A Masterpiece of Leadership

Posted by Nicki Peasley Share Your Voice

If Bounce had a billboard, this is the face it would feature.  Meet Art Raymond.  Behind that boyish grin is the inspirational leader of Moody Middle School.

Three years ago, Mr. Raymond opened his mind, his heart, and his school to the power of Bounce.  What began as a pilot program in one 6th grade classroom has evolved into a school-wide leadership development effort for administrators, teachers, and students.   A true visionary, Mr. Raymond has embraced leadership development as an art that starts with the individual and ends with a better world. 

At Bounce, leadership is about authentically connecting with oneself, compassionately relating to others, and courageously contributing to the world.  Art Raymond is a shining example of this “ME, WE, and World of Leadership.”  He has connected who he is to how he can make a difference—and what a difference he is making!

Running a middle school is a daunting endeavor.  When I first witnessed Art Raymond in action, I was struck by his capacity to maintain his presence in the midst of chaos.  It was between classes and Mr. Raymond stood in the main hallway, a beacon of authority.  I watched him greet students as they passed.  He knew their names; he looked them in the eye; he offered what they needed in the form of praise or encouragement. 

When the bell rang, I followed Mr. Raymond to his office where a line of teachers waited for him.  Appeals for his attention streamed from his walkie-talkie, and his secretary informed him that he had two calls waiting.  Through it all, Mr. Raymond remained cool, genuinely acknowledging the importance of each person before him and efficiently prioritizing their requests. 

In that first meeting with Mr. Raymond, I immediately recognized his incredible capacity to lead others.  It was 6 months later, through the Bounce Teachers as Learners program, that I had the honor of learning about the human being behind the principal title.  In this intimate personal and group development setting with his 7th grade teachers, Art shared openly and honestly about his journey as a human being and as a leader.  It became clear that his ability to lead others is directly linked to his own self-awareness, his willingness to be challenged, and his unyielding pursuit to become his best self.

Mr. Raymond’s vision for a better world is being realized through his teachers and students who are connecting who they are to how they can make a difference through community service.  Last week, in a closing Bounce event, 300 7th graders celebrated the impact they had on their world.  Their contributions ranged from collecting 50,000 bottle caps equating to 50 hours of dialysis to creating a video on bullying awareness and prevention.   The students told us, "We wanted to prove that even people with less experience can make a difference...We showed anyone who thought we couldn't, WE COULD"!

The celebration culminated on the football field for the launching of 10 rockets, made by each class and signed by each student.  The rockets represented the spark—the unique brilliance-- of every 7th grade student and teacher!  As the above photograph illustrates, Mr. Raymond was excited by this launch of amazing leadership potential— his vision for greatness reflected in the shining eyes of his teachers and students.

Thank you, Mr. Raymond, for your authenticity, your compassion, and your courage.  In the human art of leadership, you are a masterpiece.

⇐ Previous Post: A Masterpiece of Leade... Next Post: BEE You? ⇒

Nicki Peasley I am the CEO of my home, managing a team consisting of a 40 year old, an 11 year old, an 8 year old, and a 6 year old. In my spare time, I am the YOUth development director for Bounce, writing curriculums and working (playing and learning) with elementary and middle school youth.