Anyone who knows me will tell you that I always wanted to be a teacher. I literally used to come home from school and play school. I’d sit at the kitchen table, teaching my imaginary students the parts of speech while sipping the Sanka coffee my mom made me. Don’t judge me…I was fully committed to mimicking what I saw my teachers doing everyday. And as God would have it, the little girl with the big imagination became an administrator who always found herself in unique school situations. But nothing is more unique than being a Principal during a pandemic.
This pandemic has highlighted the grit and resilience of educators everywhere. Although some good happened as a result of schools going remote for a year and a half, the after effects has smothered my passion for education. What once fulfilled me and brought me so much joy is now a recurring nightmare. I reflect on this everyday as I drive to and from work and I’m bothered that some people aren’t being truthful while others are ignoring the truth. I firmly believe that you have to live in reality and make decisions based on reality.
No one is sharing the reality that quarantining/excluding students and teachers presents its own challenge. No one is admitting that starting school as if students were on a normal summer break was a recipe for disaster. After all, there are second graders who only did a half year of kindergarten before going remote in March 2020. No one is explaining that it’s unreasonable for schools to have the same accountability metrics as they did in previous years. For schools to be in the business of kids, we certainly are not doing what’s best for them.
One of the things that’s best for kids is for schools to have effective leaders. Every school leader I’ve spoken to this year has already had a breakdown and is feeling quite ineffective. From staffing shortages to contact tracing, our duties have taken us further away from kids and classrooms when we are supposed to be instructional leaders. It doesn’t matter who I ask, from veterans to first year leaders, everyone’s answer is the same: I’m exhausted. How are we this exhausted at weeks 7 and 8 of school? Better yet...why are we exhausted?
One of the strategies we use to problem solve is the “Five Whys”...ask why until you get to the root of the issue. When I arrived at the root of my exhaustion, I discovered that I am feeling boxed in. This is extremely problematic for a person who has spent her career disrupting teaching and learning. (I’ll share more on those adventures in later blogs.) So I urge you, fellow administrators to ask why until you get to the root of your issue in order to problem solve based on your reality.
In this blog, I’ll explore all things education. Take this journey with me and use it as a catalyst to reflect, inspire or confirm.
Until next time, remember...live, laugh and lead.
Dr. DH
"EDUCATIONALLY YOURS" has been my email signature for at least 4 years- that Alone, caught my attention. I'm all
Exceptionally written. You may need to start your own school system. I know with the right amount of funding and your vision it would be a wonderful system. With that said, I pray that the GOD that strengthens us, strengthen you with all might. The Lord favor you and keep you And cause you to excel.
As Mom used to say, "I'd take my hat off to you and all who are working so hard to assure we will have an educated generation following us....if I wore a hat!" You and all are expected to perform miracles, and often times, you actually are! But it's not fair by anyone's scale to expect this to continue at this pace and without solid and uniform plans. More need to speak up and help you help the children or this country will have a Generation DUH, soon. Thanks for the truthful blog!