Pay Attention, Hear The Call

Michael Fellin, Headmaster of Crescent School
Each start of the school year brings forth memories from our own experience. My first year of high school was anything but an easy transition. I vividly recall my dad dropping me at school with my agenda in hand to find my first class. There was no orientation, no camp program to ease the entry into what would be five challenging but highly memorable years. (Interestingly, the first person I met that day became my best friend and remains so today.) I survived day one but soon, as the enriched curriculum of study piled up, I fell behind and my confidence dwindled. And yet, despite not achieving the overall average my parents or I hoped for at the end of the year, something more important happened in my Grade 9 year. I heard my calling.
At our opening school assembly this month, our Head Boy Ted Ferris inspired the school with the prefect theme for the year: “Find Your Calling.” He said we should all “keep an open mind when entering any situation, because you never know what that experience may hold. Most importantly, though, it should always serve as a reminder to be true to yourself.” Ted couldn’t be more right.

Midway through my Grade 9 year, I was assigned a geography project that required a short class presentation. I was terrified. But with some coaching from my mom and dad, and a little practice, I rose to the occasion and delivered what I thought was a pretty good “B” product. However, what happened immediately following the presentation has remained with me to today. My teacher pulled me aside and said, “well done, Michael… you should really think about becoming a teacher.” He was the first person to plant that seed in my mind.

I lost touch with that teacher after his retirement until I bumped into him again a few years ago. I mustered up some courage and decided to approach him to express gratitude for his impact on my life. I thanked him by recounting, in some detail, the events following my Grade 9 geography presentation so many years ago. He listened, smiled, and paused only to then respond, “Michael, I’m sorry but I don’t remember that moment, but I’ve been following what you’ve been up to with your teaching career. Good for you. What I do remember is that you always paid attention in class.” Whether that was entirely true or not, I won’t say. But I did feel obliged to share this exchange with our boys at assembly.

We find our calling by first paying attention, by listening, and by following the lead of someone who sees our distinct promise. The pursuit of this calling, I believe, creates a life of purpose. And living a life of purpose reflects our moral character. I am grateful for many things in my life, but I am always thankful for what the start of school allows me to remember.

Veritate Stamus et Crescimus.


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