Never. Give. In.

“Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”

― Winston Churchill


These wise words were uttered by Winston Churchill during a speech he delivered to students at Harrow School, a boarding school he attended 53 years prior. I first heard these words when I was quite young and I have used them as motivation more than once. I recently had to dig deep to find the strength to keep from yielding to negative forces as I found myself entirely too close to giving up on everything I have dreamt of doing in education.


Churchill shared this sentiment in 1941 while England was reeling from the misfortunes of World War II. While the challenges I have faced pale in comparison, they are, nonetheless, significant in my world. I have spent my entire educational career chasing the belief that we can do better in public education, that we can have a system where all children are included and challenged. I have dreamt of schools where educators receive the respect and accolades they rightly deserve and where all children are excited about learning and want to be challenged in all that they do. Despite many obstacles and many non-believers, I have continued to dream and cultivate my vision. As one of my good friends likes to say, I have been a Pollyanna believing only the best in all people and all situations.


My resolve was tested by a series of events that occurred in the span of just three days. In this short period of time, I witnessed a bureaucracy that prioritized pencil-pushing to the point of jeopardizing the amazing work that is having a demonstrated positive impact on student learning in schools. I watched an initiative to which I devoted more than seven years of my life crumble and fall apart in a very public way. The final straw was the realization that non-educators are making devastating decisions that are impacting the future of a district desperately in need of a savior.


My inner Pollyanna could not provide me with enough grace to extend to all of these situations and people at once. I stood with my toes hanging over the cliff, garnering the strength to set my sights on a new passion and vision. Thankfully, I have amazing colleagues, friends and family who reached out and yanked me away from the cliff's edge while offering encouraging words. One of them reminded me that we have "the greatest jobs in the world" and that "every single day we get to wake up and choose to either make a difference in the lives of others or not." This same person countered my discouragement by telling me that "the only way you know for certain it won't happen in your lifetime is to not chase your dream through maximum effort" and to "Embrace the pain over mediocrity, you will have company." I also had good friends who were quick to remind me of the successes we are currently experiencing in schools right here in Illinois, then reassured me that I am not and will not be alone in this journey. My father, in his infinite wisdom, reminded me that the daughter he knows is too gritty and determined to walk away. He shared a Robert Kennedy quote that came to mind as he listened to me share my woes. What I didn't know at that moment was that he would proceed go home and order this picture for me as a reminder to keep forging ahead:

As we enter a new calendar year, my resolution is to fight the good fight, and my hope for fellow dreamers is that you will have the strength and support from friends and family so that you never, never, never, never give in. We have the best jobs in the world and our children and our future are worth it. Surround yourself with good people and keep the stars shining in your eyes!