Former US Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill once famously said, “all politics is local.” Indeed what occurs locally is simply a microcosm of what is happening nationally. While attention is focused on national leaders of all sorts, the more significant influence of effective leadership often occurs with everyday extraordinary people. These are the people you know who model servant leadership, graciousness, and care about the lives of others. These local leaders practice public service and not the public enrichment that we have grown accustomed to on the national level.
This blog is about two of the finest local public servants that I watched firsthand change lives, including mine. In the last month each one passed away and I attended both funerals in different local communities where they made huge differences for others. The first one, Mary Jane Piatt, was a high school senior English teacher for decades. You could read her tribute wall as common praises from “kids” now in their 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s repeated this refrain: She made me feel special, held me to a higher standard, and expected much from me. The truth is while she was probably five foot nothing, she towered over kids with her delightful combination of care, inspiration, and competence. You didn’t want to let her down and her influence was impactful, cumulative, and profound. Many of her students, like me, became teachers because of her.
The young minister who knew her well offered a wonderful tribute at her funeral to the lady that never changed. She simply never stopped giving to others— her talents, her time, and herself. Her husband, the local town doctor, had passed away several years earlier and they had no children. She questioned recently, the minister said, wondering who would stand with her when she passed as all her family was deceased. As he said this, he noted to the full large church gathering, “we will stand with you “. And we did, to honor one of the finest teachers ever.
Just two weeks later in yet another rural community another long-time educator and public servant passed away. Larry Miller served his community as a school superintendent for nearly 30 years. Prior to that long and unheard-of tenure, he was a successful teacher, coach, and principal in the same community. His reach went beyond the boundaries of his county as he organized others to advocate for equity for all students in Ohio— especially those in rural, property poor ones.
Like my high school English teacher, I also knew Larry and was recipient of his leadership characterized by humility, graciousness, and supreme competence. I worked for him as a principal, later as his assistant, and finally succeeded him as superintendent. What a bar he set for expectations for yourself, results, and giving credit to others. He knew how to build teams, work with others, and make improbable dreams become possible for others. His legion of followers, now in their 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s, influence their followers with his lessons. His gifts have been multiplied.
Larry’s rural community was New Concord, Ohio, the same hometown of Senator and astronaut John Glenn. The high school was renamed in Glenn’s honor after his historic flight in 1962. In 2004 the intermediate school was named in Larry Miller’s honor after his incredible contributions to the community. Not bad company— for either of them. Senator Glenn once famously said on one of his many returns to his hometown, “If you get your start here, you can go anywhere”; it took him to outer space. At Larry’s funeral I suggested a variation to Glenn’s quotation: “if you get your start here, you can also stay here”.
Two people, Mary Jane and Larry, local leaders who changed lives forever through public service in the communities where they grew up. Models for us all. Leadership is easily described but rarely so well executed. While we mourn their passing, it is their living that will endure for ages.