Work Ethic & Seth Garrison: The Work in the Dark

Sometimes work ethic looks like working hard on an assignment.

Sometimes it looks like staying focused when no one is watching.

And sometimes, it looks like noticing what needs to be done—and doing it without being asked.

That is exactly what Seth Garrison, a student in Mrs. Tabitha Frederick’s 5th period math class at Corbin Middle School, has chosen to do.

Seth works hard in math class, but his work ethic doesn’t stop when the lesson ends. Each afternoon, before heading to his exploratory class, Seth takes a few extra moments to make sure Mrs. Frederick’s classroom is ready for the next day. Without being asked, he cleans Mrs. Frederick’s desk and helps make sure the room is in order before he leaves.

It may seem like a small thing, but it says something much bigger about Seth.

He notices what needs to be done. He takes ownership. And he does the work simply because it needs to be done—not because someone is standing there to tell him to do it.

At Corbin Middle School, they call that “the work in the dark”—the work you do when no one is watching, no one is asking, and no one may ever know you did it.

“He not only works hard in class, but he took it upon himself to clean my desk each afternoon without having to be asked,” Mrs. Frederick shared. “He goes above and beyond to make sure my classroom is cleaned up before he leaves.”

Seth’s daily effort makes a difference for Mrs. Frederick, and it also helps the custodial staff who work hard to care for our schools each day. His willingness to take a few extra minutes to help is a small act that has a lasting impact.

That is what work ethic looks like. It is taking pride in what you do, being dependable, and choosing to go beyond what is expected—even when no one is watching.

That's Work Ethic.

That's the Redhound Way.