“Why do you do what you do?” Kathleen McNamara posed this question to a room full of educators, school administrators, clinicians, social workers, and mental health professionals on the opening day of the Tier 2 Collaborative Problem Solving Training with Think:Kids. While some people may take jobs because of the salary or the prestige, the answers from this group were far from that.
“I want to help kids recognize their potential”
“The relationship with kids is just amazing”
“I love these kids and want them to do well”
“They need someone to believe in them when no one else does. I never had a strong support system growing up, and no one should have to experience that.”
What brought these people together was a genuine desire to make a difference in someone’s life through the use of the Collaborative Problem Solving model to help people with behavioral challenges succeed. They all believed in the Think:Kids philosophy that kids do well if they can, not just if they want to. But more importantly, if they can’t, something is getting in the way, and we need to figure out what it is so we can help. The people I encountered during this training were some of the smartest people I have met, and I am so inspired by the fact that they choose to use their skills, time, resources, and life to make this world a little brighter.
With headlines almost everyday detailing tragedies like school shootings, innocent people dying in wars, or the number of people that go hungry daily in our country, it may be hard to see the light in the shadows. However, attending this training and getting to know these unsung heroes for children, I was reminded of one of President Obama’s final remarks as president:
“I believe in this country. I believe in the American people. I believe that people are more good than bad. I believe tragic things happen, I think there’s evil in this world. But I think that, at the end of the day, if we work hard and if we’re true to those things in us that feel true and feel right, then the world gets a little better each time.”
As I sat listening to these moving anecdotes, I asked myself why I do what I do. Why do I work for Flawless Foundation? Because I believe there is perfection in every person. I believe everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity, no matter your background, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or medical diagnosis. It “feels true and right” to me, and I believe we are on track to a more #flawlessworld if we shine the light in this direction. We are so grateful to be on this team with our colleagues at Think:Kids.
If you want to learn more about Collaborative Problem Solving, be sure to get a copy of Dr. Stuart Ablon’s new book with Dr. Alisha Pollastri “The School Discipline Fix.”
For in-person training with Dr. Ablon, join our introductory training to Collaborative Problem Solving, in New York City on October 16! Tickets are available here!
