#383: SPOTLIGHT: Howard Greenstein
Question for Howard:
What is one thing that is small and perhaps nuanced or surprising and perhaps typically sub conscious that you can tell drives you each day ?
Howard's Response:
George Benson, and eventually Whitney Houston, sang “I believe the children are our future…” It took me a very long time to realize that, in my volunteering, and eventually in the non-profit “phase” of my career, that making sure children are safe and cared for was a motivator for me. For the past 7 years and counting, I’ve been involved in institutions where a central function is an early childhood or nursery school. (Many of you know I also volunteered with a vulnerable population of kids who lost parents on 9-11 for 10 summers, and then ran the organization part time for 7 years.)
While I’m not an early childhood educator, my role as Executive Director is to make sure the school has resources, great staff, security and working facilities so we can “teach them well and let them lead the way.” Both schools coincidentally have a Reggio Emilia philosophy of student-centered exploration and play. While I spend almost no time in the classroom, having kids walking by, smiling, learning, singing, and growing up is a great driver, and a reminder of the mission of both nonprofits I’ve run. Sometimes, if a particularly hard business problem comes up and I need a break, a walk through the classroom area will nudge an insight and get me back on track. A high-5 or a laugh also helps a lot. While running our Temple has many conflicting demands, and lots of stakeholders, the most trouble I have with the kids is avoiding them riding tricycles or running down the path at me. And that’s just fine.
Amanda’s thought…
I suspect Howard would love all direct responses from you. I find it incredibly encouraging when I hear from any of you after I share my thoughts. It is powerful for me. I assume many others have a similar experience. So here is Howard's email… pip
Howard, reading your awesome note brought me right back to my days in the school. At the end of each day with second graders, I'd be in charge of one of the dismissal lines - about 30 students. At first, I'd simply be overwhelmed by the noisy chaos. However, soon it became my favorite part of the day because of just that! Even if I was exhausted or the "line" was a total disaster, the children laughing, singing, and sharing goodbye hugs and high-fives with me reminded me of the 'why' behind it all. So the messy line? Well, that was just fine, as you said :) Thank you for sharing a bit about your incredible work in the field of education, Howard.
- AP
