Career Achievement—One Significant Accomplishment

Dan Scinto
President, International Schools Services, Inc.

The new school year is now in full swing. Teachers, students, administrators, and parents are caught up in the hectic learning experience that we call education. Most first term Parent Nights have been conducted and schools have outlined their expectations for the ’07–’08 school year. Individual teacher and department goals have been set, and procedures to measure their successful completion have been established.

As a former teacher and administrator, and lately as President of ISS, I have often thought about how one could make a difference—and if reaching those annual goals make a difference. I have come to the conclusion that, of course, they make a difference for the students and individuals they are aimed at for that particular school year. But what about for the long run?

What about making a difference for the hundreds of students, teachers, and parents that will follow your tenure at your school or organization? One of my personal goals was to always attempt to leave the school better off than I found it. This could be accomplished by setting objectives that move the institution in the right direction— whether via discussing curricular issues, financial concerns, and school growth, or by addressing a myriad of other worthwhile issues.

For the long-term outlook, however, how many of us can say that five or ten years after we leave an institution or school we will be remembered for any significant change? People who are remembered for a specific long-term accomplishment have reached what I call a career achievement. They realize that they have contributed to something that is lasting and profound. This is the final goal that we should all aim for - to go beyond the tenure that we are involved with at a particular school and arrive at a point where we know we have made a difference.

The type of impact I’m describing may be attributed to one individual but can seldom be accomplished by one person. Although one person may get credit for the actual implementation of an idea, program, or change, the final actualization of an idea into practice is usually the work of a larger group. The individual is often the one who should get credit for the idea, for pushing people in the right direction, and for having the vision to implement the idea, but the final accomplishment must be shared with others who helped bring that vision into practice.

Such accomplishments can range from constructing a new building to initiating a new curricular practice that changes the school and the future opportunities for students (i.e., AP or IB Diploma programs). Any significant change that refocuses the school in a positive direction qualifies for what I call a “career achievement.”

Individuals who have accomplished such a career achievement, that singular goal that has a lasting impact beyond their tenure, should be applauded and serve as models for us to emulate. Hopefully, in most of our careers we can succeed in accomplishing at least one significant achievement. If we do that, then the cumulative affect on improving international education will be truly amazing. I wish you well in your quest to make lasting changes at your school.

Respectfully

Dan Scinto