In the Marines, “riggers”….the people who pack parachutes for other Marines….have to make at least one jump a month.  Who packed their parachute?  They did.  One of the parachutes that they packed for others to use is chosen at random, and the rigger has to “jump it.”  This system helps make sure that no one gets sloppy.  After all, “The chute you are packing may be your own.”

If you had to sign your name to your work at the end of each day, what type of work would you do?   In truth, your signature IS on everything you do.  You might not actually sign your name to it, but everyone in your program knows it is your signature on your work.  So what is your signature saying about you?  Are you hard working?  Fair? Insightful? Wise?  If you are not sure, just ask your students.  They will tell you.

Today, no every day, I encourage you to consider how well you are “packing the parachutes” of your program.  Like the Marine riggers who are held accountable for their work, having our signature on our work encourages us to give our best effort.  What method are you using to self-monitor?  Perhaps once a month, you might take the position of your students and jump in their place.  Just to make sure you are packing the chutes correctly.  Just sayin’!

Make Today a Magnificent Day!

Gary L Rupert