Teachers Make the Difference

Yesterday morning, we gathered at the Toledo Club for what has become one of my (and most of the board's) favorite annual events: the "I Make A Difference" breakfast, honoring the most influential teachers of the Valedictorians and Salutatorians from Anthony Wayne, Ottawa Hills, Whitmer, Northview, Southview, Clay, Springfield, Perrysburg, Rossford and Maumee High Schools. Each student writes, then reads, an essay explaining why the teacher was selected - a couple of boxes of kleenex are always needed when a six-foot-two high school senior honors his second grade teacher from a decade ago; this is why all of us involved with education do what we do.
I was honored to just speak a few words at the beginning; the following is the text of the speech, which conveys my feelings toward those who teach...

I would like to extend a very warm welcome this morning to all of the students, teachers, parents, and administrators who are joining us here today! I think I speak on behalf of the entire governing board of the Lucas County Educational Service Center when I say that this is a real highlight of our year; it truly is an honor to have the opportunity to spend time with all of you, and to hear the amazing stories that you have to share.
Now… because this is such an accomplished group of scholars, and because I have been preoccupied with the Ohio Achievements Tests this week, I thought it would be only fitting to start this morning off with a little quiz.
This is multiple choice, so it shouldn’t be too hard.
The question is: What is the single most important factor affecting student success in schools today?
And here are your possible answers.
A. The economic prosperity of the district.
B. The educational level of the student’s parents
C. The commitment level of the Board of education
D. The readiness of a student when starting kindergarten
So what do you think?
Well, before you say anything, I want to tell you that this is really not a fair quiz because I didn’t give you the right answer as an option.
The right answer, the single most important factor affecting student success, is not the economic prosperity of the school and has little to do with the board of education. Of course parents matter greatly, and kindergarten readiness is important, but the single most important factor is the quality of the teachers.
Study after study proves that what matters most are those people teaching our kids. If we want our kids to succeed, we have to have great teachers.
Clearly, we have a room full of great teachers here, and the successful students to prove it. I, for one, want to say a special thank you to every teacher in this room – thank you for those mornings when you got up before the crack of dawn, and thank you for those evenings when you stayed after the sun went down and it was just you and the custodian left locking up the building; for those weekends you gave up and those extra dollars you spent out of your own pocket, thank you. On behalf of our board, and the entire administration and staff of the LCESC, we thank you for being the reason why our students succeed. Enjoy your morning!