The Thomasville City Schools District is promoting a “Glad to Be Here” theme for the 2021-2022 school year.
“In every single day, and every moment, and every interaction, we have the opportunity to make a difference,” said Garth Moss, Thomasville city school superintendent.
He spoke Aug. 4 to school employees during the annual “Institute” event in the Thomasville Civic Center. “I want to thank you for the job that all of you did last year. I know it was an unprecedented school year, and we had things thrown at us right and left.”
This is the third school year that will be affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. The system recently was forced to require masks again in school buildings because of the threat of the Delta variant. “We were looking forward to what we thought would be a normal school year,” Moss said. “How quickly things change. Two weeks ago who would have thought we would be back in masks. …We never know what we are going to have to adjust to, but as educators, we have done that all of our lives.
“…Our goal this school year is to keep all of our students with in-person learning. We feel that is such a necessity.” Roughly 22 percent of students had virtual instruction last school year, Moss said. The school system wants to have all students on-site for this school year “so we can touch them and be with them every day.”
Moss thanked the school employees for their “commitment and dedication. It was so evident last year the passion and care that we, the educators in Thomasville, have for our kids.”
The superintendent finished the morning with a passionate speech on how to move the school system forward in a divided city, state and country “with political opinions focusing on the idea that ‘I have the only right answer.” Where did that come from – that my answer is always right?
“The vast differences are especially evident in our society in individuals from one extreme to the other,” he said. “What really bothers me with society today is that no one is allowed to have an opinion - without being blasted by others. Nobody can have an opinion about anything without being crucified.”
Moss said it is a society built upon everyone receiving a participation trophy. “It has engrained entitlement among many individuals. …If I show up, I get rewarded. How things have changed in our country. It’s no longer about putting in the work; it’s about showing up.”
The superintendent addressed the issue of people feeling they are entitled to certain priviledge or special treatment. That is the death knell in many businesses, corporations and schools, he said.
“There are far more things that tie all of us together – no matter what our political views are, our religious views or just our opinions of others.” Moss asked that the school employees not get caught up in all the negative vibes but focus on a “Glad to Be Here” mentality.
The superintendent took the “Glad to Be Here” motto from John Foley, the former lead solo pilot of the Blue Angels flying team and Foley’s book, “Fearless Success.” Moss challenged the school employees to think about the good things they have in life “like a job, a family, a friend.
“…My desire is for all of us to embrace the idea of gratitude and get away from the feeling of entitlement to a feeling of service,” Moss said. “Today and every day – I’m ‘Glad to Be Here.’”