The adventure in improving, innovating, and communicating education

If you don’t tell your story, someone else will.

Student achievement: the fundamental goal of education. Alone, each word signifies the focus of a school setting: the individual learner and their academic, social, and emotional success. Combined, these two words create a complex and often emotionally charged phrase. Because of the complexity of learning and the emotional ties to our children, school is what I call “messy." Not Messy in a negative way, but messy in a creative and unique way. Answers aren’t always clear cut. Solutions often take time. Partnerships are necessary for success.

I became a principal because I have a passion for what I call “people success." Selfishly, I am personally sustained by the excitement of accomplishment. Initially, my passion was fueled by helping children learn. First as a former dancer and dancing teacher, then as a mother, a classroom teacher and a Title I reading teacher. Then I became a school-wide Literacy Instructional Coach, and I realized I had a passion for helping adult learners succeed. I found a sense of fulfillment in being a part of their growth and the pride they took in attaining new knowledge and practices. The next logical step was to become a principal and extend my passion for “people success” to include children, teachers, families, and communities.

I’ve always seen the world through a hopeful sort of lens -- the glass is half-full perspective. Everyday I go to work with my rose colored glasses on-- I believe learning is magical and educators make a positive difference. Just like my leadership evolution, I am in the midst of another evolution -- and this one might even be considered a revolution. How can I create, support, and sustain growth at the “system” level and how can I promote the positive things that are happening in public education? Our school is changing. Physically, our classrooms are starting to look very different. Our focus is evolving regarding instruction, as well. We are growing our capacity to facilitate learning instead of disseminating information. We recognize the importance of being creators rather than consumers of technology. We know the workforce requires skills and competencies in critical thinking and problem-solving, collaboration, oral and written communication, and leadership/self-direction. Finally, we know that our attitudes and actions are what matter in making progress a reality. Check out this blog by A. J. Juliani and Jenni Donohoo’s website for more on attitudes, actions, and collective efficacy.

Because our brains rely on past experiences as a framework for the mental model we use in understanding something, it makes sense that most of us are filtering the concept of school through our past experiences and memories. (And I get it, some of those past experiences or memories aren’t positive.) When I first became a principal, my school was my focus. How can I make things better for people? How can I help all in my care succeed? That is still my focus; however, I’ve learned that those rose colored glasses can get a little smeared some days. I’ve also learned, if you don’t tell your story, someone else will. From a public school employee’s perspective, I want others to know that great things are happening in our schools! So this blog is designed to tell the story of growth through attitudes and actions.