Below is a message from incoming BHEA President Gregory Scott, whose duties begin on the week of June 15th, 2017. This message is posted with his express permission.
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Dear Colleagues:
Greg Scott here, your incoming Union president, touching base prior to starting work on June 15, 2017.
Let me first thank you for your confidence in me.
I realize that many of you do not know me very well, so I thought I would take a moment to provide you with a bit of background information, especially as it relates to this new position for me.
I teach Social Studies at the high school; my wife, Jacki, teaches fifth grade at the K school. Next year will be our second year in the district—this year is our first. I am a second career person, having spent a first career primarily as a trial lawyer representing clients in various federal and state courtrooms and regulatory agencies across the country.
My professional life before teaching was all about being an advocate. I was trained as a courtroom advocate and I lived by a code of ethics that required me to be a “zealous advocate” on behalf of my clients. I know how to use facts to persuade. I know how to create a compelling story based on facts. Clients paid me a crazy amount of money to use these skills on their behalf. I am an advocate through and through—I can’t help it.
Even as a teacher, I view myself primarily as an advocate for my students. I want them to know how much opportunity is out there for them if they choose to engage in the effort required to obtain it. I cheer-lead for them.
The comments of so many of you correspond nicely with what I know to be the truth about effective advocacy: relationships are everything. No one has ever done anything positive for anyone in response to anger or threats or hostility. Agreements are reached when mutual respect meets common interests and common goals. The more professionalism and courtesy that is brought to bear, the more likely agreement will be found.
My experience tells me clearly that the skills and approaches that make an advocate effective in any given situation can vary significantly. However, no jury ever ruled in favor of a party that it viewed as hostile, threatening, or negative. Successful advocacy mirrors the personal aspects of our life: people are far more likely to respond positively to professionalism, compassion, and kindness than to negativity or hostility.
I have heard one message very loudly and clearly—really the only message—and it is this: please make the relationship between the Union and the District a positive one, based in mutual respect and professionalism.
I am well-prepared to do this, yet I do not claim to have all of the answers to the issues that face us. I will determine how to best utilize the services of the professionals we pay to support us, and determine what we should be doing for ourselves—independent of the professionals we pay--as a Union of people living and working in the same community.
I will need your help, for sure. Please listen for me to call on you.
I look forward to serving you.
Greg
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