Leadership and Profanity

Entering the room, her students could feel that something was wrong. Lynda Martindale was a special education teacher at Adamsville High School, where I served as principal. As the tardy bell rang and fourth period began, Mrs. Martindale walked slowly to the front of the room and began to speak softly to the class. 

 It's important to note that her connection to her academically challenged students was a paramount priority. She had great love and empathy for them and always tried to provide a place of refuge and safety. 

 But on this particular day, David, one of her students, had blurted out profanity toward her as she passed his desk distributing handouts. Her back was turned to him--but she had heard him "loud and clear." At first being stunned, then deeply hurt, she refrained from reacting outwardly. Knowing that David would be in her next class, she proceeded as if nothing had happened.

So now in fourth period, Mrs. Martindale stood before the class and talked about her genuine concern for each one of them.  Since she had only thirty minutes to seize the moment before lunch, she laid the groundwork for teaching and had their full attention. 

Perceiving that their teacher was obviously troubled, they listened with great concern as she transitioned from explaining how much she cared about them to relating the events of the previous  period: "Students, I am so shocked that someone in my homeroom just a few minutes ago cursed me!" Since David was in this class, she began to teach them collectively that their behaviors have consequences, without singling him out. She shared that what happened to her was very disappointing and hurtful.

The class was greatly taken aback. Spontaneously Randall Weeks, sitting in front of the class shouted, "Who is that SOB?" (He didn't use the abbreviated version.) Mrs. Martindale was quick to respond that--no, she wasn't going to reveal who did it. Capitalizing fully on a teachable moment, she emphasized that she just wanted them to remember that their actions have consequences.  She had managed to use the entire thirty minutes and then the bell rang.

 It was during this time that David--yes David--waited until all of the students had left the classroom for lunch. He then approached Mrs. Martindale penitently and told her that he was very sorry for his behavior. She quietly received him and forgave him. She encouraged him to use this experience as a lesson for future times. Then they both went to lunch.

She never said anything to me about this. I heard it from a friend of mine who had hired several of her students to work for him. They told him and he told me. 

 It has been said that wisdom is the combination of intelligence and humility. Her intelligence was outstanding, but her humility was what impressed me more. I often went into her classroom just for the joy of watching her teach. Her faith and difficult personal experiences gave her a foundation to reach some of the students who were troubled with life and finding it difficult to learn. It was not so much her presentation of the established curriculum that led to her effectiveness, though she did that well. But she taught from the heart and this quality was the source of her expertise and success. 

How many teachers would have handled this problem the way Lynda Martindale did? I never remember her bringing a student to the office because of inappropriate behavior. She did not complain about her students. She loved them and looked for the good in them. 

The motto printed on the bottom of the AHS stationery says, "Let's leave our school better than we found it." This good lady did that very thing during her tenure. She will always have a special place in the hearts of her students. And surely that is true of David, who, rather than being labeled, received grace and instruction for the future.  

Remember, I believe we are all leaders regardless of our position.