- Our growth. We may not have chosen the lessons and timing, but each of us has grown as we faced new and often unanticipated challenges. In many ways, growth was the key to surviving this year.
- Our patience. We have stayed committed and kept trying even when the path forward was not clear and was subject to change mid-journey. We have been there for students when they have been confused, disappointed, and disoriented.
- Our collaboration. In times of stability and predictability we might think that we can make it on our own. Yet, the past months have taught us that finding others to join us on our journey not only makes the load lighter and our work more successful, it can be a crucial source of encouragement and hope.
- Our flexibility. It seems that each day and week bring new challenges and distractions. Our commitment to find work-arounds, accommodations, and novel solutions has provided crucial stability for learners and new discoveries about ourselves and our ability to adapt.
- Our learning. In most years our focus is on stimulating, nurturing, and guiding the learning of our students. This year has been as much about our learning as our students’ learning. New tools, new processes, and new complexities have all demanded that we learn along with our students. In fact, at times learning may have seemed as much a joint effort as an expert-novice relationship.
- Our courage. Despite the uncertainty and unpredictability present throughout this year, we have moved forward, persisted, and remained engaged, even at times when it felt that no one fully appreciated or understood what we were experiencing. It has been said that courage is not the absence of fear, it is the ability to move forward despite it.
- Our impact. We cannot know exactly how our efforts this year will influence the future lives of our students. We never really do. However, we know that during times of uncertainty, doubt, challenge, and difficulty, the opportunity to influence those around us is often the greatest. The concern and caring we show, the support we provide, and the commitment we demonstrate are being noticed. These are times when the difference we make for our students will be remembered. These are the experiences upon which they will rely when they are called to support, care, and commit on behalf of others. We are models for them to emulate.
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In Your Corner, Teacher Learning
Time to Celebrate?
The holidays present opportunities to reflect, appreciate, and share the blessings we enjoy with those around us. Despite the challenges and disruptions we have faced in the past year, there remains much to celebrate. In fact, it may be even more important now to pause and celebrate the experiences, gifts, and successes that have been a part of our work and lives.
Of course, we typically focus on others and their meaning for and impact on us. These are important reflections. Yet, this is also a time to pause and consider what we need to celebrate in light of our commitment and the impact we have had in the past year.
At first, it may be a challenge to discern the differences we have made. So much of our energy has been allocated to making things work that we might ignore the importance and impact we are making. Let’s pause for a moment and consider some of these successes and reasons to celebrate as we near the end of this unusual calendar year. Here a few examples to get us started:
In Your Corner, Leadership and Change Management
Four Triggers to Unleash and Sustain Powerful Momentum
The challenges and uncertainty we face this fall can feel overwhelming. These are circumstances that can sap energy, undermine confidence, and pile on harmful stress. Without a focused, difference-making strategy, we need to be ready to deal with growing frustration, confusion, and even burnout.
Fortunately, this does not have to be an unavoidable prophesy for the coming weeks and months. We have available to us a powerful set of motivation and momentum building triggers we can engage to counter the challenges and uncertainty we are facing. When employed authentically and strategically, we can tap maximum energy and build unmatched commitment within the organization we lead.
First, we must define, share, and embrace a clear purpose with which everyone can identify and find worthy of their commitment. For example, it may be that our purpose is to ensure that despite everything that is happening around and to us, “We will work together to provide students with rich, engaging, authentic learning experiences that build back learning lost in the spring.” In this context, the purpose can be a rallying point for everyone. “The pandemic will not defeat us or disadvantage our students!” Finding a common enemy and joining an effort larger than ourselves can be a powerful motivator.
Second, we need to explore, discover, and commit to what needs to be done. For example, we might identify strategies to accelerate learning by focusing in key areas for some students. For others, we may need to build bridges and fill gaps to help them get back on track. Still others may need care and support to overcome trauma and setbacks that are getting in the way of their learning progress. Importantly, we need to be clear about what we want to accomplish and what success will look like.
Third, with a clear, compelling purpose in place and a common understanding of what we intend to do to accomplish the purpose, we can give staff members reasonable autonomy to do what needs to be done. Herein lies the magic. When educators understand why they are working toward a common purpose or goal and grasp what needs to be done to accomplish it, flexibility in how to design learning experiences, engage students, and stimulate progress can unleash boundless energy and creativity. We empower teachers to bring their best selves and a full commitment to making a difference for students.
Fourth, we must create connections, bridges, and bonds across the organization so that everyone feels a sense of belonging. When people work together, learn together, and even play together, magic happens. Conversely, when people feel isolated and abandoned, little momentum and progress is likely to be sustained. We need to find ways for people to reflect, share, imagine, and create together. Here we need to focus on process and progress, not just the outcomes to which we are committed. We, too, need to play a central role in this process. People across the organization need to see and feel our enthusiasm, commitment, and focus as the year unfolds. Frequent check-ins, focused encouragement, and shared learning are essential leadership behaviors to activate this trigger.
When employed strategically, the magic of these four triggers is that we create a clear “why” for our work together, consensus on “what” needs to be done, and invite creativity, flexibility, and responsiveness in “how” the work will be done. When supported by a sense of respect and belonging, the combination is virtually unstoppable regardless of the challenges we face.
In Your Corner, Teacher Learning
In Your Corner, Student Learning
In Your Corner, Thinking Frames
In Your Corner, Student Learning
Share Your Tips & Stories
Share your story and the tips you have for getting through this challenging time. It can remind a fellow school leader of something they forgot, or your example can make a difficult task much easier and allow them to get more done in less time. We may publish your comments.
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