Needed in MCPS - Gracious Professionalism

Montgomery County schools are in a battle - at least that is the takeaway from the May 12 Board of Ed meeting in which those at the table discussed what type of parents are invited to prime school planning events.

According to BOE member, Pat O'Neill - PIAs need not apply. Chris Barclay, a new BOE member and former MCCPTA elected type, used similar, but not so colorful language. Role models?

Not in my house.

One of our revered role models is Dean Kamen, who may sound familiar to many of you as the inventor of the Segway scooter we see around Rockville town center. He is an inventor, entrepreneur, and advocate for science and technology education.

But more important than all his inventions, Dean Kamen is a staunch believer that all kids can achieve. From his company's website:

You have teenagers thinking they're going to make millions as NBA stars
when that's not realistic for even 1 percent of them. Becoming a scientist or
engineer is.

His proudest accomplishment is not the patents or inventions. Remarkably, its an organization called FIRST, (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), an organization dedicated to motivating the next generation to understand and enjoy science and technology.

When you go to a FIRST competition, you will hear the kids and the adults talking about Gracious Professionalism, a term coined by Woodie Flowers, an advisor to FIRST and an emeritus professor at MIT. What does this mean?

Gracious Professionalism is . . . a way of doing things that
encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects
individuals and the community.

With Gracious Professionalism, fierce competition and mutual gain are
not separate notions. Gracious professionals learn and compete like crazy, but
treat one another with respect and kindness in the process. They avoid treating
anyone like losers. No chest thumping tough talk, but no sticky-sweet platitudes
either. Knowledge, competition, and empathy are comfortably blended.

In the long run, Gracious Professionalism is part of pursuing a
meaningful life. One can add to society and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing
one has acted with integrity and sensitivity.

I'm a supporter of FIRST, and have long thought that more MCPS should financially support the kids in our schools who do participate, and encourage other schools to join. As indicated by the ethos instilled in the FIRST participants, the adults in charge of our school system may learn from our students about blend the diverse needs of many different populations of many different abilities in a respectful and compassionate manner.