Partnership Educators,
Young Anthony laid on his back staring at the stars and wondered when he saw the twinkling of one in particular. The steady movement of his newfound friend convinced him that it was a plane making its way over his home in Galveston, Texas. As he lay there staring at the aircraft moving across the sky, he thought that he would have loved to be on that plane rather than where he found himself that night.
Anthony was the son of drug-addicted parents who had abandoned him when he was six. He had run away from every foster placement he had ever had and now found himself living in a dumpster outside of the Golden Globe building in downtown Galveston. The summer was hot and the idea of being in a cooled plane was a much better option than living sweaty and forgotten in his trash can home. To this day Anthony Smith says, "It intrigues me to understand that I eventually left the trash can that kept me trapped for most of my childhood because somewhere around eight or nine years old I put my mind on that airplane." Today, Anthony teaches people, that just like his trash can, "if you put your mind in a location far greater than where you are now, by scientific default the body must follow."
Anthony Smith is an Army Intelligence Veteran, motivational speaker, business owner, millionaire, and child advocate.
In honor of the people who make a difference for so many, thanks to all of you who make a difference for so many of our children. Our community is better with all of the students we serve and support in it. We can all think of a few Anthony's that we have worked with or are working with that challenge our very understanding of childhood. Thank you for helping them to "put their minds" on somewhere other than the now.
I appreciate you all very much and a large shout out to our classified staff for Classified Appreciation Week this week. You all are truly amazing. Graduations are looming and summer school is coming and a huge thanks to our summer school folks helping to extend learning for our kids.
Have a fantastic weekend,
Rob