Tag: school

Passing it on. The power in building capacity in others.

Leave a comment

As I reach well into the halfway point of my career in public education it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the day to day and lose track of the years and where I’ve come within the profession. Our work can be heavy. Fast-paced with so many twists and turns.

I’ve been so grateful to have so many who have poured into me over my nearly 20 school years in education. Both in my own K-12 career and in my education prep program at my beloved Wilmington College over 20 years ago, my graduate program at NC State University and from so many amazing educators within our district, throughout the area and beyond. Blessed doesn’t begin to scratch the surface throughout my career with the amount of support, love and care that’s been bestowed upon me throughout my time as an educator throughout my various roles.

No matter how busy we get I never once lose sight of all that so many have put into me over the years. In my office I have photos of many that have had significant impacts – college professors, administrators who are mentors, teachers who have believed in me when the times got tough, the list goes on. These photos help keep me going on and serve as inspiration outside of the students and families we all serve, of course.

Those teachers who put so much into a wide-eyed 3rd grade teacher brand new to the state and the city all those years ago. I thought I knew so much coming out of undergrad only to find out the real world was so different in our profession. They helped me not only survive – but thrive.

Fast forward to my current role. That first year teacher who student taught with us my first year as an assistant principal, then was able to get a position with us the next school year. She quickly found out the that first year is tough, tough, tough. I was always her biggest cheerleader through all the bumps and stumbles. Coaching, adding value, she took that feedback and now several years later is legit one of the greatest educators I’ve ever worked with and an incredible teacher leader for not only the grade level but our entire school community. The pride in that is so powerful.

No matter how busy life gets, I also find time to pour into others. One of my greatest joys as an administrator is building capacity in teachers. Seeing things in them that they might not realize. Building teacher leaders is empowering — on both ends. Even if it means these educators might have to leave your building to grow professionally.

Taking time to have conversations with educators to let them know what you see in them specifically (well beyond generic “thanks for all you do” type talks) and how they can/should enhance what they’re doing instructionally into a broader role. Increasing capacity as a professional. At the middle school level this can be — a team lead, content chair for the grade level or possibly school-wide, becoming a mentor to beginning teachers through the district, etc., the list goes on.

Time is precious but carving it out to have these conversations, write the detailed notes of appreciation, giving authentic gratitude and just providing – time and space to let our peers know we see them and really value their work — while offering career increases can go such a long way.

We all put in so much. Giving a little bit more to build up our people is truly invaluable.

I’m grateful for my people both in my past and currently and also for those that I serve. Truly. Actions > words.

Better together: 2 years later so much has changed… what will tomorrow bring?

Leave a comment

Two years ago today, the Covid-19 pandemic had really started to affect us locally, at state level, nationally and globally. Locally, it had been a few weeks since the first confirmed case. Concerts, the NBA, events and most notably locally, the beloved ACC basketball tournament had all been cancelled. Schools all across our area had closed. The local headlines seemed on the very day (March 13, 2020) our schools all across the state (and for the most part, nationally) closed.

https://www.wral.com/how-long-before-things-are-normal-we-don-t-know/19010726/

Since that day so much has changed in our world and especially our profession. The shift to virtual school, back to in person in a cohort model, back to virtual when variants spiked, mask mandates, vaccinations, boosters, return to school at full capacity, etc. So many shifts in the last school year — enough to make ones head spin when they stop and think of it.

Education is tough. Education during the middle of a global pandemic, even tougher. Now we see more hurdles. The great resignation sweeping the nation has hit our schools, too. With so many staff outages daily, unfilled positions, etc. teachers and school administrators all across the country find themselves often filling these gaps. Trying to maintain daily structure while filling staffing needs however possible is a new level of challenging.

https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/teacher-shortage-attrition-challenges-philadelphia-schools-20220311.html

It is clear the past two years have taken quite the toll on everyone. Our profession is not spared. As we rethink our profession in a post-covid world there is a lot to consider. It is evident we must make the profession attractive to those who might and hopefully would consider entering the field. Stakeholders with most ties to pursestrings depending on individual states’ salary structures would do a great service by making significant adjustments to salary structures within public education. While increased pay would help significantly, especially to those just starting out in the profession it would also assist in attraction to the profession which began taking a hit in the years leading up to the pandemic now even more significant. Expecting professionals to continue to do more with less simply isn’t attainable. We must look at effective ways to rethink how we do things in a post-pandemic world in general, our profession is no different.

https://www.fastcompany.com/90728707/how-to-convince-people-to-become-teachers

As a general rule most of the voices in the back making significant noise aren’t the answer. Arguing over non-existent “problems” and attempting to create political points over such is problematic to put it mildly. We can and should be better as a nation.

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/04/pandemic-p

Take time to listen. Our teachers, administrators, support personnel and most of all, the students we all serve, need us now more than ever. It is so important we support one another. Is it one more thing? Absolutely. Does it take a village? Always. Is it vital for success in a school year truly like no other? You better believe it.

Self care and balance has been the hallmark for many during the past two years. I’ve preached this often throughout and stand by it daily. I can’t say enough how important it is now more than ever to check on each other though. Focus on the positives and stand up for one another. Offer support when needed.

We may not know what the future holds but I am fortunate to work with so many amazing educators both directly and indirectly I have no doubt it will be bright. Better together. We’ve got this. Trust and believe.