This post is simply a copy of the speech I gave at my retirement ceremony in 2016 at the end of 30 years of service to the Broken Arrow School System. It explains some things about my outlook and I thought you might enjoy it.
THIS IS NOT THE END OF MY LIFE BUT THE END OF A THIRTY YEAR JOURNEY
First I want to say, this journey actually happened 34 years ago of which my intent was too come to Oklahoma to go to Rhema Bible College of which I did for two years and worked here as a custodian at night.
My journey while here took me from starting custodian to a night lead in three different sites.
After I graduated from school, I accepted the day lead position at (what was then, South Intermediate) now, Freshman Academy.
My journey continued until 1982 of which I was invited by friends for my family and I to move to Oregon to be an assistant pastor. This journey again took me to minister in different places throughout Oregon and then later to Northern California.
The journey in Oregon and California was not a well-paid position which caused me to look for a job to help pay bills. I had experience in cabinet making and crafts from wood and was offered a position of making pedestals and plywood decks for water beds. Long story short, this business I worked for, became mine and was becoming very successful until my wife and I was being led back to Oklahoma, which we did in 1985.
My journey with the school district again started me back on the bottom rung as to say and eventually led me to be night supervisor, assistant Director and on up to my present position which was a journey in itself.
This last journey with the school district was very much a journey and caused me to learn several different things.
This journey caused me to understand how to work with and deal with different personalities.
Different people, created different personalities. (Believe me I failed on several occasions), but through the ups and downs, I learned a lot. I am not going to say, that I was the best, but can truly say I tried hard and feel that I accomplished what I was supposed to do.
Remember, my journey started with leaving my home town, my home state and my siblings, my wife’s family and pursue a journey we both felt lead to do. I believe this journey was necessary in order to fix a problem I had with people. You see, I was not an outgoing person growing up, I was bullied and made fun off throughout my school life. This journey brought me out of a shell that I built around me and I am glad it did.
So, with all of that said, it is time for me to move to my next journey of which I am not totally sure as what it is or what all it will take in. I know I will do some ministry and spend a lot of time with my granddaughters.
A couple of years ago, I gave a speech of encouragement and used the subject of “The chicken, the turkey, the crow and the eagle. I spoke to you that in this life we encounter all of the above type people in our lives. Those who irritate, talk too much, make a lot of noise, but accomplish nothing but trouble and strife. I brought out that we needed to be like the eagle who rises above these things and soar. I spoke to you in order to encourage you, to not look at being just a custodian, but rise above that and be who you want to be.
So here is what I want to say to you today, and I believe it will help you in your journey of life.
First, I would like for you to join www.issa.com/video
These videos have interesting articles and different training for custodians, such as how to be better at who you are and the use of chemicals and proper cleaning ideas.
I was watching a short video clip on issa/tv. This clip was a talk from a lady “Mary Miller” on “Cleaning is part of the larger mission.” She said this: Attracting quality workers in today’s economy often means, them seeing a job as a stepping stone to their dreams.
She also told a story about President Kennedy, as he was walking through NASA, asked a janitor there, what his job was?
The janitor said his job was to put a man on the moon. Now most people would have replied and thought, “You are the President and you don’t know what my job is”. I clean hallways, restrooms, break rooms, buff hallways etc. But he said his job was to put a man on the moon.
This man did not look at his job being the lowest on the totem pole as to say, nor did he see himself as a failure and most of all, he did not see his job as unimportant. He saw his job as one of importance. He saw his job as one who was putting a man on the moon.
I would like for you to look at your job this way, it would make a difference. Here at Broken Arrow Public Schools, you need to say, when asked what your job is, “I am educating students” .
In this field, this is the right answer. As I look back, I remember hearing students say, “I want to be a janitor when I grow up” One even called me the superintendent of schools. (I laughed at that one).
These students did not look at me and say, “Is this best you can be?” “A janitor!” Some adults may look down on you or think of you as the lowest and one of no importance. Realize that you are of importance, that you are a somebody.
As I stated earlier, that Mary Miller said- see this job as a stepping stone to our dreams.
I look at myself and realize, that even though I had and still have a dream of being a minister and in a way, I was. I was a janitor, just like you and moved up to supervisor, to manager then assistant director and director.
Now, I am leaving this position, not to consider myself as one who finished his dream, but a continuation of fulfilling a dream.
When I leave here, I will continue perusing the ministry, maybe a Pastor or a traveling minister, but the main thing is, no matter what I do, it will launch me into my life dream.
Set yourself a dream and each job you do, look at it as pushing yourself to fulfill that dream.
I have said, in the past, “You can be what you want to be.” All it takes is you being pursuit of your dreams and know that you are not the lowest on the totem pole.
The one who is the lowest, is the one who does not have a dream, but one who accepts whatever comes along. Be happy at what you do. Remember, you are here to put a man on the moon! You are here to educate students of all ages to help them fulfill their dreams.
Put a man on the moon, educate a student to be a Doctor or a Lawyer or The President of the USA who again will ask the janitor what his job is.
“God Bless you in your journey.”
Bill Lear
Comments