You can’t be great without the greatness of others. ~ Nick Sirianni

On Sunday, my hometown team, the Philadelphia Eagles, won the Super Bowl! What a great day for the city, especially after the tragic plane crash that happened there just over a week ago. We will be riding this “high” for a while.

Philadelphia sports fans are often portrayed as hooligans unsatisfied with their teams unless they make it to the playoffs and past the first round. We are passionate about our teams and players on and off the field. We want our teams and players to be their best whenever they take the field and support the Philadelphia community when they are not playing.
Over the last two weeks, the Eagles players and head coach have often been quoted in the media. The above quote attributed to Nick Sirianni got me thinking. Who makes me great?

I take great pride in my work as a teacher and feel successful in my job performance, but how did I achieve this “greatness?” Who is excellent around me that makes me great? Where do I even begin?

Over the years, many colleagues have mentored, inspired, and supported me in ways that have allowed me to grow as a teacher and hone my craft.

During my 39 years as an educator, I have had many principals. Some were great, others not so much. Under the leadership of those great ones, I flourished and came into my own. They prepared me for the years when leadership was lacking or overbearing. My current principal has made it difficult to decide when to retire because I enjoy my work so much under his leadership. I will at least make it an even 40 before I pull the plug.

The many students I have taught have made me who I am today. Each year, they pushed me to be the best I could be so I could offer them the best I had to give. Some were challenging, which was good because they forced me to seek new ways and kept me learning.

Of course, none of this could be possible without the love and support of my family. They have kept me grounded and lifted me, listened to me, and offered advice. I am only “great” because they surround me with greatness.

No one climbs the mountain alone or reaches the pinnacle of their career solo. Some people accompanying you on the journey may go unseen or remain in the shadows, but we must never get so “great” as to forget the greatness surrounding us. Who makes you great?

Go Birds!