Flowers From Dana : A Guest Post

Flowers From Dana : A True Story

by Kenis Sweet, Math Teacher @ Granville Jr. Sr. High School

I called my parents one day last fall to check in, as they are in their 80’s now. They are particularly curious about my teaching and my students. My mom taught Home Economics in my Jr. High school and then High School back when I was there; now it is Food And Consumer Science, or FACS. Mom was a very progressive teacher; she even started a day care center in our high school to enrich the Childhood Development class that she created.

Mom was excited to tell me that the florist had arrived a few days earlier with a beautiful arrangement for her. The card was signed simply, “Thanks for everything, Dana.” My mom was baffled. Who was Dana?

Later that day, Dana called and explained. Dana remembered my sister from our high school, and had tracked her down through social media, and asked how to contact our mom. The flowers were a thank you for helping a struggling kid almost four decades earlier.

Dana explained that her father was a government employee, and had to move a lot for work. She had attended seven different school districts in her last six years of school. As a result, with just a few months to go before graduation, she was told that she was one credit short of meeting the state graduation requirements. Of course, Dana was devastated, certain that her life was ruined. Instead, my mother helped Dana create an independent project that took several weeks to complete, so that Dana could earn the required credit, and graduate in June with her peers.

Dana explained that at a recent seminar, participants were challenged to identify a caring individual that had a significant influence on their life. Dana said that my mom had always been a thought, but at that moment, Dana realized that my mother’s concern and dedication had literally changed her life’s direction. Instead of dropping out of High School, Dana graduated and went on to attend beauty school. She earned a Business Degree, and eventually opened her own shop. She now owns a chain of hair salons and employs dozens of staff members.

So my mom, choking back her emotions, said to me, “Don’t ever forget the impact that you have on a student’s life. You can literally change their future.”

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My sincerest thanks to Kenis for reminding us to know our why. If there is one thing that leading, teaching and learning has sharpened for many of us during this unprecedented time of schooling is our ability to find the silver linings. Knowing our why can help keep us remain centered even in unpredictable times. Because, like Kenis' mom advises, we may truly never know our impact. 

"When you know your why, your what has more impact because you are walking in towards your purpose."