“isms”

I won an award. But that part isn’t as important as the words I was afforded the opportunity to share with others when I accepted my award.

When thinking of what to speak about, my mind became hyper-focused on the concept of culture. I am most proud of the culture we have built at our school. We celebrate strengths. We laugh a lot. We are a family not afraid to hold each other accountable. Our family extends to our kitchen staff and bus drivers. Everyone is included, acknowledged, and celebrated for the incredible ways they support our students.

Rather than speak about a project I spearheaded, I proudly shared catchphrases or heuristics, as Daniel Coyle writes about in his book, The Culture Code. These phrases, which some might say are corny, live in my heart and give me purpose.

Disclaimer: I can’t take credit for all of them! Here we go:

1. Everyone is someone’s baby. For every child demonstrating frustrating behavior, behavior that interferes with learning, behavior that doesn’t seem to respond to intervention the way you would like or hope, there is a family who loves that child fiercely. That child is their brightest light. Do not dim it.
2. We are not in the business of crushing dreams. It is not up to us to determine what a child can or cannot do after leaving us after high school. We see test scores and developmental assessments as we sit through evaluation meetings. Please remember this is not the whole child’s story. They are worth so much more.
3. Each night, when I lay my head down on that pillow, I need to know that I did right by kids. We have all endured many challenging, heated conversations with colleagues around what is best for kids. Advocacy is lonely, but you simply cannot go wrong when you put kids at the forefront of your decisions.
4. Children aren’t waking up saying, “I want to have a bad day at school today.” Neither are adults. Give grace. Give support. Both can be given with accountability.
5. When someone says, “It’s not like we are saving lives,” I respond with, “Yes, we are.” You don’t know the impact your love, support, and belief have not only on a student but also on their family.
6. Nothing goes wrong on a Friday. Because it is Friday and you have the whole weekend ahead of you. Relax, tomorrow is Saturday. Give yourself the opportunity to walk out those doors and enjoy your weekend. No doubt you earned it. Your Friday problem will still be there on Monday, but you will address it with a clearer mind and hopefully a lighter heart.

Thank you, Reader. You fill my cup when you take the time to read my posts. I am humbled by each of you.