At the end of every grading period I meet with all of my teachers individually and do a reflection with them on how the last grading period went. It is just a simple check in and I ask them how are things going and how can I help and what can I do to better serve them and what can we do better to serve students.
Often times we can simply laugh and share stories, other times we end up in tears over the heartbreak of the stories of our students. And some other times, it’s a deep conversation around our own practices and how we might need to change.
This last semester was no different in that I wanted to meet with my teachers, but the world was rather different in that we were still virtual and meeting with them face-to-face was a little more difficult. So instead of me scheduling meetings with them, I allowed them to schedule their meeting with me over Zoom using a program called Calendly. It works really well I simply put in my availability, allowed access to my calendar, and they can schedule their meeting anytime within the parameters that I set. Now to be clear the teachers can’t see my calendar, the program has access to my calendar the teachers just know when there are times available and that’s all. The only slight issue with this process was that teachers, like students, wait till the last minute and nobody signs up to be first. So my meetings took a little longer this year than normal and I’m just now completing them. Despite the longer length in time because they were spread out, they have been very fruitful meetings. I have actually really appreciated the time that I have spent with each teacher individually in these meetings.
Normally, these meetings are quick to the point, and really focused, but this year because we haven’t seen each other very often due to the physical distance of being in a virtual environment, the meetings lasted quite a bit longer and were much more personal in nature. My first question which was simply, “tell me how you’re doing,” often led to quite a bit of talking. We would talk as if we hadn’t spoken in years and yes of course we did talk grades, and very importantly students and their stories, and come up with ways in which we can help them, but we also had the added component of self-care and compassion and friendship. I was able to end each meeting with, “I just want you to know that I’m here for you and ready to help, I’m just a phone call away, please don’t hesitate to ask you are not alone.”
It was in one of these meetings that I heard that phrase, “I’m thankful that I had COVID.” One of my teachers who is rather insightful really blew me away with her level of gratitude and inspiration. She’s a more seasoned teacher and has had some health issues in the past, so when she got COVID it was rather concerning. Her children and grandchildren were devastated that they could not be by her side. Though we are a public school many of her colleagues were praying for her. Thankfully, she pulled through and is back in the classroom, virtually of course, teaching with even more passion than before. She said to me having this experience has changed my life. I am so grateful to be alive. I am so grateful to learn new things. We all need to look at this pandemic and see how we can learn and grow.
She couldn’t be more right. Though I haven’t had COVID thankfully, I too am surprisingly grateful for this pandemic. It has been a tremendous struggle for many filled with tragedies and sorrows, but it has also been filled with triumphs, growth, and opportunities. I think the attitude of my teacher represents exactly what needs to be the main value, or the core value, as people say of any school. We can’t look at the world or anything for that matter and see only the negative, every challenge needs to be seen as an opportunity for growth and rebirth. It’s why I love grit so much and that the power of the word “yet.”
Recently I was reading a book called, “Culturize” by Jimmy Casas. In his book, he says there are four principles of positive school culture and I really like them, so I’m gonna share them with you really quick because I think they tie right in with being thankful for having COVID. First, we must expect all staff to champion for all students. It’s that core belief that all kids can period. Second, every staff member must expect excellence of one another and their students. It’s the idea that we don’t accept anything but our best because we know that we all can be our best and we don’t give up on students who need us the most. Next, all staff members must carry the banner for their school in a positive light at all times. It’s about understanding that it’s not all about us- it’s about the greater good and the championing of the school so that everyone can be excellent. And then finally, everyone on campus must strive to be a merchant of hope. And I love this quote, “we may not get to decide which kids to serve, but we do get to decide the kind of climate in which we want to serve them.” Every child deserves the opportunity to be a part of something great and we are so blessed to give them the opportunity to be a part of our community. We can help change their lives, we can help lead them to their future, and how cool is that! So, for me this is what I learned: at the heart of every school is culture and positive school culture begins with that core value of believing in the possibilities, championing for all students, expecting excellence, carrying that banner, and being that merchant of hope.
So as I move forward, this is my message to my community, to my students, to my teachers, to my staff, and a constant reminder to myself to just keep going. Be grateful always, remember to keep my eyes on the culture, because I will never accept average and there’s no such thing as good enough for my students and my school.
The Principal Has Homework 