Last week started the 2022-23 school year for the district I work in. As students and teachers head back to into buildings throughout the nation it’s no secret our profession is in a difficult spot.

Professionals of all aspects of education are often feeling undervalued and under paid. Add to this the national wave of scrutiny toward our public schools often landing in school communities all over, this often only adds to the burden.

As school leaders, it is imperative that now, more than ever, we create a culture of trust, positivity, caring within the professionals we serve. Sending and attracting “good energy” should always be a foundation. In 2019, Entrepreneur had a valuable piece featuring 9 ways to attract good energy. For specifics, the article can be found here: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/332544

In short here are the 9 ways:

1. Pay attention to the energy you’re emitting.

2. Change the tone of your thoughts.

3. Cut off negative influences.

4. Expand your circle.

5. Embrace compassion and kindness.

6. Cultivate gratitude.

7. Find your inner strength.

8. Align your current self with your future self.

9. Act in good faith.

When times are challenging as they have been the past few years especially both in our profession and in life with navigating a pandemic world and as we emerge from this, it is often easy to find ourselves on the “complain train” about ever shifting world, career and changes not always for the better do to said challenges.

Reinforcing this negative talk is never going to help. Instead, treating everyone with compassion, kindness and grace, even if they aren’t doing the same, will go a long way. Your kindness will come back to you in the form of good energy. We always want to put good energy into the universe — not the opposite — if we want positive outcomes, even if they don’t come immediately. Begin with the end in mind.

Lead by example. Embrace the staff you lead. Celebrate your staff collectively often – genuinely. Celebrate staff individually when they’ve added value to the group in any capacity. Encourage collaboration within the group, if there is an expert on a platform or skill — encourage sharing. The list is boundless. Better together. Listen to them. Reflect. Listen more.

Leadership is often a lonely place. However, leading with positivity, grace and understanding often yields a less lonely setting and spreads – a win-win.

One year ago today. My world changed. The lives of my building colleagues changed. My lives of my district colleagues changed. The lives of my friends, family and neighbors all around our community, state, nation and world changed. Dramatically. One year ago today the world started to shift rapidly in response to Covid-19 which had just officially been named a pandemic by the WHO.

In the past year like so many people within education and all walks of our community, state and nation I have learned, grown and adapted so much. Shifts are ongoing throughout the pandemic. A natural planner, I’ve had to shift. One day at a time. Focusing on circle of control ongoing. Leading with grace, listening and understanding always even if its hard to focus on the positivity myself often — always focus on those silver linings just as I’ve been doing the past year even more than usual.

We now have three approved vaccines which truly is a modern medical miracle. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Our return to normal will not be the same as pre-Covid it’s becoming more and more clear.

When we do return to a world without masks, social distancing and mass gatherings again what value adds will be bring from this experience.

Slowing down, reflecting, a deeper respect of self care in the form of diet and fitness while working smarter ongoing are some of my main take aways. I have no doubt I’ll emerge a better person professionally, physically and mentally. You?

This past year has been extremely challenging for everyone especially our front line workers, medical personnel, educators and our elected officials who have had to make difficult, often extremely challenging weekly, sometimes daily decisions throughout the ever-changing landscape of the global pandemic. Offer grace. Lately it seems we’ve drifted away but remember we’re all in this together. Let us aim to emerge better – together.

Today all around the nation and beyond we celebrate Mother’s Day. With my parents being several states away some holidays are missed annually and this is one of them this year. Phone calls, emails, texts, cards, letters, etc. aren’t enough sometimes.

During Teacher Appreciation Week I devoted one tweet a day throughout the week to an educator or group of educators who made a sizable impact on my life and career in education. I devoted one to my mother – but for several reasons.  https://twitter.com/BrendanFetters/status/859129638026706945

I’ve spent my entire life in and around schools in some capacity. Some of my earliest memories growing up in Ohio are visiting my mother’s school in the summer months to help her set up her high school classroom, assisting with drama practice, working on homework in my mom’s classroom after a long day in middle school while my mom and her teacher friends walked the hallways for exercise, the list goes on.

From a young age my parents both instilled the value of hard work in me. My mom specifically demonstrated the value of working hard but in caring on a deep level. It always amazed me growing up how my mom was able to connect with all students – especially the older I became and some of my peers in high school would tell me how much she meant to them. Additionally in the years since I’ve started my own career in education and well into my mother’s retirement I’m constantly amazed how many former students reach out to her still to this day. What a lasting impact – powerful.

While many, many educators made significant impacts on my career growing up, into college, career, etc. my mom laid the foundation. Foundation as a person, educator – teaching me the value of listening, learning and kindness. All aspects I try to put into practice with precision on a daily basis.

There is little question that I would be where I am today without my mother’s guidance as a person and professional. Connections with colleagues, student/family relationships all of these vital aspects to what I bring to the table daily all were modeled ongoing by my mother – and continued by her today long into retirement. Amazing. I hope I can come to hitting the mark that she is at today when I’m at her age. She certainly set the bar high.