If it is to be; it is up to me.

Attitude

If it is to be, it is up to me!

Doyt Grandstaff’s character stood taller than most men. His commitment to faith and family stood for others like a beacon on a stormy night. Standing like a rock for your principles was a constant lesson he taught. His word was his promise and his handshake was his contract.

In the early 1940’s, Doyt was a basketball and football player at Westerville High School. One hot steamy August day, Doyt and his friends went swimming after football practice. Doyt dove into the water. His body went motionless and he began to sink to the bottom of the old Glengary Pool. The lifeguard dragged him to the edge of the pool and Doyt would never walk again. His spinal cord was injured causing a strong high school athlete to become a quadriplegic.

Doy’t’s body was confined to a wheel-chair but nothing could confine his faith, commitment, and desire. He stood tall. Doyt credited an old country preacher who told him that if he was going to make it that he would need to knock heads with the world. Feeling sorry for your self was not one of Doyt’s traits.

Doyt earned a living as a farmer, a realtor, a builder before becoming a teacher. When he decided to become a teacher, he hired football players to carry him up the three flights of steps at Towers Hall (Otterbein College). Challenges just reinforced his faith in God’s plan. For every obstacle, he found a solution.

Doyt was a loving husband, a supportive son, and a good friend. He always said that if you depend on others for help that you need to be the first person to help someone else. Doyt was an active church, school, and community leader.

Wheeling into my classroom with and infectious smile, Doyt would team teach with me during his breaks. He was beloved by my second graders. Sometimes the lessons were about math, most of the time he taught good old fashion character. Character he once learned from a simple country preacher.

Doyt’s teaching philosophy consisted of only ten two letter words. Doyt’s philosophy was “If is to be it is up to me.” Doyt did not tolerate excuses. If a kid didn’t have a parent to help him with homework, Doyt helped him. He went to houses having his wife knock on doors for parents to come out to his van for an IEP meeting. He found away to make a difference because “If it is to be, it is up to me.”

More importantly, Doyt instilled an “If is to be; it is up to me” attitude in his students. His students were challenged to learn, but what a difference attitude makes. Empowered with a positive personally responsible attitude his students reached higher and always exceed their annual goals. Doyt’s goal was for his students to learn the compensatory skills to leave special education behind. He changed lives.

Doyt Grandstaff was my mentor. Next to my father, he was the most influential man in my life. I work to carryout his legacy by helping my students learn to choose their attitude because “If it is to be; it is up to me.” His character stands tall in the lives he touched.