Echo has taken on the task of breaking down Park’s mission statement into five parts, diving into how each aspect of the mission is fulfilled and how it continues to be achieved. Over five weeks, each part will consist of a three-source story, a photo gallery, a podcast and a video featuring the voices of students, staff, administration and outside experts. The mission statement we’re breaking down is “St. Louis Park Public Schools sees, inspires and empowers each student to achieve academic excellence and live their brilliance in a racially equitable learning environment that centers student voice and experience to energize and enhance the spirit of our community.”
Part of Park’s mission statement is to inspire its students to achieve their full potential, academically and as individuals. When asked, the overwhelming majority of students responded that they drew their inspiration from their teachers. So, we decided to ask these teachers where they find their encouragement and how they instill motivation inside their classrooms.
Science teacher Al Wachutka said his inspiration to become a teacher stemmed from his love of coaching and one of his former teachers, whom he admired.
“What I really want to do is to coach, and that inspired me to work with young people in coaching and in teaching. I had a high school teacher who taught oceanography and geology. I loved him (and) loved the class, and thought, ‘oh, maybe I’ll go into teaching,’” Wachukta said.
Social studies teacher Charlie Mahaffey said he draws his inspiration from the examples members of his family have set. He said his family has helped shape who he is today.
“I’m often inspired by my grandparents. They did not have a lot growing up, and I think a lot of who I am today is because of the people that they were. I look up to my little brother. My little brother is a wildland firefighter, and he is just really tough and really cool,” Mahaffey said.
According to Abdifatah Abdi, Associate Director at Willis Towers Watson, young people should prioritize personal development by building steady routines, which will allow them to excel inside and outside the classroom.
“The advice I always give any younger person is to focus on personal growth; you have to have consistent habits. That basically means, if you want to become really good at sports, you have to exercise and practice. If you want to do well in school, studying, saving money (and) leading a consistent life, that will give you better health and financial stability,” Abdi said.
Mahaffey said we naturally draw inspiration from seeing others being invested in things, so as a teacher, he strives to explore things he is animated about.
“As humans, we get really excited about what other people are excited about. So, part of inspiring students is finding things that I’m passionate in and setting goals for myself,” Mahaffey said.
According to Abdi, preparing for the future provides the best motivation and inspiration, even if it doesn’t go directly as planned.
“Looking to the future will always help you,” Abdi said. “Things will not go the way you want them to. Having that mindset, focusing on optimism and the possibility and constructive thinking even when you have a challenge, when you have roadblocks in life, it will give you a different mindset.”
Wachutka said students should examine their current surroundings and explore how to get to their desired environment, which would push and influence students to become the best version of themselves.
“A person needs to look at where they want to be in the future, or at least look at where they are now, and (if) they like where they are now. Then that becomes an inspiration or a motivator to change a current setting or to pave a future path for yourself,” Wachutka said.
According to Mahaffey, Park can inspire its students by incorporating more enjoyable activities like those featured at the pep fest, which can inspire.
“As a school, we do a pretty good job. I wish we had more fun. I played student staff basketball, and I feel like we just need more moments of having fun and joy with our classes and with our students because I think a lot of inspiration comes out of that,” Mahaffey said.
