Sunday, March 26, 2006

The motivational speaker's secret

Ted FattorossMy daytime employer hosted a seminar for faculty in which nobody named the guest speaker. I can only guess that this was because everyone in the place who was not a rookie like me knew the guy. I found out on my own later that his name is Ted Fattoross, and he's pictured here.

Now, I have to tell you that I am not normally a big fan of motivational speakers. I believe that we have to find motivation within ourselves, if we are to find it at all. This dates back to an experience I had with former Cleveland Browns player and barbeque-sauce maker Al "Bubba" Baker, who once proclaimed on his business cards that his experience on the Browns' defensive line qualified him to speak to businesses on "total quality management." I came away from that meeting thinking that speakers would say anything to get to speak to new audiences (it was just my thoughts, just or unjust). This feeling was subsequently reinforced when I got the news of the Mike Warnke fiasco. (Mike's side of the story is at this site.) Just not very good experiences with these guys in general.

Plus, I have often felt that we can only be motivated by the motivational speaker while the speaker is still THERE. Then we forget. We don't see life through the speakers' eyes. Maybe if we did, we'd be better able to remember what we've heard. It's just like anything we learn: until we do it, and teach it, we don't really know it.

But I'm gonna give Fattoross his due: he reminds us that "every day above ground is a good one." That's a good word. And I have to face the fact that if I am to teach, I must be regularly reminded of why this work is so important. And here is why:
  • We battle against ignorance every day. If we falter, why should students take up arms in our place?
  • Our lives are "character education" whether we believe in such a thing or not. We are constantly being read by those we stand in front of. Even after class, they read us.
  • The students want to be validated. They need us for this. They need us to let them know that they are alive; that their lives matter; that they can, should, and must make a difference -- if a difference is ever to be made.
Those are good words. Sure, maybe Fattoross isn't the only guy in the world who can say them, but I was there when he did. Maybe I can pay it forward.

Oh, and here's how to reach Ted to have him speak at your school. :-)

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posted by Ron @ 5:15 PM

1 Comments:

At 12:14 PM, Anonymous Killer Content said...

Thanks for the link to invite Ted. I doubt if it will be good idea to do it now but at the and of August before school starts it will be just the right time. I am lucky enoug to be motivated by my students, by books, by films and by life in general, so for me it will be the first time I am attending a real motivation speaker in person. But I won't miss the chance as I like what he has to say. Thanks once again.

 

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