Laugh with Your School Family

Today is the day after our Family Field Trip to see a college basketball game. On one of the coldest Saturdays that Chicago has experienced this year, many families and several teachers joined me for our very first Family Field Trip. The trip offered the opportunity to spend relaxing time with some of our kids and their parents. It also offered the opportunity for the kids to experience the lights and glam of a college basketball game. Most of us parked at the school and rode the big yellow school bus, an adventure by itself. Others joined us at our designation. This blog is written to say, “thank you” to the families and teachers that attended our Family Field Trip on that blistery Saturday afternoon.  It is also written to remind my fellow colleagues to take time to laugh with your “school family.” I found the afternoon with my “school family” to be very enjoyable!

On the bus, I had the opportunity to talk with several parents. They shared tidbits of their life, nothing personal, just enough to make us all laugh and to allow us to become better acquainted. As we ventured towards our designation, a parent passed her alma mater and the community where she was raised. She shared historical information about the community and spoke of her family’s businesses.  As we continued our journey, I was asked questions about the schools that I had attended and the degrees that I have obtained. We discovered that we had similar interests and laughed about the silly things that children do. In a later conversation, a parent shared details pertaining to her career choice.  She indicated that she was currently pursuing a master’s degree.  The most spirited mom of all, tickled our taste buds as she described the delicious meals she had prepared for her family; she proudly displayed pictures on her phone.  At the basketball game, we cheered for the home team, that wasn’t winning, and questioned their defensive tactics. We ate snacks, took goofy pictures, and encouraged the kids to mingle with the team mascot. You know, every mom wants the perfect picture.  I even did a little chair dancing. The kids thought I was cool. The afternoon was far from a “typical afternoon” at work; it was filled with laughter.

I share this story because as teachers and principals, we seldom have time to build relationships with our parents outside of the school arena. We infrequently take the time to do something that isn’t on a “To Do List.” We rarely laugh with our families. Building relationships with our families are important because our families trust us with their kids. In addition to trusting us with their kids, our families hold us in high regard, and we should reciprocate by holding our families in high regard.

I smile when I think about the great afternoon that we had!

Hooves UP to MY School Family!

Words Speak Volumes

We’ve all heard the cliché “words speak volumes.” I’d like to extend the cliché a few notches by adding “they can inflate or deflate, choose your words wisely.” There are trillions of words floating around in the limitless universe. The impact of a few words differs depending on how they are linked together and the tone by which they are presented. Words, spoken or written, can deliver powerful punches! They can make a person feel like an overblown balloon or a flat tire! Picture the kid who receives a “B” on a math test after studying every day for 2-weeks and the teacher says, “If you had studied a little harder, you could have gotten an A.”  Imagine the teacher who has spent endless hours planning engaging lessons and is hearing, “the mark hasn’t been met.” Envision the supportive colleague who has listened to “whoa” and provided guidance suddenly being confronted with, “nobody likes you.” Digest receiving constructive criticism and hearing the conversation close with, “I don’t think you can do that.”  

In our bustling world of “move forward”, “meet the mark”, “surpass the mark”, and “don’t be last”, it is sometimes forgotten that words can deliver “knockout punches.” If the goal is to “move forward”, “meet the mark”, “surpass the mark”, and “don’t be last”, words must be chosen meticulously. It is an arduous task to find the perfect words that convey, “I know you are committed.”;  “I know that you have worked hard.”;  “I value what you have done.”; and “I know that you’ve been a supportive colleague.”when there is a “BUT” that follows. When there are difficult conversations that must be communicated, before sharing, stand in the other person’s shoes. There are very few people who would proudly wear a heavy weight belt that says “Unmotivated”, “Loser”, “Unlikeable”, or “Who Cares.”  Recognizing commitment and dedication softens the impact of a heavy blow and leaves the other person standing.

In the previous weeks, I’ve delivered a few upper cuts but no knockout punches.  When speaking to my team, I’ve chosen my words carefully because I know that they are committed.  I know that they have worked hard.  I know that they want our kids to be SUCCESSFUL! I’ve contemplated numerous hours; it is time for us to move in a different direction. Knowing my awesome team, I am confident that they will embrace the challenge, and be SUCCESSFUL.

My team and I are in the Heavy Weight Championship of Education! There’s a Blue Ribbon calling OUR NAME!

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