The "Job" of Education

I have challenged myself to pick up my blog again. I had high hopes with it a few years back, but I quickly left it when the work of the school year began again. That may have not been my finer moment as I have so many thoughts that run through my head every day and struggle to get them out- sometimes in coherent sentences. So here I go again...

I have always believed that those that get into education do so because it is their mission to change the world, albeit one student, one class at a time. I think in the day to day grind of paper grading, lesson design, emails and calls to answer, and the countless other "jobs" we forget that the "job" is to change the world. As a former special education teacher, I taught students that just struggled whether it was reading, math, or behavior. School was hard for them. I had to remind myself that no matter where life took these students, the "job" was to make sure they were prepared for post-secondary education, whatever that was. The "job" was to create good stewards of our land, goods, services, and each other. So I went on believing that I was created to change the world, one struggling student at a time. And I believe that I have worked hard over the years reminding students that they can be anything they want.

As I sit in a similar role as an assistant principal, my "job" is the teacher - to be the cheerleader with timely feedback to improve their craft so that they can go about changing the world. I think I may need more help in that role. Sometimes with mandates and policy, I forget that the teacher is the one with boots on the ground working day in and day out with students that fall into every possible category imaginable. They are the ones losing sleep over specific students that they see for 45 minutes every day. They are the ones meticulously designing lessons that work to improve all learners with all sorts of learning styles and challenges. I would like to believe that I have made a difference, even if it is in the life of one staff member, but I will say that one is not enough. As I go home and reflect about the past day, sometimes I want to kick myself for missed opportunities that I had to encourage and back up and just be there with a warm smile for that teacher in need. I am conscious of the fact that I need to be better at my job so they can be better at theirs, and I am desperately working on that each day - some days are better than others. In a culture where we are all looking to improve, I feel that I get better, even if just a little, every time I step foot into the school. 

So to all the teachers, paraprofessionals, and staff members of my school and of any other, you are the difference maker. Your grit, determination, and never give up attitude is what students look at every day. They may not appreciate it now, but they will. They will see you when they have their first college class or when they land their first real job or when they go out and make a difference in the world as you were the example for them. It will be you that they will remember as the one who started it all for them. Thinking back to when I was younger, I can remember every teacher I have ever had - from the good to the not so good. I can remember leaving 3rd grade knowing exactly what kind of teacher I was going to be and my 4th grade class thinking that I was never going to be like her. Those memories will stay with the current kids we see as well. I know that teaching is hard and becoming increasingly more difficult, but keep going teacher because the world depends on people like you. 

The Beginnings of Building Excellence

August 20, 2016

We are in the middle of a construction zone at my school all the while preparing for kids to come on Monday. Our campus is currently under complete renovation until next August. I should begin by saying that our construction crew is phenomenal! The way our campus is being renovated is methodical, well thought out, and adheres to those strict timelines. You know timelines that demand kids be back on campus at specific times. Construction began my pondering about what the new year will hold for us as educators on my as well as any other campus. Our mantra for the year is "Building Excellence." It far surpasses physical construction. It should be a lifestyle for teachers and staff everywhere. It's easy to say, and we all know we should, but what does it look like?

I think it starts with "Building Excellence" in each other. We have all heard that teachers tend to work in silos, but until recently, I haven't bothered to really take that in. Silos...individual working spaces that don't allow for collaboration, creative thinking, or, and dare I say, others that can banter ideas, identifying the pros and cons of instructional decisions.  What if that was the excellence we built in each other? What if we gave each other permission to actively participate in truly functioning PLCs? What if everyone felt safe enough to share ideas without fear? What if discussions were had that bring technology and 21st century skills to the forefront of instructional delivery? What could we do together if we were unafraid?

Then there is the "Building Excellence" in our kids. From the very first teacher class ever taken, we are taught that every student is capable of success. That kids come with potential that we are to help uncover. Do we all believe that? If not, why? How can we possibly stand up in front of kids everyday no matter what job we hold in a school without believing that kids can really be anything they want to be? But how? We all have students functioning at different levels, so how do we tap into everyone's potential? What if we gave students choice based on things they liked? What if we tapped into their "genius" as Angela Maiers teaches? Finding what makes all our kids tick is our responsibility if we want to build relationships and help kids achieve at high levels.

In thinking about the year coming up and wanting to start it off right, I wanted to just jot down some thoughts to help get me prepared. My goal this year is to tap into the genius of teachers and kids. I want the teachers on my campus to know that they are the most important people in the life of a child, and each one of those teachers is important, special, and has so much to offer the students of the campus. To teachers everywhere, you have the power to create, collaborate, design, and inspire the potential in kids. My goal this year is to inspire the potential of staff on campus. Hoping and praying for a successful year for you and yours!

Kara