I am flat-out in awe of administrators in the field of education. You should know that I am terrifically (and unapologetically) biased because not only am I married to one, but I’m also daughter to the hardest working principal in our state. My relationship with these two administrators has given me a unique vantage point and a few thoughts worth sharing.
Here’s a line about my husband from last week’s post:
… my husband, Shawn, is an eternal optimist. Born with the ability to see the good, ignore the bad, and whistle a joyful tune while the house is burning down…
In his job, the house is figuratively burning down on the regular. Principals like Shawn and my mom have complex jobs. Their daily work includes keeping the peace, putting out fires, completing a long list of administrative tasks, and remaining sane all-the-while. Thousands of leaders like Shawn and my mom are working tooth and nail, day-in and day-out, and it’s my humble opinion that they deserve a giant “thank you.”
New York Times columnist, David Brooks, wrote this about effective school leadership:
Today’s successful principals are greeting parents and students outside the front door in the morning. [A] Minnesota-Toronto study found successful principals made 20 to 60 spontaneous classroom visits and observations per week.
In other words, they are high-energy types constantly circulating through the building, offering feedback, setting standards, applying social glue.
Many of us are blessed to work under district, building, or departmental leadership that fit Mr. Brook’s description. Maybe it’s not an administrator but a peer-leader who keeps the boat afloat and maintains peace among those on board.
I hope to spend the rest of my career in education viewing school leaders through the lens of gratitude. No leader, or human for that matter, is flawless. But surely there are plenty of folks who bring us through each day by protecting us from the flames that would otherwise make our jobs as teachers even trickier than they already are.
Three cheers for the firefighters among us. Thank you for all you do to protect our schools and grow the teachers and students you serve.
With a grateful heart,
Lindsay
To those of you directly or indirectly affected by the devastating fires in California, my prayers for your safety and peace accompany this note. -LV