WF Pride Willingness and Desire to Sacrifice and Serve Chad Cottingham “If you ain’t first, you’re last,” shouted Will Ferrell as the character, Ricky Bobby, in the movie Talladega Nights. His daddy told him that as a child right before he sped off high and drunk from Ricky’s school. He based his whole life on the words his dad left him. …
WF Pride: Recognition and Respect of Others
WF Pride Recognition and Respect of Others Chad Cottingham As I walk into the furniture store, I feel like I have just fallen into the Amazon River and am about to be eaten by hungry piranhas. Salespeople everywhere. I can’t sit on a couch, lay on a bed, or even relax on one of those vibrating message chairs without being questioned …
WF Pride: Positive Attitude and Passion for Life and Work
WF Pride Positive Attitude and Passion for Life and Work Chad Cottingham My 20 year old son Alex is an all-or-nothing type guy. He gives 110% to things that he loves and enjoys, things that he is passionate about. Alex grew up as an athlete competing in a number of sports as a youth and later into high school. He always …
WF Pride: Focus on Unity and Humility
WF Pride Focus on Unity and Humility Chad Cottingham Wow! What an absolutely incredible finish to a football game. It all came down to the last play from scrimmage. The 115,000 fans at Michigan stadium, and the millions of others around the state and country, watching one of the best rivalries in college football. The Michigan State Spartans score a touchdown …
WF Pride: Willingness and Desire to Sacrifice and Serve
WF Pride Willingness and Desire to Sacrifice and Serve Chad Cottingham The alarm sounds and the farmer swings his legs out of bed and onto the floor. He rubs his weary eyes and rolls out of bed, sore and tired from the previous day’s work. The 3 hours of sleep he just got was not sufficient, but yet somehow enough. It’s …
WF Pride: Excel in Communication
WF Pride Excel in Communication Chad Cottingham As a former school principal, I had the opportunity to see many different styles of teaching and teachers – both good and bad. I remember observing a new teacher struggle through a lesson one day. Numerous student had hands raised with question after question. When we had a chance to sit down and discuss …
WF Pride: Integrity
WF Pride Integrity Chad Cottingham My wife Kristen shared a story about being a young girl, maybe 8 years old, and at the grocery store with her mother. While in the checkout line, she spotted some lifesavers that she desperately wanted. She asked if she could have them and got a resounding “No” for an answer. Bummed and saddened by her …
WF Pride: Recognition and Respect of Others
WF Pride Recognition and Respect of Others Chad Cottingham I remember walking down the hall when Mr. Reed came out of his classroom and told me to come see what just happened on TV. It was September 11, 2001 and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. As assistant principal, I couldn’t just sit there and do nothing, I had to …
WF Pride: Positive attitude and passion for life and work
WF Pride Positive attitude and passion for life and work Chad Cottingham There is an elderly lady at our church that is the most positive, upbeat, and encouraging person I’ve ever met. It doesn’t matter what the weather is outside, how her health is, or even if her family is going through a rough patch. She is always positive and uplifting. …
WF Pride: Willingness and Desire to Sacrifice and Serve
WF Pride Willingness and Desire to Sacrifice and Serve Chad Cottingham In the summer of 1991, a small group of people took a ‘mission’ trip to the former Soviet Union. Now if you know anything about the ‘Cold War’ and the Soviet Union, you would know that mission trips, churches, and bibles were strictly outlawed and prohibited. The Soviet policy, under …