I try to keep myself active for a number of reasons. It reduces stress, helps with preventative health conditions, and improves overall well-being. One activity that I have struggled with but continue to push through is running! Several mornings during the week, around 5:30 AM, I walk/run (more jog) through the neighborhood. Typically, I take my brown Boykin Spaniel, Langston, with me.
This time, I have been more focused than ever because my son has committed to distance running and has challenged his dad to add some years to his life by staying healthy. It has been tough! But I am committed.
This week, during my usual run, I lost my pace and was considering stopping to walk for a bit. At that moment, I heard someone getting into their car speaking to me:
"Hi. Are you the guy that runs with your brown dog in the mornings?"
I responded, "Yes, that's me. I decided to run alone this morning."
She then replied, "Well, we watch you in the mornings while waiting on the school bus, and we are all rooting for you."
She then got into her car and drove off.
In that moment, my mindset shifted, my confidence level increased, and I started running again—stronger than when I began.
This experience reminds me of our administrators, teachers, support staff and students who work daily to improve outcomes, make schools better and create a stronger Berkeley County School District. We are gearing up for what we call "testing season," and our pace may feel like it's slowing down. But always remember, you have people rooting for you!
All we have to do is stay focused on the run—or, in our case, focused on teaching and learning. There are so many distractions we could worry about, but ensuring our students receive the best education should always remain at the forefront.
So, let's finish strong and build a better BCSD together. Don’t give up—because someone is rooting for you!
Superintendent Scribbles is a blog written by Berkeley County School District Superintendent Dr. Anthony Dixon. To view previous posts, click here.