Selfish Service
I have served on the school board for Gilbert School District for 15 wonderful years… Selfishly, I’ve learned more than I ever could have offered and I’ve been blessed to meet dozens of passionate educators, who strive EVERY DAY, to instill the knowledge and discipline our children will need as they head out into the world.
Last school year, I was fortunate enough to be part of a team, charged with defining our district’s 3-5 year priorities. I had an amazing experience… working with staff, parents, students, alumni and several facilitators from Heartland AEA.
The board arrived at three high level priorities and the Administrative Team followed with goals for the current school year. You can view posters in each building and gathering space in the district… we’re proud of our work and we’re confident we will serve “Every Student, Every Day”
I was given the opportunity to welcome the staff back to school in August and I’d like to share my words with you….
Hello! Welcome back to school!
My name is Kim Mosiman and I want to share I tried to learn the two-step in cowboy boots until the wee hours of the morning, but it’s just not my thing!! Sorry Danny! I tried!! (note: Inside joke!)
This is the beginning of my 24thyear in the Gilbert School District.
Even though I graduated from Ames, my husband and I loved the idea of sending our kids to a place where they could grow and explore and participate in EVERYTHING! We put our oldest son on a bus in August of 1995 and never regretted the decision to be a Gilbert Tiger.
My term will be ending in November and after 15 years and I’ve decided not to run again. It’s been wonderful, but it’s time to let someone else have all the fun! Thankfully, my fellow school board members allowed me to be here to welcome you one last time.
I ran for school board in 2004 because I wanted to be more involved. During my tenure, I’ve had the privilege to watch the district grow and excel. I’ve watched intently as you’ve implemented PLC’s, AIW, CGI, IPI, TLC, PBL, ABC’s and 123’s!
I want to thank each and every one of you for your commitment to the children in this district. I’m sure some of you have already started to tune me out because you think I’m just one of those idealistic silly school board members who’s unaware of the effort that goes into each new initiative... you probably think I’m ready to drop the bomb and suggest you do more... but really I’m here today as a mom and a woman who wants to thank you upfront for the work you’re about to embark on...
In 1986 I graduated from high school with a good GPA and a great ACT score. I enrolled in the University of Iowa just to get out of town. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Our family’s financial situation was such that I had to work full time to pay my u-bill and by the end of the semester I had learned a few things about myself...
1. It was hard to wake up when I worked until 2 am
2. I wasn’t smart enough to skip class and pass a test
3. I was smart enough to motivate people in my workplace
I quit college, accepted a management position and within a year became someone’s wife...
Did I fail? Perhaps in the eyes of some but I’m happily married, raised 2 wonderful boys, worked tirelessly with my husband to build a successful business and had the good fortune to pursue my dream of running a gym and coaching business for 8 wonderful years.
Have I always felt successful? Absolutely not... Back in 1995 I was the proud mother of a beautiful boy who was headed off to school. For the first time ever, my lack of education scared me... I read everything I could get my hands on to make sure my “failure to succeed” didn’t rub off on him. It was important for me to be a part of his education and it was even more important for me to be able to help you teach him. Thankfully, he was an easy child... testing above the curve throughout his time here... I felt like I’d won the smart kiddo lottery!
My second son wasn’t so easy... he was at best a distracted, struggling learner and we spent night after night crying at the kitchen table as we did homework together. He was encouraged by some teachers and dismissed by others. He asked for help the summer before his senior year and after a series of appointments was diagnosed with ADHD. We were finally able to instill important learning habits through the miracle of medicine and he ended up graduating with a decent GPA.
Both boys went to college...
Zach received an academic scholarship to Simpson College
Samuel received an athletic scholarship to William Penn.
There was no question in my mind that they would go to school... they would “do better” than I had. I’m sad to say we didn’t even ask what they wanted to do with their lives.
Zach dropped out after his sophomore year because he didn’t see the point in wasting any more money on MY dreams. He has been leading a self-sufficient, productive life since the day he decided to quit college. He’s been an assistant manager at Menards, a bartender, a supervisor for a roofing company, and I’m proud to say he’s engaged to a beautiful woman and has just passed his Real Estate test allowing him to pursue the job of his dreams. Is he a success? Absolutely.
Sam struggled a bit but switched majors after his Freshman year... he climbed from a 2.6 GPA to his current GPA of 3.8. He was on the football team for 4 years and he went back to school yesterday, to begin student teaching in a second-grade classroom in Ankeny. He will graduate with honors, earning a degree in Elementary Education with certifications in Reading and Special Education. Is he a success?? Yes, of course.
I tell you all of this because I believe the work you’re doing, Portrait of a Graduate, is the right work. It will open doors and reduce heartache... Combined with the district’s new 3-5 year priorities, we will be able to say to the world, WE have helped these young people to become the best version of themselves... we have allowed them to explore options outside of a 4 -year degree... we have taught them to be confident communicators and compassionate humans... We have empowered them with the belief that they can be anything they want to be... AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, we have not labeled them or reduced their self-worth by telling them what we think they can achieve.
Your work will break down the walls of expectation that have set some of our young people up for feelings of failure and depression. Your work will help them succeed.
I’m proud of this district and I can’t wait to see what the next generation of Gilbert Graduates can achieve.
Because this is my last time at the podium, I’d like to take a moment to thank a few people...
First and foremost, Lindsey Beecher- I think you are an amazing leader... I have never known anyone who gives so selflessly for the good of the district. You are a man of great integrity and a master collaborator!
Carrie, Staci, Amy, Mike, Vic and Tim... You rock! I’ve enjoyed listening and learning from you more than you will ever know.
And to the rest of you... thank you. Thank you for doing so much more than teaching our kiddos. Thank you for loving them and exposing them to all of the possibilities this world has to offer.
God bless and go tigers!
I know, I know… long blog post, but I wanted to share just a little inside view of my world as a school board member. Has it been all wonderful? Absolutely not. But the good experiences outweigh the long meetings and lack of pay every day of the week!
There are 3 openings on The Gilbert Ballot this year… Brian has moved away and Tyler and I have made the decision to step down and let those of you with kids still in the district enjoy the experiences we’ve been privileged to have.
I would encourage anyone who is passionate about their child’s education to consider running. It’s hard work, but your service will feel selfish at the end of the day…
Be Happy
