The Hero of the Story

I recently read a news story about a high school cross country runner in California that captivated my attention. This past fall, Paradise High School’s boy cross country team made the tough decision not to travel to their sectional championship race. The wildfires that spread throughout California had reached their hometown and assembling the team and traveling to the race was not a major focus. The race went on without them. 

A senior, Gabe Price, had been running great times all season and now had no chance of qualifying for the state championship. After the race, there was talk of his situation and he was given permission to run the course to attempt to qualify. However, instead of racing others, he would have to run it alone. The day before the race, it was confirmed that his home was destroyed in the fire, along with his running shoes. Discouraged, but unbeaten, Gabe showed up to run the course. 

On the original race day, Chico High School had won the meet. This team had heard about Gabe and the rest of the Paradise team and decided to travel back to the course to cheer him on. A parent on the team even brought Gabe a pair of running shoes. They cheered Gabe on in his attempt to qualify. He needed to run the 3.1 mile course in 17 minutes and 41 seconds. He ran it in 17:12. 

Chico’s team was full of runners better than Gabe. They had no benefit of supporting his effort. But they respected his attempt in spite of the struggle. Their support, both in their presence and in the shoes, undoubtedly helped him earn a trip to the state championship race that day. 

There are teachers in our building that are nothing short of amazing. There are mid-career teachers well on their way there. There are beginning teachers with a heart full of passion that work hard to figure things out day to day. There are also those of us that have tough times like Gabe. Bad things happen to us personally that impact our work. We make professional decisions that don’t turn out like we wanted them to. Sometimes things fall apart. And when that happens, you have to have the grit of Gabe Price. You show up, barefoot and alone, prepared to give it your best. But the most important factor for success in Gabe’s story, was the support he got. The hero in the story isn’t the kid that qualified for the state championship, it’s the ones that supported him in his effort. 

Take time to look at your colleagues. You probably won’t have to look long or hard to find someone that needs your support, or just a kind word. Remember your last struggle as a teacher and remember what you needed most. You have a chance to be the hero in their story. And because you are helping a teacher, that story impacts so many more people.