In Dr. Joe Sanders’ Words: Integrity
We must not promise what we ought not, lest we be called on to perform what we cannot.
- Abraham Lincoln
As we begin the new year, we reflect on how we can grow as individuals and as a community. This month, we focus on INTEGRITY, the second of the 13-character qualities we are exploring.
Integrity is the foundation for personal growth and success. It shapes how we interact with others, how we manage challenges, and how we achieve our goals. As we enter the new year, integrity takes on greater importance as both students and adults reflect on their New Year’s resolutions—the promises we make to ourselves and others about how we intend to grow and improve.
At its core, integrity is the quality of being whole and complete with ‘who we say we are’ and ‘what we say we will do’. Practically, it means being honest and doing the right thing, even when it is difficult. When we make commitments, whether personal, academic, or social, we make a promise to ourselves and those around us. Keeping our word is essential to maintaining integrity.
We may not always meet our goals, but integrity helps us learn and grow from setbacks. When we fall short, it is important to take responsibility, make amends, and work to rebuild trust. Acknowledging mistakes and asking, "What can I do to make this right?" helps us honor our word and move forward with integrity.
Integrity is crucial to strong relationships. By keeping our word, we build trust. When we fall short, trust can be shaken, but through integrity, we can rebuild it. This principle extends beyond academic success—it strengthens relationships in all areas of life.
So, let this be the year where we all do what we say we are going to do. We challenge our students and our community to practice integrity by making meaningful commitments, keeping our word, and taking responsibility when things do not go as planned. Whether it is keeping a resolution or acknowledging a mistake, integrity is the thread that holds everything together.
Integrity leads us as we build character, trust, and positive relationships, both in our school community and beyond. Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can continue to grow and build lives of integrity.
Warm regards,
Joe
