Embracing ALL the blueberries…

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NSBA’s FRN Leadership Conference recently closed with a general session featuring speaker Jamie Vollmer. His remarks “Welcome to the Great Conversation: The Role of Associations in Public Support for America’s Public Schools” were right on THE MARK! Jamie shared a story about blueberries…his career included being the president of an ice cream company. At the time, he was not in support of public schools and was talking to an audience of educators about how to “do their business.” A participant asked him what kind of ingredients he used for his manufacturing of ice cream. Jamie responded that they used grade A cream, nuts, and blueberries to which the participant asked,

“What happens if a pint of blueberries you get has berries that are shriveled, too big, too little, smashed, or not perfect?”

Jamie said, “We throw them out and get new and better ones.” “Well,” the woman said, “we can’t do that in public education. We have to take what we get.”

At that moment Jamie Vollmer understood the HUGE difference between governance in public education and the management of a business. We all need to take this message to heart. Every child deserves a free and appropriate education. We embrace our “blueberries” just as they are. And, our end product WILL be great. I believe that.

Click here to see the YouTube Video of the “Blueberry Story.”

Our contributor, Diane Sandifer

From local to state and national roles in public service, Diane Sandifer served on the Harris County Schools GA Board of Education from 1998-2008. Additionally, Diane was elected as president of the Georgia School Boards Association in 2006 and was a member of the National School Boards Association Board of Directors in 2007 and 2008. Diane advocates 21st century governance from the board room to the classroom through her passion for integration of technology as well as effective strategic planning. Diane represents school board members in statewide commissions and projects and has played an integral role in educational research through groups like the Wallace Foundation. Diane lives in Pine Mountain, Georgia and is currently the account executive for eBOARDsolutions.