What It Means to Give Your Word and Pledge Your Loyalty to a Worthy Cause

When I put my name on a document, or sign my signature to something, the recipient should have certain expectations that accompany the name Debbie Shaler Williams, Founder of Pacific Point Academy. For mine is not some unintelligible piece of writing, not chicken scratch across a line of paper and above a piece of text.

On the contrary, since my work is so important — because I have such a critical responsibility, which is to help and inspire children with learning challenges — my name is everything. It precedes my actions, influences the behavior of parents and shapes the opinions of many others throughout my place of work.

All of which is to say, one should never compromise the integrity of his or her name; one should never surrender or sell what is irretrievable, your personal values and your professional virtues.

As a leader, I uphold those words with pride and honor. I defend these principles — today and forevermore — because I will not accept, and I will never acknowledge, attempts to sully my name.

I choose to lead.