And The Winner Is...

CMA's, Espys, Emmys, Oscars.  All famous awards shows. However, when I hear them mentioned or see a commercial about them now, my mind will automatically drift to the CATS (Carver's Amazing Teachers and Staff)  Awards.  To end Teacher Appreciation Week at Carver Elementary, our gymnasium was recently transformed into a room that honored the recipients of many well deserved awards that were unique to our building and the experiences we had this school year. The awards show featured an enthusiastic announcer, two outstanding guest hosts, three talented singers, delicious appetizers, engaging award presentations by a local business owner, a pastor, retired teachers and coaches, school board members, Central Office personnel, etc. It was quite the production if I do say so myself. After the big event was over and I had time to reflect on what had been pulled off, I realized there were three important takeaways I learned from my "directorial debut".

1. Be Thankful For True Friends
True friends are hard to come by, and as life goes on that is becoming more and more evident to me, but I have some of the best and they were willing to help me pull off this crazy idea of mine.  When I told Darren Cook, my friend for many years and our high school principal, that I needed a host for the awards show, he uttered three of the most wonderful words I'd ever heard him say. "I'll do it."  I couldn't believe my luck. I kept asking him over and over if he was sure and he just kept saying, "Yes, I'll do it, I'll do it." He was all in and I was over the top excited.  You see, I'm one of the few people who know how talented Darren Cook is and I knew if he was involved in the show, it would be one to remember. He was also quick to offer the talents of our friend and colleague Charity Williams, and I felt confident, once she heard what we were planning, that she too would help in this endeavor. I was right. They made a great hosting duo and as I watched their chemistry on stage as they sang their songs and went off script (that was only Darren) I smiled and laughed a whole lot knowing I was right all along about them. They are talented, but more than that, they are true friends, and in Darren's case, he is also now an internet sensation.

Connie Bryant, another close friend for over a decade, has helped me more times than I can count, and she came through yet again in a big way. She took care of getting the pre-awards show appetizers ready as well as making the presentation award worthy.  A week prior to the show, she and I went to get everything we needed at Sam's and to discuss the vision of how everything would look. As she was talking about how she would set it up, I acted like I was listening, but in reality I was pondering how helpful and supportive she has always been to me in all the school activities we have done together through the years.  She never bats an eye when I ask for help and more often than not, she offers her help as I'm telling her my plans.  Her presentation that day was spot on as usual and a bonus was her delicious brownies.

My librarian (for a few more weeks) and dear friend Tamie Williams, immediately loved the idea of the awards show when I told her about it and she volunteered to put together the slide show that featured our amazing team as well as the presentation that showcased the presenters and recipients of the awards. I knew when I was working on others tasks that needed my attention, she was working on the technology side of things, and I was confident it would all be spectacular and it was. I admit the video she put together for the opening brought tears to my eyes. She's a detail person, as am I, so her i's were all dotted and her t's were all crossed. Her role in the CATS awards was impeccable.

Two of the most wonderful retired elementary principals I was privileged to work with also came to help. Barbara Hammett and Alma Stipp are two amazing ladies. When Barbara found out what was happening she asked if she could help Connie with the food. I accepted her offer immediately. When I decided to give Tamie Williams the final award,  there was only one person I had in mind to present it to her. That person was Alma Stipp. While I knew she would have an issue with the title: the Alma Stipp Icon Award, I also knew she would do it for me and Tamie. Well...she might have wanted to come see Darren's co-hosting debut as well. I mean who wouldn't.  My friendship with Barbara and Alma began 15 years ago, when my young, naive self became a principal amongst brilliant, experienced, veteran administrators. It was evident from my first few days on the job, I could learn a great deal from them and I was right. As they accepted me, my daily phone calls and constant questions, they filled me with the knowledge and wisdom only years in education could bring, and I will forever be grateful and appreciative to both of them.

I realize how blessed I am to have friends who are there for me and who I can depend on whenever I call.  True friends are hard to find and as I said earlier, I have some of the best.




2. HARD WORK PAYS OFF
I spent several months working on what would morph into quite a production. Any free time I had, I was working on the CATS Awards.  It just kept getting bigger and bigger.  It seemed like new ideas just kept popping into my head.  It went from a simple idea of an awards show, to researching titles of awards, to writing the script and rewriting songs, to buying the awards, decorations, and gift bags, to securing the announcer, caterer, hosts, and presenters. There were only a few team members who knew what was going to happen, but everyone knew something BIG was in the making. While, the process was long, seeing the team's reaction that afternoon was priceless and so worth every minute that was put into it. Afterwards, I had several people ask me how much time it took and how I had time to do it all. My answer was simple. I made the time. We all find time for what's important to us and working on ideas for my staff is important to this principal. I believe the staff appreciated all that went into this event and that was enough for me.  However, some of my staff had other ideas. Late into the show, Darren and Charity disappeared and came back to the microphone with pirate attire on so I knew they were up to something. I realized I was getting ready to be presented an award myself. When I went around the curtain, Darren told me to look at the screen. A video was coming on and I screamed "It's Beth Houf! It's Beth Houf!" IT WAS!  She was giving me a video message. Beth Houf was telling ME that I lead like a pirate. I couldn't contain my smile. A beautiful pirate ship that said CATS Award...Lead Like A Pirate 2017 was presented to me. I was humbled that I had staff members who appreciated all I had been doing enough to contact her and get her to send me a video message, purchase a beautiful ship and have it engraved, and add it into the show secretly.  AMAZING!





3. HAVE FUN WITH YOUR STAFF
Beth Houf  says have fun with your staff and that's exactly what happened on May 5th. FUN! From the minute Darren Cook and Charity Williams rolled onto the stage in my CATSmobile (a desk I use to work from in the hallways) the teachers and staff knew they were in for a treat. I had asked them to dress up in formals and although there were skeptics, they did it anyway.  That added to the suspense of the day, but it also let them have fun with each other.  I loved hearing them talk about what they were planning on wearing and trying to guess what the big surprise was going to be.  My own experience with two team members at a local shop was quite enjoyable as well.  As I tried on dresses, I asked our nurse if they looked like actual dresses someone would wear to a big event. She quickly informed me, "It's not real. It's in your imagination." She didn't know what was coming at that point so that made it even more fun. We couldn't quit laughing as we tried on formals and looked for shoes and costume jewelry.

 As the show began, I loved hearing the laughter as each award was presented and unrehearsed speeches were given. The clapping and enthusiasm as the music played was contagious and watching teachers' personality change right before our eyes was shocking to see, but in a good way.   It was priceless. Their long line in front of the "fancy" red curtain before and after the show, let me know they were truly enjoying themselves and each other. In the weeks leading up to the surprise, I had put a daily hint on Twitter. The tweets caused many questions to be asked in the hallways and the teachers' lounge, and the anticipation was just as much fun as the actual event. As I stood there in the gym I tried to take it all in. Well... as much as a director can during their production.  I believe bonds were built that day over a butcher paper red carpet, a plastic red curtain and $.99 picture frames that became the symbol for our awards. We all work so hard each and every day and we need to have some fun once in a while and on May 5th at the CATS awards in the Carver Elementary gymnasium that is exactly what we had. I challenge everyone to ask yourself if you appreciate the true friends you have? Do you work hard enough that it pays off?  Do you have fun with your staff?  After Friday, I know the Carver team's answer and I know, without a doubt, they will have a smile on their face the next time they hear AND THE WINNER IS.