Mount Vernon Jr. High School

Principal's Perspective

The best time to plant a tree was 10 years ago. The second-best time to plant a tree is today.

For me, the New Year is more about reflection than resolutions. This year, that sentiment feels stronger than ever. Maybe it’s because I’m turning fifty, or perhaps it’s the result of spending three days stuck in our house without power. While we scrambled to heat our home, I had a conversation with a friend—the kind of friend who makes you think. He’s quite a bit younger than I am, so while he’s looking for advice and confirmation, I’m drawing inspiration from his ideas and growth mindset.

Out of the blue, he asked me, “Do you know when the best time to plant a tree was?” As someone who considers himself an outdoorsman, I was surprised to realize I didn’t know the answer, nor did I understand where he was going with the question. He answered, “Ten years ago. Do you know when the second-best time to plant a tree is?” Again, I was stumped. With a single word, he gave me the answer: “Today.”

There it was—a simple truth that became my New Year’s resolution. This idea resonates with every aspect of my life: family, career, and friendships. The best time to start anything is today. Whether you want to get in better shape, read more books, or create meaningful change in your workplace, the key is to figure out what you want and just begin. You don’t need to have all the answers, and you might not even know what the second step looks like.

Starting is what matters. By taking that first step, you’re planting the seeds for future growth. Even more importantly, by embracing this mindset, you set an example for your children. They learn from watching you that it’s never too late to start, and they see the value of perseverance and action. In doing so, you’re not just planting trees for yourself but nurturing a legacy for the next generation.  And who knows? Ten years from now, you might look back and be amazed at the forest you’ve created.

Marc Hostetter
MVJHS Principal

Principal's Perspective

“All progress takes place outside of our comfort zone.” - Anonymous 

Most inventions are designed to make life easier. Electricity simplified lighting, the telephone transformed communication, computers streamlined complex tasks, and the internet brought instant access to information. In my own lifetime, I’ve gone from sharing a party line (some of you might need to Google that) to carrying a phone in my pocket. We’ve progressed from conventional ovens to air fryers, an atlas to GPS apps, and encyclopedias to Google. This constant drive for efficiency has made nearly everything quicker and easier — but in the process, have we lost our resilience, determination and perseverance? Have we created a world where our kids miss out on learning how to improvise, adapt and overcome obstacles?

"Embrace the suck” is a saying originally made popular by the military during Operation Iraqi Freedom, capturing a truth about life’s challenges. At some point, everyone encounters responsibilities that are less than ideal. Not every job aligns with our dreams, and even dream jobs have tasks that can feel grueling. Personal growth requires us to face challenges head-on. Whether it’s pushing through tough workouts, dealing with difficult personalities, or tackling uncomfortable or exhausting tasks, we’re all presented with a choice. We can avoid these duties, building resistance, or we can choose to get comfortable being uncomfortable. 

To parents, I would encourage this: let your children experience struggle and even failure. Let them wrestle with challenges without stepping in too soon. In trying to protect them, we sometimes mistake comfort and ease for true happiness. Yet, my most fulfilling moments were when I achieved something after failing more often than succeeding. School and life will have many uncomfortable moments. The sooner we get comfortable being uncomfortable, the sooner we’ll learn to overcome the obstacles ahead.

Marc Hostetter
MVJHS Principal

Principal's Perspective

“When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before.”
— Jacob Riis, Late 1800s

As I reflect on my accomplishments in athletics and education, I am reminded of the Stonecutter’s Credo. The pinnacle of my athletic career came with a National Championship in 1995, and in 2023, I was honored as District 11 Middle School Principal of the Year. What I’ve realized is that these successes were not the result of a single, defining moment. Rather, they were the culmination of countless daily efforts—like the stonecutter, each blow led me closer to breaking the rock. Success came after thousands of small efforts: thousands of hours in the gym, and thousands of decisions made as a principal.

In education, we may never see the full impact of our efforts. As teachers, we work with students for just a year, and they spend only a few years in our buildings. Our role is to plant seeds that will grow over time. We strive to inspire our students to become lifelong learners, teaching them how to learn through our daily actions. The Stonecutter’s Credo is deeply relevant in education—we, as educators, must pound the rock every single day.

The Stonecutter’s Credo also resonates with us as parents and guardians, especially during the middle school years. At this age, our children are still far from fully formed. Our goal is to guide them into becoming productive members of society, though we may not see the results for years. All we can do is pound the rock each day. By setting an example with our actions, establishing expectations, setting limits and boundaries, supporting their interests, and loving them unconditionally, we actively “parent.” Parenting is a verb—it requires daily action.

At Mt. Vernon Junior High, we’ve placed a rock, hammer, and chisel in our teachers' lounge as a reminder of the Stonecutter’s Credo. We want to pound the rock each day, knowing that each blow, though it may not crack the rock immediately, brings us closer to our goals. Together, we aim to inspire each other to be the best versions of ourselves, making a positive impact in our students’ lives through our daily actions.

