The Yellow Dog
A newsletter for the U.A.A.E.
Issue 1, 2007 February 23, 2007
A message from our President:
The other day, while reading to my grandchildren, I came across an old child’s story…the tale of the Tortoise and the Hare. As I read it to them, I started realizing that the story was much more than just about the Tortoise beating the Hare in a road race. The story is really about how one needs to keep focused on goals. The Hare missed his opportunity to excel even though he was gifted with an ability to run fast. He allowed himself to become distracted and forgot was his ultimate goal was. He allowed other things to take precedence in his life and interfere with his ultimate goal, whereas the Tortoise stayed focused and worked incrementally towards achieving his goal. He had great vision and could see “the light at the end of the tunnel”. Sometimes we find ourselves like the Hare… totally unfocused and distracted by the easier tasks in our daily routines. I have a close unfocused friend who would rather spend time in his shop, than spend time filling out reports, or attending required faculty meetings, or doing the things that are required by the school administration. He is now finding himself in a bind because he doesn’t know what is required of him. He is constantly asking what he’s supposed to do. I help him out when I can, but also remind him that I will not always be there for him and that he needs to start doing those things and attend those meetings that are required of all faculty. He needs to become involved in his profession, more than just be an outsider looking in. We all need to become professionals in our own profession. We need to attend our professional meetings, not just for the dollars the districts will pay for us to attend, or require us to attend, but because of the bigger picture - the ultimate goal - to be better at what we do, to help our association grow, to provide input, to become leaders and to show the way to our students. You may never realize that the example you set could influence those you least expect: students, peers, parents, even your family. The positive things that I have done throughout my career have come back to find me over twenty-five years later. My reward is today, not when I took those positive actions. I am amazed at what my community remembers about me and it is a joy to be the recipient of so much positive comments and gratitude. Remember, the rewards are not always apparent, but stay the course and do your best. Be involved in your profession. Be willing to give of yourself and share your successes with others. Also remember, you can’t be everything to everyone, but you can be best at what you like and enjoy. Work hard and try your best…it pays off in the end! Become a true Professional Agricultural Educator. Win the race!
-Charles Bigo