Teachers, administrators and all those involved in education, it is time for you to step up and be Bold and Brash. Now I know some of you might be questioning my use of the word brash and incredulous at my suggestion that as educators we should adopt such a stance. But this week, and actually in bits and pieces as the summer moved along, I have seen my colleagues accept attacks on their profession, their judgement and their integrity. I have seen strong men and women feeling the sting of those they serve turning against them. And I have wondered in my mind, 'Why are you listening to those people? Why are you letting their judgement affect your heart? You are stronger than that! You know your heart!" My thoughts go on and on, and in the end, what I want to scream is that "It is time to be strong in your stance! It is time to have courage in your convictions! It is time, my friends, to be BOLD AND BRASH!"
You see, Bold and Brash is Squidward's creation. He is proud of it. He thinks it is precious and priceless. He believes it is a work of art. In the scene that inspired my children's dining room artwork, Squidward proudly proclaims to an art critic, "I call it, Bold and Brash" to which the critic replies, "More like belongs in the trash.", prompting the custodian to declare, "I must have missed that one." as he takes it and throws it in his receptacle. (Watch the 11 seconds here, if you'd like a chuckle.) Later in the episode, however, SpongeBob finds it and rescues it for his friend. You see, SpongeBob is unwavering in his loyalty to his friend. He believes in the talent Squidward claims to possess. And in his eyes, from his perspective, he wants to be more like his friend. 
As workers in a service profession, we are in the business of working for all types of people. Much like nurses, doctors and all service workers, we serve everyone and anyone who comes along our path. Teachers though, we take it a step further. We take a classroom of 20, 25, 30 personalities, and work our magic to help them become a family. We invite them into our lives and encourage them to bring along their parents and caregivers. As such, we open ourselves up to all levels of scrutiny and feedback. Stop for a moment and consider the many lenses through which we are viewed throughout our days. This is an awesome responsibility when you pause to think about it! The wonder is not in that these various people have different ways of interpreting and digesting the current state of our educational system, but that they ever got along to begin with!
And then comes a pandemic...stripping you of your ability to continue to serve in the same capacity. YOU didn't change. Your desire to serve didn't change. Your convictions didn't change. Your love for your students, their parents and your craft didn't change...You are still YOU! The circumstances in which you are functioning, however, those have changed, tremendously.
PAUSE.....When are you most yourself? Embrace that and visualize it right now. Close your eyes and envision yourself fully in your element, at your best, when you are most proud of all that you do and feel the best about sharing your talents. Hold onto it, because now is the time you learn to defend it!
Listen, I am never an advocate of being anything but kind. In fact, most people close to me will tell you that I am kind to a fault, extending grace beyond normal limits, even to those who may no longer deserve it. And this declaration is no different. Kindness now is more important than ever, but we must also be unwavering and clear. This is the defending of the very blood that runs through the veins of the educator. This is standing up, not only for ourselves, but for our students and what we know to be the best for them and their families.
It is not time to be meek. It is time to be BOLD and BRASH!!!
Don't you dare let others tell you that you are less than you are just because you, as they, are living through a pandemic. A PANDEMIC, for Pete's sake!!! Bold and Brash! Be Bold and Brash! Stand up for that person you envisioned and all that that person does for others. Be the person you envisioned so that you can continue to positively influence others. Your students and their parents, even when they might be throwing vitriol and venomous opinions your way, need you to be Bold and Brash! They, like you, are scared and broken by the current state of our world. So you must be the strength and clarity. Hold yourself to the highest of standards that you always have. In the end, Bold and Brash will be rescued and revered for having lead those we serve through this tough time to a better place.
