As I reflect on my journey as an athlete, educator, consultant, and former coach, the North Star stands out as a powerful symbol of guidance and hope. This celestial beacon has long been a source of direction, illuminating paths through life’s turbulent waters. For our company, McMillan Education, celebrating 70 years in the educational consulting business, the North Star represents a steadfast commitment to guiding students and families toward their aspirations.
My own North Star has been shaped by both triumph and adversity. As a collegiate athlete and professional, I’ve experienced the thrill of success. Yet, it was the loss of loved ones that taught me the value of resilience and finding direction in darkness. This journey has instilled in me a deep passion for helping others navigate their paths—while we are still able to do so. The values of resilience and hope have guided me through life’s challenges, much like sailors rely on the North Star for navigation.
As a goalie, I learned early on that failure is an inevitable part of the game. Mistakes can seem magnified because they are clear for everyone to see on the scoreboard. However, I came to understand that these setbacks are not just failures but opportunities for growth. My relentless focus on personal skills training and practice was driven by a desire to improve, not just for myself, but to help my teammates become better. We worked together, and our collective growth was a testament to the power of teamwork and shared purpose.
During those years, my motivation came not from receiving praise from coaches or others, but from feeling more competent and striving to help others improve in their respective fields. During those years, my motivation didn’t come from receiving praise from coaches or others, but from feeling more competent and striving to help others improve in their respective fields. This purpose-driven ambition united us and drove us to achieve more than we thought possible. As I played sports in middle school, high school, and college, I was relentless in my personal skills training and in practices, much to the dismay of some of my teammates. While some teammates might have found my dedication exhausting, it was fueled by a desire to contribute to our team’s success.
I’ve learned that embracing failure is essential for growth. By trusting ourselves and being open to failure, we can navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence and purpose. For instance, after a tough game where I made critical mistakes, my North Star encouraged me to reflect on what went wrong and how I could improve. This mindset allowed me to see failures as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks. However, there were times, especially during my college math class, when I should have worked harder to find a North Star to help me (or even a flicker of light in the way of a tutor!). My stubbornness to work things through, relying on grit, created more stress than I really needed.
The North Star has long been a symbol of guidance and direction. Historically, it guided those seeking
freedom during the Underground Railroad era, symbolizing hope and liberation. Across cultures, the North Star is considered a symbol of guidance and spiritual connection. In many indigenous cultures, it represents a link to the divine, symbolizing higher wisdom and purpose. This cultural significance reminds us that even in uncertain times, there is always a higher purpose to guide us forward.
In education, frameworks like the Portrait of a Learner/Graduate serve as North Star guides, outlining the competencies and values students should embody upon graduation. These frameworks shape curriculum and pedagogy and inspire educators to cultivate environments where students can thrive. For instance, they emphasize skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, which are essential for navigating the complexities of the modern world. By aligning educational practices with these frameworks, educators can ensure that students are well-prepared to face life’s challenges with confidence and purpose.
To find your own North Star, consider these steps:
- Identify Your Core Values: List the values most important to you and how they guide your decisions.
- Create a Personal Mission Statement: Write a statement encapsulating your purpose and goals, aligning it with your North Star.
- Visualize Your Future: Imagine your ideal future and take steps today to move closer to that vision.
By embracing failure, trusting our instincts, and staying true to our core values, we can find direction even in uncertain times.
As William Cullen Bryant’s “Hymn to the North Star” beautifully captures:
“Walk the dark hemisphere till she retires;
All through her silent watches, gliding slow,
Her constellations come, and climb the heavens, and go.”
These lines remind us that even in the darkest moments, there is always a guiding light to lead us forward.
Consider writing your own North Star poem to reflect on what guides you through life’s challenges. Here’s a simple example:
“My North Star shines so bright,
A beacon in the darkest night.
It guides me through life’s ebb and flow,
Reminding me to stay true to my soul.”
As we celebrate 70 years of guiding students and families, our company’s theme of the North Star serves as a testament to the enduring power of guidance and direction. Whether in education or personal life, the North Star reminds us that even in turbulent times, there is always a guiding light to lead us forward. Let us continue to navigate life’s journey with the North Star as our beacon, inspiring guidance and hope for generations to come.
