Lipscomb Academy Faculty/Staff Recognized

What is ikigai?

The Japanese language defines the term as a blending of two words meaning to live (v.) and worth or value (n.). The concept refers to something that brings value or joy to life to the individual. Last Saturday, at the Lipscomb Academy faculty/staff awards ceremony, we recognized individuals that embody ikigai.

Referencing the graphic above, when these four strands are joined, an individual finds his/her calling. Others witness the calling as a gift or a talent. 

Arguably, the most unique strand is “What You’re Good At.” I see this as the spark or flare individuals bring to their roles. The 2023-24 award recipients possess all three characteristics: calling, gift, and flare.

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Awards were given to the following nine Lipscomb Academy faculty and staff for pouring into their student and colleagues for the betterment and advancement of Lipscomb Academy: 

The Ken Jones Barnabas Award
This individual continually encourages and mentors others.

Megan has mastered the ability to give younger teachers advice in a way that doesn't sound demeaning or condescending and knows when to hold her tongue and when to speak up and give someone a new perspective. She radiates the light of Jesus and is incredibly gifted in her work, but her ability to encourage and mentor others with frankness and kindness is so valued. 
 

Staff Rookie of the Year

This individual is in his/her first year at Lipscomb Academy and has had a significant impact on others - students, families, peers.

Cat is nothing short of a shining light to her students and those blessed enough to work alongside her. She has worked this year to build intentional connections with each and every student. She often goes out of her way to provide support to teachers, whether it is by stepping in to monitor a classroom, sending encouraging messages, or providing emotional support. Cat is the first to volunteer to help others and does not hesitate to step up wherever and however is needed. Her smile is a constant encouragement as she shines His light to all those around her.
 

Female Faculty Rookie of the Year

This individual is in his/her first year at Lipscomb Academy and has had a significant impact on others - students, families, peers.

Sidney has quickly become a favorite amongst her students. Almost immediately, her students recognized not just her competency in teaching practice but also her ability to communicate her care and belief in students' ability to learn. She does a terrific job of taking a complex subject and breaking it down in a way that both educates and builds confidence in her students. She has a great classroom vibe and is classy, effortlessly cool, and a great colleague. Sidney is the kind of educator that students will remember and recall years down the road as someone who made a lasting impact in their life. 

 

Male Faculty Rookie of the Year

This individual is in his/her first year at Lipscomb Academy and has had a significant impact on others - students, families, peers.

Dillan came in this year with excitement and desire to know our students. He has created a relationship with so many students, even those who aren’t in his classes, and served our students from day one. He connects with them and makes them feel seen and known. He has also shown such servant leadership to us, teachers, by assisting with cafeteria duty and clean-up EVERY DAY. 

 

Illuminate Award

This individual radiates the “light” of Jesus to students.

Every time I see Scott, he is either in the process of telling someone how much he cares about them, or in our conversation, he will tell me how much he loves and appreciates me. I like to think of myself as an affirming and positive person, and also a competitive person, and I find that every time I have a meeting or conversation with Scott, he is out-affirming me over how much the meeting benefited him. My competitive spirit has tried to one-up him in my affirmation game but to no avail. Scott carries this spirit of love and kindness into the classroom with him, as well as wherever he goes. In every interaction, I think people can look at Scott and see the loving heart of God the Father, and it is no coincidence that on top of embodying that love, Scott is an expert at making the word of God relevant to students. Just spending time in his presence is enough for them to know the love of God more and more.
 

Magnet Award

Students are naturally drawn to this individual, and the individual is typically seen surrounded by students.

John is the Pied Piper of the freshman class. He is constantly surrounded and greeted by students, especially the freshmen boys, and creates an environment in his classroom that naturally attracts students. They're in there before class, during class, during lunch, after class, and every chance they get to connect. He has won them over and earned himself the right to speak powerfully into his student's lives. His students know that they are loved by him, and they constantly want to be around him. 

 

Mustang Spirit Award

This individual bleeds purple and gold.

Kim bleeds purple and gold. In her 21 years of service, she has assisted several different departments and has always done her job with a smile on her face. She has a huge heart for her co-workers and for Lipscomb. She loves on students, both athletes and non-athletes, and even volunteered to lead an advisory group so she could meet more students. Lipscomb is a better place with Kim here!

 

Lifelong Learner

This individual actively pursues continued personal professional growth and development.

I don't think I have ever seen Ken Robinson without a packet or binder of papers. Whenever I steal a glance at them, I see that they are all devoted to leadership and learning how to do his job well, and whenever I steal a glance at Ken, it seems he is looking through them and consulting them in everything he does. Beyond just day to day practice, Ken is probably one of the wisest people I know, and just the other day, I had a conversation with him where he talked about a graduate program he's in right now in conflict management, and he said, "I am already a different and better person than I was when I started this program." Ken has in spades the single greatest characteristic necessary for lifelong learning: humility. Even when many around him would tell him there isn't much for him to learn, he is still taking classes and consulting his array of laminated papers, because he always wants to do it better for the sake of Lipscomb's community.
 

Outstanding Educator

 This individual has had a tremendous impact on student growth and learning.

Melissa Collins is the very best music teacher around. Not only does she share her beautiful voice with us for special chapel singing and group events, but her music knowledge she shares with her students is diverse and engaging! Melissa directs and organizes eight shows a year so that every single student can enjoy performing for their families and their friends. With unwavering commitment, she encourages her students to explore their vocal abilities, often identifying hidden talents others overlook. Her passion for music education and ability to recognize each student's unique potential make her an outstanding educator, and her hard work and dedication to the music program is unlike any other. Go, Melissa, go!