Who?

I am an MBA student. That is my primary qualification to be a Social Entrepreneur. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Management from Baker University (Cum Laude) and have 17 years of experience in team leadership, public service, and business management. Therefore, I am starting with a base of knowledge in managing people, organizing resources, and maintaining efficient processes.

Take away my degrees and titles, and you are left with some valuable skills. I like people, and people like me. I am a good writer and public speaker. I am able to teach and to persuade. I am able to use empathy when I listen, and empathy allows me to discover problems and solutions that less-sensitive people may miss.

I have made mistakes in life. I have made big and little mistakes, and I have used those events as learning opportunities. I have experienced the painful process of fixing mistakes, which requires admission and repentance. I have been humbled by mistakes, educated by mistakes, and lead to a new opportunities through mistakes. Making mistakes may disqualify one from some stations in life, but learning from mistakes is the only way attain the stations that matter to me.

I have the heart of a teacher. I root for the underdog, and I love a Cinderella story. I am not smart enough to realize that some things are unattainable; I am experienced at overcoming the perceptions of un-attainability.

I have desired and prayed for many things, and received only a few of them (thank God for that. Unanswered prayers may be the greatest gift God can give.) My only desire and prayer now is for the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

I regularly donate blood (especially 2RBC via aspheresis) at the Community Blood Bank of Kansas City: http://www.savealifenow.org/

I love the idea of Microloans, and actively participate at Kiva: http://www.kiva.org/lender/larrys

I participate in WatchDog Dads at my child's school: http://www.fathers.com

As a Social Entrepreneur, I have a vision that is threefold:
1. Appreciate our public school teachers more.
2. Provide more in-class attention to students who are above or below average.
3. Effectively address parenting issues that affect in-class behavior and performance.

At this point, I am still working out the details of how I will address this vision, but basically I need to recruit both thinkers and doers. I need to attract donations to fund the projects. Finally, I need to collect a think-tank of experienced people to help develop and guide the vision. The third problem will need more creativity and wisdom, while the second will require money. I think the first vision will never be fully achieved because teachers in general are so valuable, generous, and effective.

Please click the comment link below to add an insight, criticism, or just a punctuation mark. I need to know you read me, and I will enthusiastically welcome all thoughts on the subject!