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Professional Development Opinion

Oh Captain, My Captain! Lessons for Life

By AAEE — August 11, 2015 2 min read
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Yesterday I had the wonderful opportunity to hear from a representative of the Utah Association of Public Charter Schools and two representatives from different charter schools in Utah. A group of fellow colleagues and I were able to clarify what charter schools really are and hear about the great things happening in charter schools right now. During the course of this conversation there were two main points hit on time-and-time again. They were: 1 - charter schools are public schools and therefore are required to have licensed and highly qualified teachers; they are also subject to the same testing as traditional schools. 2 - the individuals doing the hiring want to know what your philosophies and thoughts are on education and life.

Take a second and think about item two.

Most students are conditioned to do what their professors tell them to do and don’t often spend a ton of time pondering their own philosophies and beliefs on education and life. However, this is exactly the type of information hiring committees want to know. You need to know what your beliefs and philosophies are and then you have to be able to articulate these thoughts to others.

This month we are focusing on certain life experiences that every graduate should know that will help him or her throughout their life. Here is my tip for week number two: Live life! Pay attention! Develop your own thoughts! Be able to talk about them!

In a post from LinkedIn titled: “Oh Captain, My Captain! Lessons for Life” by Andreas von der Heydt, he talks about the impact Dead Poets Society featuring Robin Williams had on his life. He states, “In the film I heard for the first time the words “Carpe diem” (seize the day). Immediately in this very moment I realized that this film is special, very special to me. And, that it would have a great influence on my whole life.

There was a unique energy, power, and inspiration in those dialogues and words which gave me the courage to stand up for what I wanted. To be bold. To decide to lead my own life. Some months later I left Germany and went to the States to work for Disney. And ever since I´ve been writing the script of my own life. Trying to lead it in a meaningful, passionate, and responsible way.”

Andreas von der Heydt was able to relate to something that resonated with him and was able to verbalize the impact it made on his life. It is now time for you to do the same. Good luck!

Link for the article: //www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140815145040-175081329-oh-captain-my-captain-lessons-for-life?trkInfo=VSRPsearchId%3A437462781438967046647%2CVSRPtargetId%3A5906050687980044288%2CVSRPcmpt%3Aprimary&trk=vsrp_influencer_content_res_name

Ali Threet, Associate Director

Career Services

Dixie State University

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