Quote from the Book, The Superior Educator
A Calm and Assertive Approach to Classroom Management and Large Group Motivation, Copyright © November 20^th, 2008, Stephen T. McClard

I’m reminded of a trip I took to San Diego a few years ago.  My principal approached me about a free trip that was being offered by the Marine Corps to observe Marine training at Camp Pendleton.  I might not have taken the trip, but it was in the middle of our state proficiency test, so the students would not be in class anyway.  I agreed to the trip and spent a week in California. 

While I was there, I was in downtown San Diego on our evening free time and noticed that the San Diego Community Wind Ensemble was performing a few blocks away.  I took a taxi to the park and bought a ticket to the concert.  I noticed from the program that the Navy Band Southwest director was going to be the guest conductor for one number.

After the concert, I went to the front of the stage and spoke with him.  We talked for some time about the program and about where I was from.  When I told him that I was visiting Camp Pendleton, he told me that I should get in touch with the Marine Band there and speak to the director.  He gave me his phone number, and the next day, I broke from the group and got to spend some time with the Marine Band. 

As it turned out, this became one of the most rewarding professional development activities of my career.  They invited me to conduct the band at the noon rehearsal.  We worked on several of the songs that would be played for the colors ceremony the next day.  This event is the graduation ceremony for the current group of Marines who make it past basic training. 

The best part of the whole experience happened next.  The director of the Marine Band asked me to direct one piece of music in the ceremony the next day.  As part of the ceremony, I received a picture of the event and a shirt to wear from the gift shop.  I conducted “God Bless America” by Irving Berlin.  It was an original, yellowed copy of the song that may have once been used in a performance for a president.  That was what I had imagined anyway.

Conducting the Marine Band was an amazing experience but not quite as eventful as what happened earlier in the week.  While I was in downtown San Diego one evening, I thought it would be a good idea to get a haircut.  I was in an open-air mall and noticed a salon called Jocco’s where at least ten amazingly beautiful women were cutting hair.    

I made my appointment and sat in the waiting area for about fifteen minutes for my turn.  I tried to guess which one of the nice young ladies would be cutting my hair.  One of the girls came to get me, and we made our way over to one of the corner stations.  I was so excited!  This had been such a great trip.  I just knew my wife would appreciate seeing me with a new haircut when I got home.

After my stylist had prepped me, she went around the corner to the back of the salon.  A few minutes later, another hair stylist greeted me.  I believed him to be Jocco, but I never was quite sure.  He was a very large and flamboyant Mexican man with the biggest curly hair I had ever seen.  Although I didn’t have trouble with a Mexican man cutting my hair, the prospect of having my delicate hairs cut by Jocco himself was just not as pleasant as what I had first imagined.  I wasn’t sure what was going on, so I just sat back and let life happen.

The next twenty minutes taught me a few very valuable lessons.  The first lesson is that Jocco—although not what I expected—could really cut hair well.  He had some of the most interesting stories to tell.  I looked even more beautiful than before and came away with a rich experience that I will always remember. 

I also learned that the dreams I dream and the reality I live may not necessarily match.  The important goal is making the most of each experience and enjoying the people I meet along the way.  Individuals that cross my path may not always fit my ideal, but they will always teach me something new about myself.  I can be sure that everyone has value, even if I cannot imagine what that value might be.

This trip was an outstanding opportunity.  I learned so much from going on my journey, and when I got back to town, it was what I talked about to my kids for the next month.  Just being able to see the Marine style of leadership was enough to make the trip invaluable to me.  Conducting the Marine Band was the icing on the cake.  Receiving a haircut from Jocco—priceless!  These types of educational opportunities are just what it takes to improve your leadership style and give you a larger view of your world.  A complete diary of this trip can be found on my web page:
www.bolivarmusic.org .