your team the truth. Don't even try to deceive them. They'll know. * Take all the blame for a big loss. After you win a big one, be sure to let everybody know that you do not stand alone. * Give those linemen all the credit they deserve. * Be honest with yourself. * Identify with and back up the group even at the risk of displeasing your superiors. * A coach's contact with his team must be close, informal, and sensitive. * Demand at least as much of yourself as you do of anyone else. * Laugh with the team when they win, and die with them when they lose. * Never miss a practice. Never. * Combine tough discipline with a trustworthy disposition.
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