Be More like “Mr E”
Hey Stapleton, I just had to share this heart-warming post below that was written by Dan Oltersdorf, a friend and fellow Stapleton resident. In a world chalk full of media-hyped bad news we need more good news and for me today this was it.
The post below is about “Mr. E”, the art teacher at Bill Roberts where our 3 kids go to school in Stapleton. Mr E is beloved by all so someone giving him a shout out was way past due. (Thanks for making it happen Dan!)
You don’t have to know Mr E or have kids that go to Bill Roberts to find inspiration and value in what Dan wrote below.
I know sometimes I wonder about what I do in my day and why it matters. (we probably all have those self doubts, right?) But then I see Mr E at the front door to Bill Roberts greeting every single kid as they enter the school and brightening people’s day through that small gesture. I’m reminded I can make a big difference to others in my own day via seemingly small gestures. Mr E brings that “help others” mindset every day and he should be honored for it.
Dan says it best below so I’ll let you read his post to learn how to be more like Mr. E:
“Every so often, an individual does something amazing that grabs the spotlight and makes a big splash. More often though, it is not an act of heroism or a grand gesture that makes the biggest impact.
The biggest differences are made over time, through consistent and seemingly small actions that add up to something far bigger.
8 years ago, my oldest daughter started preschool at Blessed Sacrament school. Every morning, rain, snow or shine, a teacher who I would later learn was known as “Mr. E” was directing traffic, smiling, waving and giving high fives. Seeing Mr. E became a morning ritual that always brought a smile to our faces, even as we would laugh, questioning his decision to wear shorts, regardless of temperature.
Fast-forward 8 years and Mr E (Eddie Egloff) now teaches art at William “Bill” Roberts school, where my two younger daughters are in ECE and 4th grade. Every morning, still wearing his trademark shorts, Mr E places himself at the front door, giving high fives, greeting hundreds of students and parents with a genuine smile and sincere enthusiasm. My 4-year old daughter now looks forward to seeing Mr E, showing him her new “pretty rock,” her latest drawing, or just saying hi and exchanging a fist bump. When we arrive early and he is not there, she asks to go see him in his classroom.
The other day, I saw him in his usual morning post, but this time off to the side, intently listening to a boy who was probably 10 or 11. The boy was crying and as I walked by, Eddie put a hand on the boy’s shoulder, encouraging and empathizing with him. It was heartwarming.
It struck me that over the years, Eddie has chosen to make a difference in the lives of thousands through many tens of thousands of seemingly small interactions that add up to something far greater.
Here are some things I believe we can all learn from Mr E:
- Place yourself where you can make an extra impact. It’s probably not directing traffic or greeting people at the door. It may be something far more behind the scenes. To quote a mentor of mine, Dr Joe Martin, “What gifts do you bring to the table? How can you give them away daily?”
- Be the highlight of someone’s day by treating them like they are the highlight of yours. You know who those people in your life are who make you feel that way. Be one of them.
- Choose your ritual. What little thing(s) can you do every day for the long haul that will add up to greatness? Is it a daily email or phone call? Dropping by someone’s office? Making that first pot of coffee for the office?
- Even as you do the little things every day, look for the opportunities to do something bigger. I know there were hundreds of casual hellos and high-fives that open the door to moments like encouraging that young boy.
- Your opportunities may have nothing to do with your primary role. I haven’t even mentioned the fact that Eddie is an outstanding art teacher! (My kids ask me to take pictures of their art and send it to him).
So… let’s all look for ways to be a little more like Mr. E.
“Practice small acts of greatness consistently and over time and you can make someone’s day, or maybe even change the world.”
