By Mrs. Mache Larkin July 21, 2019
When my brother and I were growing up, our father always emphasized that a very important skill for success is to have a good command of your language in order to be able to communicate effectively. America was not his first homeland, but having arrived here at the tender age of 16, our father immediately began to immerse himself in the American culture and to learn the English language. Even several years later when he voluntarily joined the US Army Air Corp during World War II, he carried a dictionary in his back pocket to further advance his vocabulary and communication with his fellow countrymen.
THE LUXURY OF ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE
There is another important element of our childhood learning that goes hand in hand with the effective communication lesson. You see, our father’s roots were based in a proud ancestry of philosophical geniuses whose contemplations and teachings yielded their disciples a culture of endless possibilities to dream and explore . As a result, our father was a big thinker who knew that it wasn’t enough to theorize about ideas, but to also manage one’s life ambitions to bring them to fruition. Therefore, to allow ourselves the luxury of accepting that anything is possible coupled with the ability to share such a mindset with others through effective communication, would truly be the key to success.
AN APPRECIATIVE THINKER
Throughout the years of our father’s influence, he always displayed a sense of gratefulness for everything he had received and achieved in life. He taught us to never take anything for granted and to show appreciation for and in those whose words and actions allowed us to grow. He taught us to give others the benefit of the doubt, trusting by faith in their ability to rise to the occasion. Our father modeled this belief so effectively that my brother and I rarely failed to follow through on any request made by our parents, fully believing that it was an honor just to be asked - truth, just ask my children and grandchildren!
VISION DRIVEN ACTION
Why is it note-worthy to share this story of a father’s legacy to his children...a father, who had begun his journey as a parent well more than half a century ago? Maybe it has to do with how we as educators often speak about the importance of a foundation of relatable experiences when children begin their educational journey. Possibly the same applies to adults as we seek solutions to age-old challenges when it comes to success in teaching and learning as it ultimately relates to student achievement. It is indeed the content of that story that explains my ease as a professional educator with a 40-year career to readily accept and embrace the principles upon which Promise Informed is formulated. I can see our father’s vision for a successful life clearly reflected in the action-defined steps of the development of the Promise Informed.
YOUR GENERATIONAL LEGACY
Much has been shared about the Mission and the Standards that guide this organization of Promised Informed. As a fellow possibilitizer and seeker of more perfect solutions, I encourage you to review this information and as you do, think about those lessons and values that were conveyed to you by the people you loved and admired the most. If you see a similarity, join us and have the courage to bring others along.
Mrs. Mache Larkin has been an educator for four decades serving primarily as a Principal of Public, Private, and Charter Elementary, Middle, and High Schools making her one of South Carolina's most experienced and celebrated school administrators. She enjoys spending time with her husband and family including seven grandchildren. She offers her expertise to Promise Informed Schools as the Strategic Counsel to the organization.
The author and her father are pictued here enjoying a Lowcountry oyster roast.