From the desk of Wally Dawkins, Athletic Director:

We have all been told NOT to judge a book by its cover.

Since “everybody knows that”, very clever publishers have learned that catchy titles and flashy book jackets catch the eye of potential readers, i.e. buyers.

Many times this cliché is used to discourage that first impression of someone you meet, because it might not be entirely accurate.  A similar cliché we often use is “what you see is not always what you get”.

Here is the main point;  In order to form a sound, educated opinion of someone or something…it is extremely important to take the time to evaluate a person or thing based on past performance, consistency, and viability.

In this day and age, we have become incredibly visual people.  Many of us have fallen into the trap of “if it looks good I want it”, without really looking at the big picture or what does the “long run” look like.

We do this with cars…houses…clothes…Think about it!  I am much more inclined to make a quick decision because of the way it looks at first glance…or on the outside.  It’s the old judging the book by the cover…thing!

I worked at a school one time where as a teacher, we always joked that it (the school) was a good place to be “from”.  Many of us believed that if you could work there (at that school), and survive for one year, that you should be given a Lifetime Texas Teachers Certificate, solely based on the fact that you survived.

But then, that same school built all new buildings and we were convinced that the fresh paint, shiny floors, and “hot from the foundry furnace” bricks and mortar would change everything.  The new buildings looked great.  The new buildings looked  flashy enough with the new technology, bright lights, cool carpeted class rooms, and a big bold school logo right as you walked in the front door.  It was impressive…looking, and the promises the school with the new buildings made…unbelievably believable!

Unfortunately, although the outside appeared grand, what was going on inside was business as usual.   The curriculum was the same, a majority of the students were still not interested or motivated, classroom discipline continued to be awful, and the teachers were again bound by the same old “teach to the test policy” that was status quo in the old buildings.

The cover of the book looked awesome. The content of the book was still way substandard

Although the newness and the bright exterior of the building said “come inside…it’s great”, what was really important for the school to actually be great was still missing.

In my seven years at Brook Hill, I have been amazed at how many comments we receive about the beauty of our campus, and how great our buildings, classrooms, and athletic facilities look.  Many college coaches visit Brook Hill each year in an effort to recruit our student athletes (nine of which have already signed this year with some of those same colleges I might add).  The majority of these college coaches are amazed at what we have facility wise at BH.  Several have commented that even the college where they work has nothing like what they see when they visit Brook Hill.

But what about what is inside those buildings?  As a former public school teacher and coach, I know for a fact that what is inside these walls is what truly makes Brook Hill a great place to get an education, and so much more!

Inside these walls are teachers who actually teach, and not to a state mandated test.  Inside these walls are teachers and coaches who really care about the success and care about the future each student.  Brook Hill teachers and coaches are not just doing a job for a paycheck or to move up on a “career ladder” that increases personal income.  They lovingly invest in the lives of the kids.

Inside the walls at Brook Hill is an environment that is conducive to learning.  The environment at Brook Hill is calm, safe, and promotes academic success.   This is in stark contrast to schools where many times students are forced to learn in spite of the environment.  Inside the walls at Brook Hill is where each student is challenged to reach their potential while recognizing and emphasizing the gifts they individually possess.

Inside the walls at Brook Hill, in the classroom, in the lab, or in the lecture hall, you won’t find material that is “dumbed-down” so that everyone will make accepted average grades…pass the state test, or improve the districts overall rating.

Great schools are determined by what happens inside the walls…not by how the exterior looks!

On my trip to the East Coast this past January, I was able to visit four of the most prestigious schools in the United States.  They were all hundreds of years old.  Their commitment to the education of students has passed the test of time.  Three of these schools had the traditional Ivy League facade.

You know the look…red brick buildings…white posts…landscaped.  Collegiate!

What made those East Coast schools so great however was the commitment to the education that was taking place inside those stately looking walls.

How fortunate we all are, to have a Founder and Board Chairman like Steve Dement whose vision was to create a campus that not only had the look of those outstanding schools back east, but that those of us who teach and coach here, could use the opportunities and abilities we have to pour ourselves into the lives of our students at Brook Hill.   Whether that is in the classroom…on the field…on the court…or on stage…or as alumni, to create excellence in education.

OK…back to the “you can’t judge a book by its cover” thing.

Dr. Seuss books don’t count!  The cover is eye catching and what’s inside is just totally awesome.  As you probably could surmise, Dr. Seuss books are some of my favorite summer readings.

Like Green Eggs and Ham, The Lorax, and Horton Hears a Who!

And that’s another reason to be “ALL ORANGE…All The Time”!