Yeah, I'm a thrill seeker, but crikey, education's the most important thing. - Steve Irwin

Crikey.

Recently, I watched the memorial for the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. The theme for the service was: “He Changed Our World.”

His memorial service helped me see Steve Irwin in a new way. Instead of just a showman, I saw a teacher, and more than just a lunatic, I saw a passionate, highly focused individual.

He learned early on, from the nurturing of his father, that he was put on this earth to protect and save wild animals. He spent his entire life dedicated to this calling, and never wavered from the pursuit of his goal. He built a media empire, with every TV show, film, book, and CD preaching conservation. He transformed his father’s small reptile park into the Australian Zoo, a national treasure, whose primary purpose was to educate and entertain in order to further the cause of protecting and saving wildlife. “Every cent we earn from Crocodile Hunter goes straight back into conservation. Every single cent.”

Steve Irwin, to me, is a great role model. Not only did he know exactly why he was put on this earth, but he is a prime example of an amazing educator.

First, he loved learning. Those who knew him recounted his unquenchable thirst for knowledge about crocodiles, wildlife and conservation. This passion for learning led Irwin to personally install satellite transmitters on the largest crocs he could capture. The trackers showed scientists many previously unknown things, such as the Australian Saltwater Crocodile making vast oceanic voyages.

Second, Steve Irwin loved teaching even more. Those who knew him said repeatedly that Irwin’s mission was to teach as many people as much as he could as fast as he could. Irwin himself said it best: “I believe that education is all about being excited about something. Seeing passion and enthusiasm helps push an educational message.”

I am drawn to stories of people with intense passion, focus, and dedication. I enjoy learning about people who drive themselves to always be better because they are never satisfied. Michael Jordan teaching himself to shoot with this off-hand, Tiger Woods redesigning his golf swing, Dick Vermeil figuring out how to win again after a long absence from coaching. There are hundreds of examples of people who found a way to rise above the ordinary to truly define what it means to be extraordinary.

To me, Steve Irwin, and those like him, offers a blue-print on how to be a better person and how to make the world a better place. Not only did he “change our world” but the example he set through the actions of his life can continue to change the world by showing us the value of living a live of service, focused dedication, and ultimately, love.

Originally, I had not intended to write this week’s column on Steve Irwin. I had intended this column to offer my perspective on the myriad of Hill City issues that I have the privilege to address as your principal. But the story of Steve Irwin was just too good to pass up. The stories I heard during his memorial service led me to question how I live my life. After hearing so many people talk about how Steve Irwin changed the world, my question to myself and to you is how are we changing our world?

Crikey.