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A True Mentor

He is not going to be happy with me. He'll think I've gone overboard in trying to put thoughts to "paper" about how I feel about all of this.

Just a few short days ago, a mentor to hundreds taught his last SDL admin course. Dr. Brooks taught his last course? That doesn't even seem permissible or plausible.

Mention his name to a group of educators in our region and you'll always find at least one person who has such fondness and memories of learning from him. That's a legacy -- a legacy that walks in the minds, hearts and steps of so many administrators trying to do their very best in the roles they once only imagined having the privilege of serving in.

And when any of us have found ourselves on the losing side of a metaphorical boxing match, he's the first call most of us make.

He tells us to suit back up and get back in there.
He reminds us to be lions.
He steadies our vision and gets it back on track to what's most important -- our students.

I haven't taken an administrative course from him in over 15 years, but he's still my mentor. When I have stories to celebrate, he cheers. And when I have stories that hurt a heart, he listens. He lets me cry when I have to and lets me laugh when I need to. He reminds of my strengths. He's always only a message away --- literally.  At my age, I don't have many teachers I can call out of the blue and ask for help from. But, I do have Dr. Brooks.



Our Deepest Fear


Dr. Harry Brooks believed in so many of us so much that we were left with no choice but to believe in ourselves just as much.  

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure...."

Thank you Dr. Brooks for always helping me become better.

Comments

  1. UnknownAugust 20, 2019 at 7:16 AM

    Dr Brooks’ line when you start the program is, “You're one of us now; this is your network.” I feel pretty strongly about the Ed leaders in our region. I see us as a right knit group. It's a five county-sized version of Cheers. We all know each other's name and, maybes this is influenced by my time with Boces, but we're all looking out for each other too. I'd use that line there too.

    Dr Brooks really has been everyone's professor. For a couple generations of leaders now. It's been 15 years for Lisa? It's been 10 or more for me. And he taught right up till just the other day. That's hundreds of former students, across scores of districts which are educating thousands and thousands of students.

    I just had breakfast with the Dean of the Branch Campus. I mentioned again the power of that leadership program is in the courses taught by current and former Supts/leaders. You get an experience that is, “The textbook is great, but let me tell you how I really handled x.”

    And he'd say, “I'm in your network too. Reach out when you need.” He always had been. Hoping I can live up to at least that small piece of professional practice.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownAugust 20, 2019 at 10:06 PM

    Dr. Brooks is a true mentor. I use to love attending his classes and listening to his vast knowledge and stories.
    I truely appreciate all that Dr. Brooks did for me. Thank you, Dr. Brooks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJune 19, 2021 at 8:47 AM

    you think you know him and you don't. does anyone? what is on the outside is not always on the inside. motives are not clear. secrets are hidden. he left a trail of destruction in hearts that will change generations.

    ReplyDelete

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