By Julie Williams-Muz, M.Ed, CPA, CFO, MSBO Board President, Finance Director, Bay-Arenac ISD
When my son was in high school, he made a big decision—to expedite his senior year by taking online classes so he could leave in February for bootcamp at Parris Island and become a United States Marine.
As a parent, I was incredibly proud…but I was also terrified. I thought I had another semester to prepare for his next step, to enjoy those “lasts,” and to slowly adjust to the idea of him leaving home. Instead, I found myself struggling with something I didn’t realize would be so challenging—flexibility.
Marines often use the phrase Semper Gumby, a playful twist on the Marine Corps motto Semper Fidelis, which means “Always Faithful.” Semper Gumby means “Always Flexible.” It’s a motto that sounds great—until you have to live it. I didn’t want to be flexible when it came to hearing from my son, knowing he was safe, or adjusting to this new chapter of his life that I couldn’t control.
But as I reflect five years later, I see things differently. In February, my son will officially complete his service. What began as a leap of faith turned into a remarkable journey. He became a Sergeant in the intelligence field, served on a nine‑month deployment with the Navy, built lifelong friendships, and grew in ways I can barely comprehend.
What once felt so uncertain now feels deeply familiar. Because, in many ways, Semper Gumby is exactly what leadership in education requires of us today.
Every day, we are navigating shifting conditions—staffing shortages, changing student needs, unpredictable budgets, expiring grants, and evolving regulations. We plan, forecast, and prepare, only to have the target move. Again and again.
And while we may not be training at Parris Island, our work demands a similar balance—steadfast commitment to purpose, paired with the ability to adapt when circumstances change. That’s the heart of Semper Gumby.
Flexibility in leadership isn’t about lowering our standards or losing control—it’s about holding onto our mission while adjusting our methods. It’s about creating stability for others, even when we feel the ground shifting beneath us.
Just like my son learned to adapt to every mission, every deployment, and every unknown, we too learn to adjust with resilience and faith. We keep our focus on serving our students and communities, trusting that even when things don’t go according to plan, we can still move forward with purpose.
We may not always see the full picture right away, but flexibility allows us to stay grounded in what truly matters—our people, our integrity, and our shared commitment to doing the right thing. Over time, the fear that comes with change transforms into confidence. Experience teaches us that we can handle more than we think, and that adaptability often leads to growth we couldn’t have planned.
Jon Gordon said it best:
“Being positive doesn’t mean you ignore reality. It means you focus on solutions.”
That’s the essence of Semper Gumby. It’s about facing challenges with optimism, focusing on what we can control, and leading with calm confidence through whatever comes next.
So, as we continue navigating the twists and turns of this year—budget cycles, staffing transitions, or new legislation—let’s remember that being “Always Flexible” isn’t just a survival skill. It’s a leadership strength.
Here’s to being Semper Gumby—always faithful, always flexible, and always moving forward together.