LM Aug.2018

Rigsby ... cont’d.

The opportunity to encourage and challenge superintendents to make an impact on the lives of children is something he looks forward to, Rigsby said. Superintendents, he said, carry an enormous responsibility because they have the ability to impact so many lives. For any leader, the challenge is being able to communicate your vision to your staff and getting them to buy in but, at the same time, be self-aware of their influence. “The leaders I meet and admire the most are the ones who have one thing in common—a definitive purpose and burning desire to communicate and stay on message,” he said. “That burning desire to encourage others and, at same time, growing their influence so they want to go, want to work and want to participate. He continued: “Leadership is influence. The ability to influence others in your sphere.” Rigsby also attributed his success in life to public education. When he was in the third grade, his teacher changed his life when she volunteered to stay after school with him while he read.

He describes the experience in a video on his website this way: “A third grader from the hood started to develop a vociferous appetite for reading and developed an efficacious vocabulary.” It would have been easy for that teacher to overlook him, but she didn’t, Rigsby said. That’s why anytime he speaks to academic communities, he reminds them that you never know where a child will end up. Every day, it’s imperative for school leaders to “bring their A-game” and be willing to do what it takes to reach kids. “I was the class clown, but this third-grade teacher did not judge me and was not deterred by my poor behavior choices in class,” Rigsby said. “I stayed after school, and she introduced me to Beverly Cleary books and, as a result, I developed a real appreciation for the written word. Because of the seeds planted by that third-grade teacher, I still read a lot.” Rigsby is one of three keynote speakers at the IASA Annual Conference, along with state superintendent Dr. Tony Smith and legendary UCLA softball coach Sue Enquist. Smith will speak Friday morning and Enquist will close the conference. Rigsby is a father of four with two grandchildren.

To learnmore about Rigsby and watch himspeak click here.

Rigsby’s book became a USA Today and Wall Street Journal best seller; the graduation speech it inspired has received 100+ million views on Facebook and YouTube.

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