Marc Hostetter
MVJHS Principal

Principal's Perspective

No more pencils, no more books.  No more teacher’s dirty looks.  For those of you who are familiar with 1970’s Rock and Roll, you’ll recognize those lyrics.  School is almost out for Summer.  

For students, the final days of school are often a whirlwind of emotions. There's a sense of accomplishment in completing another chapter of their educational journey, yet there's also a twinge of sadness as they bid farewell to friends, teachers, and familiar routines. The classroom, once a sanctuary of learning and laughter, now stands as a silent witness to the memories created over the past year.

For teachers, the end of the school year brings a mix of exhaustion and fulfillment. They've poured their hearts and souls into shaping young minds, guiding students through challenges, and inspiring them to reach for the stars. There's pride in seeing how much their students have grown in the last 10 months, but there's also a sense of melancholy in saying goodbye to a class they've grown to love. 

For Parents and Guardians; tag, you’re it.  Junior High aged students need you more now than ever before.  Encourage your student to get involved in all that the school and community has to offer over the summer.  Encourage them to pick up a book and read about something they are passionate about.  Encourage them to get outside and play.  My personal belief is that students this age need to play without using technology.  Set aside some time for you and your student to do something, anything together.  As a father of two boys who are 16 and 20, time goes by quickly, so don't take this summer break for granted.  

Whether we're students bidding adieu to familiar faces, teachers imparting their final lessons, or parents guiding the next steps, let's seize the summer ahead as a time for growth, connection, and making memories.

Marc Hostetter
Principal, MVJHS

Principal's Perspective

"Nothing great is ever accomplished without enthusiasm," claimed Ralph Waldo Emerson, and he couldn't have been more right. In previous Principal Perspectives, we delved into industriousness and the growth mindset, two crucial elements for success. Yet, there's a vital catalyst that propels our efforts into the realm of the extraordinary: enthusiasm.

Let's face it, we don't wake up each day in a fairy tale world, singing praises about work or school. Challenges, stress, and deadlines are part of our daily landscape. But amidst this reality, cultivating enthusiasm becomes our secret weapon.

Enthusiasm infuses hard work with an inspired power, essential for individual success. Imagine this: your attitude can be as contagious as the common cold. Greeting peers or colleagues with positivity becomes a daily habit that sets the tone for you and everyone around you. Instead of viewing challenges as insurmountable problems, approach them as opportunities waiting to be conquered. Even a simple adjustment in posture can transform a defeated mindset into one that's inspired—try striking a Superman pose and not feel a surge of empowerment!

Now, success isn't a one-size-fits-all concept. For me, it aligns with John Wooden's perspective: it's about finding peace of mind, knowing you've given your best to become the best you're capable of being.

But here's the kicker: success shies away from apathy and negativity like the plague. If you want success knocking on your door, exude excitement, radiate enthusiasm, and emit positivity. Enthusiasm, passion, and positivity—they're contagious. People gravitate toward these qualities, and success follows suit.

Principal Perspective

All roads that lead to success have to pass through hard work boulevard at some point.

Are you a bit of a nerd?  I know I am.  I find myself drawn to straight lines, spreadsheets, and non-fiction books.  Do you share my fascination with what it takes to be successful?  Do you wonder how we can develop habits in our youth that lead them to success?  If you’re nodding your head, you’re not alone.  Developing daily habits often leads to a lifelong quest for self-improvement and achievement.  

If you’re familiar with Indiana native and legendary basketball coach John Wooden, you might know about his Pyramid of Success.  Because I can’t help myself, I’ve crafted my own version, known as the Pyramid of Excellence.  Three foundational blocks in this pyramid are Enthusiasm, Growth Mindset and Industriousness.  In a previous Principal Perspective, I delved into Growth Mindset, and in the future, I’ll explore the realm of Enthusiasm.  Today, let’s focus on the cornerstone of Industriousness.  

According to Dictionary.com, industriousness is defined as the constant, energetic, or devoted effort. It signifies hard work—very hard work. It's essential to understand that there's no substitute for extreme dedication and effort when it comes to achieving real success. From the grandest of achievements to the smallest of victories, it all starts with a strong work ethic.  I have not known any individual anywhere who achieved real success without working extremely hard.

As parents, we often wish for our children to lead better lives than we did. Sometimes, we mistakenly equate "easier" with "better." It's important to remind ourselves that allowing our kids to face and overcome challenges is a vital part of their growth. Productive struggle necessitates effort, and to surmount obstacles, industriousness is the key. It's an idea we can all agree upon: industriousness is a precursor to success. After all, why do all roads to success lead through Hard Work Boulevard?