- School District of Clayton
- Overview
Dr. Doherty Shares His Words of Wisdom
When Superintendent Dr. Sean Doherty was a senior in high school, he had an epiphany while volunteering at a local school: he wanted to be a teacher. And while this was eventually the career path he followed, it wasn’t a direct route. His journey involved a year of college pursuing a different career – architecture – that was more satisfactory to members of his family, and a three-month, 14-country trip to Europe that included sleeping on a beach in Greece to save money on lodging.
This journey, and the life lessons he has learned along the way, were the subject of Doherty’s presentation to Clayton High School students on Tuesday, Feb. 27, in conjunction with the Globe Newsmagazine’s WOW (Words of Wisdom) Speaker Series. Doherty encouraged students to leave their comfort zones and take risks, for the “risk zone” provides the greatest potential for learning. His own experiences also taught Doherty to learn from others – but to not let them define who he is as a person. He advised students to follow their own dreams because of the difference it made when he switched his college major to education.
“It was amazing,” said Doherty. “It was like I knew what I was doing was right.”
Throughout his presentation, Doherty provided examples from both his personal and professional life to drive home his message to the audience. From his failed move to Seattle to his success in helping change the academic trajectory of a troubled student, Doherty pointed to these experiences as teachable moments for himself and others. He encouraged the CHS students to live in the present and focus on how they can have a positive impact on others. And he stressed the importance of living life with integrity, or, in his words, “doing what is right when no one is watching.”
“As soon-to-be college students, you’re going to be faced with a lot of challenges,” he said. “I ask you to think about how you embrace those challenges… How do you be a person who is going to have an impact on others, or a cause or some type of change? Think about how you can take the steps you feel are in the direction you want to go… Follow your heart.”
Doherty’s presentation is the second installment in the WOW Speaker Series this year. Spanish Teacher Dr. Kayra Merrills spoke to students in the fall, and Social Studies Teacher Debra Wiens will conclude the Speaker Series with her presentation this spring.