To persevere among differences...

I really enjoy watching movies. In particular, I really enjoy watching movies that inspire and motivate me, and it's an added bonus when the movie has a great soundtrack to go along with an inspirational story.

"The Last Samurai" is one of my favorite movies. Even with an open mind I struggle to see Tom Cruise in the role of a samurai, but nevertheless the movie still resonates with many of the same issues we struggle with in 2012. Additionally, I find that the movie illustrates several great qualities that all leaders should possess.

An overarching theme in the movie is the ability or inability to see someone else's perspective; more precisely, accepting or not accepting the differences of others. As educators we are inundated with different and new ideas, different and unique philosophies, and personal beliefs that make differences quite common in the educational setting.

What we struggle with most is finding a common ground to prevent these differences from holding us back. Will your pride and personal beliefs prevent you from seeing things from a different perspective? Will your pride and personal beliefs hold you back from making real progress toward helping move your school forward?

Another main theme in this movie is the perseverance and fortitude to act on your personal beliefs. When you are surrounded with opposing and conflicting viewpoints, will you succumb to the resistance or will you stand strong and continue your journey?

In education there will never be a 100% consensus, and if there is then there is probably something really wrong. When you follow your heart and follow your passion to do what you know is right and true, will you have the strength to push on and continue fighting for what you know to be right, or will you yield? Will you give the other perspective a chance or will you extinguish its flame before it fully ignites?

Hopefully the contrast in themes is evident. While these two themes are quite common in our day-to-day interactions, they are rather difficult to manage in both our professional and personal lives.

As educators, we must stay true to our beliefs and individual philosophies. We must persevere against all resistance to do what we believe is the best for our students. We must have an unyielding commitment to doing whatever it takes in light of any roadblocks and setbacks. We must have the strength to stand when others choose to sit; we must have the courage to speak when others choose to remain silent...

As educators, we must also hear and consider the beliefs and individual philosophies of others. We must take note of resistance and reflect on if what we are doing is truly best for our students. We must have an unyielding commitment to searching and finding the best ways of doing things. We must have the strength to simply watch and learn when others choose to lead the way; we must have the courage to listen while others choose to speak... 

Perhaps finding a happy balance between the two is the key... perhaps these two conflicting themes can not coexist... perhaps one theme is more important than the other... perhaps we will never know...