July 16, 2018
Just Let Go-Tradewinds 2018
Disconnect, that's what I tell my teachers to do every time I see them working during the summer. Take time for yourself, work on you, and let go of those things that bring unrest. It's easier said than done, I know. I was fortunate enough to spend 7 days with my family and friends on St. Pete beach. No schedule, no expectations, just time to not think and enjoy each moment. I finished two books, both educational and will help me grow as a leader, but I chose them because that's what I like to do on my down time. Modeling continued growth is not disconnecting, I know, but it's close!
Every time you turn the TV on at Tradewinds, this theme song comes on that says Just Let Go. It's a song my daughter will sing throughout the year to remember our time together and to look forward to our next adventure. It's a stimulus that takes you to a moment of peace, love, and quiet.
I've been looking for a theme for our school year this year. I've had many professional conversations with my pln and listened to feedback from their experiences. The beginning of a school year is like a blank canvas. You can create whatever masterpiece you design, yet it will hang on the walls with past artworks and be compared through the eyes of your staff, parents, students, and stakeholders. While I would love to paint the perfect picture before school starts, I know that if I continue to use the word I, the picture will never make it to the wall.
Just Let Go-not a school theme or is it?
What could we be holding on to that could contribute to a negative school culture? Two teacher leaders and myself just listened to Michele Borba speak on her book, UnSelfie. Could we let go of the me world and begin to rebuild the we world? Could I lead my staff while promoting "unplugged" time and blogging? Jump back up to the first paragraph when I talk about taking care of ourselves and focusing on our own spiritual, physical, and emotional well being. Is that promoting a me world or a we world? These circles of questions just continue to spiral as I read through her book.
Culture: I wonder if my own empathy for social justice hinders my ability to lead.
Through my IPLI action research, I found that if I can empower a team of teachers to lead change, shifts in morale happen in a more positive and timely manner. I also learned that teacher efficacy, teachers knowing their impact, improves student behavior. So what do we have to let go of to contribute to a positive school culture?
- Student behavior is something that is being done to me; he/she is disrespecting me.
The mindset has shifted in our building. Through the book study; Engagement with Poverty in Mind by Eric Jensen, the work of Dr. Lori Desautels, and the leadership of our "Dream Team," our behavior data dropped 58% in the area of defiance. What does defiance look like in an elementary classroom? At first, it looks like kids don't care, they refuse to work, put their head down, or back talk. Something that feels like a strike at the teacher. I know; I've felt it and it's personal.
When we can let go of the thought that it's about me (the teacher) and change the conversation to the behavior, then we are modeling empathy. All behavior is a form of communication. What is this child trying to tell us? How can we help him/her through this moment, what does he/she need and how can we use restorative justice to build the relationship between the teacher and student?
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| Mrs.Kelly Amos and Miss Taylor Shera attending IPLI and keynote, Eric Jensen (2018) |
- Negativity in the workplace.
I don't even know how to start this paragraph because we have all fallen into that negative conversation. How we respond to maintain and encourage a positive school climate is more important. We must surround ourselves with people who will be honest, will provide a solution, and will lift us up. What often happens is we are sucked into the negative emotion and then begin to feed off of it, producing a toxic situation.
Students and stakeholders feel this emotion as soon as they enter the building or classroom. We must be very intentional with calling people out when this behavior begins instead of joining in. It's ok to have a healthy disagreement that results in positive impacts for kids. It's not ok to break trust and talk behind closed doors. As we talked through some solutions during our summer seminar, our teacher leaders dove into norms. How could we create norms that deflect negativity and provide solutions? I am excited to see the work they do with our staff to create these norms and model them throughout the year.
Blogs are supposed to be quick reads, I know. As year 3 begins of my building-level leadership, I am more confident in our culture and climate. Themes will come and go, but bringing everyone together, to support one another and to build relationships with each other, is important. I deeply care for the people I lead, and it's important to me that they feel this. While I want my staff to just let go, I know we must develop our theme together. All my worries for a well-planned retreat will dissolve as soon as we collectively define our year.
I wish you the best school year yet! I encourage you to Just Let Go of the things that cause you unrest or pose as obstacles in your plan. I also encourage you, as always, to Just Love. Bring peace to our world, by showing empathy and love to others, and intentionally teaching it in your homes and classrooms.
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Join us in a book study on Kids Deserve It in a few weeks.
Just Love,
Kirsten
After reading a bit about our story, have a them idea you'd like to share? Leave it in the comments below so we may discuss!
