I often try to complete my Sunday sermon early enough in the week so that after doing the exposition, I can observe life throughout the week as I ask God to help me see real life illustrations. This week my Sunday morning sermon focuses on the apostle Paul imploring the Ephesian Christians to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which they have been called. He then describes specifically what that looks like. He says first and foremost in order to walk worthily one must lead with a heart of humility.
Friday evening God gave me the perfect illustration of what that looks like through one of our own. Mrs. Myra Powell has recently been recognized as a 2010 National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. I can think of no one more deserving of this recognition than Myra. Since coming to minister at Borden I personally have come to know just how wonderfully blessed our church and our community is by Myra Powell. In addition to her God given ministry as a principal, Myra is a dedicated follower of Christ and faithful servant to God’s church.
She has been a strong supporter of me since arriving at Borden three years ago, frequently sending me cards and letters of encouragement thanking me for my work at Borden. She is an encourager to me, my family, and her church. She regularly provides me with a list of teachers, staff, and students who are in need of prayer. She prepares birthday cards for our seniors and often comes late in the evening or early in the morning to make sure the church sanctuary is ready for services with fresh flowers, seasonal window decorations, and other special touches.
Yet in true humility Myra never wants recognition (I’m probably in big trouble for even posting this). Why is that? It is because she is a lady of true Christian humility. Evidenced by the fact that she always puts others before self and always gives any credit for her accomplishments directly to God.
Therefore when I read her comments and quotes in this weeks News and Tribune article Friday night I was not surprised that even while being recognized for her wonderful accomplishments, she automatically deflects the recognition and gives the credit to her staff and ultimately thanks God for blessing her with the opportunity to serve.
“I was totally honored. Surprised. I just feel totally blessed,” Powell said. “I have a tremendous teaching and instructional staff here. They’re the ones who are working with the children day in and day out and helping them succeed and learn everything they can.”
“I’m just another person trying to do the best I can for our students and our school. I don’t see myself as any better as any of my colleagues, because everyone is working as hard as they can for our students,” she said. “I just feel very blessed and honored and I thank God for the opportunity.”
God bless you Myra, thank you for your service, and thank your for always giving the Glory to God for all your accomplishments in His name. Brother Scott >
Ephesians 4:1–6 (NAS)
1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
October 22, 2010
A distinguished list: Borden principal gets national recognition
By TARA HETTINGER Tara.Hettinger@newsandtribune.com
BORDEN — Her days don’t end until it is dark out.
She meets with U.S. legislators to tell them what schools need.
Now, Borden Elementary Principal and Borden native Myra Powell is getting national recognition for her work, being named one of 62 elementary- and middle-school principals from across the nation and abroad who are on the 2010 National Distinguished Principals list, compiled by the National Association of Elementary School Principals.
“I was totally honored. Surprised. I just feel totally blessed,” Powell said. “I have a tremendous teaching and instructional staff here. They’re the ones who are working with the children day in and day out and helping them succeed and learn everything they can.”
Powell — who is in her 27th year in the profession and 17th year at the kindergarten through sixth grade elementary school — said this is the highest award a principal can earn.
“I’m just another person trying to do the best I can for our students and our school. I don’t see myself as any better as any of my colleagues, because everyone is working as hard as they can for our students,” she said. “I just feel very blessed and honored and I thank God for the opportunity.”
To get on the list, principals need to not only be good at what they do, but they have to be involved in the community. Powell has served as the town board’s president for eight years and is involved in a number of professional organizations, including the Indiana Association of School Principals, where she has held a number of leadership roles.
Powell is the Indiana representative for the National Association of Elementary School Principals, meaning she gets to meet with U.S. legislators to talk about what schools need.
Kathie Poe, an instructional coach at Borden, recommended Powell for the award.
“She cares very, very much about students. I think she probably knows every child by name in the building. She cares very much how they are, how they are progressing,” Poe said. “She cares about kids. You stand back and really do admire that.”
West Clark Community Schools Superintendent Monty Schneider said being a principal is more than an 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. job to Powell.
“It’s her life. It’s what she does,” he said. “I can’t say [the award] really surprised me … She always goes the extra mile.”
Powell said she tries to get out by 7 p.m. two nights a week, but said the rest of the nights last much later, with some going to midnight.
She said it is the support of her staff, administration, family and friends that have helped her along the way.
Schneider said this recognition doesn’t only reflect on Powell.
Poe agreed.
“I was thrilled. I really was. Honestly, when one of our team is complimented or honored, it’s such a great thing for all of us,” she said. “We feel very blessed. We do.”
