By W. Scott Abbott

There’s not just a single defining moment in my more than two decades serving on the school board in Fort Gibson that stands a lasting reminder of the importance of the work we do in helping educate the children of our communities. For me, it’s actually a moment that happens every week or so in our town that reminds me not every important life lesson taught at school happens in the classroom.

To be certain, of course, Fort Gibson students are taught from the beginning that reading, writing, math, social studies, science, the arts and teamwork are important. However, that’s not where the learning begins or ends.

Fort Gibson is blessed to be home to a national cemetery – a final place of honor and rest for the fallen. Our school’s staff and administration have taught our students that when they are outside as a funeral procession approaches, time stops. Students remove their hats, take a knee and quietly and reverently pay honor and respect to the fallen and their family. Recess comes to a halt. So do softball and baseball games.

Several times a year, school officials receive letters from people in a procession who witnessed this lesson of respect – the kind gesture of hope, of humanity and the evidence of appreciation for sacrifice. Retired military veterans get misty eyed when they turn the corner at the school and witness the show of respect from our students. Many times, our school board members have been brought to tears while reading these letters during board meetings.

We are in a season where we sometimes let what divides us take precedence over what unites us. We sometimes focus on disappointments rather than celebrating points of pride.

As school board members, we must be focused on improving – our community’s children are counting on it. They also want us and need us to celebrate their accomplishments!

During this year, when I’m honored to serve as president of OSSBA, I want to challenge board members to brag on schools, educators, school staff and students in your community like a proud parent or grandparent. We have awesome children and amazing faculty staff in Fort Gibson. I know the same is true in communities across the state, and we should be sharing that great news in our communities with our legislators and one another.

I want to use this space this year to help share brags from other board members so we can all celebrate the great moments and the amazing work being done in our public schools. You can submit them by visiting ossba.org/brag.

Thank you for your leadership and service. I hope you’ll accept the challenge to brag because I’m excited to hear more about what’s happening in your local schools!

W. Scott Abbott was elected as President of OSSBA at the Delegate Assembly, Aug. 28, 2021. He is a board member from Fort Gibson Public Schools and serves as a Region 8 Director for OSSBA.